Radio Deck Delete? How?

Rabid Dog · 01-21-2005, 02:55 AM

I apologise, but this question kind of goes into several topics, so this was the best place IMO to put it.

I've lurked and searched, but I cannot find the info I need.

How does a carputer eleminate the Deck? I know you can get an FM tuner, but how would you connect it to the amp (I have a monsoon) or an aftermarket amp and speakers to the computer, and NOT have it sound like complete arse?

Even an Audigy can only do so much. I have one PCI slot on my mini-itx board (would need it for the tuner) so a good sound card would be out. My board does have on-board sound and outputs.

Also, would I have XM support somehow?

rando · 01-21-2005, 02:57 AM

USB Audigy 2 NX sounds fairly good. Check the reviews, it's audio output section easily compares with a typical headunit. If you want to completely eliminate the PC for the analog section, then use the optical output into an automotive digital preprocessor.

Rabid Dog · 01-21-2005, 03:00 AM

I apologise, but I'm a computer/mechanic guru. Audio, car or otherwise, is like Greek to me.

So I can't use my on-board, and would need an Audigy? Or, wait If I recall correctly the USB version is independant of a PCI slot.

[edit]

okay, my main question is now how do I get from the on-board, or Audigy to an amp and speakers?

frodobaggins · 01-21-2005, 03:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Rabid Dog

okay, my main question is now how do I get from the on-board, or Audigy to an amp and speakers?

The same exact way you do with a head unit.
Either RCA, or Optical cables.

nFiniteTuning · 01-21-2005, 03:38 AM

Just a little info on my SN41G2V2 System. I have nForce SoundStorm 5.1 Analog and Digital Output. TRUE Suround Sound. I have heard from many people that the Audigy should be a billion times better then my onboard nForce SoundStorm (nForce is a nVidia product) and my sound is trully amazing. My mom has a high end clarion reciever on all Infinity components in her truck, my brother has a high end pioneer reciever on pioneer and Cerwin Vega components...and right now I only have this carputer on Infinity components, and my sound blows thier stuff away 10 fold. The clarity is soo much better. And I'm using a very old dual channel amp by Crunch USA at the moment. I'm about to down 2300 into a full Rockford Fosgate 5.1 DTS Suround Sound System. 3 Amps, Too many speakers to count on two hands

....and....well Experiencing my nForce sound on a home audio system is one thing, I'm too excited to imagine 5.1 sound in my car

Also about XM. XMDirect or XMCommander is capable of workin on PC's through a custom made serial cable. But you have to use FrodoPlayer or Mobile Media Center. I think those are the only two front ends with XM Setup on them. There is also computer programs such as Hybrid eXeM....And the cable is very simple to make. I have 3 cables around here just for the hell of it.

So if your onboard sound isn't good enough, that audigy should rock your world.

nFiniteTuning · 01-21-2005, 03:51 AM

BTW, come around June or July...were having a GIGANTIC meet in Reno, NV for all the Mountain States.....I think thats like 7 states....I'll have my car on display there with the full carputer system and 5.1 sound system....if your in that area...you should come check it out. You can sit in the car and listen to the quality.

Rabid Dog · 01-21-2005, 11:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by frodobaggins

The same exact way you do with a head unit.
Either RCA, or Optical cables.

Not with my factory monsoon system; which is what I'd like to merge the computer with.

Nfinite, that sounds good. I have VIA on-board with the version3 codec. If I go to Nforce, I'll have to jump up to a Micro-ATX. I'm not sure I can fit a Micro-ATX in the place I had planned or not.

The problem is I can't fit an in-dash LCD, my HVAC controls and a head unit in the console without relocating the HU somewhere. I'm not really wanting that.

So, since I don't have factory RCA from my so-called high quality deck, I'm pretty much screwed unless I change amps? And even if I do, then my other factory non-subs wont work. I could by a wire to RCA converter, but the quality is terrible on those.

Rabid Dog · 01-21-2005, 11:35 AM

^^ To add to the above post, here are my present mobo specs

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Features & Specifications:
CPU: Includes embedded VIA C3 1GHz processor
Chipset: VIA CLE133/VT8231
System Memory: 2 PC 133 DIMM socket, Up to 1GB memory size
Form Factor: Mini-ITX
IDE: 1 x ATA DMA 100/66
Slots: 1 x PCI
Onboard LAN: VIA VT6103 10/100 Base-T Ethernet PHY
Onboard Audio: VIA VT1612 2 channel AC'97
Onboard I/O Connectors: 1 USB connectors for 2 additional USB 1.1 ports. CD Audio-in connector. SIR connector. CIR connector. Wake-on-LAN, Wake-on-Ring. CPU/Sys FAN/Fan. System intrusion connector.
Back Panel I/O: 1 PS2 mouse port. 1 PS2 keyboard port. 1 Parallel. 1 RJ-45 LAN port. 1 Serial port. 2 USB 1.1 ports. 1 VGA port. 3 Audio jacks: line-out, line-in and mic-in.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looks like a new USB card and amp, or a new mobo may be in order.