CArringt

I've decided to change my setup from a flip out touch screen and mac mini to an apple tv and head unit. The apple tv solves all my sync desires. I can have it automatically update from my car via wireless network to hold all my latest media.

My question is:

Is there a headunit that can handle some soft of video input that would decent?

I know this is far fetched but is there a unit with hd composite input or dvi or hdmi.... something..?

What do you think the best solution would be?

BarryWoods

I don't see why some small lcd tv wouldn't work. I'm pretty sure the appleTV won't use a mouse so no need for the touch screen.

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CArringt

I have no doubt it will work. My question is in regards to connections and head units. What would be the best head unit & how can i connect it?

Jirka Jirout

I actually do. The Apple TV appears to be rather picky when it comes to screens (requires certain minimal resolution etc. even for the composite video output).


Alpine has a line of very good AV head units - IVA (D100, D310...) - they are not exactly cheap though.

monsho

as far as I can tell the Apple TV only has HDMI and Component video outs, so its going to be putting out at least a 720i signal....meaning you'll need an HD screen to view from it. I presume that the HDMI out won't be giving a video out as well (like the DVI out of the Mac Mini). Think this will be harder to implement than it looks...

Bugbyte

Since you'll be using Front Row as the interface, I don't think this is a problem. It should look okay using composite video. Not great, but okay.

I'm all for experimentation, but just exactly what is it that the Apple TV will provide you over and above what your Mini already does? Just the automatic update?

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CArringt

The mini is over kill. I don't use anything other then what exits inside front row. There's no great gps solution. And other functions are all novelties that i don't use while driving. I can get a head unit system that does gps, ipod, bluetooth, dvd, multiple monitors and takes the apple tv as a media hub.

Bugbyte

I see. It's just that you already own a Mini. That would make more sense to me if you were trying to decide between the two.

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CArringt

Lol... Now you sound like my girlfriend. I can better uses for the mini. Or i might try what
you thought of in aother thread about using the mini as the hub and the apple tv for the
back seats.

So Does anyone know of a head unit with composite RGB or hdmi? I found one with s-video input.

monsho

Component (RGB) or HDMI is a really different kettle of fish compared to s-vid or coposite, haven't heard of any small monitors with component in. I've been looking as I need a HiDef monitor for some work I do...

Never heard of a head unit which has those imputs....

www.workingcars

Now that sounds like a very good idea, but will the mini be capable or running 1 film on the front screen and another on the rear through Appe TV...??? Or would you downlad onto the Apple TV to be able to watch...???

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JC-S60

What about using a RGB -> s-video convertor? That should work...

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Bugbyte

The Apple TV downloads the movie across the airport connection, so there's only the file serving load on the Mini. Plus, the people using the Apple TV get their own remote and Front Row interface.

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iamgnat

Actually it probably wouldn't. On one of the detailed tech reviews I saw a few days ago they mentioned that the Apple TV has a minimum resolution of 480i which is higher than s-video and not something I think a simple converter would take care of for you. Unless there are HDTV car monitors yet, I don't think the Apple TV will work right now.

The other thing that I think is an issue is it's power supply. Unlike the Mini, the power supply is built into the Apple TV which means you will have to have an inverter. It is also unclear as to it's sleep/power up habits at this time and how you could manage it in a car.

-dave

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MINI4cathy

That's a nice, simple solution. At least the Mac part.

Powering the Apple TV (aTV) will require an inverter, which isn't a big deal. But providing power when the car is off may be needed. I think the aTV expects to be powered up all of the time. If you bypass the internal power supply, you'll have roughly the same power options as the Mac Mini. No cookbook for bypassing it exists yet, though.

The aRemote may prove a bit limiting or tedious, but that's a matter of your preferences.

I don't think there are headunits that accept video except for composite, so you may need a separate monitor. Many LCD displays use DVI inputs, but they're not small enough for the dashboard. You can use a component-to-RGB converter to connect a smaller monitor.

So then it's just a matter of the audio. If you want killer quality or surround sound, you could use an optical connect, but in a car it is likely that a simple stereo patch cable would sound as good for stereo. All you need is a head unit that supports Aux audio input.