Any Aussies Out There?

myminirocks · 02-19-2008, 03:56 AM

Hi all, first post, been lurking around for a few months but I am probably about 3 months away from buying a new car so starting to get serious.

Just wondering if there are anyone from down under on the boards?

Also, has anyone done a carputer install in a Toyota Avensis (the 7 seat family wagon, not the sporty little thing in most contries)?

So..... I want to use my current MacMini (being used as a HTPC in the house) with a 7" touchscreen in the dash but with a drop down screen from the roof.

I have been compiling a little shopping list I will need to get aprroval from the finantial controller (aka wife!) and want to make sure I cover off everything before I submitt it for consideration.

Am I missing anything?

MacMini-check
Carnetix power supply-needed
7" touch screen-needed
Drop down screen-needed
Mac Front end-suggestions (like the look of AMP but not the frontrow remote overlay)

Now the only thing I thinkI have missed (thank you Bugbyte for the Mac install 101!!) is the audio.

How are people getting the audio from the mini to the speakers (I will most likely be removing the standard headunit from the Avensis as it is a double din and need the room) Do I need to keep a head unit as an amp, something with AUX inputs? maybe not such a bad thing to keep a simple cd head unit as well so that if someone else borrows the car and just wants to turn the radio on they can without playing with the mini! If that is the case I think I will be better off using one of the 7" in-dash screens that take up a din and then a head unit in the other din.

Anyway this post is getting long, basically Hi, and a shout out to any Aussies and hope to chat (sponge your brains for info) to you all soon!

RedGTiVR6 · 02-19-2008, 08:21 AM

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/sear...archid=4612531

Plenty of Ausies.

As for Audio: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advf...iew&advfaqid=7

NeonDev · 02-19-2008, 10:00 AM

if you are gonna have 2 screens you will need some kind of additional hardware for that too

iamgnat · 02-19-2008, 10:09 AM

As far as the Audio, check out the FAQ section as there is lots of good info available. Specifically that should give you the basic ideas.

Since you are talking about getting rid of your HU, you will need at least one amplifier. I personally have 3 Amps driven by my Mini (headphone -> RCA -> 3 RCA splitters -> Amps).

The Car Audio forum here is a really good resource as well.

-dave

Bugbyte · 02-19-2008, 10:58 AM

What are you going to use the second screen for -entertainment or displaying the main computer information?

Cybix · 02-19-2008, 04:37 PM

Aussie here. Just click on my "CarPC specs" link under my username to see what gear I'm running. I've not installed it into the car yet, working on that at the moment.

For audio, my WRX factory kenwood double-din deck has an AUX in, which I'm using, it's perfect...

BGH · 02-19-2008, 04:54 PM

Another Aussie here. I previously had a carputer in my Magna VRX but have just bought an SS ute and I am currently building a new carputer for it. Using a mac mini like you. For me I will be running the sound from mac mini to an amp which will drive the speakers.

myminirocks · 02-19-2008, 06:46 PM

Wow, very active forum, cool.

Thanks everyone for your replies, looks to be heaps of aussies so that will come in handy soon I think.

I had a dream (yeah like Martin Luther, probably not so ground breaking though!) but I was thinking about having headphone plugs somewhere in the seats in the back so the kids can plug headphones in somewhere close to their seat, has anyone done anything like this?

Ideally I would like the drop down screen to be able to show something different to the front but I know I am not going to be able to do that with a MMini and unfortunately being the MacFan boy/windoze hater I am I just cannot even consider going to PC and build my own box.

Anyway, I'll do some more reading (I have only really read the Maccar forum) and check out the audio forum for some inspiration (dangerous!

)

iamgnat · 02-19-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by myminirocks

I was thinking about having headphone plugs somewhere in the seats in the back so the kids can plug headphones in somewhere close to their seat, has anyone done anything like this?

I haven't heard of anyone doing this, but it should be pretty straight forward.

Quote:

Ideally I would like the drop down screen to be able to show something different to the front but I know I am not going to be able to do that with a MMini and unfortunately being the MacFan boy/windoze hater I am I just cannot even consider going to PC and build my own box.

You could go with something other than a Mini (like a PowerMac/MacPro) which would allow you that add additional video cards. Another options some have talked about (not sure if anyone actually did it yet though) is to use AppleTV(s) for the rear screen(s) and have them use the Mini as their source server (e.g. create a network in the car).

The idea of different video sources for your screens could actually complicate your audio plan too depending on what you want. If you wanted the Mini to be the stereo and require the kids to use the headphones, then it is nice and simple. If, instead, you want the car speakers to be an output option for the rear screen then you need to able to switch between audio sources (Mini vs media players) as well as the output path (speakers vs headphones).

-dave

RedGTiVR6 · 02-19-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by myminirocks

I had a dream (yeah like Martin Luther, probably not so ground breaking though!) but I was thinking about having headphone plugs somewhere in the seats in the back so the kids can plug headphones in somewhere close to their seat, has anyone done anything like this?

Why go wired? There are tons of wireless head phone options out there. A bit of research will yield reviews and what not.

Bugbyte · 02-19-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by iamgnat

You could go with something other than a Mini (like a PowerMac/MacPro) which would allow you that add additional video cards. Another options some have talked about (not sure if anyone actually did it yet though) is to use AppleTV(s) for the rear screen(s) and have them use the Mini as their source server (e.g. create a network in the car).

I generally chime in here and suggest that you use an apple TV for the rear screen and leave the Mini as a server, but Dave beat me to it.

myminirocks · 02-20-2008, 07:13 AM

Yeah I do like the idea of the ATV in the back for the rear screen, like, really really like it and I can get my hands on a cheap one from a mate (of a mate of a mate you know how it is...)

BUT, i seem to read that the ATV is an issue to power because of the inbuilt ac/dc converter vs the mini's external brick. Anyone out there done it??

So yeah I guess to be clear I should state my dream set up:

Mini in the front, with access to the cd slot for good 'ol vanilla cd's
hooked up to a 7" touchscreen up front for control.

Either back seat display screen or a larger drop down screen for the kids.

Now the fun bit. Would love to be able to have audio and video to be split per application and sent to different outputs so that when we put on a movie it will be sent to the rear screens and audio (I like the headphone jacks idea vs wireless to save on cost/battery replacment etc) while the tunes can continue to play through the car speakers with visuals on the front screen (itunes artwork or something).

I know hardware wise this would be fairly straight forward, ie dual out sound card/video card etc but I really need to keep the costs down so if I can find a software solution.....

I regularly contribute on a number of Mac forums and there is a great little app that can split the audio out per app on the mini but it only works on the old G4 systems, not intel and my current mini is intel and the idea was to retire it to the car and update the HTPC inside, you know when Apple release the mini the size of an ATV with a Blue-ray drive

.

As far as splitting the video, I dont know.....

Anyhoo, it's midnight and I need to sleep..
Thx again guys, lovin the comunity already!

BiGGy · 02-20-2008, 07:17 AM

Hi. Im in QLD too. Good luck with the macmini install.

myminirocks · 02-20-2008, 08:03 AM

Hey biggy, yeah i read your entire worklog, seriously, you are going all out and I love it. can't wait to see the final.

might be hitting you up for fabrication tips one day, that whole console fab you did look awesome!

Hope you didnt get too flooded last week!

Bugbyte · 02-20-2008, 08:06 AM

The cheapest solution is dedicated hardware. If the kids want video and audio, an inexpensive DVD player and video screen will do it.

Of course, that isn't a 'car computer'. So, the cheapest setup I can envision is a piece of dedicated hardware (Apple TV) and video screen. That solves your multiple audio out issues, plus your multiple video issues. The price of a new video card and audio device alone adds up to nearly the cost of the ATV.

Plus, the new FrontRow allows plug-ins that are generating all kinds of cool apps and the ATV will use the Mini as a wireless server for the video and audio. The kids control their own system while you continue to use yours. Slick.

Power it with an inverter. Done.