Headunit (Linux/Windows CarPC frontend) + initial screenshots

**bpierce815** · 09-23-2004, 09:01 AM

I think initially I want to start with a standard installation (other than the kernel). I was going to go with Xfree, even though it is a little bloated, because of the support for accelerated video for the CLE266 (A large percentage of people on these boards use this chipset). I wasn't aware that microwindows had that support, but I will look into it. I had looked into busybox, but there was some functionality missing that I wanted to use. I don't remember what it was but I will investigate using this. For GPS, what about using some of the linux GPS software out there. I know that turn-by-turn is still missing, but for person's in the US, Roadmap is able to be compiled with QT and therefore would not need to have any more dependancies installed. It also has address location built in.

This is just a few of my thoughts but input is deffinately welcome.

**millec** · 09-23-2004, 09:32 AM

I am running it with X and no window manager at all. Since it is a full screen app, the window manager isn't really needed.

--Craig

**jbors** · 09-23-2004, 01:15 PM

You may want to take a look at my PyCar ISO image I built. It is based upon the DirectFB( HW accelerated FB ), it uses kernel with built in drivers+ busybox. The whole thing without Python and PyCar takes about 5Mb. I'm working on installation CD atm so people can install it on their EPIA-M in 2-3 mins.
https://sourceforge.net/project/show...ckage_id=89980

**Herve** · 09-23-2004, 01:25 PM

Hi!
Just to share something with M10000 owners, especially those using linux 2.6.8.1: My beloved EPIA get extremly slow without any explanation under certain circumstances. Because it was from time to time I did not relate the problem to the kernel after I updated it. After I checked in the BIOS if everything was OK and did extensive test, I reboot on a 2.4 kernel. Problems gone. It seems via82cxx module is faulty. It also seems a patch is on his way and will be included in kernel 2.6.9! Phew! I breath better now! :-D
Anyway, Infomap navigator 4 was suffering from this bug, and now it is almost as fast as my 1.6 P4 laptop both under linux/windows. Also I heard they were working actively on a touchscreen interface at infomap, that may be available within few months, for PCs for both Linux/Windows also using Qt (not PDA yet).

Herve

**NoPistonPC** · 09-23-2004, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by bpierce815

I think initially I want to start with a standard installation (other than the kernel). I was going to go with Xfree, even though it is a little bloated, because of the support for accelerated video for the CLE266 (A large percentage of people on these boards use this chipset). I wasn't aware that microwindows had that support, but I will look into it.

On second thought, I think you are right about going with Xfree (do the CLE266 drivers work with X.org?) for the driver support. I'm pretty sure that Nano-X does not support these drivers. BTW, Via has also released framebuffer drivers for the CLE266 so we shouldn't rule out FB support just yet.

Originally Posted by bpierce815

For GPS, what about using some of the linux GPS software out there. I know that turn-by-turn is still missing, but for person's in the US, Roadmap is able to be compiled with QT and therefore would not need to have any more dependancies installed. It also has address location built in.

I know about the Roadmap software, but I've been spoiled by iGuidance and I don't think I'd be able to settle for anything less. We could of course make it an option...

Originally Posted by millec

I am running it with X and no window manager at all. Since it is a full screen app, the window manager isn't really needed.

Good point!

jbors, i checked out your iso image. Nice work... very clean.

**momanz** · 09-23-2004, 09:28 PM

Hi folks,

So I emerged xine-lib-1_rc6 (man does gentoo make it easy to do updates) and headunit gives me segmentation faults when I try to run it. Tried a fresh cvs download and compile of headunit and found that I can make it through the database sync ok, but the application still segfaults when it comes time to bring up the headunit display. I've since reinstalled xine-lib-1_rc5-r3 and things are working again. Anyone else have this experience?

Herve,

I'm runnung a 2.6.8.1 kernel and I can't say I've really noticed any slowdowns... then again, all i'm really doing with my epiam10k is web surfing sampling carpc software for my upcoming install.

-momanz

**bpierce815** · 09-24-2004, 03:02 PM

Also I heard they were working actively on a touchscreen interface at infomap, that may be available within few months, for PCs for both Linux/Windows also using Qt (not PDA yet).

Looks like infomap is also coming out with NorthAmerican maps. I emailed them to ask about starting on a US port and here is the reply:

"Benjamin,

We are already working on US and Canada map data - we hope to release
this in october/november.

Regards

Tomas"

**Hexerei** · 09-27-2004, 01:40 AM

Headunit is coming along nicely. It's actually motivated me some more to work on finishing my carpc. Had a few questions about possible features in the future:

Will it be able to play DVDs off of the hard drive? (or can it now and I just missed it?)
What about playing from cd/dvd images? (iso/bin/...)

Another thought (that I haven't messed with) is will it be possible (or is it now) to remove the volume controls by option? Or can that be done through skinning? I plan on running through my alpine headunit so I have a seperate sub control and a physical volume knob (incase the computer locks or something). I don't want people getting into my car and messing with the PC volume and the alpine volume.

Just thoughts and some Q's. It looking good though!

-Hex

**NoPistonPC** · 09-28-2004, 08:06 AM

Hex,

I am using the xine library as a backend for the audio, video and DVD. So, you can play .VOB files through the Video playback screen like any other video file. But, I'm not sure if Xine will play an entire DVD w/ menus, etc. straight from the harddrive. I'll have to look into this... Personally, I convert my DVDs to DivX format since the resulting files are smaller and the quality is the almost the same.

I'm pretty sure that Xine will not let you play from CD images either... Have you looked into ripping your CDs using FLAC compression? It's a lossless compression format for audio that results in files that are half the size of the original.

I know this doesn't help you, but it's probably going to be a lot of work to implement direct playback of CD and DVD images. I'm probably going to work on more critical issues initially.

Thanks for the positive comments though!

In other news, I'm looking into replacing the bloated Qt library with OpenGUI (http://www.tutok.sk/fastgl/). It's extremely fast and lightweight. And it works with X11, framebuffer, and Win32.

**Hexerei** · 09-28-2004, 09:42 PM

well I would go for divx as well... but since the majority (if only) DVDs on the hard drive will be music DVDs. So I will have to go through the menus to get to the different videos. I'm to lazy to rip each chapter individually.

Once the apps section works maybe I can use a 3rd party linux app to open the .iso or DVD files for the movies.

All my music is in 192kbps mp3, actually using headunit for that now in my room

.