Thread: Acura CL trunkputer finally done!

Thanks a lot... doesn't even come close to the stuff I've seen you do on your website, but we all have to start somewhere!

I seem to have forgotten to give details about the computer and screen, so here goes:

Computer:

Motherboard: ASUS CUSL2-C
CPU: Pentium 3 @ 600 MHz
Memory: 256 Megs
Sound: SoundBlaster Live!
DVD: Liteon BLACK DVD player

LCDs: The one in the rear is a 40X4 BACKLIT LCD display
The one up front is a 7" widescreen GMX TFT that I bought for $315CDN from www.merconnet.com

AMPS: Sony XPLOD 444 AMP controlling my 4 speakers
MEMPHIS 140W controlling my 10" SUB

I'm using a BTC multimedia IR wireless Keyboard with built in mouse-like pointer

I'm also using for primary navigation an ATI RF USB remote control

My car is a 1997 ACURA 3.0CL

That's about it... if you need more info, let me know.

When I open my trunk, people can see the LCD...

if all of these questions or some of them have been answered, just tell me to use the search function. if not, a response would be cool.


what video input does the screen accept?

if not a vga, what video card are you using? (rca out?)

what resolution are you running at?

why such a big box?

how did you hook up the 40x4 LCD?

is there a pci card that is made to hook the 40x4 up?

What software do you use for the 40x4?

what info does the 40x4 display?

the lcd has a flip screen capability. Does the screen flip vertically and/or horizontally? (like for a rearview camera)

Did you just remove the front LCD from the housing that it comes in? How did you end up securing the screen? What is the bezel made out of? fiberglass?


Thanks! -Ryan

Wouldn't that console look nicer if it was spray painted flat black instead of glossy? Just an opinion.

Other than that little detail, nice setup.

Originally posted by ryanerb
if all of these questions or some of them have been answered, just tell me to use the search function. if not, a response would be cool.


what video input does the screen accept?

ans: Screen accepts an RCA video inpt

if not a vga, what video card are you using? (rca out?)

ans: Using a Prophet Ultra II 64MEG with TVOUT

what resolution are you running at?

ans: Running at 800X600

why such a big box?

ans: I made it to match the subwoofer box, and it certainly comes in handy to have the extra space.

how did you hook up the 40x4 LCD?

ans: Connected it through the parallel port

is there a pci card that is made to hook the 40x4 up?

ans: Yes, you can get a PCI parallel port card

What software do you use for the 40x4?

ans: I'm using the Crystalfontz program to control the 40X4 LCD

what info does the 40x4 display?

ans: For now it displays temperature info and different voltages

the lcd has a flip screen capability. Does the screen flip vertically and/or horizontally? (like for a rearview camera)

ans: I don't believe that the screen has a flip screen capability

Did you just remove the front LCD from the housing that it comes in? How did you end up securing the screen? What is the bezel made out of? fiberglass?

ans: Yes, I removed the housing from the LCD and secured it to the front bezel. Bezel is made out of wood and is covered by a 50cent tile that I bought in a hardware store and painted over with Krylon paint.

Thanks! -Ryan

Originally posted by fcc
Wouldn't that console look nicer if it was spray painted flat black instead of glossy? Just an opinion.

Other than that little detail, nice setup.

It looks really nice in the car, much nicer than in the pictures. When I took the pictures, I used the flash, and the flash reflected all around the console.

BUT I might experiment a little bit with other designs such as a flat black --- we'll see.

the lcd has a flip screen capability. Does the screen flip vertically and/or horizontally? (like for a rearview camera)

ans: I don't believe that the screen has a flip screen capability

take a look at the description:
""Ultra-cool "picture-flip" function lets you turn the screen upside down and have the picture automatically flip! Useful for mounting upside-down in a car. ""

http://www.merconnet.com/products.php?ProductID=101