Newbie from Fayetteville, NC

**darkslyde** · 02-01-2008, 07:41 PM

I'm kinda new but really working towards a worthy goal.

ill use this as my 'hi im a newbie'/worklog.

first things first, done reading most of the faqs.
now i'm in the process of getting the hardware.

here's my hardware list:
motherboard: Via EN-1200EG
PSU: M1-ATX
hard drives: WD 40gb, Fujitsu 30gb - both 2.5" 44pins
memory: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB DDR2 533
BT: Belkin F8T012
HDD Acc: Dual 2.5" to 3.5" HD Adapter Converter Kit
LCD: Bolt In Kit Saving up for this. I might get the lilli 629 then just buy the bolt in kit.
Vehicle: 91 Toyota MR2, 3S-GTE
Audio Backend: 4ch & 2ch Rockford Fosgate Amps, 2x 10" RF Punch Subs, 4x 1.5" RF Dome Tweets, 2x 4something" RF Mids, 2x 3something" RF mids
GPS: I need suggestions on this
Wifi: Belkin F5D7050
Phone: Iphone
Capture Device: Pinnacle HD Pro Stick (to be used for rear cam)
Radio: Silabs USB (havent bought, still thinking about it, any suggestions?)

Software & Status:
frontend: roadrunner/centrafuse (i'm liking centrafuse but it's expensive)
gps: iguidance 4.0, destinator 6.1.1 US (damn this was expensive)
skin: Crystalblue 1.0.3 by Dalailama / Centrafuse Aura Skin

i got the RR installed but can't really use it much aside from music and videos. i would like a more minimalistic skin that has a nice eyecandy interface for just GPS, phone, music, video.. maybe radio (sat &/or hd)
i say im not close but i think im headed the right direction. im really serious about this and i think this would be a good investment. i could use some help with some issues as far as software side like phone controlling, but i dont have my bt dongle yet so im holding off.

since this is the basic package so far, anyone want to help out with suggestions, things to try out, help, spoon feed

, or whatnot, i could really use some good directions.

thanks, and more power to the carpc scene.

02.02.08
RR functional, missing phoco still. I might need help with integrating my iphone for HDP/HFP. Using beautiful crystal blue skin.

02.08.08
Finally got my mobo, fresh installed xp with centrafuse as shell. i still can't get my iphone to connect. my bt dongle's using toshiba stack. i still need a few stuff before i install it in my car. right now, it's powered by an old atx psu. video is connected to old dell monitor. working good so far. i had a problem with how im gonna get 6 channels for my audio, the en-1200eg has smart 5.1 jack configuration. i attached a front audio panels from an old computer case so i can still have a mic (in case i find out how to get my iphone to connect). also rigged a temp sensor. so here's the rest of hardware i still need to get:
case (looking at mcs case)
gps receiver
wireless adapter (not sure which one i want yet)
lcd screen (lilli 629 prolly)
silabs usb radio
xm/sirius radio kit.. maybe.

02.09.08
Replace my cirago bt with belkin one that uses widcomm 5 stack. Connects to my iphone and also works as a headset. doesnt answer or hang-up. i decided to get the belkin wifi usb stick to match the bt dongle. quite nice. everything is running on top of my dresser with old powersupply connected to my dell monitor. it's gonna sit there till i get a touchscreen then i'll work it into my car. Starting a project for the speaker jacks to RCA's. I picked up some stuff from radio shack for it.. and here's some pics.

dave

**darkslyde** · 02-10-2008, 12:06 AM

i moved it under worklogs thread

**brucedog** · 02-10-2008, 12:32 AM

Nice!

It's late, and I should really go in the house, but just one more post...

I didn't read your long post, but skimmed the essentials. Plus, your images really told the story very well.

It really looks like you're totally on your way to an awesome system. Sure doesn't look like an inexperienced noob approach at all. If you want my advice, you don't need any advice at all!

For me, once the fun of planning, writing and drawing, then buying eveything was over, the fun and challenge of the install kept things lively. Now, i'm sitting in the car, basking in the glory of it all.

...and already planning mods and upgrades. It's a great obsession.
I especially like your components for audio patch or switchbox. I'm doing one, too, that has relays that will allow me to activate if carpc ever goes on the blink, allowing me to use old mp3 input to my amps. Thinking ahead to a hopefully-never future.

Happy carpc'ing

**Nickwell24** · 02-10-2008, 03:56 AM

Okay at the risk of sounding like a total noob, what are you using the Stereo to RCA for? I should know this seeing i'm a theater audio technician, but when it comes to car audio i know how to take my car to best buy... that's about the only thing holding me back from starting my project, that and i don't have $1000 to drop on it right now.

**darkslyde** · 02-10-2008, 10:57 AM

thanks brucedog

i'm really looking forward to sitting in my car playing with these

nickwell24, the stereo to rca (jacks, wire, octa rca, project box) was about $25 from radioshack. since i have amps already i can go straight from pc to amp with this. i have 4ch & 2ch amps, thats 6 rca's, but then again, there's the hqct-i so i still have 2 open mono rca for inputs.

i wish i have a diagram but i dont have a fancy software or a scanner for the diagram i drew.
rca 1-6 will be output to amp (FR, FL, RR, RL, SL, SR) rca 7-8 can be input (external device like hqct or parrot)
stereo jack 1-3 will be input coming from pc (5.1ch) and stereo jack 4 will be for output going into line-in or mic.

i bought most of my stuff used except a few, so i think it wont be as bad on my budget.

**Nickwell24** · 02-10-2008, 05:01 PM

How much have you spent so far?

**darkslyde** · 02-10-2008, 05:14 PM

what i bought:

board + m1-atx
belkin bluetooth
belkin wireless
hdd adapter
stereo/rca box
garmin mic

so far it's around: $400-450 (including shipping)

since i had most of the other stuff lying around
helps that i bought most of the stuff used.

the LCD is 250 new, trying to get one used. i might get an in dash touchscreen so i can mount the manual override switches and the touchscreen panel on the lower din under the monitor. thats around 300-350, then add 50 for gps.

i say after i get this done, i might spend a little under $1000
that sad thing, the softwares cost more than the hardware.
$300 for centrafuse license alone.
since the destinator 6 is around $150, still gonna be around $300.
rather not get sued for piracy.. getting crazy lately.

**Nickwell24** · 02-10-2008, 10:30 PM

Yeah that's why i'm thinking about taking the Mac route. The software is a bit cheaper, but the trade off is it's not as well formed. I've been planning mine for about the past 6 months, but being a college student money comes and money goes as the school calls for it. One day i'll have 2,500 in my bank, the next day it's gone.

**darkslyde** · 02-11-2008, 07:41 AM

roadrunner is free and works as good or even better than centrafuse. iguidance is supported well too. roadrunner is a lot more tweak and use. i like centrafuse because its all i needed without tweaking anything. it's laid out straight. i'm still going to use rr when i get it configured the way i want it. i got an LCD used last night, $180 shipped.

**Nickwell24** · 02-11-2008, 10:32 AM

Where did you get a 7" LCD touchscreen for 180 shipped, the lowest i've seen is about 215... and that's for the shark 7" widescreen discuessed in the LCD forum