Car computer questions

SlapYoMomma · 03-16-2005, 02:32 PM

I think i just about have what i need to get this up and running but would like some ideas from you all...

I have a shuttle pc that i was building before i bought my new truck and i would love to just use that... i play on the following.

shuttle pc
7in touch screen lcd
400 watt power inverter
small battery ups to solve some of the power surge issues...
audio is a no brainer as well as the video
I play on using it for:

GPS
DVD's backed up to the harddrive (who needs media that can get scratched)
internet once cingular edge gets better coverage in our area
mp3's
and if i can find one of those xm units for the pc anymore i would like to add that as well....

But any thoughts would be great... thanks..

bestatchess · 03-16-2005, 03:45 PM

Computer Installed - Pics

hunka27 · 03-16-2005, 04:51 PM

you'd be better off going to www.mini-box.com and getting a 12v power supply and a ITPS power sequencer. Its probably cheaper and more effecient, besides, the ITPS tells the computer to start when you start the car. Its pretty cool... I'm actually in the process of installing my own. go to www.mp3car.com and search the forums there. I find the the best program to use in the car is Frodoplayer (www.frodoplayer.com) It intergrates everything you could possibly want in the car, mp3, video files (avi, mpeg etc...), dvd, gps, xm, backup camera, regular radio if you have a computer connection for regular FM. You just have top search for skins on mp3car.com because the default is horrendous.... As for the XM connection just look on eBay for XM PCR, there's a bunch of auctions for $99 new. Hope my info helps, I'll be posting pics soon if you want to see them...

Treebasher · 03-16-2005, 05:04 PM

Not a bad idea but the hard drive/drives may not be designed to handle the kind of vibrations/shocks it will experience in a vehicle (over the long haul).

Just a thought... Maybe where/how you mount the chassis could help that out???

garo1 · 03-16-2005, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunka27

you'd be better off going to www.mini-box.com and getting a 12v power supply and a ITPS power sequencer. Its probably cheaper and more effecient, besides, the ITPS tells the computer to start when you start the car. Its pretty cool... I'm actually in the process of installing my own. go to www.mp3car.com and search the forums there. I find the the best program to use in the car is Frodoplayer (www.frodoplayer.com) It intergrates everything you could possibly want in the car, mp3, video files (avi, mpeg etc...), dvd, gps, xm, backup camera, regular radio if you have a computer connection for regular FM. You just have top search for skins on mp3car.com because the default is horrendous.... As for the XM connection just look on eBay for XM PCR, there's a bunch of auctions for $99 new. Hope my info helps, I'll be posting pics soon if you want to see them...

That's the ticket! I've been looking for a way to do all of those things. hunka27, where is a good location to install the mini PC? I was thinking in the center console since I don't really use it for anything. Any ideas?

2OHOH2 · 03-16-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treebasher

Not a bad idea but the hard drive/drives may not be designed to handle the kind of vibrations/shocks it will experience in a vehicle (over the long haul).

Just a thought... Maybe where/how you mount the chassis could help that out???

Laptop HD's work great, and are up to 100GB. For the truly paranoid, they can also be shock-mounted.

hunka27 · 03-17-2005, 12:29 PM

I agree with using the laptop hard drive, there made for better vibrations, but you can also get a flash card reader from mini-box.com and install windows on a flash card, this way it boots up quicker also. then have your music and other stuff on a hard drive and if it fails its not the end of the world. Mine is right under the driver seat. I made a custom box out of sheet metal and it fits fine. I was thinking about making a new one though and having it the exact shape of the glove box and just slide it right in. If you get a mini itx board you can really fit them just about anywhere, there only 6.5"x6.5". you could even fit it in the dash somewhere if you're careful.