Thread: Need advice on new CarPC setup

I'm not an expert in all of your questions, but I will respond to the ones that I do know about.

Originally Posted by nfasano

3) Next is the case and power supply. There are many conflicting opinions on power supplies, but it seems that the Opus 70 gets good reviews and would take care of the case and power supply all in one. It's not clear exactly how this hooks into the car battery, but I'm planning to connect a fused distribution block to the existing car stereo power and then connect that to both the Xenarc unit and the Opus 70. This should work, right?

There are things that I don't yet understand. I am not sure how the PC will know that the ignition has been turned off. I know there is an ignition wire to the stock stereo and that this somehow gets connected to the Opus 70 which then sends the signals to the motherboard, but the exact mechanism is unclear. Also, when the car is turned off, the PC will hibernate for a while and then shut down? How does this happen?

I don't think that the Opus 70 is enough power for your setup... depending on the exact core2duo processor you... Most commonly they are rated at 65watts... there goes all you power right there and that doesn't include the basic features of your MB, HD or USB devices.

When you get the PSU or you can look up the manual on Opus's website it shows you how to wire it. 1 wires goes to ground, 1 wire could go to your distribution block with constant power, then there will a third wire that you can hook up to your accessory line that would also activate you radio, or if you have power that comes out of your radio when its on like for an antenna or cd changer you can use that too and the computer ill turn on and off with the radio. You can also just use a manual switch also.

For the hibernate one - there will be small 2 pin header on the opus that you will connect to your motherboard where the power switch would normally go and when there is a loss off power on the ACC line going into the Opus (ie. when you turn the key off) it will send a shutdown pulse to the motherboard starting the shutdown sequence then after its off it will cut power. You will have to set in window to hibernate if the power button is pressed.

4) Software. Looks like streetdeck is the one with all the features I'm looking for. Which is basically mp3/radio/video/navigation. Unfortunately you can't buy it right now, but hopefully that is changing soon.

Software is really a matter of opinion... If you like the layout of the program and it does what you want then that good.

My personal opinion of frontend software is RoadRunner. It will do what you want, plus its FREE! Plus everything is customizable and if your not capable of customizing it there are TONS of different skins to choose from. Plus everyone is willing to help you out with questions.

5) I would also need a GPS unit and AM/FM tuner for the PC. I have not researched these, but suggestions are welcome.

GPS - GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS Reciever - Easy to install, locks on to Satellites quick, holds a strong signal - even got a signal in my house during testing, and not right next to the window either...

AM/FM Tuner - Visteon HDZ300 HD Radio Tuner w/ MJS Gadget’s HDR-RS232 cable - great reception, easy setup, works natively in RoadRunner and i think Centrafuse also, since its designed for automotive use its very simple to install in the car. Plus you get all the HD features too

2) I want to use the car's existing speakers (for the time being).

By this do you mean you want to just use the speakers over, or the whole stock stereo system???

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advf...iew&advfaqid=7

if you want to use the whole stereo you will either need to find and AUX in for your factory stereo or use an FM Modulator - but sound quality with a modulator will be reduced,


Hope that helps a little bit!

Thanks for the quick reply - your answers are very helpful. A couple of comments/replies:

Originally Posted by bratnetwork

I don't think that the Opus 70 is enough power for your setup... depending on the exact core2duo processor you... Most commonly they are rated at 65watts... there goes all you power right there and that doesn't include the basic features of your MB, HD or USB devices.

I neglected to mention that the processor is a core2duo mobile (T7200) which only draws 34 watts. Plus, according to their website, the opus 70 actually has a "Built-in 120W Intelligent DC-DC vehicle power supply". This should be enough for my setup, right?

Software is really a matter of opinion... If you like the layout of the program and it does what you want then that good.

My personal opinion of frontend software is RoadRunner. It will do what you want, plus its FREE! Plus everything is customizable and if your not capable of customizing it there are TONS of different skins to choose from. Plus everyone is willing to help you out with questions.



GPS - GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS Reciever - Easy to install, locks on to Satellites quick, holds a strong signal - even got a signal in my house during testing, and not right next to the window either...

AM/FM Tuner - Visteon HDZ300 HD Radio Tuner w/ MJS Gadget’s HDR-RS232 cable - great reception, easy setup, works natively in RoadRunner and i think Centrafuse also, since its designed for automotive use its very simple to install in the car. Plus you get all the HD features too

Awesome - thanks for these recommendations. This is the kind of first-hand experience that I need. I will check them out.

By this do you mean you want to just use the speakers over, or the whole stock stereo system???

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advf...iew&advfaqid=7

if you want to use the whole stereo you will either need to find and AUX in for your factory stereo or use an FM Modulator - but sound quality with a modulator will be reduced,

Nope, just want to use the speakers thru the Xenarc's built-in amp.

Thanks again,
Nick

Originally Posted by bratnetwork

AM/FM Tuner - Visteon HDZ300 HD Radio Tuner w/ MJS Gadget’s HDR-RS232 cable - great reception, easy setup, works natively in RoadRunner and i think Centrafuse also, since its designed for automotive use its very simple to install in the car. Plus you get all the HD features too

This is interesting, albeit a little pricey. This product seems to be a separate unit with its own screen, which I assume would not be used since it would be integrated into the CarPC. The audio then gets transmitted thru the HDR-RS232 cable to the computer/frontend software?

Any other solutions for a cheaper, non HD radio solution (I live in a rural area without HD radio )?

Originally Posted by danielkh

This is what you need.
Pricey, but you don't need anything else. I've seen $2700-4500. Not sure what the final number will be.

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index....;pid;6870;pt;1

Wow, that's impressive. I'd consider that in the $2700-low $3000 range. That article was written in march, though, and it doesn't appear that it's available 9 months later? Any ideas when/if this will be released?

Originally Posted by nfasano

This is interesting, albeit a little pricey. This product seems to be a separate unit with its own screen, which I assume would not be used since it would be integrated into the CarPC. The audio then gets transmitted thru the HDR-RS232 cable to the computer/frontend software?

Any other solutions for a cheaper, non HD radio solution (I live in a rural area without HD radio )?

You can get the tuner on ebay new open box for $60 and the cable is $25 and he include the audio cable with it also plus software. $85 for HD Radio setup is cheap and the built in tuner even for non-hd is very high quality.

Correct you dont use the screen - the controls go through the cable and the audio goes through the RCA jacks into you PC or through the integrated FM Modulator to you existing stereo. It is controlled by either Mitch's stand alone software that you can DL for free from his sight or through a compatible front end (ie. RoadRunner http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/rr-s...skin-bmv2.html )

Originally Posted by bratnetwork

You can get the tuner on ebay new open box for $60 and the cable is $25 and he include the audio cable with it also plus software. $85 for HD Radio setup is cheap and the built in tuner even for non-hd is very high quality.

Correct you dont use the screen - the controls go through the cable and the audio goes through the RCA jacks into you PC or through the integrated FM Modulator to you existing stereo. It is controlled by either Mitch's stand alone software that you can DL for free from his sight or through a compatible front end (ie. RoadRunner http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/rr-s...skin-bmv2.html )

Thanks for the info. You're right, that's not a bad deal after all. I think I'll soon be able to give this project a shot.

Stupid question - When the computer goes into hibernate mode, it still uses some power. It looks like the power supplies can be configured to supply this power, then shut off all power after a preconfigured amount of time. Won't that be the equivalent of pulling the plug, therefore potentially corrupting the hard drive? It seems that the system would need to hibernate for a set amount of time, then be woken up long enough to shut down properly, and then have the power cut off. This seems too complicated, or am I missing something?

I apologize that some of my replies haven't come through. Since I am a new member, my posts have to be approved, and that hasn't happened for a few of my posts.

Originally Posted by bratnetwork

I don't think that the Opus 70 is enough power for your setup... depending on the exact core2duo processor you... Most commonly they are rated at 65watts... there goes all you power right there and that doesn't include the basic features of your MB, HD or USB devices.

I neglected to mention that the processor is a Core2Duo Mobile, which says that it uses 35 watts. Also, the opus website says it has a "Built-in 120W Intelligent DC-DC vehicle power supply". So the name seems to be misleading. I'm hoping the 120W PSU can handle the 35W CPU, motherboard, 2.5" HDD, GPS, FM radio, & possible USB WiFi module.