My planned setup. Please post opinions.

**audrenaline** · 12-01-2003, 10:29 AM

I am finally about to pull the trigger on the carputer setup. After searching the many archives and reading all the wonderful posts I have decided on the components that I want for the carputer. Since I am a newbie at this, please feel free to express your opinions and make recommendations on this setup. I have also attached a diagram of the setup. Please note that the diagram is missing the ground lines and I do plan on using them.

Here's what I'm thinking:
7" Indash LCD screen
epia m10000 computer with DC-DC power supply (Opus)
case (undecided, recommendations welcome)
256 MB RAM
10 GB Hard drive (for operating system and software)
80 GB USB drive (for MP3's, DVD's, media etc..)
DVD/CDRW combo drive mounted in glove box
GPS

Stereo Equipement (already installed):
JL XR525 CSI - front seperates
JL VR600 CXI - back doors
JL VR650 CXI - back deck
JL 450/4 amp
Infinity Basslink

**telekineticfool** · 12-01-2003, 11:11 PM

Looks good to me...seems like a pretty ideal setup. My only comment would be to make sure you get a firewire or USB2 hard drive, instead of USB...all three are on board the M10000 and firewire and USB2 kick the s*** out of USB as far as transfer speeds are conecerned. Also, do you already have the DVD/CDRW? If not, maybe just get a firewire/usb2 DVD...how often you gonna be burning in the car?

**deadweasel** · 12-02-2003, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by telekineticfool

Looks good to me...seems like a pretty ideal setup. My only comment would be to make sure you get a firewire or USB2 hard drive, instead of USB...all three are on board the M10000 and firewire and USB2 kick the s*** out of USB as far as transfer speeds are conecerned. Also, do you already have the DVD/CDRW? If not, maybe just get a firewire/usb2 DVD...how often you gonna be burning in the car?

I'd like to add that it may be cheaper to make an external USB2/IEE1384 DVD drive using a standard internal drive and an external shell. Some of the premans out there are crazy stupid expensive, for no reason other than what seems to be a "convenience fee" for them.

**audrenaline** · 12-02-2003, 06:09 PM

Thanks for your replies. I'm actually thinking about changing the entire setup now (I keep going back and forth). Here's my other thought for the computer:
Shuttle SK41G system with AMD Duron
80GB internal drive
DVD player internal
256MB Ram
Power Inverter

It seems everything is a lot cheaper if I go the ATX route. What do you think about this?

**Audamn** · 12-02-2003, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by audrenaline

Thanks for your replies. I'm actually thinking about changing the entire setup now (I keep going back and forth). Here's my other thought for the computer:
Shuttle SK41G system with AMD Duron
80GB internal drive
DVD player internal
256MB Ram
Power Inverter

It seems everything is a lot cheaper if I go the ATX route. What do you think about this?

I'm starting one too in my 2001 A4 1.8t. I'm sure you're on Audiworld as well. Have you seen Sharkweb's post on the forum?

http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1734601.phtml

keep me updated with your progress and I'll do the same.

Here's my planned setup.

http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1858292.phtml

**audrenaline** · 12-02-2003, 07:01 PM

Yeah, ive seen sharkwebs. I really like how he did his monitor, but I'm thinking I just want to do an in-dash setup. My username on AW is Audrenalin and on Audizine it's jbooker.

I'll definately keep you updated on my install.

**Crav4Speed** · 12-02-2003, 11:17 PM

I see a little "r" coming out of the Epia with a blue line connected to the amp. I'm guessing that is your remote wire. How do you plan on doing that exactly? My current setup is 2 RF amps powering 4 MB Quartz front and rear and 2 Kickers. I plan on taking out the stock deck and using only the carputer for radio, mp3s, etc. Thanks

**audrenaline** · 12-03-2003, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by Crav4Speed

I see a little "r" coming out of the Epia with a blue line connected to the amp. I'm guessing that is your remote wire. How do you plan on doing that exactly? My current setup is 2 RF amps powering 4 MB Quartz front and rear and 2 Kickers. I plan on taking out the stock deck and using only the carputer for radio, mp3s, etc. Thanks

Yep that is the remote. I was planning on hooking it up to a 12v connector comming off the motherboard. I think this can be done based on my searching. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

**telekineticfool** · 12-03-2003, 05:50 PM

they wouldn't share a common ground, so I'd think a big N.O. on that one, unless you're going to do a relay. 12V is only 12V if it completes a circuit.

**Crav4Speed** · 12-04-2003, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by telekineticfool

they wouldn't share a common ground, so I'd think a big N.O. on that one, unless you're going to do a relay. 12V is only 12V if it completes a circuit.

A circuit is actually being completed. The remote wire can come from anything (whether it be from a radio, the acc line, or a motherboard) that gets its power from the car's battery. The +12v signal is sent through the remote wire to the amp's relay. The relay receives its ground from the amp's main ground, therefore completing the circuit, and switching the amp on. When the motherboard is shutdown, the +12v in the remote wire is cut off and the circuit is dead switching the amp off.

The only problems I see with this is:

1) where can the remote wire be connected on the motherboard that will allow remote turn-on/off?

2) can the motherboard handle the extra power needed?