http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/ Serving Apple/Mac users in car computer environments. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:58:41 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/ http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137402-please-share-your-centrafuse-experience.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:33:28 GMT I have been looking into Centrafuse and the new CF3 looks great. Has anyone ran Centrafuse on there mac? If so please share your experience and how you set it up, this maybe my next project. I have been looking into Centrafuse and the new CF3 looks great. Has anyone ran Centrafuse on there mac?
If so please share your experience and how you set it up, this maybe my next project. ]]> MacCar nastra622 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137402-please-share-your-centrafuse-experience.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137358-can-2-channel-amp-fade.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:40:23 GMT I'm a bit stuck picking an amplifier. One thing I know I want is the ability to have a fade control between the front and back speakers. I get tired of "kid music" and like being able to play it in the back speakers.

Is it possible to use a 2 channel amp and still fade the sound? If not, how do you do it with a 4 channel amp? Everything I've read about 4 channel amps and mac minis makes me think the 4 channel amp is actually acting like a 2 channel amp. It seems like there must be a device that would sit between the amp and the speakers that would allow for controlling how much wattage is sent to them. I'd love to be able to control this through the mac interface, but I'll settle for a physical dial if I have to.

Any thoughts? ]]> MacCar macminivan http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137358-can-2-channel-amp-fade.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137176-please-help-another-sound-question.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:56:15 GMT I know I know, there are tons of threads that answer this question - but I really cant find any answers, and I have looked. I am looking to get an external sound card for my Mac Mini. I already have my speakers hooked up to an external amp, I am just looking to put somthing between the mac mini and... I know I know, there are tons of threads that answer this question - but I really cant find any answers, and I have looked. I am looking to get an external sound card for my Mac Mini. I already have my speakers hooked up to an external amp, I am just looking to put somthing between the mac mini and my amp to obtain better sound quality.
When looking for a sound card, where do I start? Do I want one powered by firewire or usb?
Is it as simple as the firewire cord coming from my mac mini that goes right into the input of the sound card and then 4 rca's come from the output of my external sound card, that go into the amp creating 4 channels?

http://cgi.ebay.com/X13-Griffin-Fire...item4a99227999
Has anyone used this sound card?
Please anyone who hass an external sound card that they are happy with please let me know what make/model.
Thank you in advance. ]]> MacCar nastra622 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137176-please-help-another-sound-question.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137071-another-macmini-audio-thread.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:26:09 GMT Hey guys, I was wondering if one of you guys are using this device: LINK connected as AUX in the OEM stereo. My problem is, the volume is not LOUD enough and I only have the option of 3.5 Audio Jack from the MAC (digital is not an option). I was thinking about a USB audio interface, do... Hey guys,

I was wondering if one of you guys are using this device: LINK connected as AUX in the OEM stereo.

My problem is, the volume is not LOUD enough and I only have the option of 3.5 Audio Jack from the MAC (digital is not an option).

I was thinking about a USB audio interface, do you guys know if this would increase my volume output? or what you guys would recommand for this issue?

I was thinking about using THIS -->http://us.creative.com/products/prod...&product=15913

Thanks! ]]> MacCar VmtSquad http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137071-another-macmini-audio-thread.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137025-poor-audio-signal-noise-need-little-help.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:23:30 GMT About 3 years ago, I bought a Carnetix P1900 power supply, a Xenarc fold-out 7" touch screen and a second-hand Mac Mini to fit into my VW camper van. Finally, having let it all collect dust for all that time, I have fitted it!

I originally set it in the house, running it off an old leisure battery (as in this pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianlloyd/4046770024/). Once I was happy with it, I set about installing it.

Everything is working, but there is a lot of noise coming from the audio cable plugged into the back of the Mini. I have unplugged it and then placed the tip of the cable against the Carnetix supply, and the noise is apparently from there.

The weird thing is that in all the time I was bench testing it, I didn't notice *any* noise while running the audio through a set of desktop computer speakers. In essence, the only thing that has changed is that now I'm running the audio into the line-in on the car stereo.

So I'm after some advice about what to look for here. Could I have dislodged something along the way? I have read that it might be a grounding thing. I did have the power for the Carnetix properly grounded ... however, if that noise is because the audio cable is acting as a ground, then presumably an easy test would be to remove the cable that it's supposed to be grounding through off the bodywork. If the Carnetix is still powered ... audio cable to blame, possibly.

Does that make sense? Or should I be looking elsewhere for this?

All ideas appreciated. Am trying to avoid pulling it all out again - very tight space and fiddly - without getting a pointer or two first.

Thanks all ]]> MacCar lloydi http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/137025-poor-audio-signal-noise-need-little-help.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136815-powerbook-hackintosh.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:01:52 GMT Ok, folks I'm totally new to this scene and I'm pounding my head on the ground here.

I have a powerbook which is mobo happy but screen flakey. which I was considering to hack into a kitchen PC for the GF ... but a carpc is looking pretty sweet.

I do have a MacBook Pro for my daily life ... :peace:

So, would spending about $200 to build a hackintosh be a safer bet over delaying the GF's dream of wifi recipes on demand? lolo, she's a live in type not my ... :tape: wife (had one of those before :focus: )

Which ever method I do go it's going to be OSX with windoze running the fun stuff for OBDII.

Also, before I forget ... what are my options for bluetooth to run my iphone for a handsfree setup?

Thanks all and sorry for the newb questions ;) ]]> MacCar SapporoGuy http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136815-powerbook-hackintosh.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136753-new-scene.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:35:58 GMT Hey All,

I have been digging around for a few months trying to figure out on how I want to build my carputer and I think have decided on a mini mac based system. I plan on buying a new mac mini, I'd be very curious as to any recommendations on system specs. I am thinking about the 2.53GHz with 4GB of memory and 500GB hard drive. I am planning on running ICE^3 with parallels with iGuidance for nav. I am still confused a bit about XM radio support and how that works with a carputer. Tried searching but couldn't find anything about HD radio support is that available (windows or based Mac systems?). Is the shark fin still the best/only real way to get FM/AM radio? What recommendations do you all have for a USB sound card (i'll admit didn't spend much time searching for that one)? Has anyone tried integrating a USB modem from Verizon or AT&T to these systems?


Thanks for helping the newb. :yield::bathbaby: ]]> MacCar azstinger11 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136753-new-scene.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136687-powermate-os-x-hibernation-issues.html Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:42:38 GMT Ok so in order to save my car battery, i have switched my mini to go from "safe sleep" to "deep sleep"(for those who do not know "safe sleep" is what macs default to and "deep sleep" is basically the same as Windows hibernation mode). So now every time i start my car and my mini awakes from "deep sleep" i loose all input from the powermate while all other USB devices are reconnected just fine (GPS, touchkit, iphone, etc). Does anybody have any ideas for solutions or workarounds to this issue. By the way i am running OS X 10.6.1 ]]> MacCar natedawgg http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136687-powermate-os-x-hibernation-issues.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136662-new-mac-mini-old-carnetix-mac-mini-cable.html Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:09:07 GMT I have just ordered the mac mini cable for a carnetix 2140 power supply. The cable mentions not working with the new mac mini(made after march 09.) It says that most of the cable is the same just a revision with the power button plug. Does anyone know if I can still use the cable on the new... I have just ordered the mac mini cable for a carnetix 2140 power supply. The cable mentions not working with the new mac mini(made after march 09.) It says that most of the cable is the same just a revision with the power button plug.

Does anyone know if I can still use the cable on the new one?? I am considering hardwiring the carnetix adapter cable to the wiring for the button.. Has anyone tried or tested this??

Thanks for any input or experiences! ]]> MacCar krazy11011 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136662-new-mac-mini-old-carnetix-mac-mini-cable.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136652-mac-mini-amp-connection.html Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:24:40 GMT I looked thru this site over and over, and didn't come across anything like it...

I began setting up my Mac to Amp connection, and with all these 20ft cable running around my Camry, I am no longer a big fan of the setup recommended. I drafted a slight modification, wanted to hear from the guys in the MacCar community to see if this makes sense:



Any thoughts? Could this work?!

All help is greatly appreciated! ]]> MacCar Project07MACry http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136652-mac-mini-amp-connection.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136295-powermate-screen-saver-login.html Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:59:08 GMT Has anyone ever attempted to use their powermate to enter a password at the screen saver?

I am intending on using spaces and I have one of the powermate's keybindings such that it activates Spaces so I can switch to a GPS app. However, using ICE3's lock screen is futile if someone can use the Powermate to switch to another space...


Here's what I was thinking would be AWESOME!!!

use the dial like a rotary combination lock. Left would be 'A' and right would be 'B'. Obviously 'Click' would be 'enter'. That way you could enter a code like


Left-Left-Right-Left-Click = A - A - B - A - enter ]]> MacCar brownaa82 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136295-powermate-screen-saver-login.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136242-project-mac-mini-proteg-5-a.html Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:21:44 GMT First, I'd like to thank all the people for forging a pretty incredible path with the Mac Mini installs I've seen. I've been wanting to do all of this for a while and have been lurking on the MacCar threads for a while now.

In addition to the normal project log, I'll be posting all of the decision-making processes which will hopefully help others in their projects. I'll also try VERY hard to post links to all of the great resources I have found on this site and elsewhere. I think I've learned more just by clicking on everyone's signatures. Of course there will be TONS of pictures and maybe an off mp3car site I can customize, but this will be great for the work log!!!!

Enough with that, on to the good stuff!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget:
I have enough, but I want to do this as cost effectively as possible. At the time of this first post, I've heard rumors that Apple is going to come out with a new version of the Mac Mini. With that in mind I am hoping that soon a refurbed current model from the Apple Store will run me about $450 instead of $499 as it is currently.

While I'd love to have one of those sexy transflective screens *FAQ* ....err....no WAY $$$$! PLUS, I've got some pretty dark tint all around and the screen will be mostly protected except for a few odd angles. Now's as good a time as any to say that I'd love input ANYTIME!

All of the other equipment / software will be as needed and I'll do bits about those as I find and get them.

The basic PLANNED setup so far:
Mac Mini - 2.0 GHz, 1GB memory, 120 GB
7" Lilliput (I'd like to find a 8" touch screen, if it will fit)
USB Hub
Griffin Powermate


Remains to be planned:
Audio - I'm taking the stock double-din head unit out then probably buying an amp. I rember seeing a really neat SMALL amp on this site....it looked awesome and could be tucked away out of site.



Some general rules I will TRY to live by while doing this:
1) make everything look as OEM as possible
2) extra goodies should be mostly out of plain sight, with the exception of the Powermate.
3) Cleanliness
4) Giving cred to the folks who have inspired me to try something at different stages. ]]> MacCar brownaa82 http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136242-project-mac-mini-proteg-5-a.html http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136158-how-does-mac-car-work-software.html Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:44:23 GMT Basically, I was going to get a mac mini for my car, but due to the lack of sound cards available for it I have gone for a different approach.

Basically I'm going to install mac os x onto a Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L motherboard with a pentium 4 630 CPU. The PSU that I will use is the 250W M4-ATX.

What I need to know is, will my PSU automatically turn on/off my computer. My thoughts are that it will turn on ok, but won't turn off as Mac OS gives an option when the power button s pressed to shutdown or cancel. The 'hard off' will then kick in after 1 minute and shut of all power to the computer, which can't be good.

Also, what front end do you guys use? I really want to use front row as it 'talks' to itunes, i.e. playlists etc. But the problem that I am facing is controlling it as I don't have a keyboard in my car. The only thing that I can think of at the moment is controlling it via my iPhone wirelessly. But I would prefer to use my liliput touch screen :S.

Also, any other tips on how to get the most out of my project will be much appreciated.

Thanks
JM ]]> MacCar jellymonster http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/maccar/136158-how-does-mac-car-work-software.html