Character LCD + Low Spec Carputer + Headunit

**-he-** · 05-14-2004, 08:32 AM

Visual - 2x40 Character LCD / 4x20 Character LCD
Input - Small Keypad, Play/Pause/Stop, Up/Down(Directories), Skip Left/Skip Right, Volume up/down. Scrolling Titles, ID3 Tag.
Computer - 433mhz/128k ram, 8gig Hard disk. On board sound. In glovebox.

Now, I'm not sure on Visual/Input. I have been looking at CrystalFontz USB lcds, as they would be the easist for me. As for the input, I'm not sure what to use either. I have found this keypad, would this be alright?

Tips/Thoughts/Opinions/Ideas?

Here's my dash...

**jol** · 05-14-2004, 08:41 AM

That sounds just perfecto. You might want to use a keypad, http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=keypad for input.
For displaying the stuff on the lcd, I recommend this winamp plugin:
http://www.markuszehnder.ch/projects/lcdplugin/

**-he-** · 05-14-2004, 10:10 AM

Thanks for the recommendation on plugin, looks good.

I don't want to buy from the US, I need somewhere in the UK. All I have been able to find is this lcd, but it looks like I'd have to do some wiring up myself?
I like the CrystalFontz lcd's, as all I'd have to do is plug in the serial cable.

Could you recommend a lcd + keypad?

**Kaspin** · 05-14-2004, 11:42 AM

I'm using a crystalfontz LCD (USB Version) and the Markus Zehnder plug in. works great! If you plan on using a serial LCD, you'll also need a 5v power source (the USB version gets power from the usb port).

for input I'm using a KeySpan digital media remote. it's a little pricy, but it's nice and compact and comes with software to program the buttons for any app.

**DarquePervert** · 05-15-2004, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by -he-

Thanks for the recommendation on plugin, looks good.

I don't want to buy from the US, I need somewhere in the UK. All I have been able to find is this lcd, but it looks like I'd have to do some wiring up myself?
I like the CrystalFontz lcd's, as all I'd have to do is plug in the serial cable.

Could you recommend a lcd + keypad?

Check out Matrix Orbital: http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/default.asp.
they have one that's designed for a 5.25" drive bay that has buttons on it for selecting different functions. And they are USB

I'm looking at one that will show MP3 track info, and I can switch back to some ODB-II information, like gas mileage, temps, That sort of thing.

**-he-** · 05-15-2004, 05:13 AM

Thanks dudes.

No UK suppliers ?

**Kaspin** · 05-15-2004, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by -he-

Thanks dudes.

No UK suppliers ?

CrystalFontz only sells direct, so you have to call or order from their webpage. Matrix Orbital has distributors world wide though: http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/distributors.asp

**toadster123** · 05-15-2004, 01:35 PM

u might also want to consider mpxplay (http://mpxplay.cjb.net) and this front-end http://membres.lycos.fr/screamers/mlt/
its for DOS..so it will boot fast..and u dont have to worry about shutting it down properly..

**-he-** · 05-15-2004, 06:56 PM

I like the sound of that. As that'll mean cheaper! Just use a simple inverter and switch carputer on when car is running.
(Y)

Originally Posted by toadster123

u might also want to consider mpxplay (http://mpxplay.cjb.net) and this front-end http://membres.lycos.fr/screamers/mlt/
its for DOS..so it will boot fast..and u dont have to worry about shutting it down properly..