Keeping Factory Radio (but not using it except FM)?

**dummptyhummpty** · 10-12-2005, 08:44 PM

I'm helping a friend out (client too) with a carputer install. We decided to locate the screen in the center console and he wants to just leave the radio where it is on his 2000 Silverado. My question: is there away we can hook up the computer to run through an amp for the subs and then amp for the other speakers (unless we don't need this) while still being to use the stock radio when he wants? This would be easy as we would not need to worry about an FM solution on the computer. How would we accomplish this. I know we could use the AUX in but I think it would be cool to give him surround sound. Sorry if this has been asked before but I didn't see it.

**Peoples** · 10-12-2005, 08:51 PM

i use my headunit as the main audio source, it hooks up to my amp...my computer feeds sound to my headunit. I have an auxilary port in my headunit. He might have a cd-changer adapter for his stock headunit...and with this you can accomplish this task. I dont see how he would not have surround with this option.

**dummptyhummpty** · 10-12-2005, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Peoples

i use my headunit as the main audio source, it hooks up to my amp...my computer feeds sound to my headunit. I have an auxilary port in my headunit. He might have a cd-changer adapter for his stock headunit...and with this you can accomplish this task. I dont see how he would not have surround with this option.

Isn't the Aux in just left/right where as a 4ch amp has has left/right-front and left/right-rear plus the seperate sub ch.

**dummptyhummpty** · 10-12-2005, 09:18 PM

HOW TO: Get sound from PC to Car Stereo / Amp

According to this I just pump the radio to the line in on the computer and it will forward the sound even if the computer is off...

**gnomad** · 10-13-2005, 11:31 AM

I'm planning something similar in my Toyota Tundra. I've already got the CarPC mounted mounted over the driveshaft hump, and although the whole unit is easily removable it still looks remarkably well integrated. At the moment, I have two separate complete systems -- the factory sound system is untouched, and the CarPC runs to a dedicated amp and speakers.

The plan is to cut the front speaker wires from the head unit and run them through a speaker-level to line-level convertor, and then run this signal to the line-in jack on my soundcard. I'll upgrade the front speakers and drive them from a dedicated amp. I've already got the rear seat out (I've got the crew-cab model) and I'll be replacing that with a sub box. The rear factory speakers will remain unchanged, so I'll always be able to listen to the factory head unit through the rear factory speakers as a backup in case of PC failure.

This system will allow me to do a bunch of cool things. I can use the PC as a TIVO for the radio, and I can mix the radio (the only thing I really use the radio for is NPR) over a music track.

But the *real* reason I'm doing this is that I plan to do all of the active crossover equalization as digital filters in the PC. Essentially, I'll be using an 8-channel sound card running each channel to a dedicated amp channel, and then to a dedicated speaker. This way I can get a perfectly flat response from every speaker, and even actively tune the system depending on whether I'm driving alone or with a passenger.

-p.