Carputer anybody?

[AMCRambler]

anybody else here have a pc in their car?

1. What are the specs for your rig?
2. What applications do you run(dvd, mp3, war driving)?
3. What front end do you use?

The set up I've specced out will be using an Epia mini ITX board with a 1.2ghz proc. I plan on using it for playing my mp3's, divx movies, navigation, wardriving and later on adding a dvd player. I'm working on using Frodoplayer for the front end and I'm in the process of setting it up on my desktop so that I can just transfer it over when I've got the OS loaded on the new computer. So anybody else got a cool set up? I'm always looking for new things I'd be able to do with my pc's.

 

[poisonthewell]

Kudos to you - I was planning on doing the same about 2 years back but bought a new deck instead. At the time I frequented mp3car.com daily getting ideas and such. I haven't been there at all since early 2005 and I think it's a more commercial site now (as it used to only be a forum) but the people there were friendly and very helpful. What OS are you going to use and how are you powering the rig? From what I remember everyone there said spending money on anything other than an OPUS was a waste.

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: poisonthewell
Kudos to you - I was planning on doing the same about 2 years back but bought a new deck instead. At the time I frequented mp3car.com daily getting ideas and such. I haven't been there at all since early 2005 and I think it's a more commercial site now (as it used to only be a forum) but the people there were friendly and very helpful. What OS are you going to use and how are you powering the rig? From what I remember everyone there said spending money on anything other than an OPUS was a waste.

MP3car.com is where I've been doing most of my research. It has it's own store now which is kinda nice for the things that aren't mainstream computer components. I purchased the Epia motherboard there as well as a usb gps receiver, Opus 120watt power supply and the adapter for the notebook hard drive to ide. They had the best price on the motherboard and the gps was pretty close to what they were going for elsewhere.
As far as power supplies go Opus still seems to be the best. They also sell an M1ATX power supply which is supposed to be pretty decent, but it only comes in an 80watt size. I was worried I might need more than that running a wireless card, dvd player and a usb gps so I went for the 120watt Opus. It has the startup/shutdown controller built right into it so there's no need for a separate controller as well.
My plan is to keep my head unit and connect the motherboard sound right into the auxiliary input on the back. Pioneer makes an adapter that lets you turn the cd changer input into a pair of rca in. This way I'll still be able to play cd's or listen to the radio, but have the car pc as an aux.

 

[piasabird]

My advice is not to use any products made by Via.

 

[poisonthewell]

In this instance VIA is a fantastic choice. The key is minimizing size/power consumption.

piasabird - care to back your statement?

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: poisonthewell
In this instance VIA is a fantastic choice. The key is minimizing size/power consumption.

piasabird - care to back your statement?

I've got to agree with Poison on this one. When it comes to running a computer off of the alternator/battery setup in your car, power unfortunately becomes a concern. The power consumption on the Epia is very low as well as the small form factor of the mother board make it an excellent choice. Other options include running a laptop for the pc, but to get a laptop with a 1.2ghz processor would cost a lot more. You'd also need to get a power inverter instead of the power supply as well as a separate startup/shutdown controller(I don't know of any that combine these features). The last option, if power is an issue, is to run an AMD/Intel mobile processor on a mini atx motherboard, but due to space restrictions on where I was looking to mount the motherboard(factory amp location) it wouldn't fit. So my circumstances led me to the mini Via board. I've also got a friend currently using one of their boards and it hasn't given him any problems so far, so I'm not too worried.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: piasabird
My advice is not to use any products made by Via.

Definately not an opinion to take seriously. I've been using an epia board in an htpc for coming up on 3 years now, and it's been rock solid, the thing goes months without needing a reboot.

I've always thought about a carputer, but just don't have the time or expertise. Luckily for you the products have matured a lot since I started researching years ago. Back then there was almost nothing for lcd screens, now you can easily get an in-dash lcd screen with vga input & touchscreen controls.

And if you hadn't mentioned it, I was going to suggest mp3car.com, those guys know everything about putting a computer in a car.

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: piasabird
My advice is not to use any products made by Via.

Definately not an opinion to take seriously. I've been using an epia board in an htpc for coming up on 3 years now, and it's been rock solid, the thing goes months without needing a reboot.

I've always thought about a carputer, but just don't have the time or expertise. Luckily for you the products have matured a lot since I started researching years ago. Back then there was almost nothing for lcd screens, now you can easily get an in-dash lcd screen with vga input & touchscreen controls.

And if you hadn't mentioned it, I was going to suggest mp3car.com, those guys know everything about putting a computer in a car.

They really do. I went with a Dynamix 7inch touchscreen lcd. Once again space restrictions for where I was looking to mount the lcd was a concern. I was able to snag one on Ebay for about $215. It sounds like a lot for an lcd, but when you price them out it was a pretty good deal. Hardest part is waiting for all the parts to arrive so that I can start messing around with it.