Mini Mac 4 Porsche 944

4thChild · 10-08-2005, 11:22 PM

Been reading the Mac threads now for awhile and felt like it was time to join in. I have decided to go with the Mini Mac; mostly due to its size and nothing to do with the lack of a Front End. LOL The Porsche 944 is very limited on space but does offer a Double DIN. Heres a run down on what I have so far:

'87 Porsche 944
Mini Mac w/Bluetooth & AirPort built in
LilliPut 7" (Will fit nicely into the existing double din)
Radioshark (Powered by Mini)
Belkin USB2.0 6 Port Hub (Powered by Mini)
Carnetix P1900
iMic (for mic in and voice controls)

Nothing is installed yet as I'm still putting it all together but I'll give you a list of my likes and don't likes so far. Any input is appreciated.

1. I love the Mini Mac - Fast, powerfull, just the right size. I'm very slow learning as this is my very first leap into the Mac world, but so far so good.
2. LilliPut - not so happy with this purchase as it seems to remain blurry no matter how I connect or configure it. I have tried playing with all possible resolutions and Lilliput menu settings; still blury. The touch works great. I plan on installing it with a swing so I can store the Mini behind it and will have access to the DVD Player.
3. Radioshark - wow this thing is totally cool. It was very easy to install and get running. Is powered by the Mini and I really hope thats not a problem.
4. iMic - again plug and play, works like a champ and I have played with creating keyboard commands that respond to voice to run iTunes. Works good, but limited amount of commands; trying AppleScripting for some more advanced features in the AM. Is is also powered by the Mini and it also concerns me some.
5. Belkin Hub - Very cool device, plug and play; was nothing to setup and fits perfectly under the Mini Mac. This is good because I plan on putting some foam pad under the hub to help absorbe some of the road shock, thus allowing the air to flow into the Mini with out having to sit on the foam. Powered by the Mini. It has the radioshark and iMic plugged into it. Firewire and USB's run from the hub to the Mini for connection. It also has a USB and Firewire on the front which will be great as I plan on having the Lilliput on a swing arm which would expose these connections for quick connecting.
6. P1900 - Let me just say its cool to look at.

I have done nothing with this yet. I did order the special little cables for the power button though. Hope to get to it soon.

I really love iTunes. I have loaded over a couple thousand songs already and I love its features. I'm holding off on the GPS for the moment as more research is still needed. Once I get around to looking at Route 66; I guess I'll decide to buy it since is the only one out there for the Mac.

All that remains is a FRONT END, guess all of us MAC folks know that. (Newbies included) I've played with everything thats out there and I like CCar best so far, but I notice there has been little recent development. Still my favorite so far.

Just joining in on the chat.
4thChild

PS The need to buy list:
Amp as the headunit has to go, hence the radioSHARK
Route 66
Rear Cam
Powermate Knob - this might be better than the voice commands

avidan · 10-09-2005, 04:57 AM

welcome 4th child. The mac mini is amazing.
a couple things.
I would recommend powering your usb hub. I have had sleeping issues with hubs powered off the mini. check out carnetix forums, there was a bunch of discussion.
as far as a front end, check out TatraApp, its the ORIGINAL apple frontend for a car. And tatra has it opensource, so there will always be development work on it. I tried CCar, but when it started crashing, i had nowhere to turn.
im actually about to start another thread with sad news of my install, but good luck to you.

4thChild · 10-12-2005, 02:28 PM

Picked up the Powermate today, I'll give it a try and post some results.

4thChild · 10-12-2005, 08:18 PM

Loven the powermate! With iTunes I can control the up, down, click-down, click-up, click, long-click options and program each to perform any key command. It makes selecting and playing songs very very easy. So far so cool.

bdrezner · 10-14-2005, 02:48 PM

Hey 4thChild,

If you plan to install a GPS receiver, you may want to consider powering your USB hub as they draw a lot of juice. The P-1900 has an optional "5v 3rd rail" you can use to power your hub. (And you're right, Mike Hooper did a fantastic job designing the P-1900... Little details like mounting the resistors to the side of the aluminum case for maximum heat dissapation, are just plain great!)

Happy installing! I'm going to put mine in this weekend!

4thChild · 06-14-2006, 10:33 AM

Been out of commission for awhile on my install due to a move, but back now. Just ordered the MacPac cable to connect her up to the P1900 and also ordered the 3rd output option for the P1900 as Im hoping to power the Mac, Xenarc, and USB (per avaidan's suggestion). Now researching the audio options and amps etc. Im not overly concerned with massive audio sound as the speakers in the Porsche 944 are old and difficult to replace, hence, Im just going for decent sound. I dont want to keep my headunit, can anyone recommend a good amp to use and some guidance on wiring configurations? Cheers

Sharkbite86 · 06-16-2006, 01:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 4thChild

Been out of commission for awhile on my install due to a move, but back now. Just ordered the MacPac cable to connect her up to the P1900 and also ordered the 3rd output option for the P1900 as Im hoping to power the Mac, Xenarc, and USB (per avaidan's suggestion). Now researching the audio options and amps etc. Im not overly concerned with massive audio sound as the speakers in the Porsche 944 are old and difficult to replace, hence, Im just going for decent sound. I dont want to keep my headunit, can anyone recommend a good amp to use and some guidance on wiring configurations? Cheers

well i duno about you but im planning on using the griffing firewave and plugging all that into a 4 channel amp to power the 4 speakers in my car. the only problem with an amp is the powerwiring, you need to run a fresh line from the batt in order to get the most reliable connection (and to prevent burning up stock wire).

I also plan on getting a powered subwoofer because they are small and you dont need and external amp (amp is built in). I would check out http://www.crutchfield.com/ they have all kinds of info on how to make the best out of your car audio...

4thChild · 06-16-2006, 02:55 PM

Thanks Sharkbite, Ive been checking the threads on the Firewave. Need to look it over better before deciding.

Sharkbite86 · 06-16-2006, 03:04 PM

Actually on better thought you probably could replace your car's speakers without too much trouble. Just go to http://www.crutchfield.com/ look up speakers and punch in your car. The website will automatically look up what speakers will fit in your car. When you buy the speakers from the website they will even include custom intructions for your car on how to install the speakers! It really is the best place to get car audio stuff hands down.

There is also a trove of info on how to install amps and they have a large selection of powered subs. Im planning on getting the Kenwood KSC-SW1, it's small enough to fit under a seat and has decent sound...

anyway sorry if i have gone on too much.

airspeed · 06-19-2006, 07:35 AM

Would love to see a picture of your completed project...
Am new here, hope to share experience and ideas.

4thChild · 06-19-2006, 09:39 PM

Ok, finally sometime this evening to get working. I installed the +5V to the P1900 and set the jumpers. Hopefully I set the jumpers correctly. Im using a MACPAC cable so powering the MacMini was a snap. I'll use the secondary power for the Xenarc monitor. I'll use the new third power supply for the USB or AMP, not sure yet.

Large book in the back is the Porsche 944 Electrical manual which shows 3 options for Radio installiation and Im not sure which one I have. One shows a seperate AMP installed somewhere in the car already which would be ideal. Id like to tap into what already exists since I have not purchased the amp yet. (Not likely my car though.) Checking with the Porsche 944 guys on this.

4thChild · 06-19-2006, 09:44 PM

Below are before and after shots of the monitor placement options. I would really like a clean monitor install and the Xenarc almost fits perfectly. The bottom 1/4 of the monitor is to large to fit exactly which means I would need to cut the double din at the base of the install. Or I may place the monitor behind the plastic double din trim. Placing the monitor behind would recess the monitor about 3/4 to 1 inch and Im not sure how that would look.

Another option is to have it sit as in the picture with an arm that would swing and allow me to access the DVD slot on the mini with out jumping through hoops.

What do you experts think??

airspeed · 06-20-2006, 05:50 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 4thChild

Below are before and after shots of the monitor placement options. I would really like a clean monitor install and the Xenarc almost fits perfectly. The bottom 1/4 of the monitor is to large to fit exactly which means I would need to cut the double din at the base of the install. Or I may place the monitor behind the plastic double din trim. Placing the monitor behind would recess the monitor about 3/4 to 1 inch and Im not sure how that would look.

Another option is to have it sit as in the picture with an arm that would swing and allow me to access the DVD slot on the mini with out jumping through hoops.

What do you experts think??

I would love to see a clean install with the monitor behind the plastic trim.
Looks OEM, but customized. Only that the space behind the monitor will be wasted.

Could do with the arm, but remove the Xenarc casing and just mount the LCD with probably a bit of a plastic trimming.
Just my opinion.

So where are you gonna put the Mac Mini?