Thread: Pocket PC Remote + Carputer

Originally Posted by FakeSnake

I've been peeking in and out of these forums over the last couple of months and I finally feel I'm ready (financially) to delve into this project, however, I need some help.

Planned Setup:
Carcomp in trunk (mini-itx, large hdd, wireless NIC)
PocketPC mounted in the front to wirelessly control the mess in the back

I was wondering what I would have to do to get the sound from the computer to the speaker system, specifically a 1998 Honda Civic EX. I have a slight idea of what the answer to the question is, but I want to be sure before I go ahead and plan this out.

You need to either upgrade your stereo to one that has auxilary inputs, buy an RF modulator, or buy a cassette adapter. Option #1 is ideal!

Yeah, what he asked!

Originally Posted by deadweasel

Hey, speaking of head units with AUX inputs, what's a good one to get on the cheap? I want to sink the money into the computer and later a better amplifier system, all the head unit is going to do is provide input for the system. I also want cheap because when I do go to an amp, I'm tossing the HU out to EBay or my cousin or something...

I don't know the answer to that, but from personal experience I can say avoid Sony. I don't know if it's changed recently, but mine has RCA Aux inputs. I didn't know too much about them when I first started playing around, but eventually I figured out that they use a proprietary "unilink" signal and it requires the use of a $100 adapter to covert the signal! I know that there are other manufactures that do this as well. Something in my mind tells me Apine is one of them, but I don't know for sure. Try to steer away from proprietary links..anything that has link or bus in the auxilary description is a good hint!

Originally Posted by deadweasel

Holy crap! Good advice. I bought a Sony X-Plod cassette unit a while back (when I was still using a laptop as the carputer) specifically because it had the inputs. Got it for dirt cheap down in some hicktown in Arkansas. Got it installed for free, and they did a great job, even popping an RCA cable I had brought with me through the housing into the cubby underneath so I could have a place to plug in with the laptop. Being all eager to use it, I plugged the L/T in, and couldn't get it to pick up the AUX channel. The guys in the store didn't know that it was a proprietary Unilink thing. I found that out much later after I got back home. I even found a site where some guy outlined how to make the RCA inputs on that thing useable by hacking a small switch into the unit. I never got up the guts to try it, but after all this crap, trying to find another good deal like that.

Anybody else using a Sony X-Plod tape unit? I'll see if I can find the specs for hacking that switch in...

If you find that link POST IT! That would be awesome if I knew how to do that. Then I can rewire my system for better sound. I just can't justify the $100 for the Sony part, although the new model is really cool and has USB sound inputs. The In dash Screen I bought had a built in RF modulator, so that is what I am using at this time. It is actually pretty good on a sound system that is pretty much factory. I suspect the quality would degrade once your running high powered speakers, amps, and subs. The thing is that you have to remember the radio is usually pretty decent quality. Since the RF modulators run directly into the antenna input it's basically like the highest quality radio station you could tune to. That's good enough for me! Many people on here are against RF modulators, but I assume they are trying to get that perfect sound. Either I can't hear too well or my stereo just isn't powerful enough, cause I can barely hear a difference. I would probbaly do the same as well, if my head unit had the inputs or if I was in the market for a new one, rather than using one I already had.

How would I go about going the RF route?

Originally Posted by deadweasel

Snaake a snaaaake... A hoooooorrriiiiidd snaaaaaake...

Sorry... RF is easy to do. Hit a Radio Shack or some electronics shop in your area, and check them out. They are little units that you plug into a headphone output (originally intended for portable DiscMan thingies, but work just fine on a PC) and broadcast to an unused channel on your radio! Remember those cool wireless mics you got as a kid? You know, the ones where you turn a knob to select a freq, then tune a radio to the same freq? Then you could sing all over the place and **** off your mom and make her spill wine all over her friend who came over to play cards with her....

*runs and hides from bad memory*

They are also really cheap on Ebay. Try to find one that runs on 12v rather than battery, which some of the cheaper ones do. Also multiple channel selections are helpful since sometimes one of those crappy stations might be your lock underground college radio station or your favorite political or religious talk radio j/k...