Running some ideas through you guys

Bluewagon · 04-10-2008, 07:58 PM

Hi, Im new to the whole carputer thing, im 17, and saw some one with a carputer in there car, and it kinda sparked a lightbulb in my head... Ive got an old laptop laying around that I was thinking about getting rid of (luckily i didnt for this install) But anyway, I want to get a 7" liliput monitor for my car, and I want to mount my computer underneath the seat. Doing some research, I saw on the FAQ page that I could hook my laptop through series of "Y" cables, and adaptors to my head Unit (panasonic something failry new) and then after that I have an amp and some subs, which i dont belive would cause any problems since its all after the headunit ( the reason im running it through the head unit is, because i dont have a another amp to run my highs, and im trying to do it cheap, and since i already have the head unit...) Also i think i am going to get an external DVD/ CD Player so that i can mount it in a more convinient spot that is more user friendly then having to reach underneath the seat... I would also like to add a GPS system down the road... I was looking for a monitr that had all the VGA ins, and Speaker outs, and the only one i could find was the Xenarc MDX t7000 or somethig for 800new so i just decided to run everything through the laptop.....Anyway to get to the point, Im just new, and before i start spending money, I figured i would come to this site for some advice and guidance.. I guess what im asking is, does everything sound like it would work, or am i missing something?

ronjon228 · 04-11-2008, 03:23 AM

Sounds like you have the basic idea down pretty good.

Here's what you'd need...

Firstly, to get sound from the computer to the head unit, you'd need to find out what kind of AUX input your head unit has. If it has a 3.5mm jack (the regular speaker output jack size), that's about as easy as it gets. Simply run a 3.5mm audio cable from the laptop to the input jack on the head unit. At this point, audio would be done. IF it doesn't have a 3.5mm jack, you'll need to find out what it does have. You may have to buy an adapter to go from a 3.5mm jack to RCA's or some other form of audio cable. Easy enough to find on the net.

Next, you need to do video to the touchscreen and USB to the screen. For this, just get whatever touch screen you want (I recommend the Lilliput EBY701 if you want to go cost effective). Make sure your laptop has a VGA output. If it does, then simply get a long VGA cord (10ft or so) and then run it from the laptop to the touchscreen VGA input and configure your laptop to use an external display. For the USB cable, that's simple as well. Just get a long USB cable (again 10ft or so) and run it from the laptop to the USB input on the touch screen.

Lastly just figure out how to power the laptop and you're good to go.

Later on you can do more research on software and hardware mods. Just keep it simple at first, then expand once you have a grasp on the CarPC as a whole.

Bluewagon · 04-11-2008, 09:04 AM

First off, let me say thank you for the reply. My head unit is a Pioneer, im not sure on the model # but is farly new. It has two set of RCA plugs in it...Im assuming that one is a sub out put, and an audio in. Im thinking that ill just get the 3.5mm audio jack to rca adaptor, and run it that way. Second, I have been doing some research on the net, looking for a monitor that I could run everythrring through (GPS Audio out, DVD, bluetooth) but needless to say, the only one that would work is the xenearc, and that is 7-800$. So i was on ebay, and found the lilliput, but was alittle worried about quality because alot of times things on ebay are cheap foriegn knock offs..but reading alot of things on this site had reassured me about the quality of lilliput. IS there another place to buy a lilliput that might come with a better warranty or price (although the price really isnt bad on ebay). Third, this might be a really dumb question, but i went out a while a go with a 3.5mm to rca adapter and the sound from my mp3 player only came in VERY faint, and only through a couple of speakers..now the cable went from 3.5mm to the red and white cables,and also the yellow video plug in. If I bought a normal one with only the audio plug ins would this problem be resolved? Thanks in advance!

ronjon228 · 04-11-2008, 04:19 PM

Hrmm... not sure. I need the model number of your head unit to help you further. See if you can get that and then we can go from there.

Bluewagon · 04-11-2008, 06:29 PM

Ok, so i just responded to this thread, but for some reason it is not showing up? Anyway, I did some research, and apparantly my H/U does not have the RCA ins, but rather another set of preamp outs. Another question that I have, is if I plugged in my MP3 player into those preamp outs and set the H/U to "AUX", then why did I get sound out of my speakers? The sound was extremely faint, however.

DarquePervert · 04-11-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bluewagon

Ok, so i just responded to this thread, but for some reason it is not showing up?

Newbie restrictions designed to help curb spam.
Your post wasn't deleted. It was flagged for approval from a mod/admin.

I'll delete the duplicate.

Bluewagon · 04-12-2008, 06:10 PM

oh and i forgot its the deh mp3800P

DarquePervert · 04-12-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bluewagon

Ok, so i just responded to this thread, but for some reason it is not showing up? Anyway, I did some research, and apparantly my H/U does not have the RCA ins, but rather another set of preamp outs. Another question that I have, is if I plugged in my MP3 player into those preamp outs and set the H/U to "AUX", then why did I get sound out of my speakers? The sound was extremely faint, however.

No.
Think about it logically. You need the signal from your mp3 player to go IN the headunit.
The preamp OUTs are for a signal leaving the headunit.

How you got any sound out of it (no matter how faint), I have no idea.

Bluewagon · 04-12-2008, 10:09 PM

Yeah I really am extremely confused as to how I got any sound through the speakers, but if my H/U doesnt have any audio ins, then what other route would I take to get the sound throught the reciver?

atoz350 · 04-12-2008, 11:56 PM

You'll need this plugged into the back of your head unit.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...X+Input+-.html

Then get a 3.5mm to RCA adapter cable to run from your laptop to your head unit.

Bluewagon · 04-13-2008, 09:20 AM

Alright thats what I was looking for, thanks for the help!

atoz350 · 04-13-2008, 11:20 PM

You're welcome.

wazza · 04-19-2008, 01:00 AM

Your Pioneer head unit support a IP bUs conecction then you will need to purchase a CDRB20 for it wich will provide you with an AUX input , then activate AUX on your head unit via the INITIAL SETTINGS MENU
thats it now you can rout the audio signal from your LAPTOP via a 3.5mm head phone jack to RCA stereo input on the PIONEER
NOW you can use the CAR stereo system: to control you LAPTOP /pc sound
:happy Wazza ( Pioneer)

ElCap · 04-24-2008, 02:04 AM

or you could make one of those cables using this link: http://stereophonik.com/gutterslide/IP-BUS_Hack/