How can I achieve this?

phatrabbitzz · 05-11-2004, 03:03 AM

I've been lurking these forums for awhile, and haven't really found an answer to what I am looking for. All I want is to watch .mpg and .avi files and to listen to FM radio and mp3's. Question is what's the cheapest and easiest way to achieve this?

gospeed.racer · 05-11-2004, 03:11 AM

Itx combo setup for around $400 and a $100 eBay special screen. Heck, I just sold one of my Itx as a full working desktop for $100. Look around for deals.

Of course, if you want to play a dvd, you need a dvd drive
and if you want to control it you need a keyboard, and or a touchscreen
and if you want to see it clearly you need a good screen ($250+)
and if you want a good power solution, you need an opus

If you build it cheap, you will do it twice, i guarantee it. You will quickly outgrow a cheap stsyem, and you probably wont like it to begin with. Do it right and take your time, it will be worth it in the end. While your saving up...

and

some more! There is really a TON of info here...you need to sort thru it and make decisions.

gubon13 · 05-11-2004, 03:41 AM

that "search" smiley is the hardest working guy on mp3car.com!

phatrabbitzz · 05-12-2004, 12:08 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by gospeed.racer

Itx combo setup for around $400 and a $100 eBay special screen. Heck, I just sold one of my Itx as a full working desktop for $100. Look around for deals.

Of course, if you want to play a dvd, you need a dvd drive
and if you want to control it you need a keyboard, and or a touchscreen
and if you want to see it clearly you need a good screen ($250+)
and if you want a good power solution, you need an opus

If you build it cheap, you will do it twice, i guarantee it. You will quickly outgrow a cheap stsyem, and you probably wont like it to begin with. Do it right and take your time, it will be worth it in the end.

Well, what if I get an Xbox and mod it. Then I could hook it up to a 7" in-dash LCD screen (and I wouldn't need VGA), and I could play DVD's, listen to MP3's and watch .avi and .mpg files. Wouldn't that be cheaper and easier?

gubon13 · 05-12-2004, 03:37 AM

I would think that it would be cheaper to use the x-box, but most in-dash screen are not cheap. That alone could easily push you over a home-made unit, and you wouldn't have VGA quality video, which sucks for dvd watching. Most non-VGA lcds are pretty low-res and that can really hurt when watching dvds.

Also, I'm not sure about how you would get the FM radio that you want, unless you're implying that you would be using the head-unit for this. I don't know how you would do this through the x-box (unless it can take a usb fm tuner).

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