Help with setup

**mattwz** · 12-11-2003, 05:47 PM

Hi, I just found this site from another forum I was on. I have a stock head unit in my car right now, and I was looking for somthing new. I have a compaq laptop that I could use for this.
- 1 Ghz AMD Duron
- 128MB SDRAM (I've been reading other theads here, and it seems like I might need more RAM)
- CDROM (I have another laptop with a CDRW/DVD drive that I might use in the future)
- Windows XP Home
- Standard monitor out and S-Video out.
- 20GB HD

For the LCD Display, what are my options? How is the sound sent out?(this is the part I'm not sure about) Do I use the standard headphone jack to an amp or head unit? Is there anything else I'm missing? I'm sorry, but I'm a noob at this, so any help would be appericated.

Thank You
-- Matt

**_maelstrom** · 12-11-2003, 06:25 PM

There are all kinds of options for an LCD. Check out http://www.digitalww.com or http://www.dscustoms.com. They have quite a few options available.

As far as the audio goes, alot of people just run an adapter cable (headphone jack to RCA jack) from their soundcard to an aux input on their HU. You could run the signal directly to an amp, though.

**mattwz** · 12-11-2003, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by _maelstrom

There are all kinds of options for an LCD. Check out http://www.digitalww.com or http://www.dscustoms.com. They have quite a few options available.

As far as the audio goes, alot of people just run an adapter cable (headphone jack to RCA jack) from their soundcard to an aux input on their HU. You could run the signal directly to an amp, though.

Thanks for the links. For the LCD, I was looking at this one > http://www.dscustoms.com/products/ds700TSUSB.htm , but I guess they're getting a new model, or its out of stock. Is this a good one, and does anyone else have this one? For the audio, is there anyway I could connect it to my stock GM head unit? If not, I might use one of those tape converters that come with those cd player car kits until I get a new head unit then.

Also, with the power, how would I be able to turn on/off the laptop if I have it under the seat? Is there a way I could get it to work with the ignition? I looked on the AC adapter for the laptop, and it has an output of 19V. So I guess I will also need a power inverter.

Thanks again
-- Matt

**mattwz** · 12-11-2003, 10:17 PM

I heard it is illegal to have these in car in the US (its a obstruction of view to the driver or something like that). Is this true?

**DodgeCummins** · 12-12-2003, 08:23 AM

First off, Welcome aboard!

This site has been around for quite a few years, so there is tons of info on it. People have posted solutions to their problems etc.

So let me be the first to say that the

button really works well. I can guarantee that any question you have has already been answered (unless it a very specific component question).

But questions about laptops as car computers, what is the best LCD, how do I control it, what software, how do I mount it, how do I power it, etc. are all here in the threads.

So please feel free to use the search. Then once you have read all the threads, you will be able to post some new challenging ideas.

Also look at the setups some folks have for more ideas.