In Car PC for Audio/DVD, etc

[Byte]

Please advise what you guys use as your InCar PC - in particular, where you locate this PC and what case is used?

Byte

[lil_mickey]

I made my own case to fit my hj kinga, search ebay for an mini atx or itx motherboard, jaycar sell a moniter and psu

[SMIT]

This is a bit technical for these forums, you should check out Mobile Electronics Australia.

That being said you can get ok cases of ebay that fit in a DIN SLOT, most of which arnt user upgradable. You can get double din complete carputers that are preety good alos.

[lil_mickey]

head over to

MP3Car.com - Your source for mobile computing solutions! - All Blog Entries

thats where i got all my info

[ephect]

mp3car has been invalueable! i've seen all these mini itx atx boards in the boot and what not but i've seen an aopen XC PC under the dash. close to the screen no extension cables from the boot, no cables running up and back down the sil panel. and it actually looks good.

[Tom_1569]

Marking thread.... would love to do something more permanent instead of the laptop which is ****ed from falling off the seat lol.

[Byte]

THansk guys.

I guess the next question is - why use this pc type setup over head units?

Is the sound that much better from these pc's with the right stuff inside (i.e. 7.1 Surround SOund card, etc)?

Byte

[lil_mickey]

THansk guys.

I guess the next question is - why use this pc type setup over head units?
Byte

GPS, DVD, MP3, MP4, AVI, CD, USB, Massive storage, MSN, Customized display, TV tuner, WI-FI, Email, Bluetooth, Games,

there are heaps more features if you want them but it is totaly up to you.
It is only limited by the software you install

Is the sound that much better from these pc's with the right stuff inside (i.e. 7.1 Surround SOund card, etc)?

Byte

you need to amp the sound, but after that you can get a heaps better sound because of EQ and sound enhancement software, plus 5.1 surround in your car.

[ephect]

GPS, DVD, MP3, MP4, AVI, CD, USB, Massive storage, MSN, Customized display, TV tuner, WI-FI, Email, Bluetooth, Games,

there are heaps more features if you want them but it is totaly up to you.
It is only limited by the software you install

you need to amp the sound, but after that you can get a heaps better sound because of EQ and sound enhancement software, plus 5.1 surround in your car.

^ exactly!

Even if you want, keep your head unit for those short trips that you dont want to turn on ur PC for or visiting a dodgy area, u can still have radio and CD. Plug your PC into the headunit via AUX in and then you can still keep your remote for quick mutes adjusting the sound. Bonus

[Tom_1569]

Wow, those links are awesome, ive always wanted to do some thing like this but never bothered to look into it, now spent hours reading.
When funds and a car that warrants it, my plan is
Mp3 player (to wirelessly stream my server for updates)
movies/dvds
GPS
Handsdree
Reverse cameras

Just something basic but cool, the GPS recievers are under 50 bux on ebay, Im thinking I might set it all up on the laptop as a dummy, then splash the cash on the hardware much later on down the track.
Cool as, new brainwave and project I dont need haha

[lil_mickey]

Wow, those links are awesome, ive always wanted to do some thing like this but never bothered to look into it, now spent hours reading.
When funds and a car that warrants it, my plan is
Mp3 player (to wirelessly stream my server for updates)
movies/dvds
GPS
Handsdree
Reverse cameras

Just something basic but cool, the GPS recievers are under 50 bux on ebay, Im thinking I might set it all up on the laptop as a dummy, then splash the cash on the hardware much later on down the track.
Cool as, new brainwave and project I dont need haha

LOL this sounds like me 12 months ago,
I did set it up on a loptop first and then bought everything,
now just waiting to finish my Kinga to install it all...
there is so much that a car PC can do...

Don't forget that you can read errors from your ecu with a pc...

The biggest problem i had was the power supply,
but 2 relays later and it turns itself on and shuts down when the key is turned off...