Zmp3

ZMp3

*Updated 6/5/05*

The following is work in progess...estimated completion date, it'll never be done.


The Intro: I've been around the forums for a while and have been influenced by many of the folks here as well as people that are not (Ashley Powers being one of them). This is my third car and it is also my third mp3car setup. First a red 87 Sentra, then a gray 90 Maxima, and now a black 90 300zx nonturbo.

The Glory: Moving from a mid sized family sedan to a 2 door rwd sports car was a big change. The car is smaller yet the same size, lower to the ground and there is definitely less interior room but it feels spacious. The Z is a 2 seater 5spd incase anyone was interesting

The Guts:
80 Gig Western Digital 7200rpm drive
USB Soundblaster mp3+ with rca outputs
512 sdram
Pc Power and Cooling 12v PSU
7in Lilliput installed in a digitallww.com in dash housing
USB GPS reciever, external magnetic mount
Remote power and reset switches with blue leds for HD and PW
The computer is currently mounted behind the drivers seat.
100% stealth install. PC is running MediaCar which will soon be upgraded to Road Runner.
Consult adapter running NissanDataScan software for engine troubleshooting and maintenance.
Winxp pro

The Unseen: 8 guage Lighting Audio power and ground cables running to a Jensen 5 channel Amp mounted behind the passenger seat
Infinity speakers in doors and rear hatch, all 5 1/5 :(
2 10inch Infinity Kappa subs in the hatch
Rca switch box to go back and forth from the headunit to computer

Future Additions:
Am/fm/dms radio thats being developed in the hardware forum
road runner

That is looking like a killer install, would be pretty slick to see a stiff hinge at the bottom of the LCD since you aren't putting it into the dash. That way you could always adjust for glare.

Moose, well i just mounted the screen last night it is fixed in one position but i think it will be ok with glare. thanks for the input

sweet install...but, aren't you afraid of smashing that puter? i mean, there is no case, and from what i see it just behind your seat?? you dont think there is a need to protect it?

How do you plan on mounting that screen? cant wait to see the finished project!

Very nice choice for a car. Got any pics of the exterior?

Your install looks like its coming along nicely. Did you try grounding the motherboard to the chassis of the car to reduce the static? Also, it would be nice to see a custom LCD install for a clean look and also security.

El, for pics of the outside...two reasons i haven't posted pics yet, still waiting for a good day to take some pics...the car needs a good paint job.

the 12.1 will not fit in dash...however i know an 8.4 will. i've been searching for months for an 8.4 with 1024x768 at 16.7mil colors with direct vga input and relatively inexpensive...i have found none under the 700 dollar mark which is absurd.

as for the noise, i think its picking it up from the power lead going to the psu, i'm gonna try to reroute it or possibly go with an external sound card

I realize that the LCD is too wide to do an in dash mount, but have you thought about a fiberglass enclosure that would attach to the dash and the LCD.. regardless, your install looks like its going to be sweet and I'm anxious to see it finished. Good luck with everything.

ahh ok i wasn't sure what you were getting at. it turns out i wasn't very happy with out it was mounted. i think i'm gonna do more of an ashley powers setup with the screen on top, vents relocated to the bottom. the sub boxes are done though. check out the website for updated pics www.mattoree.com/z

Quote:

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Originally posted by spyhunter
the 12.1 will not fit in dash...however i know an 8.4 will...

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This just got me wondering, has anyone here done a vertical install of a larger screen like this? I only have a 6.4" 640x480 LCD and it isn't mounted in dash, so I rotated it vertically and used NV Rotate to rotate the display, but my screen is just too small for it to be useful (the 480 across is what kills it).
I think it would look so cool for someone to do an in dash vertical display with a 10-13" display that can do 1024x768, or 768x1024 with this new installation style. It would fit better in narrow consoles and would look kind of futuristic. A widescreen display could be even better for this unique look.
Definitely a con if you are doing a lot of video. But if you built a killer skin for your mp3 player of choice it would look like a factory option.

How are you liking the LiteStep? Have you created your own interface or are you using one of the more generic ones found on the Net? Also, what O/S are you using as your kernal?