I'm almost there...just trying to plan in advance...

RavenII · 10-05-2009, 11:25 PM

Being a long time car audio nut...the prospect of installing a PC in my car has been a LONG time dream...well, I'm about to make it happen...but I need input. I have a huge feeling that I'm over looking something. It almost seems too easy.

Intel D945GCLF2
Mo-Co-So Case
M4-ATX PSU
Bluetooth/WiFi adapters
Tiny KB from the store here
Griffin volume knob
8" Liliput widescreen (unless there's something better/cheaper)
Directed HD tuner
USB TV (ATSC) Tuner
USB Hub(s)
Maybe a slot load drive...don't know if I'll really use it.

Amps are A/D/S (Interior) and Eclipse (Sub)

A few questions.

Am I forgetting something?

USB or BT GPS? (I already have a Cellink BTG-7000 already)

How does one power the USB hubs?

I plan on using the on-board sound (front, rear, and sub)...am I going to be disappointed?

and on that note, if I'm taking up the 3 jacks on the back...how will I hook up the HD radio?

Thanks in advance.

DarquePervert · 10-06-2009, 06:25 AM

The M4 won't fit in the MoCoSo case. The M2 is the only bolt-in PSU that has a chance of powering that setup. An M1 will fit in the case, but is insufficient.

TV tuners in a moving vehicle are a waste. Be prepared for craptastic reception on the TV if you decide to run with it.

If you want a volume knob, I suggest using an EQ that has a master volume knob. Using the Griffin is a good idea, but if the PC locks up with something playing at full volume, the Griffin will be useless.

USB GPS units are better only because you don't have to fiddle w/ bluetooth connections.

I doubt you'll be disappointed with the audio quality.

Get a USB hub that takes 5vDC and power it from the PSU's 5v rail. Or get these for a premium price: http://store.mp3car.com/DC_Powered_4..._p/adt-015.htm

You need one of these for all your audio inputs: http://store.mp3car.com/USB_Audio_Se..._p/aud-003.htm

Forgetting?
The specialized cable for the HD Radio unit (you may have factored that in).
Additional wiring parts for power, audio, etc.

Bugbyte · 10-06-2009, 08:29 AM

Thread moved to proposed setup.

soundman98 · 10-06-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

If you want a volume knob, I suggest using an EQ that has a master volume knob. Using the Griffin is a good idea, but if the PC locks up with something playing at full volume, the Griffin will be useless.

a non computer based volume knob is a must if you tend to lean on the volume for good songs-- i tried using the touchscreen volume controls, and they were never fast enough to adjust to a moderate volume near stoplights, it took about 5-8 seconds to go down from almost all the way up to halfway-- which is too long if you really really need to turn it down to avoid flashing lights... there was also about a 1-2 second lag in the time it took for me to push the button, and the sound would audibly lower-- but this is also related to computer setup... been using some jl audio cl-rlc volume preamps-- and have been working great.

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

I doubt you'll be disappointed with the audio quality.

but if you are, look into getting a sound card, and avoid Creative brand products (many problems with systems not booting, or taking forever to boot, or drivers not working).

RavenII · 10-06-2009, 10:03 AM

First I wanted to apologize for not putting this in the right forum...if I spent an extra 3.4 seconds I would have seen the correct forum...

Pervert/Soundman...See, that's the stuff I mean, I would have never thought of the volume/lock up issue at all and would have been screwed...good call on that one.

Now that I think about it, I have an Alpine PXA-H600 burried somewhere in my room...I could use optical, leaves my other options open. Only problem with the H600 is that I think the input circuit has an issue...I get a whine (definitely not external grounding issue)...maybe I'll actually try to fix it...or maybe it'll be non existent with optical...

I've read tons about the sound options (since I LOVE good sound in a car) and I've seen many threads on the Creative issues.

As for the M4-ATX, I'm going to mount it externally in it's own enclosure with a little fan.

TV tuner....I figured that it being a digital signal...it would be different. But I do agree...I used to look at people like "are you nuts" when they said they wanted an analog tuner (back when I was working at a shop as an installer). TV Signals aren't made to be used in a moving environment. Unless you do what we did to Pippen's H2...Satellite.

Great input though, thanks for that. More is welcome. I've been out of the mobile electronics scene for a few years and I need to get back into the swing of things.

soundman98 · 10-06-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by RavenII

Great input though, thanks for that. More is welcome. I've been out of the mobile electronics scene for a few years and I need to get back into the swing of things.

i've been sitting on the sidelines for a while-- there really doesn't seem to be much that has changed over the years. certain companies have made headway in smaller, class d, full range amps, and also in the way of external audio processing units(audison bitone), but most of this stuff is still the same, just a different look. in fact, it seems that most car audio people shy away from computer driven systems--most prefer headunits and external eq's.

RavenII · 10-06-2009, 10:40 AM

You know...I faded out of car audio once D Class amps came into play. I HATE the way D class sounds for full range...hell even sub, but I had to deal with it. I love my Eclipse dead heads (no built-in amp). I can't stand Alpine sound, but Eclipse doesn't make an independently controlled EQ. Zapco came back with full Class A amps which is awesome. I hope car audio moves in that direction again.

RavenII · 10-06-2009, 12:18 PM

Oh, and no go on the PXA-H600...it NEEDs an AI net CD Changer or Headunit to activate the Optical Inputs.

Punky · 10-07-2009, 09:36 PM

if you're going to only use the gps for the car, i'd suggest using usb.
most reliable in my opinion.

soundman98 · 10-08-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RavenII

You know...I faded out of car audio once D Class amps came into play. I HATE the way D class sounds for full range...hell even sub, but I had to deal with it. I love my Eclipse dead heads (no built-in amp). I can't stand Alpine sound, but Eclipse doesn't make an independently controlled EQ. Zapco came back with full Class A amps which is awesome. I hope car audio moves in that direction again.

actually, i am in the planning stages of using a couple of jl audio hd series(class D) amps-- so far, i have not read or heard any complaints on them at all. now the alpine pdx series...i have read mixed reviews, and the fullrange d amps before that-- i never heard them, but am told they were horrible..

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