1999 Lincoln Navigator (SUV) CarPC

**jpmack** · 09-06-2010, 02:44 PM

My Ride: 1999 Lincoln Navigator

CarPC Components: On Order
- ZOTAC NM10-A-E Intel Atom D510 (1.66GHz, dual-core) (Loaded w/ Features, 802.11n WIFI, HDMI, D-Sub, 6 Channel Audio(1 - Optical, 1 - Coaxial), 6 USB Ports)
- Lilliput 7" SKD Open Frame Touch Screen VGA Monitor with HDMI, DVI Input
- Intel X25-V 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC SSD OS / Software
- Seagate Momentus 320GB 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA HDD (Media Drive)
- G.SKILL 4GB DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
- SYBA 4 ports USB V2.0 mini hub
- Velocity 8x External Slot Loading CD/DVD Writer
- BU-353 Weather-proof GPS Receiver
- Mp3Car BoomzBox HD Radio USB Controlled AM/FM Tuner
- Nano USB 2.0 Bluetooth adapter
- M4-ATX 250W Intelligent DC-DC PSU (Mixed feelings on this)
- Griffin Powermate Volume Knob 1100-PWRMTS (may add another one if I like it)
- Mini Wireless RF Keyboard & Touchpad
- MXL USB-Powered Microphone

Software:
- Windows 7 Professional 64Bit
- RideRunner or Centrafuse (Not sure, Any thoughts? Looking at the polls RR seems to top the charts)
- Navigation software unknown right now, possibly IGuidence

Audio/Video Components: Already installed to existing Aftermarket HU
- 8" 500 Watt Kicker Sub
- 600 Watt Power Acoustik Amp (Sub)
- 4 - 6x8 240 Watt Power Acoustik Componet Speakers (Doors)
- 1200 Watt Power Acoustik Amp (Component Speakers)
- 4 Headrest Power Acoustik Monitors (All daisy chained(via Yellow RCA Jack) to HU's A/V Out)

Security: Already installed
- Omega Xcalibor Remote start and car alarm, w/ 2 way pager system.

What I want out of the system:
- Easily navigate my 20,000 + songs
- Easily navigate movies
- Connectivity to my HTC EVO phone through Bluetooth (Contacts, Phone, Music)
- Intuitive GPS navigation system
- Simultaneously use the Lilliput touch screen(Driver) while headrest monitors(passengers) are able to play movies.

Eventually want to:
- Incorporate spint wireless card (currently hooked up to my laptop) to broadcast WIFI through-out vehicle to passengers.
- Hook up vehicle diagnostic and sensor system to monitor vehicle.
- Reverse backup camera / ultrasonic sensor
- Add XM Sat radio
- Infared Remote Control
- Incorporate exsisting steering wheel controls to control certian items, primarly music

I intend to setup the bulk of my CarPC Components into the Driver's Center Console.

Questions:
1. How should i setup the existing audio setup to the CarPC?

2. How should I setup the existing headrest monitors to watch movies only?

3. ANY THOUGHTS, DOUGHTS, INSIGHT!!

**soundman98** · 09-06-2010, 10:55 PM

1. how do you want to set it up?
you could simply connect it to the headunit, or you could also ditch the head unit and just run the carpc to the amps...

2. this is kind of missing in most front ends. i personally don't use video files at all in-car, so don't just take my word for any of this..

from what i have read, there are no FE's that truly support second screens easily that are currently in deployable form(centrafuse reports they are working on it, and Open Mobile can support multiple screens, but isn't technically out yet)

i also do not know, and don't think that any FE's support the primary screen to control the content of the slave screens..

it is kind of a hack method, but one of the things you could do is setup vlcplayer to run on the second screens, and then just use something like a kvm to control what is displayed on the screens-- if position 1 on kvm is main screen, position 2 would be the 'control' screen for the rear monitors-- being that they are composite monitors, you will also need a vga-to-composite converter.(the startech unit in the link was highly recommended by some other members-- i haven't used it, but they claim that it works very well--link).

the fe choice is completely up to you. while i currently use rr, i don't believe that it is any better then the other solutions currently available, it just works good for me(most of the time), mostly because i am cheap

..(it's like asking a group of car guys what the best car is-- everyone has their favorites...)

**david69leonard** · 09-06-2010, 11:20 PM

you can control the video output to the other screens with WMC

**jpmack** · 09-07-2010, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by soundman98

1. how do you want to set it up?
you could simply connect it to the headunit, or you could also ditch the head unit and just run the carpc to the amps...

I do not plan on keeping the current head unit, Its a 8.3 Single Din Flip out by power acoustik, although the hardware itself was great, the lack of usablilty of the user interface was more then i could handle.

Originally Posted by soundman98

2. this is kind of missing in most front ends. i personally don't use video files at all in-car, so don't just take my word for any of this..

from what i have read, there are no FE's that truly support second screens easily that are currently in deployable form(centrafuse reports they are working on it, and Open Mobile can support multiple screens, but isn't technically out yet)

i also do not know, and don't think that any FE's support the primary screen to control the content of the slave screens..

it is kind of a hack method, but one of the things you could do is setup vlcplayer to run on the second screens, and then just use something like a kvm to control what is displayed on the screens-- if position 1 on kvm is main screen, position 2 would be the 'control' screen for the rear monitors-- being that they are composite monitors, you will also need a vga-to-composite converter.(the startech unit in the link was highly recommended by some other members-- i haven't used it, but they claim that it works very well--link).

the fe choice is completely up to you. while i currently use rr, i don't believe that it is any better then the other solutions currently available, it just works good for me(most of the time), mostly because i am cheap

..(it's like asking a group of car guys what the best car is-- everyone has their favorites...)

Basicly what your saying is that it is possible but will take some work and trial and error on my side? And the more I am reading the more i like RR.

**jpmack** · 09-07-2010, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by david69leonard

you can control the video output to the other screens with WMC

WMC ==> Windows Media Center??

**RipplingHurst** · 09-07-2010, 01:09 PM

Hopefully hijack will chip in and post his experience with rear video control.

There are two ways to do it. You can mirror the screens, or you can use extended desktop mode. If you mirror the screens, that's easy, whatever you do on your side will be shown on the rear screens. With Centrafuse and a second audio card, you can control what is shown on the rear screens, but there is no way to check what is actually playing there. There is no toggle or anything, so if your front passenger wants to chat about what the kids are seeing etc. that won't be possible - but I think this is a nice to have feature. With big kids, that's not a problem.

**jpmack** · 09-08-2010, 09:46 PM

Nearly 200 views and only received a few replys?! Anyone else with any thoughts or input?

**david69leonard** · 09-08-2010, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by jpmack

WMC ==> Windows Media Center??

Yes, and since you are running the 64bit version of windows, WMC will run flawlessly compared to RR or CF

**HiJackZX1** · 09-10-2010, 02:25 PM

IM HEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

It really all depends on what you want to do. Like Ripplinghurst says, there is two ways. First way is to have Dual Zone setup. This is where the drivers screen does its thing and everything else plays on the rear screens like music etc. Something like that will require 2 display ports (one for driver, one for rear). Then 2 sound cards (one for driver, one for rear). Then you use powered VGA splitters if you decide to use the rear on personal screens.

Second way is independent use per seat. This requires a bit more hardware though. You will need a display port for each seat. EX: I have 6 seats, so I needed 6 display ports. i then needed six sound cards. Basically you map a touchscreen to each display in the software. I use Centrafuse because it is geared towards setups like these (is locked in 3.1 but will be unlocked in 3.2). So in Centrafuse settings I tell what controls go with what ever display and what sound card goes with that display also.

These are the best two ways. Another way is you could add 6 Car PC units. This was my original goal, but maintenance, money, software, powering everything, all became a concern.

As for the amounts of views vs replies, its because multi screen setups is kind of slow catching. Not many people care for it, so they do not know exactly what to do to achieve it.

i see you already have the screens.... since you do, I have to assume that they will be using a shared environment, meaning the rear sees the same thing. All you would need is a mobo with a RCA port for video out. Then for control they simply use a Windows Media Remote with built in mouse to navigate. The other option is replace your screens with touchscreen VGA versions. If you decided that route, I recommend the VM70 screens.

http://www.short-circuit.com/product/vm70.html

They are priced very cheap, but equal to the Lilliput EBY701. What I like with these though is that it comes with the headrest plate to hold the screen into the seat.

The m4 is a very solid PSU. So dont worry. If you think that you are going to add more things and require more power though, go with the OPUS 360. Its like the Cadillac of Car PS PSU. My rear system uses the OPUS 320, works flawlessly and my front system will use the OPUS 360.

PS: sorry for the late reply.... I have been finally working on my setup again so i have been mainly lurking into posts to educate myself. Now that i have everything finalized I can reply to others again.

**jpmack** · 09-10-2010, 05:37 PM

It really all depends on what you want to do. Like Ripplinghurst says, there is two ways. First way is to have Dual Zone setup. This is where the drivers screen does its thing and everything else plays on the rear screens like music etc. Something like that will require 2 display ports (one for driver, one for rear). Then 2 sound cards (one for driver, one for rear). Then you use powered VGA splitters if you decide to use the rear on personal screens.

Second way is independent use per seat. This requires a bit more hardware though. You will need a display port for each seat. EX: I have 6 seats, so I needed 6 display ports. i then needed six sound cards. Basically you map a touchscreen to each display in the software. I use Centrafuse because it is geared towards setups like these (is locked in 3.1 but will be unlocked in 3.2). So in Centrafuse settings I tell what controls go with what ever display and what sound card goes with that display also.

For this setup I am only looking at playing video for the back 4 headrest monitors. They wont need to do any inputing of data (primarly for the kids to be entertained). I want to control this from the driver seat.

These are the best two ways. Another way is you could add 6 Car PC units. This was my original goal, but maintenance, money, software, powering everything, all became a concern.

This is defenetly more then I need and willing to do at this time.

i see you already have the screens.... since you do, I have to assume that they will be using a shared environment, meaning the rear sees the same thing. All you would need is a mobo with a RCA port for video out. Then for control they simply use a Windows Media Remote with built in mouse to navigate. The other option is replace your screens with touchscreen VGA versions. If you decided that route, I recommend the VM70 screens.

They are priced very cheap, but equal to the Lilliput EBY701. What I like with these though is that it comes with the headrest plate to hold the screen into the seat.

Yes the screens are aready bought and installed, they was hooked up to my old afertermarket HU.

The m4 is a very solid PSU. So dont worry. If you think that you are going to add more things and require more power though, go with the OPUS 360. Its like the Cadillac of Car PS PSU. My rear system uses the OPUS 320, works flawlessly and my front system will use the OPUS 360.

Ya, i think i may have jumped the gun on this part. Ordered it before doing the proper research on it. I am beginging to get a little leary about it.

PS: sorry for the late reply.... I have been finally working on my setup again so i have been mainly lurking into posts to educate myself. Now that i have everything finalized I can reply to others again.

I appreciate all the help, and knowledge!

Now another question:

The motherboard i am using in the CarPC allows dual monitor support (1 - VGA, 1 - HDMI).

My plan:
1. ) Get a VGA to RCA module to convert the signal to RCA and then using RCA spliters, run that signal to the 4 headrest. Would i see any signal loss by splitting this off to the 4 head rest.

2.) I would then run the the HDMI to the Lilliput Screen (I got the HDMI adapter).

3.) I would then use software (openMobile) to control the two screens!

Whats your thougths on openMobile? I'm new to the whole CarPC hobby, but have been a computer tech most my life. I have NO experiance with FrontEnds, so begun my research.
I had origianlly thought of going with either (RR or CF). But the more i read, the more I like openMobile? Whats your opinion on this for use with multi-zones?