jash7

okay guys so heres my delema. i want a car pc, but i don't want to be running it all of the time, so i would like an alternative. heres the kind of situation i'm looking for:

a flip out or stationary lcd touchscreen stereo head unit. these already play dvds and mp3s and stuff. what i want is to be able to link up my car pc so i can change the channel on the unit and use it as my car pc monitor (i would only use the car pc on long drives.) this can easily be done the only problem is that although it would display the car pc, i would'nt have control over it with the touchscreen.

anyone have any ideas on how to make this work?? the car pc won't be my primary system.

if anyone needs some clarification on what i mean feel free to ask, i hope i got my point across okay.

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pokki

would would you actually eb using the CarPC for?

jash7

i guess mostly storing media and to entertain the person in the passanger seat. can this be done?

hithere

In your case I'd suggest any head unit with a flip up monitor and an S-video or Composite input, mated to a Mediagate or similar compact, hard-drive based media player (player is basically a glorified bay for a standard computer hard drive that you add).

Anyone know of any stereo head units that can talk to a large USB or SATA hard drive?

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I have too much time and too little aggravation in my life, so I built a carPC. ;)

jash7

but then i won't be able to use the touch screen to cpmmunicate with the pc, it will just be a monitor. right?

hithere

Yes, it would then become just a monitor, unless you did some fancy-schmancy touchscreen overlay yourself.

__________________
I have too much time and too little aggravation in my life, so I built a carPC. ;)

jash7

yeah so makeing the touchscreen work is a no go then?
nothing i can do here?

DarquePervert

You could crack that headunit open, reverse engineer the touchscreen for a USB or serial PC connection and write drivers to control it....

Good luck with that.

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jash7

yeah that sounds pretty intense, i don't know if i'm up to it haha. unless theres a guide or something, any one have any ideas about not useing the pc as a primary and only system?

jash7

thanks for answering.

mightywombat

The best way to control your car PC is probably to hook up the PC so that it is bluetooth capable and then use a compact bluetooth keyboard and mouse/trackball.

jash7

thanks

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