What am I missing here?

**llajumpvid** · 04-24-2005, 02:27 PM

I've spent the last few weeks searching and trying to figure out what I want and what I need.

First I have factory navigation so mostly I'm looking to add a mp3/video jukebox. I have a video/audio switcher that takes composite or s-video and will display it on the factory screen.

Now for the question,
Is not a celeron 2.0ghz or P4 2.4ghz a better motherboard than the M10000 that I notice most people use? I've been searching systems and unless I'm missing something I can get a system with a p4 2.4ghz, 512mb and 80gig 3.5" HDD in a Xenarc MP-SC8 box with a power adapter for $694 here Now I can't find anything on their power adapter so I suspect it is just a cigarette adapter? and I would need an opus 90w?

Now I have very little PC knowledge and what I do know mostly comes from this site over the last couple of weeks during lunch hours. I like the Xenarc system as the memory and HDD are less expensive and can be increased above 80gig/512mb. This is all in comparison to the C134 system that the mp3car store has. The M10000/C134 system is $620 with the m1-atx power supply, 512mb, 60gig HDD. Isn't the $70 difference worth the P4 Xenarc MP-sc8? or is the difference more like $70 + $140 for the opus? What am I missing? Also anyone have any experience with the dynamix company? I searched and everything was related to their monitors (or deleted).

**Bugbyte** · 04-24-2005, 06:58 PM

You are missing something. The P4 is power hungry. Systems that use these types of chips generally outstrip the ability of the Opus to supply them.

The popularity of the M10000 is based on a couple of factors. 1) It is small. It's surprisingly small and thus will fit in many spots in your car, including the dash in some cases. 2) It uses very little power. That makes it easier to power with the commercial solutions. 3) It's a bare bones PC and thus it is simple.

Car PC applications don't require a lot of processing oomph. The M10000 works just fine for most applications, including GPS. However, they are underpowered for other applications such as gaming and ought not to be thought of as useful in that sense. Also, the onboard video isn't that flexible and doesn't support the holy grail of carputing - 800X480 for the 7" Lilliput monitors.

The Vias also aren't very expandable. You get one PCI slot, which you can parlay into 2 using a special riser card. However, adding PCI cards to the setup begins to negate the advantage of the small size. If you can expand using USB, you're okay. Otherwise, forget it.

Hope that helps.

**llajumpvid** · 04-24-2005, 09:54 PM

Thanks Bugbyte,
I was gathering the power was the issue. Since this is the first carpc for me and I'm really only needing a media player the M10000 should be more than sufficient...yes?... I assume 512mb of ram is a must for video and that as far as disk size goes I can use an external firwire/usb HDD to store a video collection on?

**-zip-** · 04-24-2005, 10:25 PM

512 Ram is fine.

I don't want to confuse you because there are trade offs either way you go.

But if you are using an EPIA board like the M10000, you have to keep in mind that the video card on board is not a speed demon. Depending on the codecs that you use and the format the video was recorded in there is a possiblity that the video will not play smooth.

Take a look at the new VIA SP board, it just came out. I have not heard of anyone using it yet, it is only 2-3 weeks old but the specs look very impressive for your application.

**Bugbyte** · 04-24-2005, 11:18 PM

I don't do video on my PC, so I wouldn't really know but have heard that most folks can get DVD to play without problem but when it gets into various codecs, it may or may not play smoothly.

The setup you proposed should fit the bill. Try the Via. If it doesn't work, sell it to someone on the boards. Since they're popular, they're easy to sell.