First off. THANK YOU ALL
I knew this was the right place to settle down and get technical..
Quote: Originally Posted by TommieG
That is some sweeeet looking German ride you've got there. And some beautiful photos, too.
Thanks man
Quote: Originally Posted by Optikal
If money is not an issue, then the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX is the best sound card to go with.
As for video card, you won't be able to run 4 separate "views" on your 4 screens. The nVidia video cards (even the integrated gfx on the nForce motherboards) support 2 screens. You can get a Matrox card that can support 3. If you need more than that you can just split the VGA as many times as needed to duplicate one of the outputs to as many monitors as needed (you may need VGA repeaters/signal enhancers to maintain high video quality if your splitting the signal several times).
As for a case, alot of people just fabricate their own in order to make it fit into awkward and/or out of the way places in the car. If your building a show car I would recommend that.
For a power supply, you will see alot of people on this forum recommending the Opus 150W that you can buy from this site. However, if your planning on running a high-end computer you will probably need more than 150W (this is debatable). Their is of course the inverter option, or you can get a beefier DC->DC power supply such as this:
http://www.orbitmicro.com/products/p...2/KPDX250H.htm Then you have to get a separate shut-down controller (the Opus has it built-in) such as this:
http://www.soltronixstore.com/Detail.bok?no=7
Again, if money is not an issue most people would probably tell you to go with the Xenarc over the Lilliput. And I would recommend just getting a touchscreen.
Niceeee.
Ok I just read up on the SB Audigy 2 NX and I am sold. Should have one in a few days..Thanks
As far as video cards go. I really only think I need 2 outputs even when I have 4 lcd's. I figure just have the one dedicated GPS screen and all the others are for the fun stuff. How would I go about having the computer boot up and automatically start the gps program on one screen and have my desktop on the other screens?
So you are a fan of Nvidia? I got an ATI all in wonder 9700 pro at home and it has cool duel monitor features. Would you say that Nvidia is the best though? I really dont want to spend to much on the graphics card, the only time the 3D power will come to use is with winamp visualizations..ya feel me? I just want it to have really good duel monitor support. Any suggestions? Plus the crazy video cards recommend a 400+ Watt power supply
On that note. I really want to stay away from inverters(wont an inverter create noise through the Audigy 2?. Keep in mind the signal from this computer in going through 3,500+ watts of Zapco power and will be cranked up 100+db for sound quality competition. That DC to DC power supply looks perfect but the 250Watt rating scares me away(Almost all vid cards recomend higher then that
) Hmmm
About the screens I am definitely now set on the Xenarc 700TSV’s. So lets say I got two TSV’s in the console. Would the touchscreens interfere with each other? I would like to be selecting playlist on one and at the same time have my passenger setting up a route on the GPS screen.
Thanks for all the great info..
Quote: Originally Posted by no1knows
very nice indeed, how much that bodywork set you back? in particular the custom bodykit?
id suggest using your second battery as a tank battery to make sure yr PC runs through cranks (search for tank circuit). As an alternative to dynamat, search on here, theres a load of topics on alternatives themselves, some roofing material is meant to be extremely similar.
I'd suggest getting 1 touchscreen, or maybe two for the front, you wont need all 4 touchscreens. Make sure you get VGA screens if you want the rear screens to be decent wuality for txt/GPS
HTH
I had all the body work done for cheap(sponsorship)(around 3K) All I really had to do was send them the designs from various angles for them to copycat. I ended up doing a lot of the body work with the shop too. Great info I will look into your suggestions.
Quote: Originally Posted by mykolJay
what a story..great read. I love the car and the photos. It looks like you don't except anything but the best.(Unfortunately, many of us, including myself try to save every cent and do this stuff ourselves)
YOu've come to the right forum for carputers. We should be able to help.
Glad you are digging it..
I would agree I try to aim for the best components but you best believe I will never pay for someone to do the dirty work. Getting your hand dirty and glassed together is half the fun! Sure did come to the right place..
Quote: Originally Posted by shakes
wow ... that is the nicest bmw i've seen ... absolutely beautiful.
Regarding sound cards ... Depeinding on what mobo you use, I would suggest using a PCI card as opposed to an external USB card. A lot of people have problems with USB soundcards and windows for various reasons ... The main advantage to USB cards is in a compact design you can place it anywhere in the car. But like I said, sounds like You'll need a full sized PC here, so if you've got the room put in a PCI. You can always run cables if you want to mount plugs on the dash.
If you're that big of a SQ nut, maybe even look into professional sound mixing cards.
If the money's there get xenarc LCDs ... If not go Lilly. I like my lilly, but you seem to be more of a perfectionist than most on this board, and I'm sure the screen failing on you is not an option. and definately go touchscreen.
as for video ... again if you're going with a full size pc, check out matrox. They have a number of multimonitor cards. JUst browsing I came across the QID:
http://www.matrox.com/mga/archive_st...ox_qid_pro.cfm
Looks like it'd do what you want and then some ... i'm sure it's expensive.
For Power ... invest in a GOOD DC-DC power supply ... Check out OPUS, or maybe a Sproggy from Mastero ... there area also other supplies available on the net. Again ... if money's no option, get something expsnsive.
hth ... good luck and for the love of god keep us posted!
Damn, thanks. OK sold, internal it is. Ohh snap.. Can you picture this flush mounted into the center console??I know I can
ahh the SB Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
Xenark it is
Thanks but I looked into it a bit. I am going to stick with duel out’s.
Don’t worry folks I will not fail you. Except step by step pics of this whole project and if all goes well the last pic will be the scanned article from Euro Tuner Magazine.
Thanks,
Sean Behm