Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

hey fellas,

i was reading up on reviews about 2 in 1 dvd/monitor units and came across something known as the carputer. the idea behind this is that in addition to being able to play dvd's/cd/mp3 in your car, you can also access the internet through wireless connection as well have a gps device all in the one unit. what i would like to know is if anyone on this forum has done this setup and also what are the cost involved.also do you think that its worth going through the trouble of making this since it seems that it would have to be a custom job of assembling the unit itself.

whats your ideas/experience/opinion.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/88305-carputer-basically-in-car-computer/
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...
  • Replies 50
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

If you can organise the wireless internet, and your LCD has a spare input, grab an old PC and throw a Jaycar Electroncs XC4875 12v ATX power supply and a cheap graphics card with a composite video output and you are all set!!

Call Jaycar AU 1800 022 888 to find out if they have any XC4875 in stock.

Hi Nozila,

I would suggest looking into an american system called " drive soft"

Information can be obtained from

http://www.drivesoft.net/index.html

This is one of the most popular american systems available. it uses touch screen monitors and unlike putting a PC or laptop in the car does not require a power invertor.

Regards

Pj

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Nozila

I have installed a carputer into my R32 GTSt 4 door.

My system is an 8" Lilliput touch screen and a P3 1.8GHz computer with 512mb of RAM and a 80gb hard drive in a custom computer case in the boot. This is connected to an amp and a 12" sub. I have 6x9's in the back and 6's in the front. I'm also running a USB 7 port hub and a Powermate control knob (for volume). The computer is powered with a custom built power supply with an in-built startup/shutdown controller, mounted in the case. I am running Windows XP as the OS and using the FrodoPlayer frontend to play media. I use it mostly for music, though I have a few movies on my computer too, and I can play GTA 3. My computer is fairly basic and is not set up for complex 3D gaming or any muck like that.

Here's a rough cost break down for the computer components (not including amp, speakers and sub):

Motherboard: $75

Hard drive: $75

RAM: $60

Case: Custom with 2 case fans (no cost available)

Touchscreen: $450

Powermate: $60

12vDC powersupply: $130 to build, had to buy circuit diagram & board and components individually.

USB hub: $40

Now, your wireless internet is a different story. If you mean wireless access to the net as you drive, this would mean using a mobile phone as a modem or getting a sattelite plan connection. Both of which are very expensive, so I haven't bothered with them. However, I do plan on putting a wireless network card USB into the computer so that I can tap into any existing WiFi networks wherever I park the car (and it helps when you put media in the car)

I haven't done GPS, as you have to buy a GPS reciever and an antenna, and software if you don't want to go open source.

You can also do XM radio (with a special reciever) which is a sattelite radio band available in most of the world with hundreds of channels. You can also get HD TV tuner and and antenna so that you can watch TV in the car as well.

I heavily used mp3car.com as suggested by another member which supplied me with most of the info regarding the power supply and the startup/shutdown controller which is the most complicated part of the whole system.

If you have any more questions, feel free to leave a message here or PM. I've only signed up here to post this (at this stage) so I may be a while in responding.

  • 3 weeks later...

I had a carputer in my GTIR. It is in the process of being transported to my r34.

Specs:

- VIA M10000 mobo/cpu

- Opus 12v power supply inc. shutdown controler

- Laptop HDD

- Laptop DVD

- 5" Playstation 1 LCD screen (non-touch), hacked to fit dash

- Thumb-ball mouse

- WinXP + many versions of different front end software found on mp3car.com (can't decide which is best).

- USB GPS

- USB wifi

- USB webcam

- Serial Consult interface

Does:

- Music (cd and mp3)

- Movies (dvd, divx etc.)

- GPS navigation and tracking with OziExplorer and gps trackmaker

- WiFi "wardriving"with Netstumbler

- Reverse camera

- Consult data display and logging.

If you want to do a carPC quick, use an invertor and old PC. If you want to do it right, use an Opus and laptop parts with a mini-ITX mobo, purpose built.

The screens below are an old test install in my GTIR. It got a little neater for the final install, but i cant find the pics. When it goes into the Skyline, i'll be swapping to a DIN sized 7" touchscreen.

post-28052-1146563368.jpg

post-28052-1146563380.jpg

post-28052-1146563396.jpg

post-28052-1146563405.jpg

post-28052-1146563424.jpg

post-28052-1146563435.jpg

Hi Nozilla,

I have just finished installing a Carputer in my R33 a few weeks ago.

I used a laptop that i got off ebay cheap because it had a cracked LCD, apart from that it was all pretty much new. It already had wireless, bluetooth, a 60gig hard drive, dvd-rom, etc. I have mounted it up in the boot, running a cable from the audio line-out (headphone socket) to the inputs of my amps (one 4 channel and one bridges 2 channel for the sub). I ran a VGA and USB cableunder the read seats, under the carpet, and up to the dash, where i have custom mounted a 7" Xenarc touchscreen. I am powering the laptop off a laptop car-charger, so no inverters or costly power supplies are neccessary. I opened up the lappy and soldered a set of leads to the power button and power light connections on the mainboard, and ran these with the other two cables up to the front as well. i have an illuminated pushbutton for the power switch this way. I have simply got it set to standby as the battery reaches 99% and there is no power (Power Options > Alarms > 'Low Battery'), and hibernate when it gets to 20% ('Critical Battery'). The charger is switched through a relay from the original stereo wire, so that it is switched off as soon as the ignition is turned off, and the computer standby's in about 30 seconds. The screen is also powered off this wire, so it turns off as soon as the car is switched off.

I use a 'front-end' software package called Centrafuse, which allows me to control all my music, videos, satellite navigation, FM radio, phone, etc from one easy to use, easy to see interface. I have a USB GPS reciever that is used with the Destinator software to provide turn-by-turn navigation. I have a USB FM receiver that gives me FM radio, and my phone is controlled via Bluetooth by PhoneControl.NET. All of these are accessed through Centrifuse though.

Basically it all just works...or should i say 'Worked'... it was great until my screen overheated and blew up last week....damnit...but once that is either repaired or replaced, it will all be good!

Cheers,

Sam.

anyone though of using a wireless mouse and keyboard?

I have a wireless kayboard that i use if i need to configure the system or whatever, and occasionally to browse the web, but obviously this cannot be used while driving, which is where i use the touch screen. As for the mouse, the touchscreen does this perfectly, you just tap the screen where you would normally click.

Pics please.

I will post some pics once my screen is repaired and all looking sweet again :D

-Sam

try this...

www.maxice.com.au

They were at the autosalon last year promoting their gear..basically an all in one unit, with wi-fi internet, gps, tv, windows OS, the works...all for bout 4k.

I can most likely give u a full setup including wifi internet for about $3000.

(NSW ONLY)

-legit version of win XP

-Optus Wireless speeds upto 54mbps in hotspot locations.

-7" or more TOUCHSCREEN

-DVD R/W

-PLAYS ANY FILE YOUR PC CAN

-200gb hard drive

-surround sound outputs

-additional functions on request

if interested pm me :P

im going to install my next one in the glovebox.

the monitor would replace your DIN unit/s.

everything is touch screen.

Edited by illusiVe
  • 2 weeks later...

u guys r talking bout some high prices.

ive done my car pc for less than $500 probably. (it's actually in peices not in the car yet..im temporarily not living in aust)

$250 touch screen lcd. ok fabrication came to a bit as its moulded into the dash with usb ports underneath the screen

the rest is an old pc lying around, i guess expensive bit is the hdd if u want a massive one. im using a 250.

sound card is where u need to spend quite a bit upon.

then power supply, start up/shut down, there are many options.

www.mp3car.com , im suprised no ones mentioned this yet. their online shop ships to aust, opus power supplies etc turn ur pc on when ur car goes on, off when its switched off (by safe shut down).

gps = $60. u dont HAVE to have a keyboard, the touch screen is the mouse...its cheaper than a headunit... the expensive (or time consuming) part is the fabrication/moulding.

i havent got any wireless stuff happening though.. not interested in that..

ill post pics of the screen moulding soon if i can get some

Edited by Nav2k

I mean actually buying all the basic components needed. Some of us dont just have stuff 'lying around' :D

But yeah mate. mp3car shop is great. Gonna order my opus power supply and 3 in 1 shark fin antenna off them.

im talking high end equipment, compact. software written for in car pcs.

the pc I build will be shuttle size (about a 25cm cube) in size.. not a full pc box

not necessarily custom moulds etc.. But a decent 7" LCD touch = $700.

so i mean, what are u using if u made a car pc under $500......

old pc + $500 7" non touch lcd?

Edited by illusiVe

My entire system cost me under $1000.. and that included the sound system (well partly... my car already had a nice set of alpine speakers throughout...but no amp or subbie). One word...eBay! :P

old Laptop with cracked LCD - $350

12V car charger - $15

7" LCD touch-screen (second-hand) - $250 (would've been $350 for a new one...)

Holux GPS Reciever - $65

Kicker 2x75W Amp (for my front speakers) - $50

Audioline 4x200W Amp (2x200 for my rear speakers, 1x400 for my sub) - $65

10" 600W Sub in ported box - $60

Assorted cabling (USB, VGA, RCA, speaker, power) and connectors - $60

Total: $915

Edited by Samon

I'm building a CarPC too :P

My setup involves:

1 x 7" Lilliput Touch Screen (motorized)

1 x Bluetooth Dongle

1 x GPS Dongle

1 x Laptop (NEC)

Video: USB Cable from the touch screen to laptop... works all functions just as the mouse would, just utilizes touch screen.

Sound: Optical output from laptop going into the input of my Pioneer head unit. Optical cable will provide sound that is second to none provided bitrate of MP3s are good.

Bluetooth: To be integrated with my mobile software ... instant car kit for phone, displays SMS on the screen (100% legal)

GPS: To be used with "free" GPS Software that I "found"

Why use laptop:

My laptop is provided to me by my work... it is the very very small (about the size of an A4 piece of paper and 3cm thick). Contains 120gb hard drive, DVD Rom, USB, Optical Sound Out, Video Out, etc etc.

Using a laptop also for security; don't feel like leaving big $$$ in the car as I've had a break in before.

Also, it'll be a lot easier to load new things onto it with a Laptop over a true In-Car PC.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Seat of the pants assessment of the new intake: The car is way less "doughy" when hitting the loud pedal, especially off idle when stopped or in traffic, I did use a cheapo lazer thermal thingo to measure the temp around where the pod filter got its air, it was between 55 - 60°C, in saying this the car was shut off and not moving, so the OEM intake pipe was not supplying any fresh air to where the pod was when the car was at least moving A weird bonus was induction noise on the throttle in the cabin increased a bit,  I was worried that I was actually going to lose some of that induction noise I love so much, outside though, when I got the daughter to do a WOT drive by pass for me, the induction noise has increased alot when on the throttle, not quite ITB doort, but well up there I'm extremely happy with the results and have been exploring the country roads in the region  As for house mods: 1.New front fence is up and is awesome, it really upgraded how the joint looks from the street, and the added security is nice 2. Electricians have replace some interior lights, and with more lighting in the garage, a few new motion detecting lights out the front above the garage, front room, and at the front door, which I have already found heaps helpful coming and going, also now has fancy pants CCTV all round the house The only hold point for power though is the solar and batteries due to supply issues, although this will happen over the next few weeks 3. I have done a heap of landscaping out the front and I'm almost ready to do a new small retaining wall with some nice blocks to replace the brick and cemented in rocks around the raised garden beds cemented in river stone "was the fashion at the time" the house was built. I currently have a pallet of retaining wall blocks and 2 bulka bags of 20mm blue metal to replace the wood chip that is in the raised garden beds around the house 4. I now have 3 big raised garden beds for out the back to grow some vegetables, about 70cm high, 200cm long and 100cm wide 5. My 2 compost bins are already pretty full with brown, green and kitchen waste from the landscaping I'vedone so far, but they will probably take a few months to break down, so anything else that gets chopped, trimmed, and kitchen waste will just start filling the base of the raised garden beds to about 30cm before I start throwing 40cm of good compost, and stuff, for the vegetables to grow in, I'll need a few ton of compost and soil, but the local supplier can sent me bulka bags of the stuff Basically the logs, wood chips and a few strategically placed rocks for drainage, will give the beds some good organic materials down low to break down over time, and they will hold moisture during the warmer months to save the water in my big arse water tank if we don't get alot of rain So, all in all, the car and house mods are going well, and I'm really enjoying being retired, I sleep in too 0700 and slowly plod around inside until I feel like actually doing anything, and only work in the yard for as long as want, which has actually been alot over the last few weeks,  although when you look at it, it seems that not a huge amount of work has been done,  until I look at the before I started the work pics Happy days and good times indeed 
    • hahaha yeah. Plan is to get side skirts and probably just rear pods. But going to do them one-by-one. I've got a set that I really like from RHDJapen, but that one isn't shipped to AU. So need to find someone who can get it for me
    • Here's an idea, answer the questions I asked you as they are trying to work out WHY the LSD will be binding up in a straight line.
    • You haven't driven many modern cars then have you? Most of them have sfa steering feel with their stupid electric bullshit steering systems.
×
×
  • Create New...