MP3Car.com - View Single Post

Jirka Jirout · 08-06-2007, 05:59 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by PugFunk

Do you guys keep the computer sleeping while the car is off? say have a day timer so that if the car is off for more than 4 hours it switches the computer off?

Yes, I do keep my computer in sleep mode. The P1900 PSU cuts the power automatically after 2 days or something like that - then the computer goes to hibernation (deep sleep) mode.

Quote:

second question. How do you guys wake the computer automatically if you keep it in sleep mode.

Isolate the +5V pin on the USB connector and leave your device(s) powered thru external power input of the hub. That way the devices disappear if you cut the power to the hub and reappear when the power is back up, which wakes up the Mac.

Quote:

off my deck. I know that macs sence when a item is connected into a USB port so the power from the trigger wire. heavily reduced from 12volts would do the trick if connected into the USB port?

I am not sure what exactly triggers the wake up, but I would not mess with connecting any external wires to these connectors.

Quote:

If i get this up and running i was thinking of fibreglassing a trackball/scroller into my middle console so i can use the computer with a actual mouse to navigate things like itunes and any program i choose to.

I hope you do not live close to where I do and when you eventually get killed while <censored> around with this instead of driving, you won't take anyone with you. Using a regular mouse controls in car is an extremely dumb idea. Hell, even the touchscreens, which I personally dislike as too dangerous are far far safer than this.

Quote:

Also. GPS interface with mac? hard? how much? obviously there is some form of external device i will need to buy so the computer can tell where it is.

Most devices will work fine, even those which are presented as Windows-only. GPS receivers use serial port simulation and all you really need is the driver for virtual serial port. Althought that may not be available from the receiver's vendor, it is mostly available from the manufacturer of the RS232->USB chip (such as FTDI).

Quote:

Is it plug and play? or can i just cut off off the current screen and then plug in a new screen through the projector port or the earphone port on the ibook (video also runs through the audio port from memory)

1. Do not cut it off, there is no need for that. Just connect an external screen using the vga/dvi output. The portables should be capable of running with the lid closed (provided there is external screen and external power connected).
2. Video and audio do not run thru the same port.

08-06-2007, 05:59 AM	#2
Jirka Jirout QCar Creator Jirka Jirout's CarPC Specs Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Netherlands Vehicle: 1993 Tatra 613-4Mi Long Posts: 541 My Photos: ()	Quote: Originally Posted by PugFunk Do you guys keep the computer sleeping while the car is off? say have a day timer so that if the car is off for more than 4 hours it switches the computer off? Yes, I do keep my computer in sleep mode. The P1900 PSU cuts the power automatically after 2 days or something like that - then the computer goes to hibernation (deep sleep) mode. Quote: second question. How do you guys wake the computer automatically if you keep it in sleep mode. Isolate the +5V pin on the USB connector and leave your device(s) powered thru external power input of the hub. That way the devices disappear if you cut the power to the hub and reappear when the power is back up, which wakes up the Mac. Quote: off my deck. I know that macs sence when a item is connected into a USB port so the power from the trigger wire. heavily reduced from 12volts would do the trick if connected into the USB port? I am not sure what exactly triggers the wake up, but I would not mess with connecting any external wires to these connectors. Quote: If i get this up and running i was thinking of fibreglassing a trackball/scroller into my middle console so i can use the computer with a actual mouse to navigate things like itunes and any program i choose to. I hope you do not live close to where I do and when you eventually get killed while <censored> around with this instead of driving, you won't take anyone with you. Using a regular mouse controls in car is an extremely dumb idea. Hell, even the touchscreens, which I personally dislike as too dangerous are far far safer than this. Quote: Also. GPS interface with mac? hard? how much? obviously there is some form of external device i will need to buy so the computer can tell where it is. Most devices will work fine, even those which are presented as Windows-only. GPS receivers use serial port simulation and all you really need is the driver for virtual serial port. Althought that may not be available from the receiver's vendor, it is mostly available from the manufacturer of the RS232->USB chip (such as FTDI). Quote: Is it plug and play? or can i just cut off off the current screen and then plug in a new screen through the projector port or the earphone port on the ibook (video also runs through the audio port from memory) 1. Do not cut it off, there is no need for that. Just connect an external screen using the vga/dvi output. The portables should be capable of running with the lid closed (provided there is external screen and external power connected). 2. Video and audio do not run thru the same port.