1 DIN solution

fraglez · 01-21-2008, 03:41 PM

Hi All,

I know that many of us have cars where there is space only for 1 DIN unit so it is quite hard to fit in-dash monitor and all other stuff. So i decided to build something for 1 din cars!
I'm working on 1 din complete CarPC with in-dash 7" touchscreen, built in PC, 4 channel AMP, GPS, OBDII, Bluetooth, removable HDD and card reader The only thing missing would be CD/DVD drive. All in 1 DIN!
You could easy compare it to 2 Din Infill G4 unit but should be cheaper.
What sort of price you would pay for system like that without a software?

DarquePervert · 01-21-2008, 04:09 PM

I don't see how you can cram all that into a single-DIN space, especially with a retractable screen.
Even if you can, the ultra-small components and custom fabrication would likely make such a unit severely cost-prohibitive.

Good luck to you.

MrZ · 01-21-2008, 04:15 PM

It's really hard to tell without seeing the general constructive quality of the product. I'd say about 600€/800$ would be nice if it's a full working system.

Now, if you'd talk about a unit that would fill the space in a 320d without the stock radio and the AC control... I'd be very willing to pay for it.
Problem with 320d's space is that it's a 2din slot(+ bezel), but the lower unit can't go deeper than 5 or 6cm, like the OEM one:

fraglez · 01-21-2008, 04:30 PM

It is expensive to design unit like that but as I said overall cost should be lower than Infill G4, hopefully below $900. But the cost can be always lowered by removing for example GPS and ODBII (which can be connected via USB externally).

RedGTiVR6 · 01-21-2008, 06:16 PM

below 900 for screen AND computer as well as engineering time and manufacturing costs is going to be EXTREMELY difficult...especially when you consider the quantities you'll sell.

You're not going to be able to spread your costs out like the big boys.

fraglez · 01-21-2008, 06:22 PM

He he yep true I made a mistake not $900 but i was thinking £900 (VAT included) which is around $1500 and $1900 with software (something like XPE + StreetDeck / Centrafuse) which is still cheaper than Infill G4.

DarquePervert · 01-21-2008, 06:28 PM

Considering that LCD manufacturer Xenarc set a similar unit without the PC at a price point of of $800, there is NO WAY you'll be able to get all that into a single-DIN package at a $900 price point.

Xenarc is an established corporation with far more resources than the average hobbyist. They have an R&D department and staff engineers as well as big-time financial resources.

If your idea could be done, it would have been done a loooong time ago, and someone would be raking in big bucks in the process.

[EDIT]
You updated with the price point of $1500-1900. That's more realistic for hardware costs alone and possibly the engineering and materials costs. You have absolutely no room for profit in there whatsoever.

Now that you know my opinion, go forth and prove me wrong.

fraglez · 01-21-2008, 06:45 PM

I will prove it!

Problem is with most of manufacturers of Car monitors / Headunits etc have no F*** idea what they are doing stuffing unit with useless stuff and missing important bits.
It haven't been manufactured before as technology wasn't there. I'm working for company which is developing quite a lot of embedded systems so I know what's new on the market

Idea is quite simple but I don't want to get in to details at the moment.

moboman · 01-21-2008, 07:23 PM

What if you designed it so that the headunit was like the Xenarc MDT-X7000t and then the computer was an add-on module that you put in the trunk or somewhere like the glovebox?

_dopehead_ · 01-21-2008, 08:57 PM

I also had this idead awhile ago but gave it up at that time due to the massively expensive hardware when dealing with limited size. Check out the thread, maybe you can get some ideas, it would seem that the Single Board Computer has come a long way in the last few years, so who knows, it might be possible.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/gene...-din-slot.html

fraglez · 01-23-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by moboman

What if you designed it so that the headunit was like the Xenarc MDT-X7000t and then the computer was an add-on module that you put in the trunk or somewhere like the glovebox?

Few people mentioned that so maybe the first stage would be something like that.

_dopehead_ : Thanks for the link mate, that gave me few ideas.

I'm trying to design something in 180x50x170 (WxHxD)
If I would have 220mm od depth to play with that would be much easier, but i think it will be problematic to fit in some cars.

RedGTiVR6 · 01-23-2008, 09:33 AM

few ppl mentioned it probably because this is what is already avaliable out there...it wouldn't be anything new really.

fraglez · 01-23-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

few ppl mentioned it probably because this is what is already avaliable out there...it wouldn't be anything new really.

It would be cheaper though than new Xenarc and more practical. Having TV / Radio / DVD-player function of a screen is not practical. When you have car-pc and you are running navigation + playing music for example you will hear sounds from navigation. When you have navigation running you can not play DVD as you will not see and hear what is going on ( Same with TV / Radio tuner ). Those thing can be built in into screen but they must be connected to the PC!

RedGTiVR6 · 01-23-2008, 02:00 PM

Having radio and DVD functionality that is independent of the PC is completely practical. If it's too cold to turn on your computer. If the individual driving the vehicle isn't computer savvy or doesn't like the idea of having a CarPC (many peoples significant others on this forum for instance). If the computer isn't functioning properly for one reason or another.

Having navigation and DVD functionality at the same time is very practical. For instance, what if you're driving on a very long trip? Your next voice prompt might not be for 3 hours....prime time to leave the navigation running and have a DVD on for passengers.

The Xenarc is the only option out there right now with a built in AM/FM tuner other than the Infill. All other AM/FM tuners are add-on modules.

_dopehead_ · 01-23-2008, 07:58 PM

ppl that don't like carpc's aren't allowed in my car at all... :-)