Screen recommendation

Blipman · 03-11-2006, 11:25 PM

Hi guys,

I'm planning on taking the jump and building a car PC and I'm trying to decide on which touchscreen to go with.

I understand a VGA screen is the way to go, it will likely be running Frodo Player so I THINK the resolution I want is 800x480?

The screen will be integrated into the current location of the existing double DIN head unit here:

so it doesn't need to be motorized, and I plan to fabricate it such that it looks like a factory install.

About the only other requirement is that I will want a reversing camera so extra RCA inputs would be nice.

So, what do people recommend? I was planning on a Lilliput but there seem to be reliability issues, is that a fair comment? What other alternatives are there that are best?

Many thanks,

Ben

pancakeboy · 03-11-2006, 11:44 PM

Please someone reply to this.

I was going to post the same question but i have not started fabricating yet. I have the 1991 ls400/celsior. On this dash there is no trim piece to fabricate with. I was thinking to take a piece of abs plastic and cut out a place for my monitor on it. Just fyi, I have the sp7 wide screen (Very Nice

)i bought from the mp3car strore and it wont fit just taking the radio out, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch to tall. I was going to take out the ashtray so i have enough room for my aftermarket headunit and my screen. My trac doesnt work anyway. I could mold new buttons for my seat heaters.

0l33l · 03-11-2006, 11:58 PM

Move AC unit down. Remove radio. Now you have space for a 7" LCD

pancakeboy · 03-12-2006, 12:50 AM

Unfortunatly, you cant move a/c down.

If you look closely, the dash gets smaller like a V. you can only move it down like a inch and a half at most. Even if you could it wouldn't give you any more room than before with radio out. What about Fab process. Bondo, Epoxy, Abs poxy weld, Fiberglass? Suggestions?

0l33l · 03-12-2006, 12:55 AM

Ok... so then put the screen in the location of the radio. Looks like it would fit. Maybe w/o the housing.

pancakeboy · 03-12-2006, 01:22 AM

Yeah It'll fit without the housing, just relocate the buttons. That may work for Blipman, if he is going headunit-less, but i wanted to fit my headunit in the dash too. It has a nice on-screen display, and i dont want to waste the money i spent just to fit the screen in there. Just fyi, i am fitting my screen, headunit, and a usb hub in there.

Blipman · 03-12-2006, 05:17 AM

Pankcake boy! You're my new best friend!

Keep me posted on how your install goes and I'll do the same.

My car is actually still in Japan and will be shipped to me (in Australia) soon so I haven't started measuring things yet, I was planning on moving the climate control down but could see it may be a problem, I guess if you've measured it there just isn't enough room

I was planning on putting the screen in the existing double DIN location, what do you need a head unit for if you've got a PC?

In terms of getting the screen in there, I was planning on making a flat sheet to cover the hole out of plastic or wood, cut out a hole, put the case in te hole and secure, then fill in the gaps and it will look flush... should actually be a lot easier than some cars.

As to my original post.... anyone?

Ben

pancakeboy · 03-12-2006, 04:56 PM

Blipman...I kept my headunit just so on short trips i can choose not to boot up the computer and rely on it just to listen to music. Also if anyone else drives the car(not likely

), and dont know what they're doing, they can listen to the cd player. I was thinking of filling the space with abs plastic and cutting a hole for screen, epoxy, then bondo flush, but i will be removing the ashtray...

Trancerush · 03-12-2006, 05:02 PM

Hey. I might have the answer to Your questions.
I have the same car (LS400 here in the states) I will send You some pics of my install. I removed the radio and ashtray and I got 7" XENARC right below it sloat loaded DVD and below DVD remapped push buttons from XENARC.
If I was going to do all this again, I'd definitely go with 8" since there is enough space. If You got the funds for 8" dont settle for less.
I will get home, hten I can post some pics of what I have.
GOOD LUCK - Sebastian

Scouse Monkey · 03-12-2006, 05:02 PM

what the hell is that on the passenger side of the dash?

mp3oplecarrier · 03-12-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

what the hell is that on the passenger side of the dash?

Thats what I was thinking! It looks like my nans old sideboard from the '60's!

Scouse Monkey · 03-12-2006, 05:13 PM

looks like some kind of drinks holder with coasters

mp3oplecarrier · 03-12-2006, 05:16 PM

This is where we are going wrong installing pc's tv's etc...

A bar, that's what we should be fitting!

Scouse Monkey · 03-12-2006, 06:01 PM

well i could hang a fruit basket from my rear view mirror and have a blender and ice box for smoothies! gonna need a bigger inverter though as my blender is 500W

Trancerush · 03-12-2006, 08:51 PM

Oh ****! Ha, ha, ha

;0