Newb Here, need Hardware Suggestions..

Ive been lurking in this scene for quite a while.. My HU just went out so im kinda wanting to pursue this more.

Car: 85 Buck Regal Limited, digital dash, electric everything..
Upgrades: 200a Alt, Magic-3 Wire upgrade, Yellow Top, FM pager
HU: Pioneer DEHP8400


Aight, im willing to start spending about $300 to start..
What i need is..

a) mini case (everyones current favorite)
b) processor for winamp, dvd, apps, etc winxp or whatever good mp3OS software
c) mini keyboard and ir mouse
d) lcd, TFT, XGA, VGA? Touchscreen?
e) Powersupply, switches and any kind of power on accessories?
f) Recommended motherboard combo with case

Few questions..

1. What about condensation in cold weather, then heater turned on i plan on keeping the case in the cabin of the car, not trunk. What does everyone doe about condensation?

2. I read a bit about the ODB sensor/software compatibility.. MY car has an ODB output to use for error reporting, could i use this with current software to read errors, rpm, temp or anything about the car?

3. Vibration, what do you do?

4. Connecting computer to HU, if i get my HU fixed can i hook the comp to the HU and allow signal from the comp to go through the HU and out to the speakers? Part #'s?

5. Routing of wires, where and how do you route your wires?

6. Fusing, where do you fuse and circuit break, on what wires?

Thats about it..
7. Top recommened TFT or lcd for good price?? I keep reading liliput everywhere.. must be good..

I wanna be able to listen to my albums on my 160g HDD and burn as well, play q3 when bored, and transfer data via WiFi from house to computer to update car album list..

Any advice or help is very welcome and appreciated..
Where do you buy most of your parts from? Newegg?

thnx

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Torx

Ive been lurking in this scene for quite a while.. My HU just went out so im kinda wanting to pursue this more.

Car: 85 Buck Regal Limited, digital dash, electric everything..
Upgrades: 200a Alt, Magic-3 Wire upgrade, Yellow Top, FM pager
HU: Pioneer DEHP8400


Aight, im willing to start spending about $300 to start..
What i need is..

a) mini case (everyones current favorite)
b) processor for winamp, dvd, apps, etc winxp or whatever good mp3OS software
c) mini keyboard and ir mouse
d) lcd, TFT, XGA, VGA? Touchscreen?
e) Powersupply, switches and any kind of power on accessories?
f) Recommended motherboard combo with case

Few questions..

1. What about condensation in cold weather, then heater turned on i plan on keeping the case in the cabin of the car, not trunk. What does everyone doe about condensation?

2. I read a bit about the ODB sensor/software compatibility.. MY car has an ODB output to use for error reporting, could i use this with current software to read errors, rpm, temp or anything about the car?

3. Vibration, what do you do?

4. Connecting computer to HU, if i get my HU fixed can i hook the comp to the HU and allow signal from the comp to go through the HU and out to the speakers? Part #'s?

5. Routing of wires, where and how do you route your wires?

6. Fusing, where do you fuse and circuit break, on what wires?

Thats about it..
7. Top recommened TFT or lcd for good price?? I keep reading liliput everywhere.. must be good..

I wanna be able to listen to my albums on my 160g HDD and burn as well, play q3 when bored, and transfer data via WiFi from house to computer to update car album list..

Any advice or help is very welcome and appreciated..
Where do you buy most of your parts from? Newegg?

thnx

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all the answers are contained within the vast embraces of the :search: function.

but here we go

CASE: whatever you find, or make your own.
CPU: 500mhpz P3 or a 700mhz celeron should do it.. go faster if you want to
KEYBOARD: there are many. i would go with a backlit texron or the illuvision (sp?) clones off ebay. If you want backlight, few choices. small ordinary kb, too many. choose one ;p
MOUSE: Trackpoint or trackball. conventional mouse will jump all over the place.
LCD: 7-12", VGA with or without touch screen. whatever fits your car and budget. Lilliput is a local favourite.
PS: Opus or another DC-DC. else an inverter and a standard ATX will do
MOTHERBOARD: smallest is the via epia, or you can just get a Mini-ATX one. its bigger, but still doable.

1. Not a problem unless you have the vents blowing on it.
2. yours is an '85 and uses odb 1, not odb 2. no idea
3. not an issue unless you offroad rally style.... (or live in NYC)
4. auxilary in on the HU.. straight from the sound card jack. you might need amps though between HU and speakers.
5. wherever you like.... under pillars, floor mats, carpets, between seats.. headliner.
6. on the positive. you only need to really fuse connections to the battery...

:search: :search: :search:

okay, good input.. ive already got my eyes set on the epia, mounted under the passenger seat with psu. All i'll need for this epia is RAM right, hdd, and whatever expansion cards right? Really i just need RAM?


Where can i buy this DC-DC opus?
is there a such slim case for this epia that will fit underneath seating?

Im thinking the wifi hookup will be a good idea, instead of a removable hdd, i can just park the car in teh front yard or distance and get music off of my remote computer or somthing..