I am thinking about building a computer right into my car to store MP3s on. Building thte computer is a peace of cake, but i am not sure how to wire it into the car so that i can hook it up to a small 7.5 in screen or getting it to play through my speakers.....has anyone done this before...If you have can you tell me how to wire it and or any other advice that you may have.....

Thanks
MaineIrocer

 

u can buy lcd screens from auio/video shops/stores that will take a 12volt input, and sometimes better, has a cig lighter on it already, as far as hooking up to ur speakers, u could use a fm transmitter hooked up to the pc to broadcast it to a existing headunit, or if ur headunit has RCA input, u can get an adapter cord for cheap, that changes the computers headphones out to RCA jacks

 

What about getting the image from the computer to the LCD screen?

 

depending on the type of computer u are using, laptop,mini-itx some have a s-video or rca video out

 

I work on computers and we have this Shuttle SB51G X-PC , it is 300mm(L) 200mm(w) 185(h). It would be perfect in a car and it has a liquid cooled CPU. It has digital outs, fire wire, USB, and excepts full size AGP cars for high end graphics and the S video & analog outs! You could use a special made to fit s video cable and if you incorporate a high end sound card (soundblaster etc.) that has analog outs I am sure you could hook it up somehow. The only thing I havent tried to figure out is the power to the monitor and the system.

 

he is probably gonna be using a lcd screen which is powered off the cars 12v system, as for the power for the computer, there are 2 methods i know of

use a dc-ac power inverter, which can be bought all over, which convert 12vdc to 120vAC which then would power a computer,etc

use a dc power supply for a computer, which replaces the current power supply in a computer and instead of the psu needing 120vAC it will take 12vDC

 

heres a pic

 

I thought of using a power inverter but it semed a little cheap and unreliable, I really dont know about the reliability but I was thinking of finding a way to wire it I guess.

 

fiding a way to wire it? u simply cannot plug a normal computer into a car, u have to use an inverter, or if the powersupply is 12v compatible

 

Actually, with a little tweaking, you can put a regular PC into a car. Everything inside a computer runs on two voltages, except maybe the CPU which is lower: 12 and 5 VDC. The PS is only there to turn the incoming 115-130 VAC or 230-240 VAC to these two basic voltages. All you have to do is figure out how to convert the 12VDC from the batt into the lower voltages. Although, the processors used in today's computers (referring to the few Celerons left out there as well as the Pent 4) use much lower voltages than the earlier Pentium series, which used the basic 5.0 VDC incoming voltage, ex. 1.78 VDC for the Celeron I use in my other computer, a 1.1 GHz processor that fits the outdated Socket 370. I looked up ht Pent 4 used in this pc, and I could not find a core voltage listed, but I believe it's even lower than the Celeron above uses.

This is probably a loas of for the rest of you, but to computer-literate people like me, it might mean something, I hope.

 

And every time you start the car you'd need to wait for the computer to boot, and if it is running windoze that time can get long.
Why not get one of the newer CD changers that can also read MP3 CD's?
Other than that, I'd suggest a Laptop with jacks to plug it into your existing sound system.

 

The possibilities for its function in a car can really go above and beyond if you do enough homework and of course put enough money and time into R&D to make it work, keep it cool, and make sure the harddrive doesnt get torn apart from everyday driving !

 

Know how about internet!

 

You wouldnt need to worry if your CD player played MP3's because you could store a couple thousand on the hard drive and just play them in a random order with media player or something!

 

Actually, I prefer to use Seagate hard drives becuase they are tested to withstand 30 G's or so of force, and they most likely will still work after an accident or mishap. The only thing I would be worried about is heat shielding for all of the major components-heat tends to fry electrical circuits, especially the ones in thinly covered structures such as hard disks (which usually tend to have a BARE circuit board on the bottom) and other drives, but the worst thing you have to worry about in this case is the processor. It must be ventilated somehow, even if you put it in the center A/C duct, which would probably be a decent choice for mounting smaller main boards.

 

I work in a computer shop and belive it or not some retard just came in here with a 90 something Tahoe with an old a$$ Gateway 2000 took aparrt sitting in his rear floorboard, a full size monitor sitting between the front seats facing forward??? and he thought it was cool that he mounted the CDrom in the dash! I wish I could have gotten pics!

 

I actually built a computer/mp3 system for a car about 3 or 4 years ago for a project in high school. Used an atx board with built in sound. For a display, i used a 6 line lcd backlit screen which was like 15 bucks hooked into the parallel port. Power came from a 12 volt pc power supply unit i bought for about 100 bucks, i forget what company makes it, but it has connectors for the motherboard and 2 accessories (hard drive), and it runs off 12 volts so no inverter was needed.

The software was linux based, and boot time was down to about 10 seconds running off a pentium 266. Display would have song titles, artists, ect. and a graphic analyzer display...it was really customizable. It was controlled by IR with a remote i used to have for an old portable cd player. Had a 20GB hard drive.

Never installed it, used it for a while hooked into my home system, but now its just sitting in a box in my basement, Mp3 players are a dime a dozen now days, but back then I guess it was a good idea...

 

www.mini-itx.com sells 55w psu's that work off of 12v power input, i dont beleive the input is regulated though, so a simple voltage regulator would be in line, but 55w isnt much to play with, it says u cant use full size cd/dvd roms with it, only the slim type

 

My whole point was becasue i want to have like 2 or 3 gigs of music in my car that i could play randomly have have some kinda of graphic played on the screen at the same time.. I wouldnt need to huge uptoday computer. I can build one of of parts from computers that are like 5 years old and get the parts cheep and it will work just fine for what i am looking for. The computer part i am not worried about i am a Computer Major.. :0 but i am not car electrical man so i am not positive on the best and lest expensive way to go about doing it.

I am also gonna conseal the computer away so you dont see it anyways.

Also it would be pretty cool to tell people i have a computer it my car

 

You need parts, let me know.. I have one whole spare and a whole box of computer parts sitting around collecting dust.

 

what you got for parts?? I dont think i will need any for the computer my buddy just got a new computer and gave me his old one.......

 

Here's a small list:
1. Old Gateway P5-133 133 MHz server tower, no hard disk, 2x CDROM, FDD.
2. Motherboard: Unknown make, possibly Intel, with Overdrive Socket 8 with 180 MHz OverDrive processor. This board is not small by any means and the processor is huge (possibly largest Intel has made to this point for standard sockets). Heatsink is included but has no fan (cannibalized for my Celeron 1.1 gig)
3. Ensoniq sound card. Unknown make and model, never used so I don't know how it sounds.
4. Rockwell RipTide PCI soundcard, data/fax modem. Only has four ports, with two being for the modular phone lines, the other piece is missing that has the rest of the sound ports on it, but I do have the cable for the adaptor card.
5. Spare floppy disks, I have two but am keeping one in case I might need it becuase it only fits HP Pavilion cases, but the other was a working pull and is white.
No CDRW or DVD drives. Only have two and both are being used.
6. Plenty of IDE/FDD cables, various lengths.
You can go out to Radio Shack and buy a 3.5 mm headphone jack to RCA convertor cable. I have a 3 footer, but I am not getting rid of it. Good if you have a head unit that accepts RCA input cabling.
This stuff is cheap. If you want it, just email me at maverickh1_l@yahoo.com. I have lots of packing materials and huge boxes if you want me to ship the Gateway, but shipping will be a PITA. I also have a set of working Packard Bell keyboard and mouse, but I am not looking to get rid of those unless they are REALLY needed. I use them for diagnostics on the other computer becuase that only has USB devices, which are not enabled in XP setup.

 

ok cool, thanks

I dont really know what i need yet cause i havent started constructing it yet. but as soon as i do if i need something i will let you know thanks.

 

Still trying to figure out how to hook the computer to the car screen....anyone know???

 

How does the screen get picture to begin with? Most GOOD video cards should have S-video and standard TV outs. If it is one of the flip up screens you should be able to go through one of those inputs. Should be easy plug and play almost.

 

Just like a VCR

The lcd screen will have
video in


You need a video card with video out and of course a sound card hooked into some speakers.

Or get a $30 tv box that would plug into the video card and give you video out. It would also have a jack for a standard computer monitor.

You can get a nice LCD for $75-$99

 

thanks, thats exactly what i was looking for!

 

Oh, and for sound cards, I highly recommend the Philips Edge series. They are pretty decent and are also made here in the US. I believe I bought mine for around $35, but they no longer produce the particular Edge model I have.

 

HI RES 5.6" MONITOR $89

http://7925.adahost.com/computer/ind...item13473.html


DVD/VCD/DVCD/SVCD/CD/MP3 $99

http://7925.adahost.com/computer/ind...item13777.html

 

Someone on the board has this car...

Also you can just get a laptop and mount the screen on the dash, just lengthen the wires.

 

There are some LCD's that have VGA outputs. They make for a nice clean display and are only 7" displays. They also have some that are touch screens which negates the need for a mouse. I am building a miniITX computer for the TransAm. Got me a 120GB HDD, 2 5.6" Visor monitors and a 7.2" VGA monitor on the way. Also to keep the hands free I am writing myself a voice controler for the OS. That way I can just dictate my commands and the computer will do whatever I say.

Hehehe...kinda weird eh...talking to a TransAm...wonder where I have seen that before

 

I seriously doubt you can just lengthen the wires on a laptop screen. Its not a standard type of wire.

 

Sure it is, just a very small guage wire. You can order spools of it from most electronics sites

 

Ok maybe I am thinking of the flat keyboard type connectors that laptops use.

 

Oh yah, those suck!! lol I was talking about pencil lead thin wire.

 

The R&D is already done, sorry to take the fun out it!

any voltage for the home PC can be derived from the 12v circuit in a car with a voltage divider network. Ofcourse a good filtering DC-DC power supply wouldn't hurt and is most likley necessary.

Check out MobileVidioOutlet.com

A company, Mobile Interactive Solutions, has already put together a nice compct unit to dash mount like a DVD. It has PS2, USB, serial and parallel ports. no bulky power suply because there is no need to break down 120VAC.....and no need for a power inverter to turn 12VDC to 120VAC then back to 12VDC......


LUVmy92, pretty soon we will be making vistits to stereo shops to 'assist' with the software and maybee harware setup....since most of the installers would be a little lost in that dept....




btw, any wire can be lengthened with a soldering iron, solder and some insulator, the queation is: can it carry the signals the extra distance?


Internet?? My Sprint sanyo 4700 cell phone can make that happen, $100/month if it's worth your while. This phone was pre-vidio/picture phone too. A built in dedicated wirless link just for the PC is possible too. If you don't break any FCC laws, you can run an FM link to your home and tie it into your internet with a switch or just use a wireless NIC and park outside of Starbucks and use thier 'hotzone'.

The R&D is done, the technology and consumer products are here already. I can't wait for the trend to catch on and cash in whenever technical assistance is necessary.


oh yea...the magazine I saw this little wonder in was Mobile Electronics November 2003 issue, it was just an ad. It came with my MECP packet, the website is me-mag.com

 

The comp I am building for the T/A will be located in the trunk. I noticed I have a little locking area back there that is perfect size for a computer. It just screams "Populate me with your computer stuff" .

So I plan on ordering the Mini ITX board with the VIA C3 800 CPU. This CPU uses next to no power which means it runs super cool with just a heat sink. Of course this CPU is no where near the power of a Celeron or Duron however its more like "What if the intel Pentium 1 came in a 800mhz form" type chip. As for a hard drive, I plan on using a 120GB Maxtor Drive with a custom built suspension rack this way the drive won't feel every bump I accidentaly hit. As for a CDROM...that will be the only part of the system that will be exposed. The CD ROM I plan on having stick out of the top of the lid some how...still researchign that mod though.

Whats left...oh the screen...or should I say Screens. I bought 2 sun visors with 7.2" TFT Monitors and a 7.2" Screen for the dash. so thats my battle plan for the video. The 7.2 TFT Sun Visors are only ran by Svideo however the 7.2" monitor is driven by an SVGA input with touch screen interface.

As for controlling it. I am currently writing a voice command system so I can just shout out my commands and the computer will recognize. I have it recognizing GPS, Winamp, Play, Stop, Next, Back, Shuffle. I am still working on getting it to calculate the ETA when I am on a trip and have it plot courses as well. I want to be able to say "Computer" which is what you say to activate the voice recog "plot a course" then it will say "enter destination" and I can reply "Bumsville Idaho" or whatever and it will plot the course. That is what I am working on now.

 

Thraxx, for your 7.2inch dash display, all of the itx boards ive seen have a built in vga connector, as for the touch screen, they are the same connector as a mouse uses, serial port or ps/2 port

 

Yikes, how much did you have to drop for the screens???

 

No one has mentioned putting an xbox in their car....

less than $200

easily modified to put custom OS on.

video goes straight to rca video lcd, or VGA

can play games still, watch movies, all with the xbox remote

booting time is like 5 seconds or so.... and it works fine off an inverter you can buy for 30 bucks.

If you had it in you, one could even cleverly mount the DVD-ROM somewhere handy, and elongate the power button on the xbox so you can hide it somewhere.

People have already made very driver-friendly music/video players for custom xboxes and you can put a gigantic hard disk inside...

 

Here is a neat mini DC powered computer, looks smaller than the Shuttle DC ones.

http://www.stealthcomputer.com/littlepc_dcinput.htm

 

the 7.2" dash mounted Display has 2 video inputs and a VGA input. The touch screen portion is a USB connector. I bought it off of Ebay for 300$.

The 2 visors won't be used for the computer. Gonna use one for the camera that I plan on mounting on the rear and the visor on the passenger side will be for the PS2 so they have something to do on long trips.

That mini PC is nice and all however a P3 Processor tends to get pretty toasty. The reason I went with the Via C3 processor is due to the lower power consumption, low heat production, and decent performance for the job I plan on giving the computer...which will be navigation mainly.

 

what resolution was that 7.2inch lcd? for touch screen that seems like a fairly good deal... I got a 10.5 inch for $250... but no touch screen... also what is the actual viewing angle? I found mine to be about 60 degrees... fairly poor if you ask me... but the way I see it... you'd have the screen facing you anyways in a car...

 

I've done a computer in the car. Just a few things. If you're going to do it, make sure you get a touchscreen monitor. This is crucial. We don't need any more third gens wrapped around trees. There's not enough of them out there now.

A few other things:
-Where would you mount the computer?
-Remember, heat is a factor. That's a problem I had with mine.
-How would you do audio output? I eliminated my HU and ran strait from computer to amp, eliminating the radio all together.
-Have you considered GPS with this? Its very cool!
-Think about making the HDD removable, especially for hot days.
-Think about ventilation problems in the summer.
-Think about getting a good security system... this is a complete and total target for theives.

If you have any questions AIM me: craashmann. I don't read these boards too often. Let me know if you need any help. I can post pictures of my install soon.

 

you could mount a webcam on the back window and record all your track kills

 

I've thought about mounting cameras at various locations in a car. Like have one out the back, out the front, out each side, and maybe one at the gauges. That way, whenever anything out of the ordinary happened on the road, you'd have a complete recording of it.

 

there are programs that record jpegs instead of video, so that you can have days and days on your hard drive, then you animate them together to make an avi for the times you need the video for.
my wholesaler just started carrying pinhole cameras it could be done. would be cool to have it flushmounted out where the door locks are.

 

When I do it I'm gonna go with a Mini-Box. Requires no inverter, has all the functionality I need, small enough to fit under a seat, and built in fans so heat is no problem. Only crappy part is its not an Intel or AMD chip, but does not matter to me as long as it works with the few applications I plan to run (all tuning related). If the Microsoft X-Box gaming console unit had all the connections I needed for tuning with an ALDL cable (romulator) I would go that route. Just reformat it with Linux, hook up an inverter, and you've got a cheap P3 700mhz CPU ready to go.

 

Not sure if any of you watch TechTV, but I just happened to notice this article up on their website that they did on their show this week. It's about a guy who wired up an ATX computer in his car, I believe running on a separate battery.

He hooked up this cpu in his Benz, with a 12" touchscreen, and it runs as his MP3 machine, GPS, Wi-Fi 'net access (listens to Web radio-no need for satellite radio), plus runs some office work as well.

Here is the link, they also have a video of what he had on the show, but with my 56K connection I didn't bother to watch it

Modded Benz w/ ATX onboard computer...

-Dustin

 

i'm gonna start on a carputer project pretty soon. I'm gonna be using a micro atx board so i can mount it inside the dash area, and a 14in lcd screen. total will be pretty expensive but is acceptable for the car.

ummm.... you might wanna try a full atx power supply that has dc input, very expensive for power supplies but are worth it if you dont want a power inverter. i will be using a power inverter soimply becuase the other shizzle is way way to expensive for me.

those little mini itx power supplies will not power a p4 or athlon. never in life. p4 mobo by itself no hard drive or cdrom drive uses 68 watts at normal load, full load its 79. Athlon's use 86 watts normal, and 95 full. add a hard drive and a cd-rom dirve and you got nothing left. mini itx boards use maybe 22 watts full load thats why they are so small and cheap.

the better solution for your project will be to find a moder n board that is cheap, and find a super cooling solution for it. i'm buying a $65 fan and heatsink for my athlon xp 1700, whihc is $73 for it and the mobo.

computer are cheap now, take advantage of the older systems that are now cheaper then legacy systems. just make sure you do it right.



Shane