NEWBIE: Thinking of building a carputer, have a few questions.

**mygti02** · 03-23-2007, 08:59 PM

Ok so im new to this car puter thing. I build computers and know wiring but the only questions i have is, When using 2 amps ( 1 4ch and 1 1ch amp) i have a front, rear and sub outs, how do i set this up with a car puter? do i need to have a radio (example: alpin deck) or is there adapters for the sound cards?

Also, i currently have a Eclipse AVN-550 navi system, can i use that screen for my car puter? If so will the touch screen and everything work?

sorry for the newbie questions but i searched and didn't find much info regarding my questions. Thanks!!

**DarquePervert** · 03-23-2007, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by mygti02

Ok so im new to this car puter thing. I build computers and know wiring but the only questions i have is, When using 2 amps ( 1 4ch and 1 1ch amp) i have a front, rear and sub outs, how do i set this up with a car puter?

HEre's a step-by-step guide for a specific make/model of motherboard. Any other motherboard or sound card that has 5.1 audio would be similar.

do i need to have a radio (example: alpin deck) or is there adapters for the sound cards?

No, you don't need a headunit.

Also, i currently have a Eclipse AVN-550 navi system, can i use that screen for my car puter? If so will the touch screen and everything work?

You can use the screen, but you need TV-out, which results in a lousy image quality. No, you can't use the touchscreen.

sorry for the newbie questions but i searched and didn't find much info regarding my questions. Thanks!!

Start reading here:

Newbie FAQ: New to CarPCs? Don't know where to start?

FAQ Emporium: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/the-faq-emporium/

**EQNish** · 03-23-2007, 09:09 PM

I'm sure there are quite a few wire diagrams out there for your Amp question, and would depend a little on the sound card, mine allows multiple line outs, so I ahve line outs for front, rear and sub, there are a few radio recivers for PCs but as I understand it most are not too good. You can do what I have done and set you PC up to send IR signals to your head unit and controll the head by way of an application like grinder which could be set up to accept control requests from you on the touch screen, and then send the IR signals by way of a transmitter hooked up to the PC!

As for the AVN 550 I doight there is a easy method to access the touch control of that screen, unless you dont mind hacking up the head unit

**mygti02** · 03-24-2007, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

HEre's a step-by-step guide for a specific make/model of motherboard. Any other motherboard or sound card that has 5.1 audio would be similar.

No, you don't need a headunit.

You can use the screen, but you need TV-out, which results in a lousy image quality. No, you can't use the touchscreen.

Start reading here:

Newbie FAQ: New to CarPCs? Don't know where to start?

FAQ Emporium: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=106

Thank you for your inpute. very helpful.

EQNish what sound card do you have?

**mygti02** · 03-24-2007, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by EQNish

I'm sure there are quite a few wire diagrams out there for your Amp question, and would depend a little on the sound card, mine allows multiple line outs, so I ahve line outs for front, rear and sub, there are a few radio recivers for PCs but as I understand it most are not too good. You can do what I have done and set you PC up to send IR signals to your head unit and controll the head by way of an application like grinder which could be set up to accept control requests from you on the touch screen, and then send the IR signals by way of a transmitter hooked up to the PC!

As for the AVN 550 I doight there is a easy method to access the touch control of that screen, unless you dont mind hacking up the head unit

Could you tell me what audio card you are using so i can get an idea of what to look for? Thanks a bunch bro

**DodgeCummins** · 03-25-2007, 09:14 AM

Most newer audio cards have the 5.1 surround.

Creative for example.

**EQNish** · 03-25-2007, 11:09 AM

Actually I use the Audigy Notebook, using the special cable they have to seperate the signals, but yes most 5.1 and better can seperate the Front and rear sound for you.... Also if you are not looking for "Surround sound", you can put a Y-Connector between the amps and the PC... you will lose fade controll, but then with 5.1 you really dont ahve fade controll anyways!

**mygti02** · 03-25-2007, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by EQNish

Actually I use the Audigy Notebook, using the special cable they have to seperate the signals, but yes most 5.1 and better can seperate the Front and rear sound for you.... Also if you are not looking for "Surround sound", you can put a Y-Connector between the amps and the PC... you will lose fade controll, but then with 5.1 you really don't have fade control anyways!

Im not to concerned about the fade control. I just wanted to get an idea of how im goign o set up the 3 out puts. Hows hows the sound quality usually?