i still dont quite understand the general idea of a carputer

androo · 12-04-2007, 10:12 AM

after reading the forums i still have one question...

if a car puter replaces the factory head unit then that means you would need the computer, an amplifier (since the head unit has been taken out), then a 3.5 mm audio jack to rca adapter to get sound in the car right?

but thats still a two channel dont cars need more than just stereo sound since it uses subs

someone help educate me please

Arrow · 12-04-2007, 10:17 AM

Your standard head unit only outputs stereo. The carputer is the same. The speakers and the subs all use the stereo sound. The amp for the subs will usually filter everything but the bass and can convert the stereo to mono.

androo · 12-04-2007, 10:28 AM

Ohh... that doesnt make sense right now i guess i have to take a look at the back of my head unit (im a visual learner)

but lets just say if I have a car puter built.. well its not really a car puter just a laptop. Its the Asus EEE laptop. http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/..._the_ASUS_Eee/
The asus eee will be sitting inside my glovebox. the asus eee laptop also has a VGA out. I'm planning to get an 8inch lilliput LCD screen and install it to my dash and run the vga cable to the glove box. so i can easily unplug and take the laptop with me. pretty easy eh?

to do the installation i would need to do this (correct me if im wrong):

1. remove factory head unit
2. fit in LCD touchscreen monitor into the dash, make sure vga is properly connected along with its power
3. run a power invertor box to the glovebox where the laptop can plug into.
4. plug the vga wire from the lliliput lcd to the asus eee laptop inside the glove box
4. install an amp. usually 300watt rms should power up the 4 speakers just find right?'
5. now from the asus eee laptop, connect a 3.5 to RCA cable and plug the RCA end to the amp

is that all i need?
what happens if i wanted to play FM music?

this should work right?

DarquePervert · 12-04-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by androo

after reading the forums i still have one question...

if a car puter replaces the factory head unit then that means you would need the computer, an amplifier (since the head unit has been taken out), then a 3.5 mm audio jack to rca adapter to get sound in the car right?

but thats still a two channel dont cars need more than just stereo sound since it uses subs

someone help educate me please

Most soundcards have the cabaility of outputting more than just 2-channel stereo.
4.1 is the most common use in a vehicle. That will give you Front L/R, rear L/R and subwoofer.

Another option is to run the PC audio into anotehr piece of hardware that can split the signal into the 4.1 signals. I use an AudioControl Three.1 unit for this purpose, which has the added benefits of upping the signal voltage and giving me a master volume control knob.

Check this FAQ out for more details: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advf...iew&advfaqid=7

Quote: Originally Posted by androo

to do the installation i would need to do this (correct me if im wrong):

1. remove factory head unit
2. fit in LCD touchscreen monitor into the dash, make sure vga is properly connected along with its power
3. run a power invertor box to the glovebox where the laptop can plug into.
4. plug the vga wire from the lliliput lcd to the asus eee laptop inside the glove box
4. install an amp. usually 300watt rms should power up the 4 speakers just find right?'
5. now from the asus eee laptop, connect a 3.5 to RCA cable and plug the RCA end to the amp

is that all i need?

Basically, yes.

Quote:

what happens if i wanted to play FM music?

Once you have all that music at your fingertips with the PC, you probably won't want to.

But, you'd need a PC-based FM tuner and software to control it, basically.

Search the forums. There are more threads about FM radio on the PC than you can shake an antenna at.