FAQ? Newbie INfo?

VR4Lyfe · 04-23-2003, 06:10 AM

Hey wassup guys. I am starting a carputer project soon and I am jsut looking around for info right now.

I am decent at building the computer itself so theres not a problem there.

Problem is I am not a video guy so this LCD screen stuff is brand new to me, especially the stuff about touchscreens. (controller? custom cables? pinout?) I am used to just pluggin a VGA cable in the back of the comp.

But yeah. Newbie willing to read and learn. If anyone have a good FAQ or info site, please link me.

I want a touch screen with good video output. Was looking at a Xenarc 7" VGA touchscreen but tahts a little too expensive.

Anyone got a suggestions?

Thanks!

hijinks21 · 04-23-2003, 07:49 AM

pretty much with all that you are looking to spend around 300 if you are lucky. That is if you go the vga route.

VR4Lyfe · 04-23-2003, 12:29 PM

As I understand, for best quality out of a computer, VGA is the best way to go?

But i am probly wrong.

Anyone?

jzgt · 04-23-2003, 03:20 PM

VR4Lyfe,
Yeah, you're going to want a VGA display. It will be the most clear if you plan on viewing any text. What are your ultimate plans / goals for the setup (GPS, DIVX, DVD, etc)?

If you go the VGA route, you'll need:
LCD Panel
LCD Controller
LCD Inverter (For Backlight)
Hirose Cable (modified depending on the screen and controller you get)
Inverter to controller wire (you can make your own)
**Most importantly, get all the documentation you can on the parts you buy. For example, you'll need the pin assignments on your controller and lcd panel if you decide to buy them seperately.

If you also want a touchscreen, you'll need a touch overlay and a controller.

Let me know what your goals are and I can narrow it down a little.

- Jeff

VR4Lyfe · 04-23-2003, 04:01 PM

Ok. Here is the spec of the PC.

- Via Epia 1ghz motherboard.
- 512 mb ddr 266
- 80 gig hd
- samsung dvd/cd combo drive
- wireless NIC card

Now to get juice for all this,
- 150 watt power supply
- 200 watt inverter wired to the car battery

I definately want touch screen to eliminate the need for a keyboard.

Probly have a wireless keyboard in the back of the car for those times I really need it. (still looking for a foldable keyboard but probly will end up using a mini keyboard).

The PC will be used for GPS/DVD/MP3 for now. More features will be added later.

My cost for the PC is around $500.
My budget for the whole settup is around $1000.

What do you suggest?

I was going to buy the Xenarc from dscustom on the board for 400 but if you can help me find a cheaper alternative, thats great.

BTW, is there any controller/adapter needed for the Xenarc touch screen? Since its VGA display .. i am not sure.

VR4Lyfe · 04-23-2003, 04:08 PM

I was also lookin at the indash TM-701L from digitalww with the touch kit (comes with controller and everything!!).

How does these compare to the Xenarc? I dont think these are VGA, but what If i got an all-in-wonder card?

All in wonder cards have S-vid output. The monitor takes RCA input. Is there an adapter for this? Is there any quality degredation?

em00guy · 04-23-2003, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by VR4Lyfe
I was also lookin at the indash TM-701L from digitalww with the touch kit (comes with controller and everything!!).

How does these compare to the Xenarc? I dont think these are VGA, but what If i got an all-in-wonder card?

All in wonder cards have S-vid output. The monitor takes RCA input. Is there an adapter for this? Is there any quality degredation?

I think the tm701l would be perfect for you. I have not been able to find an inexpensive vga option unless you want a 12 inch laptop screen. I was a newbie like you only months ago. After extensive reaserch i can safely recommend the tm-701l for several reasons:

1: $ 360 usd will get you a 7" indash unit with touch screen kit installed and that price includes shipping! When you get it all you have to do is plug it in and go. If you wanne spend less you can buy the screen for $240 usd and upgrade to the touch later.

2: Though not a vga monitor, The screen is quite capable of displaing text on screen. However, The text will not be as sharp as a vga screen and text will be blurry @ high resolution. My discovery has been, unless you plan on typing papers in your carputer vga in not a necessity.

3:With the exeption of fine text, the screen functions impresivly as a computer display.

4: digitalww.com is going to be selling a vga upgrade kit. this means that as cash flow increases for you, you can later upgrade this already great looking screen for only $250 usd.

5: It is rumored that digitallww is excelent to deal with. great service and prompt shipping.

Read through this very informative post with pics:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...ghlight=tm701l

VR4Lyfe · 04-23-2003, 06:34 PM

The TM-701L sounds pretty tempting right now. But how would it connect to my comp? Turn out I cant get the All-in-wonder card because I only have PCI slot, no AGP.

I am very excited about this project right now.

Thank you for everyone's help!!

You guys are GREAT!

digitalww · 04-23-2003, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by VR4Lyfe
The TM-701L sounds pretty tempting right now. But how would it connect to my comp? Turn out I cant get the All-in-wonder card because I only have PCI slot, no AGP.

I am very excited about this project right now.

Thank you for everyone's help!!

You guys are GREAT!

You will need to find a video card with TV out. This is the only way (for now) to connect TM-701L to a computer. Do a search on "TM-701L" and see what others use.

Little excitement never hurt anybody but do a lot of searching and you will find all the answers

BTW, welcome aboard!

Armen

CrazyLittle · 04-23-2003, 08:15 PM

Well, get a PCI vid card with TV out, or buy a "Scan Convertor" (basically a VGA -> TV box)

You can get them pretty cheap on eBay, but the quality isn't always that great. Search eBay for "PC TO TV"... here's one listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=25321

(/self promote ON)
I've got a ATi PCI Radeon 7200, 32mb with TV-OUT that I'll sell for $40 + shipping. And I also have a right-angle PCI Riser card for sale too.
(/self promote OFF)

Oh, and Digitalww seems to have some pretty kickbutt service around here. I gave him a hard time for slacking at first, but he's since cleaned up his act. (j/k Armen!

)

VR4Lyfe · 04-24-2003, 12:06 AM

LoL

What exactly comes with the card? Are u willing to do 40 shipped. Sorry to be knickle and diming you but I am pretty poor after all this money on the comp. I didnt expect to have to buy a seperate vid card.

NJay · 04-24-2003, 05:01 AM

Is your motherboard one of the 1ghz Via Eden Range?

Unless I'm mistaken your motherboard should have both a composite and an S-video tv-out on it already?

I know my 800mhz version does as I'm using it in the car at present.

VR4Lyfe · 04-24-2003, 06:16 AM

Thanks for making me feel so dumb. Well, actually I deserve it. I actually bought this mobo.

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merch...egory_Code=VMB

S-vid AND RCA out. Guess I dont need that card after all.

Thanks.

digitalww · 04-24-2003, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CrazyLittle
Oh, and Digitalww seems to have some pretty kickbutt service around here. I gave him a hard time for slacking at first, but he's since cleaned up his act. (j/k Armen! )

Thanks for the support!

Armen

VR4Lyfe · 04-24-2003, 02:03 PM

Do you give bulk discounts for your touch screen indash digitalww?

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