Apple Tv in car Project started

**RulerOf** · 10-14-2012, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Ruckus_mini

I'm not sure if this is a new thing with the Gen3 I will be getting hold of a Gen 1 and also testing.

As I mentioned in my post, I'm currently using a gen 1 in my car. It needs to be modded and have the ATV Remote HD software installed on it to support AirPlay. Not sure if it'll do mirroring, as I simply haven't tried. LMK if you need a confirmation.

The modding can be done with a USB stick, some software, an SSH client such as PuTTY, on the latest ATV1 firmware.

As far as not using a router goes, I have a jailbroken iPhone 4S, and am able to use MyWi to link the ATV and phone together. I don't have a tethering package with AT&T, so I can't speak to the built in hotspot feature. There is no reason that it shouldn't work though.

For me, a router might actually be more appropriate, as I don't actually want to tether. If you use a router and configure it to not assign a default gateway to clients, the iPhone will still use cellular data, but the wifi link you need will be there. Probably doesn't apply for you though, so just a general FYI.

**ATVPROJECT** · 02-13-2013, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by squarebanana

Thanks for that i was really looking to having the AC to Dc power supply in the ATV 2 removed, and hardwired in to the 12v system but from what i am led to believe its 3.4volts and 1.5 amps i think, i know there are some genius guys on here that could make a dc to dc dropper, anyone any ideas?

As regards screens, i have just bought from Comet, a 16" WIDESCREEN LCD/LED HDMI TV with record function through USB, For £89 that runs off 12volts through an AC power adapter and draws only 40watts when in use

Alan

Hi Alan,
Any luck with this project. I am trying to do the same but for my motorhome.
I have taken the atv3 apart pin out all the connections and now need a 12v supply to 3.4v
Any help would be greatly received.

Regards
Glen

**ATVPROJECT** · 02-13-2013, 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by dscustoms

From this idea, I went and found an apple tv 2, which uses a whole lot less power and started the adaptation. I should have it installed soon, just put a power plug into it to connect to a DC-DC 3.4 v power source

From my testing it looks like I'll be able to hop into my car, open the remote app and control the itunes, or stream from my iphone / ipad, or a NAS device, lots of ideas in my head right now that I'm trying to sort into a perfect combination.

I guess I'll need to put a real wifi router in the car, I was hoping to use the MyWi access point in my phone, which gives the car computers internet access, but airplay doesn't seem to work over it. Anyone try this setup before? Can I bridge the internet connection from MyWi / iphone into the router, and have it feed all the computers? Are there any low power consumption / tiny routers that I can DD-WRT?

**ATVPROJECT** · 02-13-2013, 01:32 AM

Dude, I love what you've done. I'm a year behind your thinking. I want to run the atv3 in my motorhome using AirPlay etc.
I have stripped my Atv3 unit and pinned out the connections to the motherboard. It's a standard across the board 3.4vdc and the psu says 1.75amps.
I have managed to get it running off a 12v supply, which was more out of luck than judgement. You seem to have it sorted with the connections. Are you able to assist with the pins required to power up the unit. I've used 1 and 5.? Which seem to power it up but I haven't run it for any length of time as I struggled to connect my supply. Also how did you actually soldier up a connector block in side. I love to see some images if you willing to share.

I really look forward to hearing from you

Kind regards
Glen

**RulerOf** · 02-13-2013, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by ATVPROJECT

Dude, I love what you've done. I'm a year behind your thinking. I want to run the atv3 in my motorhome using AirPlay etc.
I have stripped my Atv3 unit and pinned out the connections to the motherboard. It's a standard across the board 3.4vdc and the psu says 1.75amps.
I have managed to get it running off a 12v supply, which was more out of luck than judgement. You seem to have it sorted with the connections. Are you able to assist with the pins required to power up the unit. I've used 1 and 5.? Which seem to power it up but I haven't run it for any length of time as I struggled to connect my supply. Also how did you actually soldier up a connector block in side. I love to see some images if you willing to share.

I really look forward to hearing from you

Kind regards
Glen

Hey Glen,

I worked on this some months back, but as it stands, my latest plans are to solder the OEM power supply back together, as I simply don't know what type of circuit to build for it, and I got my in-car AirPlay support with an old, hacked up iPod touch instead :P

For power, I used this: http://amzn.com/B008BHAOQO Make sure you have a multimeter to set it up!

After mapping out the pins with simple continuity tests, I came across some really odd combinations in the way it pinned out, so I started testing it. Six of the pins are for primary power: Vcc and GND, three each (though I can't recall if that's pins 1-6 or 3-8). Indeed, connecting those pins to a 3.4v power source will start the unit, but it won't boot properly. If you attach an Ethernet cable, you can watch the interface reset over and over again. I also hooked up the power light

The other two pins are labelled, I think, E and F. My guess is that it uses what's called a "constant current" or "emitter-follower" circuit. I couldn't find information I could understand well enough to turn what I had into the proper source of power. I was about to ask on the /r/AskElectronics reddit page when I spontaneously lost interest in the project.

The pins are labeled pretty well on the power supply's board. Leave it unplugged for a few hours and its casing will come apart pretty easily if you need to get a look. This is the only picture I have that clearly shows the pins on the PSU:

Best of luck to ya.