Project Vogue

**MICK UK** · 12-13-2005, 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by jthiani

The biggest screen you can put there if you want the hu to remain in that location is probably a 5.6". I just finished fabrication for another forum member (see picture) using a 7" monitor and there would be no room to install the hu in the stock location.

I have a local guy who does the wood finish on car parts. So replicating the wood finish with a factory look will not be an issue. And its not just stick on panels, its the actual woodgrain finish that the factory uses.

Thanks J. You are exactly right. I have been out measuring and looking at screen sizes and nothing fits at all. I am now thinking that the only way forward is to rip out the HU and take "Freelander's" advice and stick in a big screen. My only problem is that because the car has already got £5000 worth of kit pre installed it makes it so much more difficult to interact with the PC.
The problem being the dedicated NAVI connector from the VDO unit.
I am trying to work out how to get the VDO to send it's signal to the Alpine Monitor box and then onto the new screen, which will have to have a VGA and RCA connectors (VGA from PC & RCA from Alpine (dvd, tv & Nav).
The problem then is the buttons for the VDO. Currently its all done with a remote to an eye on the screen????
Can't dump the VDO, have just upgraded it with new S/W and a TMC unit which is winging its way from Germany by DHL today...
Also have input problems of the DSP unit...

A lot of thinking and planning to be done...

Thanks for the good news about the wood fabrication. This really helps.

The fab pics look great.

**MICK UK** · 12-14-2005, 02:33 AM

Update: 14.12.05

Have been thinking hard about the project and I think I am going to go with the fabrication and a 7" t/s.
J. I love that job you did with the panel and I have an idea of what to do with the little blank space under the temp sensor.
The problem is I don't know what to do with the space under the screen. I will not have a slim drive etc so this is a lot of wasted space. Need ideas of what to stick there...
Any idea of cost of fabbing the surround and wood grain? PM me about it.

**jsp** · 12-14-2005, 08:00 PM

COOL!

I have just fabbed up for a 7inch TS as well

**jthiani** · 12-14-2005, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by jsp

COOL!

I have just fabbed up for a 7inch TS as well

Hey jsp, whats the model of the ts you used??? it seams to solve the problem of having a 7" screen and hu remain in stock location.

Originally Posted by MICK UK

Have been thinking hard about the project and I think I am going to go with the fabrication and a 7" t/s.
J. I love that job you did with the panel and I have an idea of what to do with the little blank space under the temp sensor.
The problem is I don't know what to do with the space under the screen. I will not have a slim drive etc so this is a lot of wasted space. Need ideas of what to stick there...
Any idea of cost of fabbing the surround and wood grain? PM me about it.

you could use it for switches, usb ports, anything really...just get really creative with it.....

**jsp** · 12-14-2005, 11:25 PM

I bought a SUPER screen

it was cheap and cost about $280 AU delivered.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/7-Super-TOUCH...QQcmdZViewItem

Same as this one.

can take some pics of it in my dash if you like - havent pulled my old dash out yetI am fabricating just two buttons into the surround, a power, and input, to select my laptop (solely for GPS) and my HU, a JVC deck with DVD playback.

I have issues with the TS - but I think its a driver issue and have to look into it more - it dosnt seem to remember the screen calibration and you have to do it everytime you reboot the pc. Pc is just a compaq P3-850 laptop with XP and mapmonkey.

**jthiani** · 12-14-2005, 11:40 PM

Cool Jsp...do you have plans for the console your removing??? If not, advertise it for sale fabricated like your new one. And yes i want to see pictures....

I see you also left out the monitor buttons...how will that work??? And thats how you got it to fit there huh...... pretty smart....i also had to relocate those little pests ....

**jsp** · 12-15-2005, 12:13 AM

the old console goes into storage for if I ever sell my car

the consoles are fairly cheap from the wreckers here, well I asked for a poor one as I didnt mind a scratch or two. cost half a slab

I have a few push buttons to drill into the blank plates next to the radio din for power and input. volume and menu dont bother me and I will be still able to use the remote to get to them if need be.

I am worried about how this screen will do in high temps - note the temps on my AC console!

PS: Ignore the hairy knee

**MICK UK** · 12-15-2005, 03:59 AM

Thanks JSP... you may have solved my problem with the screen.

**MICK UK** · 12-15-2005, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by jsp

I am worried about how this screen will do in high temps - note the temps on my AC console!

"keep that Hevac in AUTO at all times......

**MICK UK** · 12-15-2005, 04:37 AM

Okay, am going to do some thinking today and look at some alpine hu's in Alicante MediMarkt (cool shop)
Then onto some wiring schematics for how I can get this together with the Screen, HU, PC, DVD & Sat nav. It's going to be a case of drawing it out and then going into the car and trying different configs with the parts. I am sure I will have to go with what I have and then add adaptors, bits and pieces to get it all in and working the way I want.
The screen is so important because I need to able to connect the DVD, TV & Navi on an RCA input and the PC on the Vga. I then must be able to just press a button on the dash to switch between the two.
Will update later on what I find.