Apple Tv (what head unit?) - Page 3

Bugbyte · 03-26-2007, 11:21 PM

I thought that wiring up linear regulators in parallel wasn't a good solution. Something about the different regulators having slightly different resistances and more power being drawn through the lower resistance regulator.

I remember a thread on the forum where some kid insisted he could build a PC power supply out of a bunch of them. He eventually lit it on fire, I think.

mrandersonn · 03-27-2007, 12:44 PM

If you can find a screen/lcd/head unit that supports Sync on Green, then a simple RGB component to VGA cable will suffice. These are hard to come by and going from HDMI to DVI to VGA will not work because unlike DVI, HDMI does not have any analog connections to fall back on and thus attempting to convert an HDMI connection to VGA will give you nothing.

You're either going to have to come by a display with SoG or a wide array on inputs. It's going to be a pain to get the Apple TV working and seeing that you already have a Mac Mini, and enough people have used them in their own builds, I think it would be the easiest way to go about it.

CArringt · 03-27-2007, 06:44 PM

I already had a mac mini install and now i'm changing it. You don't read very welli this isn't about which i should chose. It's about making the apple tv work.

I already had a mac mini install and now i'm changing it. this isn't about which i should chose. It's about making the apple tv work.

i don't plan on using a vga input. This is a pioneer head unit, i plan on using the nav-rgb input.

i read about hacking this input In the "car pc hacks" book. I'll check it out tonight and post a copy of the book.

ConfusedAmused · 03-29-2007, 03:03 PM

I hope you've got a very well ventilated spot to put the aTV in your car because it regularly runs extremely hot, approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit. II agree that I'd love to see it in my car, especially after upgrading the hard disk to a bigger size, but t's still very new and I'd be concerned about this thing catching on fire.

CArringt · 04-01-2007, 12:40 AM

Apple tv hacked to run full version of mac os x 10.4.8

Apple TV Hacks

What is the best solution for converting HDMI to VGA?

CMillet · 04-01-2007, 04:55 AM

Yes now that Apple TV has been hacked to run OSX it is a perfect solution just about, if all your wanting to do is some multimedia center in your car. It has Optical audio out and so forth making it very nice for people that have a Alpine H701 setup and what not. Also why worry about converting HDMI to VGA? Why not just use the component outs to VGA? and use the USB port for touchscreen ability? I mean with an apple tv you could have an entire setup for the price of just a Mac Mini. I bet it could even run Google earth for some random navigation setups if needed.

Jirka Jirout · 04-01-2007, 06:38 AM

It only has 256 MB of RAM! You would really have to heavily optimize (read as "trash everything but the most essential stuff") OS X to run acceptably.

I will definitely get one to connect to the rear 17" screen in my car, but only as an addition to the Mac Mini, not its replacement.

nickmgray · 04-01-2007, 03:40 PM

After watching a few videos about the Apple TV OSX hack, I think that this could be the best thing to happen to carputers in years. For people looking to use a mac this should be a great cost saver and I'd imagine that in time (probably a few days) we will see boot camp running and windows xp will be popping up on Apple TV's across the country.

There are a few hitched that need to be worked out for an Apple TV carputer (power connection/management and touchscreen) but I'm sure we will find a way in no time.

So... anyone willling to take the leap and start working on one? My wife will give me a budget to work with as soon as she knows that someone else has done it. She does not like me taking risks.

appleaday3k · 04-01-2007, 04:28 PM

I am looking at getting a Apple TV for my car also. My questions are:
Power: What is the best way to get it to the trunk? Inverter?
Touch Screen: Anyone know of any that are apple tv friendly
Shock: Two 10' subs can't be good for the hard drive. Anyone know how I can mount this so I don't kill the hard drive?

pepsibobby · 04-01-2007, 05:00 PM

i have two 12 inch subs right next to my mini, i have never had any issues. i have had the mini for almost two years./

CArringt · 04-01-2007, 10:00 PM

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/KD-VA5.htm

Nice component to vga
what would be the best way to be able to switch the video and audio between and apple tv and a mac. both will be hooked up to Lilliput GL701NP in dash.

blown_mx5 · 04-01-2007, 11:04 PM

CArringt: I understand your situation, but at 375 plus 300 for the apple tv, anyone making this initial purchase is over the base price of a mac mini. I found a 700 watt inverter for 50 bucks vs. 150 for p1900/p5v/macpac. so around $25 difference. that 25 dollars gets 256 mb more memory and an optical drive. I'm not telling you not to do it, just giving those reading this thread something to ponder.

nickmgray · 04-02-2007, 07:52 AM

that link listed above is for a dual input switch from component to vga. the price for a component to vga adapter is typically under $20. A quick search on Froogle shows quite a few options for under $20

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...oogle&ct=title

CArringt · 04-02-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by blown_mx5

CArringt: I understand your situation, but at 375 plus 300 for the apple tv, anyone making this initial purchase is over the base price of a mac mini. I found a 700 watt inverter for 50 bucks vs. 150 for p1900/p5v/macpac. so around $25 difference. that 25 dollars gets 256 mb more memory and an optical drive. I'm not telling you not to do it, just giving those reading this thread something to ponder.

Here's something for you to ponder. I had that setup in my car before you were a member here. for the last time... I know the prices, I know the setups, this is about getting it done with an apple tv.

CArringt · 04-02-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by nickmgray

that link listed above is for a dual input switch from component to vga. the price for a component to vga adapter is typically under $20. A quick search on Froogle shows quite a few options for under $20

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...oogle&ct=title

Yeah I know, I'm actually considering a couple different things along with the apple tv. Like having a dock built in to charge my laptop and transfer more capabilities to headunit. so I guess I'm really looking for a

RGB+audio(input 1) VGA+audio(input 2) = vga+audio(output)

I have a IOgear KVM switch with usb that switches two vga/audio/usbx2 devices:

http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GCS632U

Laying around the house, but from what I can remember, you have to assign a hot key and then hit that key or keystroke in order to swtich between devices, there isn't a manual button.