Tell me what u guys think: setup pics and link to more

tehota · 02-20-2001, 08:49 PM

Hi I am new to this board, I wanted to see if I could get some feed back on a system I have started. Here is the way I turn my Book PC on and off as well as my subwoofer volume controll setup.

please check out my photo album to see more pics at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...122&Auth=false it is listed under Passat Computer. The Pc specs are:
Celeron 566
128 megs of ram
30gig 7200 rpm drive
6x dvd
I need help setting up some voice support and remote control applications, right now I use a micro keyboard and finger track ball, but any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
TJ

[This message has been edited by tehota (edited 02-20-2001).]

Callahan · 02-20-2001, 09:09 PM

Just wanted to say it looks really nice. The buttons look like stock. I especially like the keyboard & USB plugs in the dash

Brain · 02-20-2001, 09:25 PM

Nice & clean

Sexor · 02-20-2001, 09:37 PM

SEXY

Caviar · 02-20-2001, 10:14 PM

sweet setup....... i was just wondering why u need a spare ECU?

i like the sliding drawer in the trunk......does that come with the passats?

amzing work on the knobs....looks stock!

tehota · 02-20-2001, 10:27 PM

Thanks for the good words, no the drawer was custom made for the car, the spare ECU has the factory chip that came with the car, I currently run a race chip that bumps my turbo pressure to 14-16lbs for about 47hp gain over stock..all the while I can switch back if need be for warranty purposes. The switches did take a LONG time,i had to unfold the USB connector cut the hole file...file.scrape....test fit....you get the picture, which leads me to my next point..the usb is a little flaky probably due to the length of the run, does anyone know of a cheap powered repeater? Thanks again, I can see I found a new place to hang and swap ideas..

TJ

Fourgig · 02-20-2001, 10:55 PM

Nice! Where did you pick up the power and reset buttons and switches? I don't wanna have to go out and buy a case just to cannibalize the buttons.

What voice software are you going to use? I'm planning on using Game Commander 2. It isn't perfect but I'd say the accuracy is about 80%. Every now and then, GC2 will pick up voice commands that weren't issued and I have no idea why. I'm going to install a mic with a switch. Then I can switch on the mic when issuing commands.

For other control, I'm going to use Logitech's cordless keyboard and cordless trackball.

Meatballman · 02-20-2001, 11:01 PM

You mentioned putting in a remote: the infrared receiver most people use is the IRMAN, found at www.evation.com/irman

I use it and it works great, especially with Winamp.

oh...btw...beautiful install job, but the keyboard has to go

[This message has been edited by Meatballman (edited 02-21-2001).]

Caviar · 02-20-2001, 11:01 PM

HUGE voice control post!

http://www.mp3car.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000454.html

Mp3_Truck · 02-20-2001, 11:07 PM

i like this install the volume control is nice its pretty good. does the pc boot thou without the keyboard plugged in i think if u had the whole keybpoad into the dash it would be cool. U did a good job thou its pretty nice.

Caviar · 02-20-2001, 11:12 PM

There is an option in the bios where you can switch off error beeps on boot, like the keyboard error.

tehota · 02-20-2001, 11:22 PM

The buttons are from radio shack, I custom painted them with a textured paint from Home Depot and then scuffed them a little with steel wool, kinda matches the finish of the dash...then I took phone cable for the quad connector wire and ran it to a old mouse extension cable..cut off on both ends ran one into the BookPC and terminated the one coming from the dash viola, quick disconnect power and reset(the pc is removable, two butterflys and it's out)..to interface I mearly separated the ribbon cable going to the appropriate header and soldered in. I agree I don't like the keyboard, but with the wireless USB Lan to my @home modem in the house, I can scam a couple of mp3s before leaving for work from the driveway (best yet has been 200k sec or so) works pretty far also. I don't have a serial port so are there any good USB remotes or is that an oxymoron..? Thanks

TJ

I just noticed the keyboard tip.. thanks I did not investigate that as I need it for now..but it will be gone shortly..I am also thinking abou flushing a small trackball in my drivers door armrest..there is room..and I am a lefty..probably this weekend..ahhh more "finish" work

[This message has been edited by tehota (edited 02-21-2001).]

Mp3_Truck · 02-21-2001, 12:01 AM

sweet sounds interneting i think u really know what yer doing. I really like the volume idea but im having a center/front/rear channel so i cant use a external control unless anyone has ideas.

tehota · 02-21-2001, 12:20 AM

How are you amplifying those signals..if you are using any type of preamp level outputs, may I suggest some creative work with a few "pots" placed inline before your amps, potentiometers can vary the amount of signal before the gain stage cheaply and can be effective, my only concern would be their build quality and loss going thru them. What type of amplification are you using? and how are you getting a center channel? do you have a 5.1 decoder in the car? If so after you convert the SPDIF out to it's appropriate analog 5 channels(assuming) there is where you can vary the volume, finally if all else fails you can get a "pot" to trim the level of power that gets to the speakers but they have to rated for the give wattage of the progam source..Hope this helps..

TJ

Meatballman · 02-21-2001, 10:03 AM

Tehota - you can get a pretty cheap ($39.95) USB to serial converter <a href="http://www.usbgear.com/usa/view_detail.cfm?id=162">here</a> I am not aware of any USB infrared receivers, but I'm sure the guys around here will correct me if I'm wrong