Thread: How to incorporate a HU into a carputer setup?

Originally Posted by h22lude

I don't really want to use an fm modulator for my radio and I really want a touch screen so I figure why not have both. I want to have the touch screen for gps, dvds and xbox and have a HU for cd and radio. How would I install it into my setup? What do I need to look for in a radio?

Just sitting here I think I figured it out, tell me if it is right. I have the HU which controls the radio and cd player but then when I want to use teh touch screen and have it go through my speakers I would use the AUX on the HU and then control what ever I am doing using the touch screen. So that means my HU needs an rca input.

Right.
If you haven't rca input, you can look for any line-in connecrot of your HU and build an adapter.
For example, my dad's blaupunkt has a propretar connector with a lot of pin; 4 of these pins are audio in left, audio in right and the respective grounds...
Cheers!

So if it has two inputs then I can hook the pc to one and the xbox to another and then the video from the pc hooks up to the lcd but then what do I do with the video to the xbox? I found a sony cd player and this is what it says "Aux Lite auxiliary input (cannot be used if a CD changer or XM tuner is connected)" What does that mean? Is it a type of input?

What about my ipod? I want the volume to go through the speakers, obviously, but I want to control the volume with the touch screen and the songs using the ipod itself. Is that possible?

When I use the HU for the radio or cd player, what will be on the lcd screen? I am guessing it will either be my desktop or which ever media software I have just waiting to be selected correct?

I think I am getting this. So now that I know I am going to use a HU for cd and radio, what do I need to build the computer. I know the lcd screen and the opus for dc plower but what about the internals. I know some about computers but I don't know enough to build a good setup. If I have the parts and instructions in front of me I can put it together. I want something that will last a while and has excellent parts, I am willing to give up some hard earned money to get the better parts. I also want it to be a small as possible but run really good. TIA

FYI, I have a Sony MP-80 HU which has a regular AUX in. But I'm well versed in Sony HUs so I can shed a little light on this. The AUX-lite works like this: The audio in from the changer to the HU is a pair of RCAs which are also your AUX in IF you don't have the changer connected. You can do one or the other, but not both. With the MP-70, MP-80, and several other units, you have a pair of inputs for changer and an additional pair for AUX. If you think you might ever add a changer (cd, md, dvd) then DON'T get the AUX-lite. Spring for the full blown. Same goes for other brands, if they have a "lite" option. Only go that route if you are positive you will never want to add a changer.

Oh, incidentally, the MP-70/80 HUs (and again, others) also have a separate volume control adjustment for the incoming audio level on the AUX line. That way, if your dvd player, pc, ipod, whatever is quieter than the rest of the system, you can compensate. I used to use a mobile dvd player that had a lower audio output and it drove me nuts. This is a welcomed feature in my book. Food for thought.

-Chosen1™

...easy. Just look for a HU with an AUX input. I currently have a Rockford Fosgate 9120G that has an AUX for audio input and I run my audio out from my carputer to that. Lilliput touch screen controls everything other than the radio.

So what about the computer parts that I will need, what should I get?

Originally Posted by h22lude

So what about the computer parts that I will need, what should I get?

well, i think you need a computer!
I don't understand your question...
Your project is to have a carputer on your machine, so put it in!
you'll have to use a jack to rca adapter to go from your pc's line out to your HU' s line in.
My htpc/carpc is made by a self-built case, an EPIA-M9000, 256MB RAM, a slimline DVD-rom, a GPS usb unit, a bluetooth usb dongle and a serial IR reciever.
For the touchscreens look at lilliput 7" TFT lcd's (www.cartft.com)
You can add an hd or usb/cf drive...

byez!

Yeah my question was, what parts should I get for my computer to make it run the best it can for waht I want to do. Depending on what HU I get, I will either have the the pc out go into my aux input and then have everything going into my computer like xbox or if I get two aux inputs then have the video of the xbox to go the pc and the audio of the pcand xbox go into the two aux inputs.

What motherboard, memory, HDD, dvd player, video card, and sound card should I get? I also want a kind of small box, well as small as I can get it without underpowering it. I just went to pcw computers and they have a miniQ computer, and it looks perfect for a carputer but I don't know if teh dvd driver and HDD will be good for a car or not, is there anything special for a car so it won't skip? I am going to get an opus to power it with my ignition. I am also getting a Xenarc 7" vga touch screen.