hookupman

Hi, I am very interested in getting a computer installed in my 2005 Scion xB. I would like to know what systems are available, options, and locations for installations or is it easier if I install it myself. I would greatly appreciate any and all help, thanks and this site rocks!

DarquePervert

Systems are limitless, pretty much. You can run pretty much any PC hardware in a vehicle.
Granted, Pc hardware designed for low power draw is ideal, since you're limited by the electrical system in the car.

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hookupman

well i have since then due to my audio power needs have upgraded my alternator and have installed a 750w power inverter, i figure that should be good

any suggestions on systems with a dvd burner would be nice

walstib

Hi and

The best way to go about getting a system in your vehicle is to read up and look at other peoples systems. Check out the FAQs, the Worklogs and the Show off Your Project sections of the forums. People post their experiences and designs so other people can learn from them.

By all means, ask questions. We all were new to this at some point. But please try asking specific questions like:
"What is a good software solution to monitor power consumption?"
or
"Has anyone ever used a t-shirt stretched over MDF frame as a base for fiberglass molding?".
You will get much better responses if you show you have done some work... You won't get much spoonfeeding here and nobody is going to do the work for you.

As for your question on a system with a DVD burner... The MP3Car store has a complete system for $949 that you could get and upgrade the DVD drive to a burner. It's a respectable system for the $$$.

Since you already have an inverter, you could just bolt a regular PC down somewhere and route the cables to the touchscreen. I think you will find many people use DC -> DC power supplies instead of an inverter.

So, off you go. Do some reading and look at other peoples rigs and see what you like, get inspired and then go from there. You will find several 2005 Scion xB installs in the worklogs and projects sections.

Oh yeah, don't forget to have fun!

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greatwhite

Hmmm..........

Sounds like you haven't comeup with a plan yet. You need a plan before you go anywhere.

Sit down and decide what features are important to you (ie, music, gps, obdII, internet, games, backup cam, etc, etc).

Next, you need to draw up a shopping list of components you will need to achieve your goals (ie: MB, PSU, LCD, bluetooth, etc, etc).

Now you have to decide on an interface, or "how you are going to control" your system (ie, RR, Centrafuse, etc, etc) and a skin to intergrate it all (lsx void is my fav, there are multiple others available on the site, or you can make you own)

Once this is done and running stable on the test bench, you need to install it in the vehicle. Lots of choices here. This is almost back to the plan stage as you have to decide if you will keep the HU, what amp to go with, speakers, woofers, etc, etc.

At any rate, this is not a do it in a weekend project (unless you're planning to put a laptop in running through the hu with an LCD taped to your dash somewhere )

If all this seems a bit overwhelming, just relax, It's not that hard. There's just alot of steps that involve a fair investment in time and effort. Lot's of reading on the site for you to sift through to decide what you want and what you can achieve at your skill level.

You could also go with a "more or less" complete system like those offered at teh MP3CAR.com store..........

Good luck, and read/search alot!

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RedGTiVR6

a good place for beginners to start is the FAQ link in the Nav bar rather than the FAQ emporium.

It's more concise and covers the basics all in one area: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advfaq.php

This is a hobby that requires that the user spend some time to learn about what they are getting into. It's not extremely easy, but it's not necessarily hard.

In all honesty, that inverter is absolutely not needed and should be removed from the car.

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brucedog

Hey Hookupman,
I am a newbie to carputers, too. I was posting on diyaudio.com, saying how I'd love to have a fully digital very high quality music source in my car. A more experienced guy said to check out mp3car... Duh, huh? Put a computer in a car. It just never occurred to me, even tho I've been electronic geek 4 years.
Anyway, I took some time to very carefully read the introduction to car PC's on the very first mp3car web page. It can be tedious for me to read a lot on a computer screen, so I printed some of it out, and read in bed before sleep. Problem was, I had hard time getting to sleep because I was excited over the possibilities...
You asked some basic questions about what systems are available, and how is the installation done. Pretty much, I had the same questions and they were all answered on the mp3 site.
I ttook some time to read the faq's, check out the store, look at some forums. In other words, I educated myself by reading a lot. I've got to go now, but today I ordered my first beginner's carputer system complete. If we talk again, I would like to tell you the details, and my plans for installation. Sounds like it will be an exciting time.
Later, Bdog