96 Accord LX

**MCAccordLX** · 02-12-2008, 10:40 AM

Hello everyone, I'm completely new to this, but this looks like an awesome project. I have a 96 Accord LX sedan. From what I've seen of others users who have put in a CarPC in their Accords, this car seems to work perfectly. I have no idea where to start, so I need your help.
As for a screen I know Lilliput or Xenarc are good (although I was reading something about a Jurassic Park burn in?) for touch screens. I suppose VGA is my only option here right? Could I go DVI?
The motherboard, it's obviously got to be small, are we talking MicroATX or even smaller?
CD and Hardrive I was going to run on USB so I could run longer lengths of cable from the trunk.
As for OS I want to use Linux because it seems like it's the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable for this kind of thing. I'd install this on a seperate hard drive.
I already have a sound system in the car, but I want to replace the head unit I have now with this CarPC, so I guess these are the options I need: GPS Nav, Bluetooth, DVD, Wi-Fi, iPod.
As for power I'm not sure how this works in a car, but I'm assuming if I get something similar to my amps it would work fine. Where you have a constant 12, ground, and then a remote trigger wire. I was thinking when I turn the key to the off position it would go into a graceful hibernate (because that takes almost no power and fastest to come back), so technically I could leave the car and lock it and it would still be doing it's thing. I guess so when I shut off the car it doesn't just cut the power and immedialty shut off, you know what I mean? Then when I click the key back on it will bring the computer out of hibernate. I may want to have a button on the dash to bring it out of hibernate just so that the car is good and running before it gets all the power fluxuations from the car starting, so I don't lose any data.
This brings up another point. Say you're watching a movie or something in a parking lot, showing off or whatever, and then you want to start the car and leave without shutting off the computer because you'll use it again in like 2 seconds. What happens? Will the PC shut off and turn back on similar to my HU? I would hate to corrupt the data on the drive you know?
Thanks for the help everyone.

**darkslyde** · 02-12-2008, 04:56 PM

1. im not sure why dvi but with a small screen, i doubt it matters. im going with a d-sub (vga) one.
2. mini-itx or pico-itx would be a good size. these are smaller than your micro-atx's. and uses less power most of the time.
3. linux has some good front ends, but support softwares are hard. linux ice is an example. but im not sure what programs they use for nav, bluetooth phone control, etc.
check software > frontends for more details. (or faqs)
4. you can hook up your amps to your PC. look at the the advance faqs. also check my worklog on how i did mine.
5. the pc require a +12 and also a +5. there are options like DC-DC power suplies, check the faq for more info

these also provide control on how it will engage the pc when ignition is on or off. smart shutdown controllers (search)
6. the power supplies also provide power during engine cranks when power goes down. so a DC-DC is still a better option. my m1-atx has a connector of manual button (acts the same as the on/off on your pc). these power supplies also provide configurations on how you want the power to be set. how many hours before it makes the computer hibernate after u turn the ignition off, how many hours before it shuts it down completely so it doesnt drain ur batter, etc.

most of these are answered under the FAQ.
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advfaq.php

**MCAccordLX** · 02-12-2008, 08:11 PM

Cool, thanks for the help. I suppose VGA will work just fine. How about for widescreen monitors though. Aren't most car pc monitors widescreen? Will the picture be distorted? I know XP does a pretty good job, but Linux doesn't (at least from my expirience!). I suppose I'll start with an XP machine and move to something different once it fails, because I know it will...

**darkslyde** · 02-12-2008, 08:56 PM

i believe most frontends are skinnable. also, most skins are done with widescreen in mind.

same goes for monitors. lilliput 629 is 4:3 but scalable to 15:9. read more about it at the faqs

**MCAccordLX** · 02-14-2008, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by darkslyde

i believe most frontends are skinnable. also, most skins are done with widescreen in mind.

same goes for monitors. lilliput 629 is 4:3 but scalable to 15:9. read more about it at the faqs

You mean 16:9 right? I hope that's what you mean, because then we're talking about some weird format. I think I'll run 0 gauge wire to the back of my car, hook up my amps and the computer via distribution block, then I'll just run a really long USB cable up to the front for CD. I don't know about all this placement stuff yet I guess.

So, where do I start? What components should I look at purchasing first? Where's a cheap place to find a monitor because I can't justify spending $500 on a monitor, especially if it has a burn-in of Jurassic Park.

**darkslyde** · 02-14-2008, 04:00 PM

im telling you, read the faqs~!

here's how i did it:
1. spent days 5-8 days reading faqs
2. planned what i liked based on people's own works (check worklogs/show off your stuff threads)
2a. since i had an old laptop laying around, i played with the frontend, softwares etc. get familiarized with what i frontend (program) i wanted to use (i played with centrafuse, streetdeck and roadrunner. i went with centrafuse)
3. compared prices, materials, equiptment, etc. (i checked what centrafuse users have and what works or doesnt work for them. so i bought my parts based on what works with centrafuse)
4. bought stuff (i got second hand stuff coz this is my first project)
5. actually started working on it. (installing software, piecing together the parts, wiring, harness, etc)
6. install it in your car.

information about what power supplies or board or monitor to get is found in the faqs.
useful info like how much watts and stuff are covered there.
what is supported and not can be found by searching.
I SPENT DAYS ON THE FAQS before i started planning.
i wasted money on a part i wont be using because i didnt read everything.
it really helps. i promise.

dave

**MCAccordLX** · 02-14-2008, 04:13 PM

Cool, cool. Got it, this is helping me out quite a bit. Do you have a link to your install? I'd like to see the front end you used. Guess I best head over to the FAQs. Thanks a bunch!

**darkslyde** · 02-14-2008, 05:31 PM

centrafuse:
http://www.fluxmedia.net/
http://forums.fluxmedia.net/
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/centrafuse/

my worklog:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/work...ve-s-wife.html

everything is almost done on mine. but since my car broke down, i'm redoing my planning and placing my carpc in my hyundai until my mr2 gets fixed.
right, now im just waiting for my in-dash motorized touchscreen, case and GPS reciever.

there are pre-built carpc's in the mp3car store. it's actually almost cheaper. but it's not as fun as starting from scratch.