Looking for some straight forward confirmation on items

I am new to the forums and quite excited to get started on a project for a 2009 Subaru STI.

I find that most of the information here is provided without a greater context which for a newbie just leads to confusion.

Here's what I am trying to setup:
Double DIN touch sensitive screen (for display & input/control)
Wireless mouse & keyboard (for a special app that needs quick data entry)
AM/FM Audio
Sat radio
CD player
DVD player
Ipod hookup
GPS navigation
External apps (DashCommand & my own)
Use the stock Subaru OEM speakers

I look at the mp3car store at their computer bundles and it looks like I only get a ruggedized PC. If I take that, is the AM/FM audio missing? Some of their nice enclosures, don't look like they can handle the FM tuner.

On the FM tuner, I don't see where it connects to the external arial.

If this has the usual PC outputs how do you hook up to the factory 20+ pin plug for the speakers.

At the moment, I cannot figure out if RoadRunner or RideRunner is available for download and where to get it which is why I'll probably go with Centrafuse as the front end over XP.

I can see that Centrafuse have support for phones but how does that tie in with the mp3car computers?

If I knew what direct questions to ask, I would not be so confused. Anyone want to offer suggestions as to what to buy that will all work togetherÉ

I'll try to answer what I can, but you may want to browse the FAQ for a good start http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advfaq.php

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Petrie

I look at the mp3car store at their computer bundles and it looks like I only get a ruggedized PC. If I take that, is the AM/FM audio missing? Some of their nice enclosures, don't look like they can handle the FM tuner.

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I'm not sure which PC bundle you're looking at, but it would need something like http://store.mp3car.com/HQCT_1_0_Hig..._p/com-009.htm for radio. Personally, I would go with an HD Radio with MJS Cable http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/user...hlight=mitchjs
The Directed DMHD1000 or Visteon HDZ300 will work with mitch's cable. The Directed unit is cheap http://www.amazon.com/DIRECTED-DMHD1...7286433&sr=8-1
approx $60 + 25 for the cable is much cheaper than the HQCT.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Petrie

On the FM tuner, I don't see where it connects to the external arial.

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If you go with the HQCT, you will need a wiring kit http://store.mo-co-so.com/hqctiwiringkit-p-96.html

It includes the Motorola adapter which you can plug a standard motorola antenna connector into. http://store.mo-co-so.com/index.php?...roducts_id=110
You may need an adapter to convert your car antenna plug into motorola. Not sure about the exact details of your car but this is a subaru adapter that is available: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K53QAQ/...0&linkCode=asn
Look around for what will fit your car.

If you go with HD Radio, it also accepts a motorola connection.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Petrie

If this has the usual PC outputs how do you hook up to the factory 20+ pin plug for the speakers.

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http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advf...iew&advfaqid=7
not sure what the pinout is for your plug, but I got a wiring harness and connected directly to my factory amp with RCAs as outlined in the above FAQ. You can check out crutchfield to find a wiring harness that fits your car.

You can find some other STI projects here to get help. You can also go to your car specific forums for audio help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Petrie

At the moment, I cannot figure out if RoadRunner or RideRunner is available for download and where to get it which is why I'll probably go with Centrafuse as the front end over XP.

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http://www.nisuautomotive.com/catalo...php?cPath=2_22
May take more to setup, but it's free. I'm using Centrafuse and am happy with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Petrie

I can see that Centrafuse have support for phones but how does that tie in with the mp3car computers?

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You will need a bluetooth dongle. I use http://store.mo-co-so.com/100m330usb...iant-p-64.html
Works great with Centrafuse.

Lots of good information, thank you.
I'm using all the links to build a much more complete picture of what I need.

Yeah...take your time and do a lot of research before you dive in. It'll save you a lot of time and extra hardware.

I really get that even at this early stage.

Plan now is to use the existing laptop that I used for diagnostics to prototype and trial everything. Then I'll move it all to incar hardware.

Next thing to test is the canbus/obdII connection for instruments and special apps. Then prove the GPS followed by radio.

Radio is a big problem where I am as I'm not in a good signal spot (remote). Certainly no HD signal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Petrie

Here's what I am trying to setup:
Double DIN touch sensitive screen (for display & input/control)
Wireless mouse & keyboard (for a special app that needs quick data entry)
AM/FM Audio
Sat radio
CD player
DVD player
Ipod hookup
GPS navigation
External apps (DashCommand & my own)
Use the stock Subaru OEM speakers

I look at the mp3car store at their computer bundles and it looks like I only get a ruggedized PC. If I take that, is the AM/FM audio missing? Some of their nice enclosures, don't look like they can handle the FM tuner.

On the FM tuner, I don't see where it connects to the external arial.

If this has the usual PC outputs how do you hook up to the factory 20+ pin plug for the speakers.

At the moment, I cannot figure out if RoadRunner or RideRunner is available for download and where to get it which is why I'll probably go with Centrafuse as the front end over XP.

I can see that Centrafuse have support for phones but how does that tie in with the mp3car computers?

If I knew what direct questions to ask, I would not be so confused. Anyone want to offer suggestions as to what to buy that will all work togetherÉ

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the way that the audio hooks up to your car will greatly depend on wheather you have a factory external amplifier, or if the amp is integrated into the radio. it the amp was in the radio, you will need a aftermarket amp to power the speakers.

i am also unsure wheather you are considering using centrafuse with xp, or will try to use centrafuse instead of xp.

so to clarify, the front end is the interface that allows you to control all the media, but requires a operating system like xp to run.

and like the other posts said, look around and do your research, also, search the build log section to find system setups in similar cars that can give you some ideas on both equipment and mounting locations in your car.

I am leaning towards Centrafuse Navigation over XP or Windows 7. I will probably start out testing on the laptop with Windows 7 and if that's too slow do a rebuild with XP. I'm not short of OS licenses to try.

There's a new double din carputer enclosure for the Nano-itx boards and 7" Lilliput screen. It fits any double din socket. I;m waiting to become available sept 09 bybyte.com

Petrie, I would take my time and do at least a month of reading on this forum before starting your build. Having a bench setup to play with or just installing the software on your home PC and playing with it before you go very far is pretty much a requirement before you invest the time and money to get a full setup up and running. Depending on what level you are looking for in your setup, the cost is completely comparable to just doing a full system replacement in a car. Mine cost me around $1000 to do, but when you add in a GPS unit like a Garmin or TomTom, it is the same price as what it would have cost me to do a similar setup in the "classic" sense, yet I have far more flexibility.

I use a Visteon for my HD Radio, and it does pretty good. Having my full MP3 collection there at my fingertips is incredible. The GPS navigation works extremely well. Being able to get weather and traffic info, local gas prices, have proven to have made my time in this more than worth while.

Take your time, do your homework, ask questions. This is a fun hobby, if it something you are willing to put time into, and enjoy the fact that it does take some work, at least initially.

^^^ Sound advice, thank you.

I already have Centrafuse running on a laptop (that was lying around unused). I am using it to develop my plugin(s) and get familiar with the other plugins out there. Ideally I would take an All-In-One that slots into the double DIN but I think that will be too big a compromise of CPU power and display visibility in sunshine.

Still not taking a quick jump though. Research is the key to happiness.