Planning a MacCAR Mercedes :)

**JP@CL** · 03-01-2006, 12:17 PM

Hey guys, just wanted to introduce myself to the Mac crowd on mp3car.com - been reading for a while and I think I'd like to go Mini in the MBZ.

After much debate I thought it would probably look and feel the cleanest in this vehicle. Just finished reading the FAQ posted above as well and will most likely go with the same components.

A couple of things I'm after:

1. Great sound quality - as much as can be done with a MAC - I need good, clean sound - it's basically the last damn thing I haven't done in the car AND I'd like to be somewhat original with this setup.
2. Factory look - clean. The dash on my MBZ is pretty easy to take off - in fact there are supports behind the double-DIN that I could probably use to fashion some sort of bracket for the Xenarc 7" (I hear this one's getting majority reviews)
3. MACS! I love my ibook G4 - stands the test of time and abuse - gotta go with a Mac Mini on board the MB.
4. Space - I'll probably end up taking out my factory 6-CD changer and stuff a mini in there - I don't mind losing the integrated controls - I can have them programmed out of the MFD and steering wheel.

I just hope that when I get this project started - most of it won't give me too much trouble. I'll use the stock components all I can (didn't want the crappy bose from the factory).

About the car: Highly modified. I know, you're thinking "huh? benz?" Modlist (below). I show and will occasionally track the car. More pictures of install locations will probably be up soon.

Wish me luck and lots of help - looking forward to putting +1 for the Mac!

jperez

**JP@CL** · 03-01-2006, 12:20 PM

An engine shot because I know it'll be requested :\ :

If anyone has any suggestions about the project, PLEASE let me know, I'm as much a noob in this area as ever. Thanks in advance!

jperez

**iamgnat** · 03-01-2006, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by JP@CL

1. Great sound quality - as much as can be done with a MAC

You do realize that many sound studios and musicians (I keep being surprised when I go to shows and they have a PB on stage to do their live mixing) use Macs right? It's all about how much you want to put into it.

You can either go the headphone jack -> EQ -> Amp(s) route, or you can do the USB -> sound card -> line driver (and most people seem to get by without the LD) -> Amp(s) route. I personally am going the later option as it lets me control more (balance, fade, sub, and timing) from the Mac vs an EQ.

As far as mounting your Mini. Since you are talking about putting it in the location of the CD changer, I caught a thread (in the Linux forum?) where someone converted their CD changer into a "case" for their PC. It keeps with the whole "stock look" idea.

God I should really stop yapping on this board and do something about getting a Mac actually in my car.....

-dave

**JP@CL** · 03-01-2006, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by iamgnat

You do realize that many sound studios and musicians (I keep being surprised when I go to shows and they have a PB on stage to do their live mixing) use Macs right? It's all about how much you want to put into it.

You can either go the headphone jack -> EQ -> Amp(s) route, or you can do the USB -> sound card -> line driver (and most people seem to get by without the LD) -> Amp(s) route. I personally am going the later option as it lets me control more (balance, fade, sub, and timing) from the Mac vs an EQ.

As far as mounting your Mini. Since you are talking about putting it in the location of the CD changer, I caught a thread (in the Linux forum?) where someone converted their CD changer into a "case" for their PC. It keeps with the whole "stock look" idea.

God I should really stop yapping on this board and do something about getting a Mac actually in my car.....

-dave

Of course, which is why I thought about the MAC in the first place - A/V

. I was thinking more of a custom fiberglass mold for the top portion of the glove box - I still would want the stock part around (for kicks if I ever needed it or wanted to resell it). It might as well look clean and aftermarket the way I'll be going.

Excellent suggestions though - I'll probably go the latter route too. But first, I'll just focus on getting this hooked up and running - a component change later.

jperez

**godraj** · 03-01-2006, 05:05 PM

welcome abord JP@CL.

**JP@CL** · 03-05-2006, 01:32 PM

I've been searching around on the forums about a couple things:

Sleeping the Mac and doing something about the 2V output of an external USB card to a 4V input on an AMP - these seem to be the main issues people were discussing under my specific searches.

Question is - when the mini is in sleep mode - I presume all it's doing is slowly (really slowly) draining my car battery (who's got good experiences with optima red?

). The more devices I have off the USB though, especially if it was an FM tuner, would then wake it up from sleep state. I also assume that an FM tuner/GPS doesn't just get a signal and wake it up, right?

And about the sound - I see some people have gotten away with just going from audigy 2NX or firewave directly to the amp - that 2V to 4V part somewhat confuses me - is the sound quality affected because the numbers don't match up? If I went all optical would it be an issue?

Thanks much guys,

JP@CL

**JP@CL** · 03-07-2006, 10:57 AM

bump!

JP@CL

**sdashiki** · 03-07-2006, 12:25 PM

um you bumped this why?

dont be a dork.

**iamgnat** · 03-07-2006, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by JP@CL

Question is - when the mini is in sleep mode - I presume all it's doing is slowly (really slowly) draining my car battery (who's got good experiences with optima red?

). The more devices I have off the USB though, especially if it was an FM tuner, would then wake it up from sleep state. I also assume that an FM tuner/GPS doesn't just get a signal and wake it up, right?

I'm not sure what you are asking here, so please correct me if I am off on my assumption.

I believe you are asking if a GPS/FM Tuner/other device will wake your Mac from sleep mode. This all depends on the device. There is a signal in the USB spec specifically for a "wake from sleep" command. Many input devices (mice and keyboards most noteably) send this signal which should indeed wake the computer. Most other devices do not. You would have to check the manual/mfg about each device you plan to use.

-dave