Adding A Carputer To My '03 350gt Prem... Want To Solve The Nav/movie/music/internet Problem Once And For All!

[g33k]

im gonna chuck a PS3 into the car with a massive ass hard disk. yes overkill, but the price might make it worthwhile for me.

plus a bluetooth remote makes taking to it easy. installation and power would be the hardest. but install in the boot of my M35 and an inverter to power it is pretty simple.....

Yes, but make sure your inverter has crank resistance and a built-in power regulator. Thats the main reason you'll see most CarPC's die or fail-over with Blue Screens of Death. It's also the quickest way to kill a HD.

Also, cold shutowns aren't the best, i.e. "yanking" the power by turning the car off. You may like to make sure it doesn't auto-boot if your going down the PS3 path. Turning it off, before you switch the car off.

I'd invest in a GOOD inverter if i were you, making sure the power being supplied is constant, if it drops too low - you'll damage the internals, if it goes too high, same deal. If you crank it from engine start you may be able to say good-bye to your PS3.

Just some thoughts =)

[Chris Rogers]

for a GOOD inverter you are well over $500 for a pure sine item. I'd refrain from a HD based unit UNLESS you grab a automotive drive - toshiba do them in various sizes.

[Chris Rogers]

found this in my browsing for neat hardware.

http://hothardware.com/News/VIAs-EdenPower...-Into-Vehicles/

that is small enough to do a board swap on the OE NAVI box and configure to what ever you heart desires.

now all I have to do is find one.

[zei20l]

hmm maybe a solid state drive for the PS3. overkill, but then no kill

yeah it wont be booted up till after i start the car, and i usually turn my stereo off before i turn off the engine, sort of like a 'turbo timer' scenario

im also thinking of using an ex-notebook hard drive, i know the ones you mean Chris, HP and IBM use them in their notebooks

[kesium]

found this in my browsing for neat hardware.

http://hothardware.com/News/VIAs-EdenPower...-Into-Vehicles/

that is small enough to do a board swap on the OE NAVI box and configure to what ever you heart desires.

now all I have to do is find one.

Wow that looks awesome, nice find! for more more specs check out : http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/mainboar...herboard_id=790

[Chris Rogers]

I did. looks like a VERY workable solution given the amount of software people on here. I can do the hardware side of it. given the size of it I would think you could rework the stock navi box to accept this board and retain the stock plugs so its a drop in affair.

this is the board in question:

now for building/ implementing it:

we need one of these modded to fit into the OEM DVD ROM casing

Using that means we can retain the OE look, play DVD video and update the software/GPS maps.

interface wise. touch screen. I have sourced the overlays for the 2001-2004.5 screens. if someone gets me a 2005+ one I'll measure it and source an overlay for that.

software wise its imbedded XP. there are enough lightweight apps written for XP that I figure will work for this application ( my preference is still linux)

------------

feature wise:

GPS running destinator maps (unless someone can find me a IGO engine- new clarion navi runs these)

DVD video

Reverse camera

DVB-T TV tuner

Bluetooth Handsfree

USB Slot (for music and external devices.)

30GB automotive harddrive. there are bigger versions btw.

vehicle diagnostics.

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the only real interfacing will be with the TV module. that will need to be USB-> IR for control and remote emulation, the vehicle diagnostics (via K line) and the rest is PC related I was going to use a HITV module as the tuners in them are the high spec panasonic items.

this is essentially the CKV36 spec unit built in a custom way.

so do we build this and forget about the russian DVD hack??

I'm game - who else?

[V35_Paul]

It all sound really good. But who can do this? i'm guessing Chris you can but what if i want it and i live in WA. Could you tech others to do it like Brian in Perth?

[g33k]

Mines working fine and im totally happy to help anyone else in Syd get theirs up and going.

Happy for people to drop by and visit to see mine too - id upload pics but my digi cam has died =/

[Chris Rogers]

I was looking at a group project myself. there are 3-4 people I know here that can do the software side of it. from my perspective I can do the hardware modding and sub boards (plugs) but would like a group effort on the software side. if we could duplicate the layout of the existing2003 system then it would look and feel OE and we would not be stuck with a unit that is not useable and needed hacks to make things work.

the concept retains the OE screen and pop up mechanism. the buttons could be kept if someone wants to hack the data stream into a USB format. for me I would simply blank off that panel.

only issue I see is the audio routing. the stock system routes the TV via the radio AUX in and there is 5V trigger into the radio to switch it over and the radio will switch it back. The navi has a dedicated input with a +12 trigger to switch out the drivers door. audio wise its a 4Vpp audio signal into the radio and a standard line out (0.75Vpp) wont cut it.

so these issues need to be addressed.

I have a FULL 2003 spec navi system here that I stripped and on measurement the VIA board barely fits. to be honest it would fit neatly behind the dash panel in a custom enclosure and the only thing you would have to delete would be the ETC reader IF you had it. only reason would be space. I'm not entirely sure the whole thing would fit into the OE case as I do not know how big the front loading DVD mech is and the fact we need to shove a 30Gb HD in there as well. if we came across into the ETC area then I know it will fit. that would mean a panel swap for some to the non ETC dash panel.

thoughts??

Edited April 5, 2009 by Chris Rogers

[Chris Rogers]

been looking at SSDs for the Hard drive setup. costly but I see them as doable. I'm going to send off a few emails, one to a local PC supplier and I know someone with a panbrake machine so cases can be done easily with that.

[Matfan]

ok if you want a oem look... just do the following

1) carpc in the boot where the amp/tvtuner sits

2) video/audio input adapter from chris

3) touch screen overlay with long-ass usb cable

4) "buy" centrafuse with aussie maps... i think demonoid "sells" it... or maybe demonoid isn't a shop

5) get distracted at 110 kph playing with pretty new carpc and crash and die

(step 5 is optional)

[Matfan]

oh yeah.... forgot to mention

why remove the factory stuff when it can just sit there... that way when you sell your car you can take the carputer and you haven't got any holes anywhere.

The only part you would leave behind is the overlay.

Unless you're going to add a new touch screen monitor to the centre console there isn't much point making life hard for yourselves

[Chris Rogers]

true.

though the goal I have is a drop in affair for the non technical people. its for those that can't grasp the set it to TV idea and simply want to push buttons. I see more than my share of them and they are older people.

Also bear in mind I deal with a lot more than just the SAU crowd on these cars and I have been asked for some time if there was a easier method.

looking at it there are 3 key variances in these cars. early that had no phone, the middle ones that had a wired phone and the last that had wired and BT function. all of them are harnessed differently. the later two have the microphone inbuilt so thats one less step to account for.

anyway its a big task and I figure I'll cost it out and make a demo box for a early car as tehy are more common.

I have access to a few mules so that side of things is taken care of.

Edited April 5, 2009 by Chris Rogers

[kesium]

But wouldn't dropping the car pc, connecting a/c cord to tv tuner in the boot and running 1 usb cord up to the touch screen overlay be much easier then ripping out the OEM box?

As for the software side, forget anything to do with the OEM software, the new versions of centrafuse have every feature and more that the OEM screen has, and as a bonus it's in English. I figure once someone sets the TV tuner / stereo to video AUX then they never have to hit any other buttons on any part of the OEM system again. The rest is done with centra fuse. What people will loose is the OEM NAV button functions, this is the only downside, but seems much much easier for non-tech people to do at home.

I suggest the carpc run a modified version of xp, the best is probably Lastxp v22. (Avail at hxxp://www.sharingisthepoint.net) then centrafuse over the top. Grab the newest maps (cira Oct 21/08) and the bluetooth pack and its done. Pre-installing all the software prior to installing into the car is easy.

[Chris Rogers]

trevor,

ring me - 3256 7741

[Chris Rogers]

ok I have a reply from VIA - board looks the goods!!

[Chris Rogers]

for those following this (trevor as well) this is NOT a quick thing I'm doing. I'm costing it out first then building a prototype then its going to be tested for ages and then put into a car for more testing.

[Matfan]

Has anyone on here heard of the KISS method? Keep It Simple Stupid.

Ok bare with me now, I know a Suzuki Sierra is not exactly a 35 skyline but I just put a new Carputer in mine and it is a universal thing.

I used an aftermarket touch screen (obviously suzuki didn't have an LCD as a standard option in 1992.... or 2009 for that matter) so this step will be replaced by the overlay or addition of a touch screen.

It took me 2 hours to upgrade the standard 40 amp alternator on the zuk with a 110 amp ford falcodore one. (not required on the skyline)

45 mins to install xp(ish) and centrafuse, drivers for bluetooth, gps etc

15 mins to wire up the screen

30 mins to wire up the pc

3.5 seconds to realize that anyone who can install a car stereo and install an OS can do this.

total cost for carpc, cables, screen and alternator - $1300

So for you skyline owners...

either get one of these overlays or rip out the oem stereo using methods/products outlined in previous topics and install a touch screen. Get yourself an amp from JBs/carsound etc and let your pc control everything

job done... why re-test systems that have already been tested.

If anyone wants any advice as far as carputers/gps recievers etc I'd be happy to help.

[Messiah]

for those following this (trevor as well) this is NOT a quick thing I'm doing. I'm costing it out first then building a prototype then its going to be tested for ages and then put into a car for more testing.

G'day mate,

Whats the current state of this idea? i've looked around for a few solutions to the language conversion issues and with the issues of differing software with the russian solution this seems to be the most complete/straight forward approach, especially if it can be integrated with the oem equipment.

I know you said it wasnt going to be a quick thing, but are you still looking into it?

IF you looking for guinea cops or the like i'd be happy to pay up and put my car forward once it arrives in aus.

[Chris Rogers]

still at teh planning/design/sourcing bits stage. have a mule already. I'll leave the details at that for now.have a second person involved as well.