implementing an MP3 only carputer?

rcurley55 · 11-23-2005, 10:06 PM

While I really like the idea of a carputer and all its functionality, it's just not practical for my needs. I'm also hesitant b/c of dealing with FM, the glare in a touch screen and the boot up time. I know all of these things can be overcome, but I don't feel like building another in-dash bezel for a screen - and no Iwon't buy it either.

My dash is already holding a two din units and there is no where left for a screen:

I would really like to have all my music at my finger tips while driving. Because I'm using the DVA-7996 - a little older Alpine from 2004, their ipod adaptor doesn't seem to work that well - not a lot of lines for display.

I see 3 options really:

1. get an Ipod, run it's line out into my headunit or processor directly and use the click wheel for control - I can mold the base into the ashtray so it will stand upright and I can pull it out of the car at any time

2. mount a 7" or so touch screen in my sunvisor so I can control the carputer.

3. use a very small screen and relegate the carputer to just mp3 playback - it would be like a fast ipod

I sort of like option 2 the best - only b/c then I'll have nav capabilities and everything else that goes along with a carputer. Option 1 is obviously the cheapest, but doesn't seem like the best interface.

I guess I'm asking you guys what you would do in my shoes?

EsKALad · 11-23-2005, 10:10 PM

put a 7 inch touchscreen instead of the 2 units. however long it takes you to press a button on one of those headunits is the same as touching a touchscreen panel. and you get a cleaner factory look and alot more options.

Wiredwrx · 11-23-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rcurley55

While I really like the idea of a carputer and all its functionality, it's just not practical for my needs. I'm also hesitant b/c of dealing with FM, the glare in a touch screen and the boot up time. I know all of these things can be overcome, but I don't feel like building another in-dash bezel for a screen - and no Iwon't buy it either.

My dash is already holding a two din units and there is no where left for a screen:

I would really like to have all my music at my finger tips while driving. Because I'm using the DVA-7996 - a little older Alpine from 2004, their ipod adaptor doesn't seem to work that well - not a lot of lines for display.

I see 3 options really:

1. get an Ipod, run it's line out into my headunit or processor directly and use the click wheel for control - I can mold the base into the ashtray so it will stand upright and I can pull it out of the car at any time

2. mount a 7" or so touch screen in my sunvisor so I can control the carputer.

3. use a very small screen and relegate the carputer to just mp3 playback - it would be like a fast ipod

I sort of like option 2 the best - only b/c then I'll have nav capabilities and everything else that goes along with a carputer. Option 1 is obviously the cheapest, but doesn't seem like the best interface.

I guess I'm asking you guys what you would do in my shoes?

Maybe a little off topic, but, WHY 2 HEADUNITS?

I do not believe there is a 7in VGA and TS that will fit into visort with out some serious fabrication of the headliner and the visor, so I think that is out of the question, though perhaps it is possible.

Ipod is the cheapest and easiest option, and there are products that will allow you to control it with your I-Bus (Do a

search for some options)

The third option is possible, easy, and cheap.

Michael

rcurley55 · 11-23-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by EsKALad

put a 7 inch touchscreen instead of the 2 units. however long it takes you to press a button on one of those headunits is the same as touching a touchscreen panel. and you get a cleaner factory look and alot more options.

I agree with you - however, I need to keep my H700, the lower unit is it's controler, and I have no other place to put it really without losing my cig lighter - and I need that for charging purposes.

I should have also mentioned that I won't do a flip out screen either - I hate those things with a passion.

rcurley55 · 11-23-2005, 11:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

Maybe a little off topic, but, WHY 2 HEADUNITS?

Top unit is a dvd player, tuner and preamp - your basic headunit. The lower unit is the controller for a PXA-H700. It handles my equalizer, crossover, time alignment and a few other duties.

Quote:

I do not believe there is a 7in VGA and TS that will fit into visort with out some serious fabrication of the headliner and the visor, so I think that is out of the question, though perhaps it is possible.

Well the visor is about 1/2" thick - modification isn't a problem at all. I could lower the height of the visor to accomodate for the thickness. My biggest fear is that the added weight of the monitor will keep the visor from staying in the up position.

Quote:

Ipod is the cheapest and easiest option, and there are products that will allow you to control it with your I-Bus (Do a

search for some options)

I'll look at this, but my Ibus controls are all but dead I would think - the steering wheel controls have been modded with a pac swix to allow them to control the alpine.

Thanks for the comments everyone!

0l33l · 11-23-2005, 11:49 PM

http://www.phatnoise.com/products/di...yers/index.php

rcurley55 · 11-24-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 0l33l

http://www.phatnoise.com/products/di...yers/index.php

great idea, but my factory headunit is gone....no alpine version is available

Mark_318 · 12-17-2005, 12:32 PM

Does the DVA 7996r work with the KCA 420i Ipod interface adapter?? I have the DVA 9860 and use it with the ipod, but it suffers from a basic display, and the composite video output does not display a tracklist from the ipod. I used to have a 7996r, but never had an ipod at the time

I would buy another 7996r if I knew it would work with the ipod i have.

I have an E36 and it didnt come with on board computer, so the tiny clock and chewing gum shelf was an easy sacrifice for 7" screen. Not touch screen though

bertybassett · 12-17-2005, 12:49 PM

get the alpine ipod unit. The three line display isn't so bad.

Mark_318 · 12-17-2005, 05:04 PM

Ipod unit? what is that? dont mean to be ignorant, but i dunno what that is. if its a simple auxillary input, thats no good. When the ipod is connected through the kca 420i, the display and buttons are locked on the ipod, so control from there doesnt work. But the main good thing for me is that it charges the ipod while its on. Is there something new and fantastic that i dont know about???

rcurley55 · 12-17-2005, 08:58 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Mark_318

Does the DVA 7996r work with the KCA 420i Ipod interface adapter?? I have the DVA 9860 and use it with the ipod, but it suffers from a basic display, and the composite video output does not display a tracklist from the ipod. I used to have a 7996r, but never had an ipod at the time

I would buy another 7996r if I knew it would work with the ipod i have.

I have an E36 and it didnt come with on board computer, so the tiny clock and chewing gum shelf was an easy sacrifice for 7" screen. Not touch screen though

to my knowledge, yes the Ipod adaptor works with a 7996 - the R is the non-northamerican model iirc. I believe the 7996 was a 2004 model, so it should be ok. There are some limitations however to it's function.

Unfortunately, it has a very basic display... I'm waitting to see what alpine has out at ces, my hope is for a dual din nav unit with enhnaced ipod control and an optical out.

regardless, I"lll be getting an ipod

Mark_318 · 12-17-2005, 10:28 PM

I know the display is limited, but the unit i have now, is the 2005 dva 9860r... and its got an even worse display....

The 7996 I had, I had to return it as i spent £1,000 and he sent me a second hand unit with no remote... and refused to refund when he claimed i sent him back an empty box. My credit card company had to reverse the sale. I wasnt able to find another 7996 after that because it was discontinued. I got an ipod only recently for it, the adapter is small enough, i put mine behind the screen...

I just bought a second hand 7996 on ebay

only an hour ago, only thing im worried about... is finding out that the 7996 doesnt work with the ipod.

About the 'r' i dunno about it meaning north america, mine was 7996R and i bought it from a very dodgey Caraudiocentre.co.uk in england.

Uh Uh Uh, You didn't say the magic word !

Mark_318 · 12-17-2005, 10:30 PM

sorry curley... about the 'r' i didnt realise u said non-american. oops.
yea, i understand you now

PatO · 12-18-2005, 12:29 AM

Ugh... IPOD... If we were jumping on the bandwagon we'd all be running $1500 motorized HU's from Panasonic. Junky preppie sheeyat.

If you want street cred (albeit minimal) with more class - look at using an LCD or VFD. No NAV, but they can be tiny and give you much more than a mass-produced POS.

Or find a nice LCD - did you try looking for sub-6"? Where could you hide a 4"?

BassBinDevil · 12-19-2005, 04:49 PM

Run MPXPLAY (search...) with a cheap DIY parallel-port alphanumeric LCD display, and something like a PS2 numpad for control. It runs from DOS, so you could boot from a small flash drive. A pentium 1 (100 to 200 MHz) would be enough processor.

Or, Winamp can also run with a parallel port LCD display and stuff.

Or just buy an Omnifi DMP1 off Woot or Ebay for about $100, and save yourself a lot of time and probably money.