Carputer on M35

**RipplingHurst** · 12-11-2007, 08:00 PM

Well, I was thinking about a carputer on the M35. Maybe a notebook, or MacMini or PC equivalent under the seat, primarily to listen to a large collection of music, but video might be interesting, internet browsing certainly (garage sales addresses, touring away from home, research locations etc.)

I searched a lot and there seems to be no way to have a VGA quality input to the standard screen. Althogh folks with tech package have been doing it with composite inputs, I don't have tech package, and IMHO composite is not good enough for computers.

So I need to put another screen somewhere in the car. I'm thinking about on the overhead console where the sunglasses are stored, with a tiny 5" or 7" touchscreen, routing cables to a computer in the trunk or on the glove compartment or under the seats, not sure yet. Any suggestion on how it can be done? Any esquematics for the wiring for the overhead monitor?

Alteratively, has anybody tried to use the center console where the clock is? Has anybody tried to put a double din head unit, for instance, an can post pics, or links to pictures?

Thanks!

P.S. For those who don't know how the M35 dash looks like, here it is some similar to mine:

Turbocad6, linked below, apparently has a great solution, but I'm open to ideas...

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/1110551-post10.html

**pokki** · 12-11-2007, 08:27 PM

What video connectors does the factory screen use (I presume it's not a touch screen based on all the buttons)?

As one possibility is to run factory options on one video input and PC on the vga input of an aftermarket screen. Or use a video capture device to display the factory info within windows.

**RipplingHurst** · 12-12-2007, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by pokki

What video connectors does the factory screen use (I presume it's not a touch screen based on all the buttons)?

As one possibility is to run factory options on one video input and PC on the vga input of an aftermarket screen. Or use a video capture device to display the factory info within windows.

Yes, it is not touchscreen. The factory unit uses proprietary VGA, that nobody seems to know how to tap to it. Since the PC has to use VGA to also display clear text, I'd have to use some VGA auto switcher if I wanted to use that.

But I'll probably use another screen on the cupholders area (not shown, right below the picture above), ashtray (to the right of the shift gear in the picture above), or on the overhead console...any ideas on how to hide the screen there?