I'm new, I know what I want, help me! - Page 2

SamDude · 09-05-2004, 09:01 AM

Thanks 'Unc'

To answer your points:

Quote: Originally Posted by UncleGeek

why replace speakers you already have? Free's up money to get your project started.

The speakers come to £80. Its not too much in the way of the project, so while I'm doing the job, I may as well do it all properly...

Quote:

Install your H/U first if you like, (to get your feet wet w/installing stuff). I'm not familiar w/Sony products but make sure it has an aux. in for your carputer.

Installing a/any HU is a 3 minute job. Done it before, so feet = wet. The Sony (which is now the M8800 and not the F7700 anymore) has an Aux In, so that's covered...

Quote:

Also if your going w/a seperate amp why use a H/U at all?

Two reasons:
-Wifey listens to AM radio (d'oh)
-The current factory fitted HU doesn't have an Aux In.
=A new HU is needed. The VW Golf (Mk4) has a double DIN slot, so I'm looking at the Sony HU with a (motorised) in-dash 7" TFT (more on this below).

A mounted 7" TFT is not desirable, as I'm installing the Car PC for me - not the riff-raff that such an installation would attract...

Quote:

Then install your computer and get that working. Your list looks good. By the way I would definately opt. for the 2.5 in. drive (less power, more rugged).

Thanks, the Car PC spec is nearly finalised - 2.5" HDD is on it. The screen is the only real bottleneck at the mo'...

Quote:

After you get everything working then add your sub, and lastly fine tune your system w/speakers. I was going to replace my factory speakers but I was amazed how much better they sounded after installing a 4 channel amp.
HTH

The reason I'm installing the HU/speakers/amp/sub as 'Phase 1' is due to the need for an Aux In - which the current setup doesn't have. A Car PC TV/Radio will only provide FM radio. Also, I'm holding out for a motorised in-dash 7" TFT, which a lot of people have been doing for a long time.

It just breaks up the project a bit and allows me to keep looking into motorised in-dash TFT solutions...

I've drawn up the following design layout. It's at: Sam's VW Golf Project - Draft 1. I've not inserted it into the post as you need to zoom in to see/read some of the details...

RS3RS · 09-05-2004, 09:32 AM

Looks like you've got everything planned out good. Don't see anything wrong with it, besides the general opinion I hear among audio guys that Sony head units aren't good for anything.

Quote: Originally Posted by SamDude

Planning is still underway. Current shopping list is:
-Sony F7700 head unit
-Infinity 6500cs front components
-Infinity sub (model?)
-Pioneer amp (model?)

(the last two items are recommended, but I haven't got the models/specs yet).

A couple more questions are being thunk[*1] up, these are the latest:

1. How exactly is the Opus PSU connected to the power source? (is it wired to the car battery directly?)

2. Following from above, if the Opus is wired directly to the battery, would I be able to use the same power that is needed to feed the amp? (or does it need an exclusive cable?). If it can use the same connection, that would save me adding a new line to the battery (or I could wire an extra one when getting the amp installed...)

3. A curious question: Will the sub have any negative effect on the Car PC? (they will live together in the boot). Are the vibrations from the sub an issue for the HDD or other components?

4. In the boot of the Golf, there is a 12v power supply socket (cigerette lighter type). Is this useful for anything - perhaps saving some wiring to the power/battery?

[*1] Not a real word, I know

1.) OPUS has three inputs to it, 12v+, 12v- (aka Ground) and the ACC turn on lead. 12v+ needs to go straight to battery, but it can share the same line as the amp(s), just be sure to use a dist. block. Ground needs to be grounded somewhere close by (within 2 feet of the OPUS), I used the bolt for the rear passenger seatbelt after scraping away paint from the chassis. The ACC turn on lead can be shared with the amp, or you can wire it straight to your radio/fuse box. I hooked mine up to the radio fuse in my fuse box.

2.) Read above. Just use a distro block, and all will be well.

3.) Should be fine, lots of guys run subs + carputers in their trunk together with no problems. If possible, however, you might put the carputer on the other side of the trunk as the sub (if possible).

4.) Stear clear of using a cig. lighter socket, not a good idea. They aren't wired to give off a whole lot of power.

I know most of these questions have been answered already, just decided I'd give my opinion too

Good luck man, and remember to post some pics for us to drool over once it's finished

SamDude · 09-06-2004, 06:15 AM

Updated plan is now at: Sam's Golf - Draft 2.

Updates are:
- USB extension to front
- Removal of USB wireless kb/mouse
- 2x Ignition feeds (Car PC + Amp)
- Re-wiring of audio (PC > HU > Amp > Spkrs/Sub)
- Put in power to TFT from Opus/PC!!

no1knows · 09-06-2004, 07:37 AM

Dont bother with the TV tuner, especially not a USB one, bad reception, picture and sound. No point unless you get a huge motorised aerial, not price effective.

SamDude · 09-06-2004, 09:06 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by no1knows

Dont bother with the TV tuner, especially not a USB one, bad reception, picture and sound. No point unless you get a huge motorised aerial, not price effective.

Noted. USB TV = bottom of the shopping list...

.. I may end up trying it anyway, just to satisfy my curiosity (and then getting a refund).

LanoX · 09-07-2004, 03:15 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SamDude

Noted. USB TV = bottom of the shopping list...

.. I may end up trying it anyway, just to satisfy my curiosity (and then getting a refund).

heheh nice setup you got there but 1 suggestion i dont know how big base will you have or what sub will you have but i suggest move your PC somewhere else or isolate it good just my suggestion as base in my friends car dammaged his hdd but any ways that is not big problem

.. nice work ..

SamDude · 09-07-2004, 04:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by LanoX

heheh nice setup you got there but 1 suggestion i dont know how big base will you have or what sub will you have but i suggest move your PC somewhere else or isolate it good just my suggestion as base in my friends car dammaged his hdd but any ways that is not big problem

.. nice work ..

Thanks LanoX.

I'm still undecided on the sub/amp specs (I've clearly gotten too involved with Phase 2, where I still need to spec and install Phase 1 - the sounds...)

I'm looking at a 4-ch amp that will drive the front speakers and a 10" sub.

I'm not a audiophile and don't want to devote too much of the budget on the amp/sub.... So, any suggestions?

thasaint · 09-07-2004, 10:48 AM

in all honesty, kicker square subs hit really hard. i'm am in the process of changing my 12" RF rounds

LanoX · 09-07-2004, 10:06 PM

Sorry I don’t mean to highjack this thread but I was wondering if some 1 can help me actually answer this question I done search but couldn’t find nothing relevant to it I got morex 3688 case as you all know you cant put any pci slots or anything in it but since I am taking my deck out and just using a computer and the lilput screen I was wondering how can I get radio going in same time?

Oh and Same Dude why do you wont to have a deck in you car ?? I mean you can do everything off the computer radio play music gps watch tv etc y waist money all up getting a deck  if you wont 1 I can sell you a good 1 clarion it cost me around 900 aus dollars that is about 700 us if you wont …

ah after looking and using some more of

and

i think i need to get FM modulator is that correct ?

tnx

SamDude · 09-08-2004, 04:54 PM

Main reason Lanox - is Wifey v1 wants AM radio and doesn't want a TFT taking up the double-DIN (drawing too much attention from the riff-raff...).

SamDude · 09-08-2004, 05:13 PM

All, I've just posted in another thread regarding the 'slight' problem with the new Sony head unit...

See thread: New Sony head unit - botched wiring...

Thx

SamDude · 09-19-2004, 04:34 AM

The botched wiring turned out to be a blown fuse, all fixed now.

I'm at the stage where I'm working out the connections between the CarPC, Head unit, amp and speakers - this is my thinking:

CarPC (Speaker/Line out) > Sony head unit (Aux In) (via 3.5mm to 2 phono - as purchased here)

Sony head unit > rear speakers

Sony head unit > amp (sending audio from Sony head unit + CarPC)

Amp > Front Speakers (+rear speakers or sub later on).

An amp query - the JBL has the following connections on the input side:

Rear
-Input L/R Rear
-High Level Input

Front
-Input L/R Front
-Input L/R Aux Out (to another amp?)
-High Level Input

Which connection would the phono from the Sony head unit plug into? (Front Input L/R?)

Also, what are the High level Inputs for?

jeremyp111 · 09-19-2004, 05:00 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SamDude

The botched wiring turned out to be a blown fuse, all fixed now.

I'm at the stage where I'm working out the connections between the CarPC, Head unit, amp and speakers - this is my thinking:

CarPC (Speaker/Line out) > Sony head unit (Aux In) (via 3.5mm to 2 phono - as purchased here)

Sony head unit > rear speakers

Sony head unit > amp (sending audio from Sony head unit + CarPC)

Amp > Front Speakers (+rear speakers or sub later on).

An amp query - the JBL has the following connections on the input side:

Rear
-Input L/R Rear
-High Level Input

Front
-Input L/R Front
-Input L/R Aux Out (to another amp?)
-High Level Input

Which connection would the phono from the Sony head unit plug into? (Front Input L/R?)

Also, what are the High level Inputs for?

The RCA wires go from your Sony HU to the L/R Front Inputs on the amp. The High Level Inputs are for connecting head units that don't have preamp outputs (yours does). High level inputs take the speaker output wires direct from a head unit and into the amp. Hope this helps.

SamDude · 09-19-2004, 05:11 AM

Excellente'

Thanks Jeremy