Any Aussies Out There?

**Bugbyte** · 02-19-2008, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by iamgnat

You could go with something other than a Mini (like a PowerMac/MacPro) which would allow you that add additional video cards. Another options some have talked about (not sure if anyone actually did it yet though) is to use AppleTV(s) for the rear screen(s) and have them use the Mini as their source server (e.g. create a network in the car).

I generally chime in here and suggest that you use an apple TV for the rear screen and leave the Mini as a server, but Dave beat me to it.

**myminirocks** · 02-20-2008, 07:13 AM

Yeah I do like the idea of the ATV in the back for the rear screen, like, really really like it and I can get my hands on a cheap one from a mate (of a mate of a mate you know how it is...)

BUT, i seem to read that the ATV is an issue to power because of the inbuilt ac/dc converter vs the mini's external brick. Anyone out there done it??

So yeah I guess to be clear I should state my dream set up:

Mini in the front, with access to the cd slot for good 'ol vanilla cd's
hooked up to a 7" touchscreen up front for control.

Either back seat display screen or a larger drop down screen for the kids.

Now the fun bit. Would love to be able to have audio and video to be split per application and sent to different outputs so that when we put on a movie it will be sent to the rear screens and audio (I like the headphone jacks idea vs wireless to save on cost/battery replacment etc) while the tunes can continue to play through the car speakers with visuals on the front screen (itunes artwork or something).

I know hardware wise this would be fairly straight forward, ie dual out sound card/video card etc but I really need to keep the costs down so if I can find a software solution.....

I regularly contribute on a number of Mac forums and there is a great little app that can split the audio out per app on the mini but it only works on the old G4 systems, not intel and my current mini is intel and the idea was to retire it to the car and update the HTPC inside, you know when Apple release the mini the size of an ATV with a Blue-ray drive

.

As far as splitting the video, I dont know.....

Anyhoo, it's midnight and I need to sleep..
Thx again guys, lovin the comunity already!

**BiGGy** · 02-20-2008, 07:17 AM

Hi. Im in QLD too. Good luck with the macmini install.

**myminirocks** · 02-20-2008, 08:03 AM

Hey biggy, yeah i read your entire worklog, seriously, you are going all out and I love it. can't wait to see the final.

might be hitting you up for fabrication tips one day, that whole console fab you did look awesome!

Hope you didnt get too flooded last week!

**Bugbyte** · 02-20-2008, 08:06 AM

The cheapest solution is dedicated hardware. If the kids want video and audio, an inexpensive DVD player and video screen will do it.

Of course, that isn't a 'car computer'. So, the cheapest setup I can envision is a piece of dedicated hardware (Apple TV) and video screen. That solves your multiple audio out issues, plus your multiple video issues. The price of a new video card and audio device alone adds up to nearly the cost of the ATV.

Plus, the new FrontRow allows plug-ins that are generating all kinds of cool apps and the ATV will use the Mini as a wireless server for the video and audio. The kids control their own system while you continue to use yours. Slick.

Power it with an inverter. Done.

**myminirocks** · 02-21-2008, 08:35 AM

Hey bugbyte, from everything I read using an inverter is really really bad, you know, with the noise issues, power draining inefficient, no SSC etc

I am soooo not the person to remember to switch the inverter off each time and I will have a flat battery every day!!

Damn shame, I really like the ATV idea so the kids can just control their own content in the back while we can still have our 'tunes up front.

Oh well, I think I might grab this cheap ATV anyway just in case

I can see this project is going to go waaaaay over budget!

**iamgnat** · 02-21-2008, 09:14 AM

There are inverters that you can get that accept a switched line so they will turn off when you turn the car off. The ground loop (noise) issues can be addressed with work, though if the audio will only be going to headphones, i'm not sure you would have a problem anyway.

The real problem with the inverter is that when it is turned off, there is no warning to the connected device. The nice bit about the power supplies like the CarNetix P series is that it will signal the computer for it to take action.

In theory it should be possible to replace the power supply for the ATV with a DC - DC power supply, but based on your comments in this thread i'm going to guess that isn't something you are up for

-dave

**myminirocks** · 02-21-2008, 05:17 PM

ahhhh yeah! not quite up for opening up the ATV

I'm the guy that take on projects like this only to have to pay someone twice as much to fix what I end up breaking

I have installed car audio before.... but this isn't just car audio is it!

Anyway I am really keen to make this work so I am going to try and do it right (I generally dive head first without checking the depth!)

Actually, just on that, any other Brisbane-ites out there know of somewhere in brisbane that can (help) install this kinda thing?