I have a question.....

**HybridMike** · 08-17-2004, 08:24 PM

I would like to ask a question to all of you.... why is it that the most common set up with mp3car users is the epiaM10000 or similar and the opus power supply.....why arent you using the small form factor 12v cpu's?...is it a cost issue or something im missing?

**Supermike** · 08-17-2004, 09:46 PM

I use the Opus and the MII10000 cause it works, is simple and kept me from having to use a cap, extra battery, ITPS (sp?) or some other means of getting the same functionality as the Opus. If cost is a factor, most will go with the other methods such as a inverter. It is really cost vs. simplicity.

The only thing that I would like to have with the Opus is the ability to have a built in choice of start up delay - I want to give the CPU and HDD a chance to cool down (A/C blows on them) before I put the power to them. My current HDD is getting corrupted due to heat + vibration.

**llmask** · 08-17-2004, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Supermike

I use the Opus and the MII10000 cause it works, is simple and kept me from having to use a cap, extra battery, ITPS (sp?) or some other means of getting the same functionality as the Opus. If cost is a factor, most will go with the other methods such as a inverter. It is really cost vs. simplicity.

The only thing that I would like to have with the Opus is the ability to have a built in choice of start up delay - I want to give the CPU and HDD a chance to cool down (A/C blows on them) before I put the power to them. My current HDD is getting corrupted due to heat + vibration.

so ur pc/setup never froze or crashed? so you could play mp3 and gps at the same time w/o hesitation or problems?

i have a m9000 and everytime i use mediacar w mp3 and mappoint running, it freezes.

**EBFoxbat** · 08-18-2004, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by HybridMike

why arent you using the small form factor 12v cpu's?...is it a cost issue or something im missing?

What's a 12v CPU ?

**DarquePervert** · 08-18-2004, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by HybridMike

I would like to ask a question to all of you.... why is it that the most common set up with mp3car users is the epiaM10000 or similar and the opus power supply.....why arent you using the small form factor 12v cpu's?...is it a cost issue or something im missing?

The EPIA M10000 (or similar *IS* a small form-factor. ITX, hombre. Do a

once you take your foot out of your mouth...

**SAScooby** · 08-18-2004, 08:08 AM

no no what hybrid mike is referring to is the mobo that takes 12v in via a small barrel plug, the mobo itself provides regulation for 5v and 3.3v as well as processor and bus voltages obviously, all you need supply the mobo with is a stable 12v feed.
see www.cartft.com for pictures

If I was going to redo my system I would do it this way

**Laidback** · 08-18-2004, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by llmask

so ur pc/setup never froze or crashed? so you could play mp3 and gps at the same time w/o hesitation or problems?

i have a m9000 and everytime i use mediacar w mp3 and mappoint running, it freezes.

Uh? I think most people use gps and listen to mp3's at the same time, I know I do! MapPoint in MediaCar was a bit of a resource hog for me, as well, especially if you select the 'pos on road' option or whatever it was called.

**MP3DUB** · 08-18-2004, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by HybridMike

I would like to ask a question to all of you.... why is it that the most common set up with mp3car users is the epiaM10000 or similar and the opus power supply.....why arent you using the small form factor 12v cpu's?...is it a cost issue or something im missing?

I'm assuming you're refering to industrial/sbc's? Generally, i think they're avoided for cost, availiblity, and speed, as the cheaper ones are dooog slow (486), and the faster ones are harder to find and stupidly expensive compared to a Epia + Opus. Also, because the epia platform is so visible, with via marketing it heavily, and many, many projects being done with them, most people probably never even consider a sbc/industrial pc. That said, there have been a few over the years that I've seen.

**Rob Withey** · 08-18-2004, 04:18 PM

Mine is an industrial/embedded pc because I bought it five years ago, long before the epia existed.

It was very expensive, but that's the cost you pay for getting in early to this hobby.

**HybridMike** · 08-18-2004, 08:46 PM

The EPIA M10000 (or similar *IS* a small form-factor. ITX, hombre. Do a once you take your foot out of your mouth...

ah....but I thinik you are the one with the foot in the mouth, its not the size that I was wondering about...even though the PC we use is more powerful and capable of doing more than the epia ones....just do a

dimensions: 5.75" x 9.84" x 1.65" <---- with case and power supply and DVD slot loader
P4 3.4ghz
12v input

dimensions epiaM10000 6.7" x 6.7" x ? <---just the motherboard dimensions
via 1ghz
Opus Power Supply: 3.94" x 4.92" x 2.5"
now if you were to put these two items in a case and add peripherials you would be at a much larger size than I am talking about

so back to my original question.... is it because the opus that has power monitoring and key start capabilitys that make users favor this setup or is it the price or what....because we are using 12v cpu's and weve designed our cecu's to do the power monitoring and integrate with mobile media center to do the shutdown and key control. I just want to make sure us at Hybrid are on the right track