I'm new, I know what I want, help me!

**SamDude** · 09-02-2004, 12:56 PM

Firstly, I've been undertaking some intensive research into Car PC's, so while I have zilch, nada, zip experience to offer, I'll be hanging around here (in the company of fellow newbies)...

A quick history of me: Computer Science Graduate, working in IT. I am fine with PC's and technology, but where we come to electronics volts/watts/soldering and mashing up dashboards and fabricating stuff, then that was me just running out the door...

The current setup: VW Golf 1.6 SE (2000)

Stock cassette Head Unit with CD slot above (therefore a double-DIN area to play with).
Stock speakers

What I want to put together:

Phase 1:

Audio:

Sony CD Head Unit (to be placed in the lower DIN slot)
4x speakers (spec/models undecided)
Sony XS-AW200X Sub woofer (integrated active)

(which will follow after a gap of 1 or 2 weeks by....)

Phase 2:

Car PC Hardware

Motherboard: VIA EPIA Nehemiah M10000 1Ghz All In One
PSU: Opus 150w
RAM: 256mb RAM
HDD: 40Gb HDD
DVD: CD-RW/DVD drive
TFT: Xenarc 7" Touchscreen TFT screen (VGA) (to be placed in the upper DIN slot)
Input: Mini Keyboard + Mini mouse/trackball
USB hub running:
USB TV tuner
USB GPS
USB Wi-Fi adapter
USB webcam(s)

Car PC Software

OS Win XP
Interface Media Car/Media Engine
Navigation Destinator software?
...+ MP3/DVD/Xvid playback software

My questions are:

Is there anything missing or obviously wrong with the setup mentioned above?

Will the Opus 150W be happy to run the devices mentioned above? (or am I expecting too much from it?)

I'm in the UK, where are the best places to get the specs I've put together? (not afraid of the internet/ebay...)

Do 2.5" 'slim' HDDs and DVD drives draw less power than 3.5" units? What are the benefits of slim units apart from the dimensions? I only ask as its cheaper to use 3.5" units...

When (if ever) will there be a Xenarc 7" + VGA + touchscreen + motorised in-dash DIN unit? (seen a non-motorised one at digitalww.com). I'm will to wait initiating the project until I know its pricing/availability...

Quicky regarding the Sony XS-AW200X - can I feed the sound from the Car PC through the integrated amp, or does it only feed the sub that its part of? (side note: can I feed the speakers through the same sub/integrated amp unit?)

I'm sure I'll have more questions...

Thanks all in advance,
Sam

**bosstone74** · 09-02-2004, 01:09 PM

I don't think I can answer all your questions but...
It sounds like you have done your research and know what you are talking about so far!
The opus should handle that without to much trouble. That's a pretty typical setup. You are going to need to find out what type of gps and software that you want to use, and make sure before buying that it'll work together.

I buy most of my stuff on ebay! It's a great resource, of course you just need to look at the feedbacks of folks.

Some say that the 3.5 drives are less shock resistant, I would buy 2 40gigs image the drives exactly the same after you get get your system kinda where you want it (Make sure you mount vertically) and then if one ****'s on you...you have a great easy way to start...and it's a great trouble shooting tool just in case you can't figure out what's wrong, just slap the new drive in and see if the hard drive is the problem. Drives are so cheap now days...why not. 2.5 do draw less power, but with that board, I wouldn't worry about it, unless you have a space prob.

The sony question, I'll let someone else handle that one...
later dude!

**DjPaj** · 09-02-2004, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by SamDude

Firstly, I've been undertaking some intensive research into Car PC's, so while I have zilch, nada, zip experience to offer, I'll be hanging around here (in the company of fellow newbies)...

A quick history of me: Computer Science Graduate, working in IT. I am fine with PC's and technology, but where we come to electronics volts/watts/soldering and mashing up dashboards and fabricating stuff, then that was me just running out the door...

The current setup: VW Golf 1.6 SE (2000)

Stock cassette Head Unit with CD slot above (therefore a double-DIN area to play with).
Stock speakers

What I want to put together:

Phase 1:

Audio:

Sony CD Head Unit (to be placed in the lower DIN slot)
4x speakers (spec/models undecided)
Sony XS-AW200X Sub woofer (integrated active)

(which will follow after a gap of 1 or 2 weeks by....)

Phase 2:

Car PC Hardware

Motherboard: VIA EPIA Nehemiah M10000 1Ghz All In One
PSU: Opus 150w
RAM: 256mb RAM
HDD: 40Gb HDD
DVD: CD-RW/DVD drive
TFT: Xenarc 7" Touchscreen TFT screen (VGA) (to be placed in the upper DIN slot)
Input: Mini Keyboard + Mini mouse/trackball
USB hub running:
USB TV tuner
USB GPS
USB Wi-Fi adapter
USB webcam(s)

Car PC Software

OS Win XP
Interface Media Car/Media Engine
Navigation Destinator software?
...+ MP3/DVD/Xvid playback software

My questions are:

Is there anything missing or obviously wrong with the setup mentioned above?

Will the Opus 150W be happy to run the devices mentioned above? (or am I expecting too much from it?)

I'm in the UK, where are the best places to get the specs I've put together? (not afraid of the internet/ebay...)

Do 2.5" 'slim' HDDs and DVD drives draw less power than 3.5" units? What are the benefits of slim units apart from the dimensions? I only ask as its cheaper to use 3.5" units...

When (if ever) will there be a Xenarc 7" + VGA + touchscreen + motorised in-dash DIN unit? (seen a non-motorised one at digitalww.com). I'm will to wait initiating the project until I know its pricing/availability...

Quicky regarding the Sony XS-AW200X - can I feed the sound from the Car PC through the integrated amp, or does it only feed the sub that its part of? (side note: can I feed the speakers through the same sub/integrated amp unit?)

I'm sure I'll have more questions...

Thanks all in advance,
Sam

Maybe I'm reading wrong, but you wanna put a cd player and a screen in a double DIN slot??

**SamDude** · 09-02-2004, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by DjPaj

Maybe I'm reading wrong, but you wanna put a cd player and a screen in a double DIN slot??

The Xenarc will be house/bought as a slide out unit (=therefore taking ONE slot).

**Jeremyvnc** · 09-02-2004, 01:35 PM

I believe so. However, he wants the screen to be motorized, thus, it should work.

**Bobby Digital** · 09-02-2004, 01:41 PM

I've heard nothing but bad things about Sony speakers/woofers, you may want to reconsider that one...

**SamDude** · 09-02-2004, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Bobby Digital

I've heard nothing but bad things about Sony speakers/woofers, you may want to reconsider that one...

The Sony's are just a "reference point" for now. I'm looking at Pioneer and Infinity, so that aspect is still undecided at the mo'...

**DjPaj** · 09-02-2004, 01:56 PM

Ok I missed the slideout part, sorry...

But stay away from Sony, get Inifinti, their speakers and subs are better than the rest on your list.

**SamDude** · 09-02-2004, 04:31 PM

I'm trying to find out what the standard sizes are of the speakers in a VW Golf (mk4)...

...and before I actually decide to strip the standard factory fitted speakers and replace them, if its actually worth leaving them in (=more funds diverted to the Car PC cause)