Thread: Should I move from cf to om?

CF does take time to start, but as I'm sure you realise most of us hibernate or suspend our systems rather than shut down.

I've just done a cold start on an unoptimised xp install with CF and a lot of background applications. 63secs from ignition to video playback which includes bios lag due to a dodgy usb device.

Out of hibernation, from ignition, to CF playing video 32 secs again with bios lag.

Those times aren't fantastic imo and needs optimisation plus the USB issue sorting out... Also I've got a SSD on order which will speed things up.

I'm going to test windows 7 on the ssd too, maybe that'll speed things up in terms of hibernation times.

I had a Kenwood double din prior to my CarPC and the time from ignition to mp3 playback was 27 secs so I'm happy with the above results!

IIRC with optimised xp on a fresh install I was getting closer to 25secs from hibernate.

I don't think the CarPC arena is dying at all, everyone I've had sit in my car has looked in to getting something similar done. The issue is the cost of the equipment and labour in the UK. Over here most are less DIY these days as people are getting used to 'plug and play' straight out of the box. For most, a simple double din unit will do most they'd want to use a CarPC for. Although these are usually more expensive if they include satnav, they're fully contained devices that require no setup, simply plug in and drive. Unless a similar package is developed for CarPCs, realistically it will struggle to compete.

Originally Posted by ws6vert

OM is cross-platform so it can be run on a tablet with the proper underlying OS. My point was over the past year innovation has stalled, and users are loosing interest. Like you keep saying CF is going to make an update to allow multi-zone. Why has that taken so long? That was one of the first things identified when OM was in the planning stages. With all of the new technology, front-ends should be expected to keep up if they intend to continually build on their user base. If they don't, then users are going to become bored with it because it doesnt offer anything exciting. Thats why we started the Innovation Vault thread, to inform users of the work, and cutting edge technology that OM employs to make it stand out from the rest. This along with OM being open source, we hope will bring more interest and enthusiasm to the hobby resulting in a better user experience for everyone on MP3car as a whole.

Its taken long because multi-zone isn't popular. You and I both know this. There are not many people that are going to care to put independent capabilities to each seat. They are comfortable with Dual-Zone, which CF implemented in CF 2.0. It wasn't until Centrafuse Inc, had an OEM vendor that needed multizone, that they finally took it seriously and decided to add it. Remember Centrafuse is a company for profit, so they cant just waist money and time on a feature that people will not care for. i think i am the only one, maybe two or three people that want this feature. Multi-zone requires more hardware, a display port and soundcard for each additional user. A lot of people are not going to be interested in that. Also you cant really use that argument of why they hadn't made it happen yet, because time and time again you guys have done the same thing. Screamed out that you FE is better because it will have, key word WILL HAVE a specific feature, that hasn't even been put in yet.

Now like I have said, OM will most def catch up in popularity and features. I will not deny that. Problem is that OM doesn't stand out right now, so making the argument that it will stand out is pointless. Right now the Earth may go spinning into the sun and kill us all, and OM will not be what you say it will be. I guess this is why I get my boxers in a bunch because you guys make it seem like CF is this big bad monster that will eat peoples Car PC and OM will save the day. When I can safely say OM is better then CF, then I will be the first in line to do so. Right now though, its like a small puppy trying to fight off a wolf. Well actually saying that makes CF seem like a monster, but you know what I mean.

Originally Posted by TheGuv

I don't think the CarPC arena is dying at all, everyone I've had sit in my car has looked in to getting something similar done. The issue is the cost of the equipment and labour in the UK. Over here most are less DIY these days as people are getting used to 'plug and play' straight out of the box. For most, a simple double din unit will do most they'd want to use a CarPC for. Although these are usually more expensive if they include satnav, they're fully contained devices that require no setup, simply plug in and drive. Unless a similar package is developed for CarPCs, realistically it will struggle to compete.

I agree, it is not dying. It's stagnant, because users are waiting for more. And yes we are seeing more and more of the move to plug and play. I think Trip was a post detailing a build up using an Igep that would be ultra low cost, low power, and fast booting. That's also where OM has an advantage. It can run on the Igep utilizing its hardware acceleration. Projects such as that could lead to an easy plug and play system that would draw alot of enthusiasm.

Originally Posted by TheGuv

CF does take time to start, but as I'm sure you realise most of us hibernate or suspend our systems rather than shut down.

I've just done a cold start on an unoptimised xp install with CF and a lot of background applications. 63secs from ignition to video playback which includes bios lag due to a dodgy usb device.

Out of hibernation, from ignition, to CF playing video 32 secs again with bios lag.

Those times aren't fantastic imo and needs optimisation plus the USB issue sorting out... Also I've got a SSD on order which will speed things up.

I'm going to test windows 7 on the ssd too, maybe that'll speed things up in terms of hibernation times.

I had a Kenwood double din prior to my CarPC and the time from ignition to mp3 playback was 27 secs so I'm happy with the above results!

IIRC with optimised xp on a fresh install I was getting closer to 25secs from hibernate.

WAITTTTTTTTTTTTT, is this with the Zotac? The Zotac Bios should be ultra fast. Without a front end, how long does it take to get to Windows? My AMD had 31 usb devices and it never took 63 seconds. Are you using a USB soundcard, like a Sound Blaster 5.1? USB devices is the number one way to slow a systems start up down.

Jmp to Windows 7 and useHybrid Sleep.So you can have instant on, and if the battery gets too low for the PSU it automatically puts the PC into hibernate and turns off the PC.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Also you cant really use that argument of why they hadn't made it happen yet, because time and time again you guys have done the same thing. Screamed out that you FE is better because it will have, key word WILL HAVE a specific feature, that hasn't even been put in yet.

I do not know what you are talking about. This thread asked the pros and cons of moving from CF to OM. The facts have been laid out accurately. OM can do multi-zone right now, thats fact. It was designed with this functionality from the get-go because we try to design for tomorrow, rather than yesterday.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Now like I have said, OM will most def catch up in popularity and features. I will not deny that. Problem is that OM doesn't stand out right now, so making the argument that it will stand out is pointless. Right now the Earth may go spinning into the sun and kill us all, and OM will not be what you say it will be. I guess this is why I get my boxers in a bunch because you guys make it seem like CF is this big bad monster that will eat peoples Car PC and OM will save the day. When I can safely say OM is better then CF, then I will be the first in line to do so. Right now though, its like a small puppy trying to fight off a wolf. Well actually saying that makes CF seem like a monster, but you know what I mean.

Yes CF is for profit. So what are they doing with that profit? OM is free... and look at whats been accomplished. You're convinced CF is the greatest and thats fine, keep paying for it. I'm sure they understand that without innovation they are not going to generate profit, and unfortunately for there users, that means they are not going to be inclined to continue offering support for something thats not padding there wallet (cough streetdeck). That's my opinion, cause thats how we do things at my work. If an area isn't making money, it doesn't get the attention.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

UGH, and theres the other one, always bashing CF...... LOL.... Again it all depends on the system, and what the user is using. If its for basic, you can actually delete the plug-ins you don't need since CF is modular now. Before (CF 2) everything was one large core. The less plug ins you have the faster it is on startup. Even with me using so many plug ins my start up was acceptable.

Meh, I bash on everything, including LinuxICE sometimes. My bashing usually gets people to think about things and spawns a lot of discussion and change in consequence. A lot of people complain about my stuff too which provokes me to fix it. Constructive criticism is very useful.

Remember that boot contest a while back? Every single video I saw of CF on various hardware (some of the hardware was actually really fast with SSDs and loads of RAM) and CF took longer to start than the actual OS to boot.

OH stop it.... people now a days have more then enough storage as far as HDD space. The first startup of CF is slow, but its also configuring everything. If you had issues after that, then it all stems back to deleting what you don't need so CF doesn't try to load it.

There's something to say about efficiency when a single application is larger and does less than an entire OS...

Finally, having to sleep/hibernate is a side effect of too much power consumption by the hardware/software. It actually limits the potential for awesome and is stifling innovation in current carpcs.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

mp to Windows 7 and useHybrid Sleep.So you can have instant on, and if the battery gets too low for the PSU it automatically puts the PC into hibernate and turns off the PC.

OT but thanks! First time I had heard of this and I am soooo changing my laptop install over to that from hibernate asap. Not sure how long it can stay alive in sleep, but be nice for jumping around town.

Ok, I HAVE to chime in here as a average user...

ws6vert - you are 100% correct in your first opinion, the other front ends aren't doing too well, its almost made me go back to a head unit.

I haven't even bothered with RR since my car laptop died. I bought a replacement to go in the car but I HATE that mess of a front end, and I'm not an idiot either (sure wife unit 1.o would disagree). I'm a pretty tech competent person, It's just waaay to much of a pita.

CF, Yeah... I've tried that thing. I tried it out three different times, forcing myself to like it.
It never happened, as much as I wanted to find something to replace RR I just couldn't like it. In the end it just reminded me of broccoli. blech.... Think it looks VERY dated.

"thepot player" seemed good but its missing some functions (none that I care about) and has no support unless you speak Korean. thought the interface was miles above CF or anything that RR had to offer.

so.. I've been without tunes in my car for months now, patently waiting for the release of OM and some decent skin jobs. The default OM (for now) does look pretty bad compared to other front ends but I can tell this wont be the case for long since the focus is on CORE components. The impression I get is the design is very flexible and well thought out. I expect to see lots of good eye candy from this as an end result