Carputer (pc In My R33)

[J3TR33]

I just finished installing my CarPC v3 (my third version of a CarPC over the years..) this weekend.

This latest build consists of:

* Xenarc MDT-X7000 in-dash motorized 7" vga touchscreen

* Intel D945GCLF2 Mini-ITX ATOM 330 (dual-core) motherboard/CPU combo

* 2GB DDR Memory

* Seagate Momentus 320GB 7200rpm 2.5" disk

* M2-ATX Automotive power-supply

* Automotive mini-itx case (very similar to voom case, but I dont think its a genuine voom)

* USB Wifi (Asus WL-167 802.11B/G)

* USB GPS (BU-353)

* USB 3G/HSPDA

This latest version boots a whole lot faster and seems a whole lot better than my v2 (Intel P-M 1.2ghz/1gb/30gb 4200rpm disk + 120gb 2.5" usb ext in the same case) and I'm pretty happy with it so far.

I'm using centrafuse for front-end, which I have found very reliable over the years.

I would recommend using the mp3car site as a reference for carpc information, as it can be invaluable for ironing out those weird bugs that you'll inevitably run into.

what do you think of the IVA C7 2.o Ghz cpu, and the Lilliput screens?

obviously you have chosen Xenarc caus it might be better? Why?

and that MP3Car site is fantastic

thanks

[kleicl]

hey, i got some pics for ya i have more but this gives you an idea ..

i will also be moving the aircon to the glove box as i need to have the deck up frount.

[bubba]

i am looking at a second hand package that has come up in another forum which i might buy, but if that falls through il definetly be interested in a group buy,

the only thing that concerns me, is that if it comes from america it will cost more now and shipping... due to our weak currency...

but if these can be sourced locally in aus, would be good,

most people are lazy and would just want the whole package,

MSY has good prices on normal computer parts, they might have parts for carpc as well, that might be a good start...

say if we tell them to build a xx number of car pc's to a certain spec and then buy a x number of screens...

just a thought...

When I built mine there was nothing available locally except a couple of mini-itx motherboard which, at the time, cost upwards of $300 JUST FOR THE MOTHERBOARD!!

I would have preferred to buy locally but there was no choice then

I think there have been recently some Australian mobs starting to deal with carpc stuff but IIRC it's still rather pricey.

I just finished installing my CarPC v3 (my third version of a CarPC over the years..) this weekend.

This latest build consists of:

* Xenarc MDT-X7000 in-dash motorized 7" vga touchscreen

* Intel D945GCLF2 Mini-ITX ATOM 330 (dual-core) motherboard/CPU combo

* 2GB DDR Memory

* Seagate Momentus 320GB 7200rpm 2.5" disk

* M2-ATX Automotive power-supply

* Automotive mini-itx case (very similar to voom case, but I dont think its a genuine voom)

* USB Wifi (Asus WL-167 802.11B/G)

* USB GPS (BU-353)

* USB 3G/HSPDA

This latest version boots a whole lot faster and seems a whole lot better than my v2 (Intel P-M 1.2ghz/1gb/30gb 4200rpm disk + 120gb 2.5" usb ext in the same case) and I'm pretty happy with it so far.

I'm using centrafuse for front-end, which I have found very reliable over the years.

I would recommend using the mp3car site as a reference for carpc information, as it can be invaluable for ironing out those weird bugs that you'll inevitably run into.

Nice one

The way I see it, aslong as they keep making mini-itx boards, I'll be able to upgrade

[J3TR33]

i bought my CarPc the other day, a second hand unit,

its as follows

VoomPC 2 Enclosure

Jetway Motherboard with a VIA C7 2.0 Ghz

Kingston 1 Gb ram

Samsung 120 Gb hard drive, tiny

120w DC-DC Power supply, think its Pico

DVD player

Sound Blaster Live 24 Bit External Sound card, no clue how to install this yet

Lilliput Gl-701 7" In Dash Touchscreen Monitor, with tv/radio i think

i shall install it as soon as i sell my dvd/tv player combo on ebay

would 8 gauge wire running from the battery to the carpc be sufficient with an inline fuse?

pics will be up as soon as i install, also gona buy a BU-353 gps receiver and a Consult Cable

[bubba]

Way more than enough, I'm running like a 3mm core of 30A stuff. Ran a fresh 12V feed into a new fusebox in the cabin then split it off (with IGN and ACC triggering relays powered from the new fusebox) to power deck, screen, pc and gauges.

[Samon]

I've got a Carputer in my 33 too... well, did... but it's out now for some improvements while the car is off the road (blown engine ).

I picked up a practically brand new Asus Centrino laptop which had a cracked LCD (2.6GHz, 512MB Ram, 60GB HDD, WiFi, Bluetooth), a Xenarc 7" touchscreen, Holux USB GPS dongle, and the required cables (power, vga, USB and audio) for just over $600... lots of eBay sniping there!

I fitted the screen into the dash by just cutting the dash surround where the stereo was out a little to fit the screen, then fixed it at the back so that it was only just proud of the surround. Ran USB, VGA and a power trigger wire to the boot, where the lappy is. Used a universal car laptop charger to power the lappy, and built an auto-power-on module which detects the accessory power and then triggers the power switch on the lappy (also checks the USB port for power so that it doesn't power it off if you have to re-start the car!). A standard 3.5mm->RCA cable went from the lappy headphone socket to the amp.

I played around with a few different 'front-end' software packages... Centrafuse, FrodoPlayer, Amp, etc before settling on RoadRunner. I use FreeDrive for GPS navigation, and built a custom nissan-themed 'skin' which blended the two together nicely.

After a while i got sick of the crappy audio quality from the onboard laptop sound card, so I invested in a Creative Audigy2 NX external USB soundcard. I made up a USB-power cable for this to power it from the USB port (instead of the normal 240v->5v power adapter). At the same time, I installed another amp and sub, and hooked the sound card up in a 4.1 configuration. The sound quality from the Creative box crapped all over the onboard setup...

Anyway, a little while ago (actually... over a year ago now ) I decided to mould the screen actually into the dash surround, rather than having it kinda just sitting there. I wanted the whole OEM look.

It's been a very long-running project, many hours of sanding, filling, sanding, filling, sanding, filling, sanding, priming, sanding, priming, sanding, painting, sanding, etc.. but it's almost completed finally! It's looking absolutly fantastic, when I finally get it finished I'll be posting some pics up.

While it's out I'm possibly gonna write my own custom front-end software (I'm a software developer)... not that it's not working perfectly as it is/was, but hey, I like a good challenge

My attention has been focused on getting the car back on the road, but once that's done I will get stuck back into this and get my long-running project finally finished!

[J3TR33]

hey sam, how do i connect my external soundcard, no clue, lol im sure its pretty easy,

i sold my subs n amp so currently has just stock speakers,

[kleicl]

samon, great write up. umm can i ask iv been to a heap of computer shops looking for a usb external sound card and iv had no luck i know u can get em off ebay but is there an easyer place to pick em up from..

pics would be great ay..

on my project iv ran all cables in the car, and instaled the power inverter in the boot with all cables 240v etc done .. so all i need is to find a sound card and screen and to fill putty sand putty sand putty fill sand sand lol.....

thanx guys

[Guilt-Toy]

pics of my setup.

I use a really small via pc 40gb 2.5" which runs 5v. a 7 port usb hub & a 12x atx power supply (with small 7amp hour backup battery for cranking and 10 mins run time) to power the pc off the 5v rail & a thermaltake 7" touch screen which runs off the atx power supply as well (its for servers).. USB hub is powered off 5v rail as well. All fits in glove box except the atx power supply and backup battery.

This runs beutifully. I use it to interface with my VI-PEC ecu for engine monitoring as you can see on the screen.

Logitech DiNovo mini Blue tooth keyboard / mouse. Got the touch screen for simple mouse movements and use the mini if i need to go on the net or do some emergency tuning.

I am getting a Compact flash to IDE adapter and then a 16gb Compact Flash III 40mb/sec card so its running full SSD - I am expecting the HDD to die within the next few months because my car is sooo damn bumpy!

This setup owes me less then $800!!

[Samon]

samon, great write up. umm can i ask iv been to a heap of computer shops looking for a usb external sound card and iv had no luck i know u can get em off ebay but is there an easyer place to pick em up from..

pics would be great ay..

on my project iv ran all cables in the car, and instaled the power inverter in the boot with all cables 240v etc done .. so all i need is to find a sound card and screen and to fill putty sand putty sand putty fill sand sand lol.....

thanx guys

Lol I got practically everything off eBay

Actually, there's one here, it's got a broken power supply so you'll need a 5V 1A power pack if you're running it from your inverter, but otherwise that's a killer price!

[bubba]

I've got a Carputer in my 33 too... well, did... but it's out now for some improvements while the car is off the road (blown engine ).

I picked up a practically brand new Asus Centrino laptop which had a cracked LCD (2.6GHz, 512MB Ram, 60GB HDD, WiFi, Bluetooth), a Xenarc 7" touchscreen, Holux USB GPS dongle, and the required cables (power, vga, USB and audio) for just over $600... lots of eBay sniping there!

I fitted the screen into the dash by just cutting the dash surround where the stereo was out a little to fit the screen, then fixed it at the back so that it was only just proud of the surround. Ran USB, VGA and a power trigger wire to the boot, where the lappy is. Used a universal car laptop charger to power the lappy, and built an auto-power-on module which detects the accessory power and then triggers the power switch on the lappy (also checks the USB port for power so that it doesn't power it off if you have to re-start the car!). A standard 3.5mm->RCA cable went from the lappy headphone socket to the amp.

I played around with a few different 'front-end' software packages... Centrafuse, FrodoPlayer, Amp, etc before settling on RoadRunner. I use FreeDrive for GPS navigation, and built a custom nissan-themed 'skin' which blended the two together nicely.

After a while i got sick of the crappy audio quality from the onboard laptop sound card, so I invested in a Creative Audigy2 NX external USB soundcard. I made up a USB-power cable for this to power it from the USB port (instead of the normal 240v->5v power adapter). At the same time, I installed another amp and sub, and hooked the sound card up in a 4.1 configuration. The sound quality from the Creative box crapped all over the onboard setup...

Anyway, a little while ago (actually... over a year ago now ) I decided to mould the screen actually into the dash surround, rather than having it kinda just sitting there. I wanted the whole OEM look.

It's been a very long-running project, many hours of sanding, filling, sanding, filling, sanding, filling, sanding, priming, sanding, priming, sanding, painting, sanding, etc.. but it's almost completed finally! It's looking absolutly fantastic, when I finally get it finished I'll be posting some pics up.

While it's out I'm possibly gonna write my own custom front-end software (I'm a software developer)... not that it's not working perfectly as it is/was, but hey, I like a good challenge

My attention has been focused on getting the car back on the road, but once that's done I will get stuck back into this and get my long-running project finally finished!

More info on RoadRunner/FreeDrive please, and are you willing to send me your skin?

I'm just using the default RR skin (but with a Nissan logo lol) because I don't have the time/patience to learn how to skin properly

Was looking for some GPS software a while ago but never heard of FreeDrive

[Samon]

hey sam, how do i connect my external soundcard, no clue, lol im sure its pretty easy,

i sold my subs n amp so currently has just stock speakers,

Because the 'headphone' jack is only designed to power... well.. just that - headphones, the soundcard doesn't provide anywhere near the power required to drive the speakers in your car. You need an amp. At minimum, a 2ch one with the front and rear speakers wired in parallel will suffice, but a 4ch one is much better as it allows you to have the fronts/rears at different levels and doesn't put the amp under as much load.

If your soundcard is a true surround-sound one, you just use two 3.5mm=>RCA cables, one for the front and another for the rears (And a third if you go the 4.1 setup with a sub).

If you go with a simple 2 channel one, you just use a single 3.5mm=>RCA cable and then use Y-cables to go to the amp's front/rear inputs (or use the amps bridging switch if it has it...).

[Samon]

More info on RoadRunner/FreeDrive please, and are you willing to send me your skin?

I'm just using the default RR skin (but with a Nissan logo lol) because I don't have the time/patience to learn how to skin properly

Was looking for some GPS software a while ago but never heard of FreeDrive

Okay, no actual pics of the install at the moment because as I mentioned before, it's not in the car at the moment... but here's a couple of screenshots of the 'front-end' app "RoadRunner" running my custom (yeah, I was pretty new at Photoshop at the time, okay?) skin.

The GPS is as previously mentioned 'FreeDrive', and I just made a skin to match it so that it looked like it was part of the same app as the rest of the front-end.

The 'video' screen is nothing to bother screen-shotting, just the general open, play, stop, skip-back, skip-forwards, pause, etc buttons and then a big media window... the phone integration used to work but then I got a new phone and it no longer did. I never got around to removing it from the skin.

When I get around to re-writing the whole front-end from scratch, I'm gonna try and go for a more OEM look... i.e. less of the green swirl and more clean lines, etc, kinda like something you'd find in a high-end luxuary car

I'm planning to build some sort of monitoring to hook into the GReddy eManage ECU I'm running, maybe on-screen gauges or something... just for the tool factor really, but hey, it's cool and I'm a software developer who likes a challenge!

[Guilt-Toy]

any chance you can send us that software setup to look at?

[bubba]

Nice work Samon

Any chance you're willing to send me your skin?

At the moment I use Nissan Datascan but have to minimise RoadRunner and run with the Datascan dashboard display, to skip songs or anything like that I have to get out of the dashboard display, go back to RR, do what I want to do then minimise again and go back to the dashboard display.. gauges in RR would be cool but I'm more of a hardware guy than a code monkey

[bubba]

Question on FreeDrive..

It runs off the Destinator engine? did you purchase this? comprehensive australian maps? where did you purchase it from?

What GPS receiver are you running?

Cheers!

[Samon]

Question on FreeDrive..

It runs off the Destinator engine? did you purchase this? comprehensive australian maps? where did you purchase it from?

What GPS receiver are you running?

Cheers!

Yeah, Destinator engine... actually though it comes with FreeDrive (or was it MapMonkey... I can't remember!) so I didn't purchase it at all

The maps, I'm still using I think it's 2005 ones... found them on the interwebs somewhere a while back...

And the GPS receiver, I'm using a Holux USB one that I got from eBay for around $60... fantastic. 8-12 satellites at any time, seems to be pretty quick to find a first lock (i.e. usually about 5-10 seconds max!)

[kleicl]

Guilt toy whats kina key board u using it looks like it is wireless.. do you do that with bluetooth or...

i am going to also buy one of thoes $200 vga touch screens off jaycar. they look verry basic thats what i want so it will be easy to mold in.

DOES any one know if or when you connect the 12v acc power in to the screen the screen will turn on or if it detects a signal form the vga port.. i dont want to use the buttons i want to have everything flush..

[Samon]

Guilt toy whats kina key board u using it looks like it is wireless.. do you do that with bluetooth or...

i am going to also buy one of thoes $200 vga touch screens off jaycar. they look verry basic thats what i want so it will be easy to mold in.

DOES any one know if or when you connect the 12v acc power in to the screen the screen will turn on or if it detects a signal form the vga port.. i dont want to use the buttons i want to have everything flush..

If it's like my Xenarc, and I'm pretty sure it's the same for the Lilliput ones, it goes into standby mode when the VGA signal goes dead... but it still draws some power in standby and I'd say if you didn't drive for a couple of days you'd have a flat battery, so you still need to switch the power to the screen itself on/off with the ignition/acc/whatever.

I've moulded the screen in flush with my dash with no buttons... I never pushed any of them when it wasn't moulded in... why would I need them now?

[kleicl]

thanx samon well makes my life that much easyer u got any pix or ur screen or does any one have pix of there install..