Call all of you experts/ rookie needs advice!

gfoulks · 08-08-2002, 11:17 AM

I would like to put a computer into my Pontiac Aztek. After looking at what I would like to do can you guys recommend what I should get (kind of looking for details to include websites) and if anyone would voolunteer building the system for me. (I'll install it myself the system is built)

Okay the system I would like would like this.

- A small footprint computer that could fit any of the following
1. Fit under one of the front seats
2. Fit in the glove box
3. Replace my current head unit

Note- If you replace my head unit then the system would need to be able to play FM/AM stations using my antenna

- The computer I think would need a combination power supply and UPS becuase I don't want to manually turn on and off the system. When the car is turned off I want the system to use Win2K power features and hibernate and when the car is started I want the system to wake up and start back where it left off.

- I guess I would like a 10.4 LCD screen that will be mounted to the dash (look at the center console and notice the two air vents, to the left of the air vents are see a cluster of switch (those are not on my model I want to mount the monitor here using Ram mounts)

- I want the computer to interface with my Delorme GPS which uses sound and speech recognition so I'll need a microphone that is good for in car use

- I want the sound to be integrated into my stereo

- I'll want to be able to play DVD's

- Later I will want to add a couple of LCD in the headrest for rear passengers

- When rear LCD's are installed I want the rear passengers to be able to watch DVD's while I have the GPS on the front screen

- I'll need a small keyboard maybe wireless. This way the keyboard can be stored in the side door.

- Not sure about a mouse? Should I maybe go with a touch screen?

I think this is it? Who can build me such a system and who can offer the best price?

Thanks,
Greg

novalis · 08-08-2002, 11:27 AM

I'll do it for $2100 USD. PM me if you're interested.

And personally, I recommend a touch screen, forget about the mouse.

phil.45 · 08-08-2002, 11:28 AM

/me runs for cover behind large rocks! Bring on the flames!

novalis · 08-08-2002, 11:29 AM

Hehe yah, did I mention:

/me puts on kevlar, and flame retardent body suit.

gfoulks · 08-08-2002, 11:33 AM

what are you guys talking about? Bring on the flames. Am I not allowed to post this? I want a in car system but don't have the talent nor the time to do it. I was thinking I would just leave to the guys who've been through the pain and knew what the hell they are doing. At the same time have a competitive bid for the best price.

Greg

phil.45 · 08-08-2002, 11:36 AM

Well, basically, anytime someone new posts questions like this they get shot down by hundreds of "Use the serach function" posts.

You may be lucky in finding someone to make it for you, but it wont be any cheaper than going into a car audio dealer and getting them to fit screens and a dvd player, and gps.

novalis · 08-08-2002, 11:44 AM

Yah, to be perfectly honest gfoulks, you're post wasn't all that unreasonable, but this is just not the right forum for it. We are all here to *build our own* capruters. This isn't a place to buy and sell complete systems. Unfortunately (as far as I know) such a place doesn't exist, so this probably is your best bet.

gfoulks · 08-08-2002, 11:46 AM

Then should I do something like this?

1. Buy a EzGo or a SUMICOM (are they any good?)
2. I need a monitor (I was thinking 10.4 but what brand? Who has the best price that includes Touchscreen)
3. PSU has really got me confused. I mean the EzGo and SUMICOM have DC 12v power put how do I make the rest work? (Hibernation when car is turned off and how to power the monitor)
4. I already have the GPS and software
5. DVD split with rear monitors and front?

Lastly- I'm done searching. I've been searching for months and the more I search the more confused I get. I would like to just ask the question and get a direct answer- this is what you do!

Greg

phil.45 · 08-08-2002, 11:52 AM

The absolutely easiest way you could do this is:

Get a Via Epia motherboard. This is small and has on board everything.
Get a "Sproggy" PSU and shutdown controller from Mastero (a member of this board, he has an online shop).
Find someone local to build you a case for your Epia.
Aquire (Buy!) a DVD drive, RAM, and Hard drive, plus cables. (Any good comp dealer can help with this).

Get a screen, look through the LCD forum for inspiration.

Plug it all in. Thats possibly the simplest "off the shelf" solution you could get.

novalis · 08-08-2002, 11:55 AM

Aah... Now we're getting down to business. Before we can answer a direct question, you have to ask one

1. It depends on what your goals are... If money is no object, and you want ease of installation, I'd go with the Sumicom. If you're on a budget, or want a smaller more technically challenging install, go for an Eden board.

2. Monitors are the hardest part. If you want a touch screen you almost have to build the monitor yourself (a few consumer options are available but they aren't cheap). The brand is really not important. What is important is A) size B) brightness and C) power requirements.

3. Power supplies are the other hardest part

Again, if money is no object, and you're iun a hurry, there are a couple of consumer options available. I forget the names off the top of my head, but if you scan through the recent power supply forum posts, you'll come across them.

4. Yup.

5. Possible, but not trivial. You're probably better off (because you don't want to build things yourself) using 2 separate computers for this. The thing is that you cannot *easily* run multiple displays off of one machine (especailly in a car where space and durability is a consideration). As far as I know, there really aren't any "consumer" options here.

gfoulks · 08-08-2002, 12:00 PM

Yes the Via Epia has come up in my travels. I even found a place that has cases for the board. However I've heard that the sound out of these boards was not that good.

I've researched trust me. I've got a favorites folder of about 85 websites and like I said the more I search the more confused I get.

I'll check out the froggy stuff and see what that is all about.

I could build the PC and have built PC's in the past. The biggest question I have or many 2 is 1) the power supply stuff for the PC and monitors and being able to shutdown windows when the car is turned off, 2) resonable monitors that won't break the bank but still deliver a good picture.

I'm not electricaly inclined and I don't have a ton of money to spare for making mistakes. ;-)

Greg

phil.45 · 08-08-2002, 12:00 PM

He could get an old creative DXR3 DVD decoder board. They have seperate composite out exclusively for DVD, so windows is displayed on monitor and DVD (or any MPEG stream) is shown simultaniously on the TV. Going this route would also have the benefit of taking the load off the CPU when the driver is using GPS at the same time. I have seen them rebadged really cheap recently.

novalis · 08-08-2002, 12:04 PM

Interesting, I had been wondering if such a thing existed...

Cheap displays simply don't exist gfoulks. You've either got to spend lots of money on them, or lots of time. Well, there is one other option... And that is to hang out in the For Sale forum here night and day until someone says "I can't take it, I'm selling my whole system cheap", and then you buy it from them right away before someone else does.

The power question just cannot be solved off the shelf. You really need to invest some time to customize it for your system and your needs.

gfoulks · 08-08-2002, 12:11 PM

Okay I want to put a resonably priced system in my car. However one of the big questions I have has to do with PSU's. I know absolutly nothing about building which if I hear correctly this has got to be done yourself.

What is a person to do?

Let's talk PSU's... can someone point me to these

<Quote>
Get a "Sproggy" PSU and shutdown controller from Mastero (a member of this board, he has an online shop).
<Quote>

gfoulks · 08-08-2002, 01:15 PM

What about this? Is this a good setup to startoff with?

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...&threadid=9986

Thanks,
Greg