FAQ / Summary of best bets for Input (In this Thread)

[Un_discovered]

I have a Sony Ericsson Z800i, which supposedly does the same thing, but I can't seem to get it to work.
So you should probably try it and make sure it DOES work :P

[Bizarro]

Anyone try one of these for USB?
Smart Cat Touchpad

[Un_discovered]

Yeah, a few people have moulded touchpads into their centre consoles and what-not.
I'm sure if you look around you'll find a couple.

[Mastiff]

I have three of these in my car: http://www.ergonomictouchpad.com/ Basically the same functions, without the plastic frame and the special drivers, which makes them easier to integrate in the car.

[Bizarro]

I was thinking more of the
Smart Cat 4
Smart Cat Pro with 4 buttons and 4 programable hotlink "buttons". It looked like it might make one handed selecting menu items easier.

[Chairboy]

I've used a ShuttleXpress in my car for years. It's epoxied to the front of the cup holder that folds out on my center console, and does everything I need right now. The jog dial is proportional fast forward/reverse. The software is good, I was able to configure it to press the fast forward key 5 times a second when the jog dial was partway forward, 20 times a second when it was further, etc. In MediaEngine, this gives me very precise and poweful skipping in audio tracks. I can skip 5 seconds or to the end of the song with a flick of the wrist, it's great.

I use the center dial to scroll up and down songs, the buttons are Escape (for going up a level in ME), Previous track, Enter, Next Track, and the Browse button. I can control 99% of my carputer without touching the screen.

[bambam]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fred

Hi all,

in my opinion this device is the best input option for in-car use:

http://contourdesign.com/shuttlepro/...ombo_image.htm

You can program nearly any action on the buttons and the jogwheel and use it blind (which may not be the optimal way to drive a car, however ).

Totally agree with you. I am finishing up a custom "shell" for this and will be mounting it my car. The device is amazing and able to be "programmed" for whatever program is in focus. I don't use the touchscreen anymore.

[bambam]

I've got a few other devices from ebay that I love.

There are certain occasions when I need a keyboard so I bought one of these


and it works amazingly well and has a great range. I have the dongle on my carpc located in the rear hatch area and it works flawlessly.

I bought it off of Ebay here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=007

I also bought this touchpad mouse because of it's size


and it does work as advertised and looks awesome on my console. It blends right in and can hardly be seen. I bought it here and highly recommend it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=018

Just my $0.02

[phillypharm]

anyone know if there's a program out there to use a pda as a touchpad for a pc? also if there's a program for an onscreen keyboard (ala iphone) for the pda that will let you input text on a pc? i think this would be ideal as it would leave a small footprint and key two birds with one stone

[sinus]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Touchpad-Mouse-U...QQcmdZViewItem

[agniusm]

I think this is perfect solution for remote. Small, neat, wireless.


First there was a winamp plugin rebuild by Dmitry Fedorov to a multimedia plugin. I didnt liked the OSD whenever the button was pressed so wheeler989 have changed a bit and it is working now flawless. Here is short descripion what it can do:

1) Normal operational mode will send multimedia keys like play/pause, next, prev, vol up and vol down to which ever application will process them.

2) Holding down Volume buttons will continuously send volume commands. Same for Next and Prev buttons.

3) Holding down Play/Pause button for one second and a half will switch between "Arrow Keyboard" and "Multimedia Keyboard" modes.

4) In "Arrow Keyboard" Play/Pause button is an Enter and other buttons are Arrows.

5) Holding down Play/Pause button for five seconds will shutdown the computer.


Keys Multimedia mode Keyboard mode Hold 1.5 sec Hold 5 sec
Play/Pause Play/Pause Enter Switch modes Shutdown
Next Next (Ch+ in WMCE TV) Arrow up
Prev Prev (Ch- in WMCE TV) Arrow down
Vol up Vol up Arrow right
Vol down Vol down Arrow left


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Griffin-AIRCLI...d=p3286.c0.m14

[tbird2340]

Quote: Originally Posted by agniusm

I think this is perfect solution for remote. Small, neat, wireless.


First there was a winamp plugin rebuild by Dmitry Fedorov to a multimedia plugin. I didnt liked the OSD whenever the button was pressed so wheeler989 have changed a bit and it is working now flawless. Here is short descripion what it can do:

1) Normal operational mode will send multimedia keys like play/pause, next, prev, vol up and vol down to which ever application will process them.

2) Holding down Volume buttons will continuously send volume commands. Same for Next and Prev buttons.

3) Holding down Play/Pause button for one second and a half will switch between "Arrow Keyboard" and "Multimedia Keyboard" modes.

4) In "Arrow Keyboard" Play/Pause button is an Enter and other buttons are Arrows.

5) Holding down Play/Pause button for five seconds will shutdown the computer.


Keys Multimedia mode Keyboard mode Hold 1.5 sec Hold 5 sec
Play/Pause Play/Pause Enter Switch modes Shutdown
Next Next (Ch+ in WMCE TV) Arrow up
Prev Prev (Ch- in WMCE TV) Arrow down
Vol up Vol up Arrow right
Vol down Vol down Arrow left

That is one of the best solutions I've seen.. I lost the steering wheel remote I had configured from my last carputer and have been needing to get another.. This would fit the bill.. It would be a lot better if it connected to the steering wheel though.

[witte_swe]

Hey guys, i come from sweden and is new here. i'm in the process of building an configuring my carpc. i have bought this keyboard:
thougth of sharing what i will be using



it's called:
Amitech Mini keyboard (don't know where you can buy it in the us)

can be connected to either pc or tv

mousepad up on the right

7m of range

9,5" x 4" x 1"

i've tested it on other computers and it's really confortable, i plan on mounting it to the dash instead/at the place of a 2din to be able to do small start/stop music, change track and volume while driving and also make it easy to remove and use hand-held when the car is standing still or for the passenger, the screen will be moved more to the rigth/in front of the passenger

[tbird2340]

Well my keyboard recently broke... Looking for a new solution.. Full keyboard but it must have a built in mouse.. Anyone have any suggestions?

[RussNelson]

If you want one-hand full-101-key keyboard, look at making yourself a Chordite keyboard. http://www.chordite.com/

I resell a bluetooth keyboard module which can be used to make a custom bluetooth keyboard. Linked off http://russnelson.com/ . 20% off for mp3Car users (but you must mention mp3Car).

Note that these are separate things. I bought a supply of the latter hoping to use them in the former, but mmmmm, not so happy-making. No access to the firmware, so FAIL. While they don't work for chordite, they can be made into a great little bluetooth keyboard.