Carputer Help Multiple Video Outputs

SuperEco06 · 04-10-2008, 05:42 PM

Ok, heres basically what I want to be able to do. I currently have an In-Dash radio, it is a kenwood DNX-7100.

Im working on building a custom center console for my truck to house an 8" Lilliput monitor. Here is where I need help.

I want to build a carputer using the Mini-ITX form factor, but I want to be able to have my Kenwood (which has an aux video input) display one thing, such as a movie, while the carputer monitor displays something entirely different, such as a web browser.

I also want to set up a wireless aircard from sprint so that I can use ICS in windows to play Xbox on xbox live, or atleast attempt to.

any help would be excellent

blackcobra487 · 04-10-2008, 11:11 PM

Call me crazy, but you want to play Xbox in your car? Sounds like going way over the top.

Anyway, what you want to do can easily be done with the right hardware. I've seen a motherboard (think it was a VIA) that had VGA, S-video and RCA video out jacks. My guess is the board would offer support for multiple displays.

hailrazer · 04-10-2008, 11:27 PM

Well I bought an Evga Ge-Force 8400GS and put it in my mini ATX case.

It has dualview with VGA and S-video to play different things on different monitors.

It's a pci-E low profile card. Does Mini-Itx have PCI-E slots?

DarquePervert · 04-11-2008, 09:29 AM

MiniITX is nothing more than a formfactor.
The features of a miniITX motherboard will vary depending on make/model. You'll have to look at the specs for individual miniITX motherboards to determine if there are any models that have a PCI-E slot.

I will also say that your video card is complete overkill for a vehicle PC. It will draw more power than is necessary. It may very well be a wonderful video card, but the functionality of that card will likely be lost in a vehicle install. The power draw required for the video card is not worth the lost functionality, IMHO.

hailrazer · 04-11-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

MiniITX is nothing more than a formfactor.
I will also say that your video card is complete overkill for a vehicle PC. It will draw more power than is necessary. It may very well be a wonderful video card, but the functionality of that card will likely be lost in a vehicle install. The power draw required for the video card is not worth the lost functionality, IMHO.

Was that directed to me ?

Well if it was you are entitled to your opinion but you'd be wrong.

I needed a card with dualview so I can have GPS up front and the kids can have Movies in the back.

Also I have a Bly-Ray / Hd-Dvd drive in the center console and I play HD WMV files with it . And PC games like Crysis.

And what do I care how much power it consumes with a huge alternator/battery and a 240 watt M4-Atx power supply.

Everyone has their needs and likes/dislikes. I want my carputer to be fast and not stutter.

DarquePervert · 04-11-2008, 12:53 PM

You don't need a bleeding-edge 3D card that sucks lots of power to have dual-monitor capability.

Frankly the idea of playing PC games from the drivers seat scares the holy bejeezus out of me. I can kind of understand in a show car, but only if it is strictly a trailer queen.
Games in the car is a dangerous distraction in my eyes. That applies to passengers playing them as well. Doubly so if it's in the front seat.
Again... Just my opinion.

HiJackZX1 · 04-12-2008, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Call me crazy, but you want to play Xbox in your car? Sounds like going way over the top.

I have Sega Genesis in mine, well the emulator that is. I also bought a Slim PS2 just for the car.

Quote:

Was that directed to me ?

Well if it was you are entitled to your opinion but you'd be wrong.

I needed a card with dualview so I can have GPS up front and the kids can have Movies in the back.

Also I have a Bly-Ray / Hd-Dvd drive in the center console and I play HD WMV files with it . And PC games like Crysis.

And what do I care how much power it consumes with a huge alternator/battery and a 240 watt M4-Atx power supply.

Everyone has their needs and likes/dislikes. I want my carputer to be fast and not stutter.

I wanted a multimedia car also, So the rear has a 15 inch screen, then the driver and passenger have touch screens in flipdown sun visors. The screen in the dash only shows GPS NAV, engine dignostics and important stuff. Everything else is displayed on the other 3 screens. I wanted to go with a very small package, no PCI cards or anything, it all had to be either onboard or USB, thankfully my KINO 690S1 had dual output onboard.

How many screens will be in the back? Only reason I ask is because if it does have more then one, and its VGA I would buy a powered splitter, otherwise the screens start to loose brightness.

blackcobra487 · 04-12-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

I have Sega Genesis in mine, well the emulator that is. I also bought a Slim PS2 just for the car.

I plan on upgrading to a PC that will emulate Playstation games for those times I'm waiting in a parking lot. But the original reason I said he was going over the top was because he mentioned X-Box live. Is it even possible to have the bandwidth needed?

HiJackZX1 · 04-13-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by blackcobra487

I plan on upgrading to a PC that will emulate Playstation games for those times I'm waiting in a parking lot. But the original reason I said he was going over the top was because he mentioned X-Box live. Is it even possible to have the bandwidth needed?

Good luck on PS1 emulation, I have tried for years to find one that is stable. The frame rate is either crap, or there is no sound.... I would just buy a slim PS2. Im not sure about XBOX Live, it uses lots of bandwith, especially if you use the headset, and it doesnt seem very fun without it. Im not sure how XBOX Live compares to SlingBox (SlingBox uses special compression techniques), but on the Sprint EVDO Rev A network, it hardly ever buffers. I know that if the XBOX would have to buffer, it would keep kicking you out of the games.