Few questions... Audio/GPS/etc.

**PCGUY112887** · 03-09-2005, 12:04 AM

I was thinking about a carpuder controling the whole audio setup then realised... whatever comes out of the sound cars isn't going to be amped at all! And it seems that it would be expensive to get seperate amps for everything...

Then I thought about normal audio setups. People get a headunit and that amps all of the speakers, then they just get an amp for the subs right? Well could you just take the output from the soundcard, into an imput on a headunit, then just go to the speakers and only use an amp for the subs? How do you guys perfer to do it?

As for as power... i'm not going to need any caps unless I have a very large sub... right? I've been worrying about power... I think the car has a 100amp alt stock... should it should be enough to power about 150w from a comp then all sound.

Speaking of the comp... here is what i've listed so far. I say inverter becuase it's just cheaper, easier, and if batt goes low for some reason it turns off it's self.

AMD Duron 1.8GHz Socket A Processor - OEM - $53
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...104-160&depa=1

PCCHIPS Mobo - $35.75
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...185-036&depa=1

WINTEC AMPO 184-pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 - $23.91
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...161-614&depa=1

Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM IDE - $48
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...140-133&depa=1

Rosewill Value Series 300W Dual Fan Power Supply - $13
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...182-001&depa=0

Sony Black 52x32x52x16 Combo Drive - $35.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...106-819&depa=1

375-WATT ULTRA-COMPACT POWERVERTER® DC-TO-AC INVERTER - $46.99
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...&searchbtn.y=0

I know I still need an LCD and some type of keyboard/touchpad setup... i'm just still unsure on those. And I need to pick out a cheap heatsink.

As far as the GPS goes... could you guys suggest one? All I need is something very simple and as inexpensive as possibal... just need to stick myself on a map via software and have it tell me where I am and where I can go...

If you didn't notice, cost is a major factor in this whole thing.

**Bugbyte** · 03-09-2005, 01:56 AM

Sigh. Okay, here we go. Go to the top of the page you are reading right now. You'll see a set of links that reads "MP3Car.com forums > Newbie". Click on Newbie. Look at the very first post that says "Sticky: How to get audio from your computer to your speakers". Click on that and you'll get a nice discussion on how to do what you're asking. If you can't find it, here's the link: How to get audio from your computer to your speakers.

I say inverter becuase it's just cheaper, easier, and if batt goes low for some reason it turns off it's self.

It's not necessarily cheaper and easier. When the battery goes low, it cuts the power to your computer. That may or may not scramble your hard drive requiring you to reformat and reload. Go back to the "MP3Car.com forums > Newbie" section again. Look at the post directly below the last one titled "Sticky: Frequently Asked Questions". It answers some of your power questions and discusses the differences between the various power options. There's other stuff in there too. Here's the link, in case you can't find it: Frequently Asked Questions

You want to go cheap. I understand that. We all do. Just remember there's usually a tradeoff between cheap and "degree of difficulty". These forums have tremendous amounts of information on nearly any aspect of car computing that you can think of. Get aquainted with the search function -it's located on the title bar up there. Try it out - type in "carpc cost" and you'll get lots of results, some of which discuss what others here have spent on their PC setups.

You can also use it to search on terms "Best GPS" and the next question you'll have "Best GPS software".

Welcome and have fun.

**RedGTiVR6** · 03-09-2005, 10:51 AM

welcome!

thanks for taking care of the n00b bug....it's almost like it's a broken record around here....lol

I love the enthusiasm, just get tired of repeating the same stuff over and over and over again....

I'll back up what Bug said by saying that there is a TON of information on this forum, and there are quite a few people who really know their stuff as well.

My advice to you is to do your research, and do it throughly, THEN ask your questions.

You will find that you will learn a LOT more in doing research than you will in only asking questions...

again, welcome! enjoy your stay and be sure to post a bunch of pictures of your install as well as the finished product!

**PCGUY112887** · 03-09-2005, 05:03 PM

I already have researched... have been on these forums for some time actually.. I already know many ways to set this up, but I was asking which ways YOU like. I already know a lot about DC PSU's, what brands, etc. But I picked an inverter for a hard shutdown just in case it hangs or something... to me it's more cost effective then making/buying a shutdown controler.

As for the audio, I already know those ways... i'm probally not doing 5.1 surround... but I was curious which ways you guys found more convienent. I have never had a carpuder and i'm not sure what it would be like... it seems like using a 4 channel amp would be easier but I never really thought about how easy is it to control volume and such via the screen... like I said i've never had/used a carpuder I don't know what it.... "feels like".

As for cheap... the price is limitless but it seems that I could get one going for around $600. Hardest thing is the screen... $278 here is a bit much for my project (ebay time)

And for the GPS, I was searching that right before I started this thread... I figured I would find 1 or 2 models that most people use... but insted I find about 5 or 6 and people say each one is good in different areas... so I asked here. I've also seen them installed in shark like fins, spoilers, and just in the windshield or on the roof.

I could go out right now and build a great carpuder... but I happen to look deep into everything before I buy... I don't want to end up with say a GPS reciever that is slightelly less sensitive than another one, but cost me more than the other, better one.

I run 2 forums and I know how easy it is to jump on the n00b around... but sheese guys i'm not a total dumbass i'm just looking for opinions.

**shadowmite** · 03-10-2005, 03:52 AM

I think they jumped on you because it's obvious from your post that you are either completely new, or purposely choosing the worst options. Using a inverter is the easy way, but extremely ineffcient at what it does. If you want a hard on/off switch, buy one at rat shack and solder it into the 12v feed to a dc/dc psu. You can get a 200W one for $50.

As for sound, yes, you can pump it into a head unit, but it's not the ideal way to do it, you are adding a computer, why keep a old stereo?

The best way to do it would be to find a good spdif decoding amp (phoenix gold). Although two amps (1/2 channel for sub, and 4 channel for others is a acceptable means of doing it.

If you want a fancy car computer, you might as well do it right the first time. As for a GPS, use whatever cheap one you can find that supports a external antenna. The software is more important than the hardware as long as it supports WAAS.

**shadowmite** · 03-10-2005, 04:05 AM

Here, this is the PSU I am using...

http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/sc.8/ca...it.A/id.300/.f

**PCGUY112887** · 03-10-2005, 07:58 AM

Humm and with a DC-DC PSU I woulden't have to worry about any flux in the cars 12v system would I? And I read that I can power the LCD from a DC-DC PSU as well?

Now you have me wanting to change my mind

I'm going to look into into shutdown controlers as well now... seems you guys say dying when cranking is a pain...

**RedGTiVR6** · 03-10-2005, 08:04 AM

hrmmm.....all of that is exactly what i was saying you could find by searching...

=]

multiple threads about everything you just asked....

that's why I said what I did

doing your own research gets you a lot more than just asking for all the answers....

**PCGUY112887** · 03-10-2005, 06:03 PM

If you were to read about you'd see...

And for the GPS, I was searching that right before I started this thread... I figured I would find 1 or 2 models that most people use... but instead I find about 5 or 6 and people say each one is good in different areas... so I asked here. I've also seen them installed in shark like fins, spoilers, and just in the windshield or on the roof.

You'd see where i'm coming from.

Go ahead and search around for threads... you will find many suggestions for different items... think of it as if there were many threads mentioning how good 5 or 6 models of Samsung monitors were... it would be WRONG for someone to start a thread asking about them? Maybe one model seems to be good for office workers, another good for gaming... is it wrong to ask about that?