can a carputer replace a high end av dedicated system?

**Redeyez** · 10-25-2004, 08:14 PM

Zim is from a tv show that lasted for less than two seasons a couple years back. it was called invader zim i think and got a big following in my High School, mostly from the anime kids.
<disclaimer> this message is not meant to offend anyone. (sdashiki) </disclaimer>

**turbocad6** · 10-26-2004, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by sdashiki

Id just like to say that NO, limited resources DOES NOT point towards a hybrid system. The point is this, spending $400 on a decent head unit (not on fancy **** just spending the amount u need for 4 channel out with seperate sub channel) is not worth it when u consider that for a few hundred more u have Mp3, DVD, games, WiFi, and all that crap mentioned here in all the threads.

If u dont have time or money, buying a HU and having Circuit City install it, is a WASTE of money. If people are truly ever serious about an A/V system then skimping on **** just cuz u dont got the time/resources means that they dont want a good A/V system. Carputers are ALWAYS better than a HU handsdown, cost wise, expansion wise, etc etc etc.

Now Audio is a different beast, yes spending alot of good money on amps and speakers IS ALWAYS a good idea, but a head unit is just another line item on an invoice; that should really read

Music: computer
DVD: computer
Navigation: computer (yeah so luxury, and not so luxury, cars have nice sweet NAV systems that were built FOR auto industry and not the GPS software u find for PC, apples to oranges)
Gaming: computer (emulation not Doom3)
WiFi: computer

so where does a HU ever come in first on this? Tell me?

...So let me get this straight, you're saying someone who doesn't want to,or have time to, or know how to install a full pc front end in there car, doesn't deserve to have a full a/v system or that they don't want it bad enough??

...your telling me that anyone who goes & has a head unit installed is wasting there money??

You mention that "... for only a few hundred more..." but in reality is is a few hundred more, PLUS a few years of experence with pc's, PLUS way more than quite a few hours in the setup & configuring, trial & error, & all else that goes with it...you have to realize that even if it is a "waste of money" for YOU, it doesn't mean that it isn't a viable alternative for a lesser being than yourself...

wow... talk about biased... well, I guess you are entitled to your opinion but...wow....o.k.,

GEEZ, here I was feeling like one of the pioneers of carputers, only to now be made out to be a hater, it just ain't so...

Anyway, as far as web browsing I use a sierra aircard on verizon network, it is marginaly faster than say a 56k dialup at peak times, quite a bit faster at low traffic times, but broadband is finally here on that network, as of last week actually in my region. I should be getting my new card for that this week if i find somebody that has it in inventory yet.

as far as my interface between the alpine & the carputer, it is fiber optic into the processor & stays digital until analog conversion out to the mcintosh amps.

I think I remeber zim now, zeeeeeeeeeeeeem, is he any relation to bender?

<disclaimer> I'm still not intent on offending anyone <disclaimer>

**sdashiki** · 10-26-2004, 01:21 PM

Look buddy.

U can buy a prefab carpc for those with no knowlegde of PCs, gimme a break people on these forums are "advanced" in computers, though you dont need to be to enjoy a carputer.

Buying a head unit if you truly want Mp3 playback and a whole ****load of other features, you gotta spend $1000. Sony makes a cd player with a built in HD. $1000.

Hmmm a carputer is, less than that.

No one knows of Mp3Car.com, the masses are oblivious. so spending $$$ at best buy for head units to play only CDs is a WASTE OF MONEY. When you consider the cost of a carputer and its ability to go beyond any head unit in terms of, well all terms. You cant argue anything really, A/V is not a cheap thing to put in a car period. Especially the "V" part. Carputers are the "cheap" alternative to the "Pimp my Ride" $20k in parts conversions.

Get it thru yer heads, having a HU and a carputer, overkill.

Having a head unit only, how could you be on these forums? Unless yer working on it.

**sdashiki** · 10-26-2004, 01:24 PM

Invader Zim, by Jhonen Vasquez.

He draws graphic novels, comic books for the Marvel dorks.

Most famous for "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac", also "Squee"

Thats why I mention being into zim but not knowing **** about it. Cuz if you ever read the Johnny book (bound edition of the 6 or so book series, remember its a comic book not a BOOK BOOK) youll see all the ****ed up **** he thinks of and how the hell that mentality got onto Nickelodeon is beyond me, buts its why they got canned.

Look at ren and stimpy, Spumco is SOME ****ED UP PEOPLE. Ever seen some of their "other" stuff? And the DVDs of R&S that just came out have unedited and unaired versions, cuz they were so f*d up. Nickelodeon grabs stuff that looks like it could work and then cans them even among fanfare..

anyway. ZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEM!

**BasicEvil** · 10-26-2004, 02:18 PM

For what it is worth there will always be differing opinions (especially when something is new and competing against something already established).

Is a CarPC better? Is a standalone platform better? Is a combination better? Depends on who you ask. Obviously folks on this site will lean towards CarPC or hybrid solution. I personally went with the full carPC.

For me I have two cars. The way I have designed my system allows me to use the same PC in both vehicles. Both cars will have there own screens etc. However the PC unit itself will be shared. I am also working on a redesign to allow me to use the same PC in the car for home entertainment purposes. This is definatly would not possible with any high end stereo system I know of.

With that said. I would never even consider doing such a system in my wife's car. I actually have a pretty nice Kenwood system in her car and she loves it. It plays her mp3's, CD's, radio etc and that is all she wants.

In summary, different strokes for different folks.

**hannibal** · 10-26-2004, 02:22 PM

just wanna add my 2 cents...
Of course, your $5000+ Alpine system will sound better than my 5 yr old Celeron based PC. But what if I spent $5000 on my PC?? Now, we're comparing apples to apples.
The biggest difference between the two is the amount spent on dedicated audio performance. As someone mentioned, thats all the Alpine engineers care about. Now imagine if all those resources were used to design an audio PC. PC parts are cheap compared to Alpine components. For $1000, I bet you could buy all the hardware you'll ever need (PC + 5.1 digital sound, DSP, etc).

The difference in price would be best spent on programming to integrate the system. I think thats the part youre missing. I honestly doubt anyone here has $4000 worth of custom software. With that amount invested in custom programming, I would wager my Celeron PC could rival your Alpine in sound quality and ease-of-use. And, as we all agree, it could do things (internet, burn CD/DVDs, MPEG4) the Alpine could never do.

Bottom line, I think the difference between Alpine and a PC isnt the hardware. Its the time, resources, and money put into tying it all together with excellent user friendly programming. Even on mp3car.com, I think people are just starting to put more emphasis on this portion of the carPC design.

**VanMan69** · 10-26-2004, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by sdashiki

Invader Zim, by Jhonen Vasquez.

He draws graphic novels, comic books for the Marvel dorks.

Most famous for "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac", also "Squee"

Yeah, Johnny THM is pretty ****in' dope.

**turbocad6** · 10-26-2004, 04:36 PM

hey vanman, I just checked out your van man, pretty crazy how much stuff you have going on in there. it's nice to see there are other "nutjobs" out there, I think your van is sick, it also looks like you have a LOT of spare time on your hands.

Just a little friendly advice, your van looks great but the thumbnail image you use on your posts doesn't do it justice, as my first impression was that it looked ratty, probably because of all of the shadows across the picture... you should put a picture up there that would do it the justice it deserves, sweet.

check out my chevy van on cardomain, it's been there for a few years now & it still sits unfinished...but this winter I think I will pull it out of the cobwebs & get it done...maybe then It would get back up into the 5 star catigory like yours

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/221373

**Player_One** · 10-27-2004, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by turbocad6

Anyway, as far as web browsing I use a sierra aircard on verizon network, it is marginaly faster than say a 56k dialup at peak times, quite a bit faster at low traffic times, but broadband is finally here on that network, as of last week actually in my region. I should be getting my new card for that this week if i find somebody that has it in inventory yet.

Thx for the info. I see that the Sierra Aircard 555 works with a local provider (Telus) here in Canada. I dunno anything about this 1X CDMA2000 stuff except not a lot of bandwidth but what sort of cell technology is this broadband? Is it some 3G thing?

**turbocad6** · 10-27-2004, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Player_One

Thx for the info. I see that the Sierra Aircard 555 works with a local provider (Telus) here in Canada. I dunno anything about this 1X CDMA2000 stuff except not a lot of bandwidth but what sort of cell technology is this broadband? Is it some 3G thing?

If my verizon sierra aircard 555 card works for you I would sell it to you cheap, as I will get my new card any day now, if I have time I may go looking for it today & if I can't find it in stock anywhere I'll just order one... I thought of just throwing my current card on ebay, but if you can use it let me know...as far as the new tech. I'm not to sure of the method used, whether 3g or not,I don't think verizon uses 3g, never researched it really, the fact that it works is good enough for me...