DarquePervert

Someone answer me this...

The whole concept behind the Infill models (G4 & T3) is to have a consolidated all-in-one vehicle PC thgat's easy to install for the PC novice.
AS such, it delivers on that, and in spades.

Why bother tweaking it? If you want a system that you can tweak or build to your personal specifications, then just @#($*&#@$(*@!!!! build one! You'll save a lot of money in the process.

Big deal if you have a G4 w/ 1GB of RAM and a 16GB HDD. You still have an Infill G4.
Even if you run some other frontend on the unit, it's still a G4.

It's like taking a shiny new HP (or other brand) PC from Best Buy or whatever, then immediately upgrading the RAM and HDD on it. You still have the same base PC, only with more RAM & HDD. Whoop-dee-freaking-dee.

I guess I see it this way:
If you want to tweak and tinker and modify your setup, then build one so you can do that. If you want a clean all-in-one unit that's painless to install, then get an Infill model.

Sorry, but voiding the warranty on a $2000 piece of hardware just to add some gigabytes of storage space doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever.

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spiro

find me a case/enclosure in that form factor and I will gladly buy it!

One of the reasons we have carputers is the fact that we can have more storage than a fn IPOD!

another reason for building or buying carputers is BEEN ABLE TO TWEAK THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RedGTiVR6

The G4 has been designed as a solution for the mass consumer market. As such, it might not meet the needs of the usual hobbiest.

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DarquePervert

Maybe that's you. I never embarked on my project because I wanted to have something better than an iPod. I wanted more functionality than I could afford to buy gadgets for. Ultimately, I wanted a PC in my ride. Not an iPod. Not a TomTom. Not a bluetooth cellphone device. Not a headunit with USB or MP3 CD capability.



See, I look at buying a computer for your car and building a computer for your car as two very different processes. Buying one is for people who don't want to **** with it at all. That's who the G4 is for. Frankly, it's too damned expensive to start disassembling and modifying it.
It's far cheaper to build one from parts you collect yourself and tweaking it to your heart's content.

$2200 Infill G4 = NO TWEAKING
$400 pile of PC parts = Tweak Central

As Red stated. The G4 isn't aimed at the hobbyist. Frankly, swapping a HDD or a RAM module in a tiny formfactor pre-assembled in-dash unit doesn't make for much of a hobby to me.

now, if I were to lay hands on a demo unit or something for free or very low cost, I would certainly crack one open to see what I can do to modify the thing. That's how I am.
But as a tinkerer, I'm not going to purchase one just to have something to tinker with. I've got a half-dozen other PCs here that I can tinker with.

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Nola111

The G4 is available from other places in barebones form. Knock yourself out dude.

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spiro

Could you be more specific? a link maybe?
I counldnt fin it!

Nola111

Are you kidding? Did you try Google.com or were you sending out smoke signals awaiting a response?

There's a company in Germany that sells it barebone. I'm not posting a link here... even though I think that 40gb is definitely too small for any PC released past 2004, these guys are running a business and I'm not posting links here that will contribute to taking sales away from them.

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god_of_cpu

It has USB ports, it runs windows XP. You have virtually unlimited ways to tweak it with software and no shortage of USB hardware that will work on it including USB hard drives.

The only thing stopping you from opening it up and upgrading the hard drive yourself, is your lack of confidence in your ability to do it without breaking it. Our warranty is no different then any other hardware warranty. There is no company that I know of that will cover damage caused by improperly installing new hardware and we are no different. Adding a new harddrive won't invalidate your warranty, opening it up to add a new hard drive very likely will if you have problems that can be attributed to those caused by an inproper upgrade.

We would love to offer multiple hard drive or ram options ourselves, but we can't make it work at this time in a financially practical way.

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spiro

I did try Google......... and didnt find it (unless you meant the one selling as "barebone" but costs more than the full product...something like 1200.00 euros)
I dont believe you know what youre talcking about.! there is no need to defend the mp3 car team to me.... Ive been here since the beginning and have spend a lot of money at the store (my whole carputer system plus some extras...street deck etc)AND WAS FROM THE FIRST PEOPLE TO ORDER THE G4.(I m waiting for it to arrive)
The idea of forums is for the developing team to take a little constructive criticism as well as a lot of help in order to develop a nice product
I have a lot of respect towards the team, but here in America thats how we do business......the best team wins....
There is a plethora of links about all kinds of products that mp3car sells and no one is arguing about that
So please spare me the *** kissing stuff and help if you can or dont if you choose not to....in either case dont make assumptions about me

spiro

Thats why I already ordered it! and at some point I will probably open it anyway! and tweak it, I dont care about the warranty.
I was merely making the point that there is nothing wrong with people wanting to customise/tweak a product as the other person suggested.
I ripped out my $2,500.00 factory NAV in order to put in something that allows me to tweak it.

Take care!

Nola111

If you bought a G4 already why is this discussion even taking place? Also, I'm re-reading my post trying to find where I made any assumptions about you. Can't find it. Please point it out to me should you feel so inclined. Otherwise, back to the G4 folks!...

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spiro

I was just reacting to post#46.
People who are choosing the G4 over their factory NAV and entertainment units do so because they like to customize their systems
And I agree with Godofcpu that the G4 is highly costumizable but I strongly disagree with DarquePervert's statement that reads
"Why bother tweaking it? If you want a system that you can tweak or build to your personal specifications, then just @#($*&#@$(*@!!!! build one! You'll save a lot of money in the process."
The MP3car store's attempt for an all inclusive carputer for the masses is great, and I back them up 100% on there decision not to open the G4 and add an HDD because there is many people here that couldn't afford the extra expense, as far as im concerned though I would like to have the option, and not to have to add one through USB.
also because I love the form-factor I was looking to find an enclosure like that so I can toy around with my own hardware in it, (but i still haven't found the one you claim you came across).
I would buy an enclosure like that, not so that I dont have to buy the G4, but to maybe put a transflective screen in it and a big HDD etc...while I was still enjoying the G4 in my car in the mean time!

anyway... sorry folks for the lengthy, out of place post but thats my 2c

DAE51D

In response to http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/1050099-post45.html, I wanted to share this email I recieved, which was so much more polite and informative. Thought I'd post it here to help anyone else with these same questions (and even the same Scion tC), and also to impress upon mp3car.com how the forum posting was a bit offputting, and I felt as if it was condesending and scolding, whereas the email was genuine and thoughtful. Had I not gotten the email, I would most likely re-consider ordering from mp3car.com, but the email refreshed my dismay. Kudos to "Goce Evtimovski" (is that the person's name or some tracking info -- its' hard to tell )


There's only 1 SODIMM slot with 1GB MAX DDR2 capacity.

Right now they come with the 40GB drives and I've heard no plans to change that. They may change that eventually, but for the first couple of batches (next month or so) they will come preconfigured.

They come with the XP Home license and that will not be an option.

Yes, you can probably use other Wifi hardware as long as you have the drivers with it. You'll be on your own as far as support on any wifi issues that may arrise from using that other hardware, but it sounds like you know what you're talking about so you can troubleshoot your own connectivity issues.

Because the bluetooth stack that we're using only supports phone functionality and it can not coexist with a stack that supports regular bluetooth drivers. They will probably expand on the functionality of the current stack eventually, but for right now they'll probably keep it specialized until they get all the kinks out of it.

You'll have to keep track of the stylus that comes with it. There's no "holder" on the G4 for the pen.

The KR1 is a PCMCIA mobile router. It takes a PCMCIA 3G card (supports 4 or 5 PCMCIA card models) and it functions as an Ethernet router and a wifi hotspot.

There is an illumination functionality built-in (if wired properly) that dims the screen when you turn your headlights on. Also, day and nighttime screen brightness can be controlled from within StreetDeck.

Yes, you can hear the fan if you don't have any music playing.

My coworker has a Scion tc coupe with an infill G4 and he had to take the cover out. Also, there's space around the G4 in the cubby, so you will probably have to get a double din installation kit for your Scion, or do custom work to cover the empty space up.

Yes the Reverse camera will work on your tc as long as you connect the "reverse" wire on the G4 with a reverse wire on your radio harness. If you don't have a reverse wire on your radio harness then you will have to tap into the reverse lights wiring to make it work.

The brown wire would connect to the steering wheel control wire coming out of your radio harness (if you have one). Right now it is not functional, but it will most likely be in future StreetDeck updates. If you have steering wheel buttons for your radio, you would eventually be able to use these buttons to control your music playback.

There are no Linux drivers at all for the unit. You don't just need drivers for the VIA chipset, but power supply control, face buttons, screen tilt, etc... and nobody can provide those drivers but Infill, and they don't support Linux on the G4.

We don't have the Infill Station software due to contractual obligations. You'll have to contact Infill directly.

Sincerely,

Goce Evtimovski
Mp3car CS

DarquePervert

I disagree. I think people will buy this because it's 'blingy', i.e. it looks cool and you can be the first OG in your 'hood to have a PC in yo' ride.
Fo shizzle.
Yeah, that's a charicature that's painted with some very broad strokes on my part. Mark my words. You're going to see G4 units (as well as comparable models on the horizon) in that bass-bumping hooptie that the local thug uses to annoy his neighbors and impress his homies.


It's one thing to tweak through software. StreetDeck (which what you get for a frontend if you purchase the G4) can be tweaked to add all sorts of functionality, different skins, colors and an entirely different look and feel.

Again, I will state that the target market that mp3car.com is aiming for with the G4 is not the hobbyist or tinkerer that is going to want to mess with the internals of the G4.
Their target customer is just fine with adding a USB hard drive for more storage instead of replacing the internal hard drive. They wouldn't dream of replacing the GPS with a UBlox module that supports dead reckoning. And cracking that sticker that says WARRANTY VOID IF REMOVED is the furthest from their minds.

Having seen one up close and in person and learning about some of its capabilities, I can assure you that many of you (I hesitate to say "most of you", although I think it applies) would not go with a G4 in their ride because of those limitations.

Whether or not you believe it, this isn't a unit for tinkerers. This is a unit for people who want a complete, easy-to-install, all-inclusive vehicle computer product. The G4 is that, and in spades.


Nobody says you can't crack open your G4 and upgrade the HDD.
You simply don't have the blessing and support from mp3car.com, assuming that's where you purchase it.


As far as I know, there is no such enclosure. People have made their own.
I think that the Mechatronix bezel for Lilliput screens is a damn good place to start for such an enclosure.
Obviously, if you haven't the means, tools, time or skills to fabricate something suitable to your needs/wants, then you've got a lot bigger challenge.

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mhk

Just curious. I ordered the infill with the streetdeck software. If I got a hold of the infillstation software would it be possible to install that as well and use both?

thanks