Thread: new kid saying hey/asking questions

It could happen if you're willing to do the following:
1) crack open that $620 headunit (voiding the warranty) and reverse engineering the touchscreen
2) hacking the touchscreen to use a PC connection like serial or USB
3) writing driver software to control the touchscreen.

I'm willing to bet that you gave up the idea after #1.

Now, I suggest starting in the FAQ Emporium and reading anything and everything that you think might be even remotely worth putting in your ride. You can never learn too much.
Come up with a solid plan before dropping lots of money.

Welcome to our hobby. Good luck and keep us apprised of your progress.

return it.

Originally Posted by shaggyhair

hey, i've been reading up a lot in this forum for the past few months. i just upgraded to a lcd/dvd thing in my car. it's the Panasonic CQ-VD7001U.

basically, my question is, am i going to be able to connect my laptop to the back of this and use the touchscreen as a carputer? i am really intrested in this whole hobby.

i have 30 days to return the unit and i spent 620 on it. so, if i have a better opition. i'd like to pursue it while i still have the chance to get my money back.

thanks ahead of time.

travis.

The better option is to take the 620 and invest in a carputer and touchscreen LCD. It will do everything that unit will do, and probably more. Might be a little more expensive, but since you are considering that unit AND a computer, a VGA motorized touchscreen is about 200 bucks cheaper, so you might come out on top with a dedicated CarPC.

Michael

Originally Posted by shaggyhair

ya. i read some other kids post a little lower down in the forum and think i've figured this out.

i am intrested in doing the carputer simply because i have a huge playlist of music and i would love to have it all at my fingertips. the ability to pull into the garage and sync up my playlist is very tempting as well since i get new music so often. music videos and movies on a hard drive are also very tempting.

the gps opition seems pricey. not sure. i've looked and for what i could find the usb adapters are around 100+. not sure if it's worth that much to me.

so basically. i'm trying to decide if the fun of building this + sync + wireless internet + maybe gps is worth all the work compared to a system that is already exceptional.

gah.

decisions.

edit: i would just be connecting my dell inspirion 1600 as my carputer. so money wise i would only really need the connectors, lcd screen, and power opitions?

Then what is the issue. For 620 bucks you can get a USB GPS, the GPS software, an external DVD slot load unit, etc....................... INstead you spent 620 on something that doesn't do all that you want, so you want to add your computer. Now, the people with experience in this type of stuff are telling you how to do it right.

Even better, you can go get Streetdeck, get everything you want, and a screen, and still come out with some cash to take your girl to a nice dinner.

What is the question??

Michael

what i would suggest you do is 1 of 2 things.

1. go with the street deck full package. yes it will cost you a tad bit more then just that unit, but you will get what you want, in the long run.

2. Purchase the touch lcd for the dash, the gps reciever/software. a slot loader to rermote loacte at the front of the car, a shutdown/startup controller. and last but not least, If your going to be removing this in and out of the car, purchase a port replicator(docking station) to mount in your car. that way when you wire a startup/shutdown controller and power from the car you wont have to crack open your laptop to wire it up. also you need to consider what to do about radio with your headunit gone. id read thru the faq some more. then also spend some time on the show off your project/worklog section and see how everyone else is doing it.

Good luck regardless.

Originally Posted by shaggyhair

ya. i read some other kids post a little lower down in the forum and think i've figured this out.

i am intrested in doing the carputer simply because i have a huge playlist of music and i would love to have it all at my fingertips. the ability to pull into the garage and sync up my playlist is very tempting as well since i get new music so often. music videos and movies on a hard drive are also very tempting.

the gps opition seems pricey. not sure. i've looked and for what i could find the usb adapters are around 100+. not sure if it's worth that much to me.

so basically. i'm trying to decide if the fun of building this + sync + wireless internet + maybe gps is worth all the work compared to a system that is already exceptional.

gah.

decisions.

edit: i would just be connecting my dell inspirion 1600 as my carputer. so money wise i would only really need the connectors, lcd screen, and power opitions?

honnestly, IMO, it sounds like an iPod and an adapter are your best bet.

to spend all of this money to ONLY do it for the music is a bit strange to me.

You're willing to spend over $600 ONLY for that functionality but when it comes to less than $100 for a GPS antenna you cringe? (btw - I got my BU-353 for $63)

I'm really thinking that you won't like the idea of a CarPC when it comes down to installing and using it. are you wanting to do it just for the cool factor or are you wanting to do it because you think you're interested in everything else that a carpc has to offer?