Computer system Integration...

[Mootz]

I have been working on trying to build a cheap but decent pc system for my 00' Camaro without hogging up a sh*t load of space or the green out of my wallet. After a little of thought and consideration, I've come up with a plan that will throw out a pc system capable of 1.4ghz, 256mb memory, and 60gb of hard drive space for movies or mp3's. Video will be thrown out into a 6.4" LCD and audio will be pumped into my receiver and system. For under 700 and being able to sync to my home network from the drive way via wireless and only taking up the passenger dash and firewall space. Hmmmm, let me think for a second, sweeeeeeeet! [img]graemlins/omg.gif[/img]

[v6maro]

i think 1.4mhz may be over kill, just buy a decent vid outut card and an 800mhz will do fine. you should also consider a wireless mouse with the output on the lcd! that would be cool!
-Steve

[Mootz]

I was thinking the same with using a 1.4MHz compared to an 800 but for a $10 difference; it speaks for itself. The system board will be equipped with onboard audio and video to minimize mounting accomodations. There will also be a mini 10" keyboard mounted in a slide draw with a mini optical cordless mouse. And yes, everything's still under $700.

[strobhen]

Am very interested in two things
1. How are you going to power it
2. How are you getting audio output to your system? Are you going to run everything off the computer, or are you keeping a head unit?

If you are running everything off the computer, lets hear some specifics on your setup.

How much is that LCD, I think you could do better than 700.

You do NOT need a good video card. "Good" video cards are for gaming. Grab yourself an ATI something-or-other, and you will have great 2d quality. www.tcwo.com -- grab an ATI rage mobility off the site. 16 bucks, I just installed it after an old GeForce DDR fried in one of my computers (I don't game much anymore). 2D quality is noticably better on the 16 buck card :D . Course, 3d performance sucks.

Unless if you want to play games in your car, which I do not see the point of.

[Mootz]

1) $700 is bare minimum, I wanted to see how cheap this could be done. If I wanted I could drop $1,500 on this, f*ck the head unit and power everything right from the pc.

2) It will most likely be powered via a 250w mini-p4 sized power supply to a 300w power inverter. The power inverter could be plugged right into an open cigarette lighter but I'd rather prefer hard wiring it to the battery.

3) I am keeping my head unit and running the audio into a FM modulator.

4) Both audio and video chips are built into the motherboard for decent video and audio playback and to save valuable space.

[v6maro]

did you plan on running DVD's?
-Steve

[gerard]

see my pretty setup @ g-rodz.com site will be up until friday morning, and will be back on tuesday, so check it out then and lemme know what you think.


also...site gets a lot of hits, so if it says too many connections try again later well then god darnit try again later...... its a pretty phatty setup so its worth it.

[ September 19, 2002: Message edited by: gerard ]</p>

[nikon]

computers are 12v...I know that a cars voltage has spikes in it...so why not use a capacitor??..save some space...

[Mootz]

Using a capacitor is another option If I want to walk down that path. But for now the combined measurements of the ps and the inverter is 8"L x 8"W x 4"D so it doesn't take much space. I am making a seperate storage for these out of the way and wiring the power directly where I am mounting the pc itself (only 1' away).

And yes, this will be able to play DVD's. I will post some drawings and such to show what this will eventually look like.

[Mootz]

My main goal is to have this look stock and take as little space as possible. Nevermind having the capability of it doing what I want it to. Such as playing dvd's, mp3's, divx movies, and whatever the hell else I want. My second goal is to have it sync with my network without having to disconnect anything or drag anything around which will take nothing once its built.

[nikon]

the network is very easy..I have one setup in my house...and have obd-2 on my laptop..so whilst im sitting in my car with the A/C on I can go online too [img]tongue.gif[/img] ... 100$ for D-Link wireless Router...and about 50$ for the PCMCIA card...cheaper for the PCi cards that go in a normal PC I think...If I ever put a laptop in my car it would strictly be for OBd-2....I have no other use for one...I dont have the money to spend on all dvd's and ****...and would find it too hazordous looking down to change an MP3.....I dont even listen to music that much anymore....it gives me a headache....and yes im 17... :D ...must be some wierd stage or something ;) ....but I know computers so ask me if you need help ;)

[Fat_kid_in_little_camaro]

Guys I have your Solution. Check this out. 1.2 GHZ 128MB ram 10 Gig HD, AV & svideo, 4mb vid memory, 24 speed cd and 10/100 lan built in, a little over the size of a cdrom drive. only 499 bucks. then just the cost of an LCD. Oh yeah, did I mention it runs on DC power? its a beauty. go to www.tigerdirect.com and sear for n52-1042 its pretty Awesome I think.