Please review my setup/thoughts

edrock200 · 09-16-2004, 03:02 PM

Hey all,
Newbie here. Very familiar with PC's, "medium" knowledge of car audio setups, zero knowledge of custom work (fabricating dashes and such.)

I'd like to build a "carputer" that can handle Navigation and MP3 primarily, DVD/Video is an OK plus if I can drive a monitor for the back seat (for a child) but really not a big deal.

I've been debating on whether or not to do away with the head unit, and I haven't decided. I have a '99 e46 BMW 328i sedan, and have the CD Player unit. From what I can tell no one makes a DIN sized touch screen motorized monitor, correct? If they did I think I would do away with the H/U. Since they don't here is what I'm thinking:

Get a blitzsafe aux pack for my head unit that ties into the cd changer input. Connect this to the output of my carputer for audio.

Build a decent spec PC (1ghz or more, opus PSU, 7" touchscreen display, wifi, bluetooth, possibly XM) and try to hide a mini-atx PC in the glove box, gps mouse and xm antenna on the dash, and try to mount the monitor on the side of the a/c control area in the center facing the driver. Questions:

Software, what is recommended for front end software to control all these items?
GPS: What is good GPS software and how much should I expect to pay?
MP3 Software: What are most using, winamp with a skin?
Shutdown/Startup: From my understanding this is handled by the Opus, is this a correct assumption?

How well does the front end software really look, I mean does it all look good and is it easy to navigate with a touch screen?

Last but not least, any blue tooth software to control a blue tooth phone?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give, I'll continue to lurk these forums and look for answers.

-Ed

edrock200 · 09-16-2004, 03:14 PM

One other question, just out of curiosity, is there anyway to get additional A/V inputs with a carputer setup? That is just a simple set of RCA AV jacks?

SuperV · 09-16-2004, 05:23 PM

i am bulding a pc to and the way i am doin it is gettin a pc built and i am goin to get the aux in pack ( for my HU ) like the way u doin it and for extra jacks buy a splitter if there is such a thing ? And for front end go with mediacar i got a skin that matchs my HU percfectly

xBrady · 09-16-2004, 05:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by edrock200

Software, what is recommended for front end software to control all these items?
GPS: What is good GPS software and how much should I expect to pay?
MP3 Software: What are most using, winamp with a skin?
Shutdown/Startup: From my understanding this is handled by the Opus, is this a correct assumption?

How well does the front end software really look, I mean does it all look good and is it easy to navigate with a touch screen?
-Ed

I recommend FrodoPlayer or MMC. But the best thing to do is try all the ones that have subforums in the Software and Developement forum. It is all what you personally like better in a player.
GPS: I use IGuidance 2.0. I like it a lot but a lot of people say CoPilot 7 is better. I haven't tried out CP 7 yet so I couldn't tell you on that one.
MP3 Software: Just use your chosen frontend's mp3 player.
All the shutdown/starup is handled by the Opus. Get the 150W. Most of the frontends look really really good. Best thing is to just check them out.

Nav_Attack · 09-16-2004, 06:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by edrock200

One other question, just out of curiosity, is there anyway to get additional A/V inputs with a carputer setup? That is just a simple set of RCA AV jacks?

i'm assuming you are looking for something more profound than the LINE-IN on the sound card?

LekanB · 09-16-2004, 06:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by brady

I recommend FrodoPlayer or MMC. But the best thing to do is try all the ones that have subforums in the Software and Developement forum. It is all what you personally like better in a player.
GPS: I use IGuidance 2.0. I like it a lot but a lot of people say CoPilot 7 is better. I haven't tried out CP 7 yet so I couldn't tell you on that one.
MP3 Software: Just use your chosen frontend's mp3 player.
All the shutdown/starup is handled by the Opus. Get the 150W. Most of the frontends look really really good. Best thing is to just check them out.

edrock200...
I hate to just repeat what brady said above, but he gives good advice. MediaCar is what I use, Frodo Player is great too, again it depends on what you are looking for. GPS... I use iGuidance 2.0 as well... I love it. - It works great with MediaCar... The music is turned down when the gps instructions come on, the adjust again after! - The voice nav is great, so you don't have to have the graphic display up all the time. Though... that has 3D and 2D views which is cool.

The only thing to add is spend some time reading the forums. Most of what you want to know exists on the Software, Hardware and Showoff your project areas of this site. Look around, read and experiment!

edrock200 · 09-17-2004, 08:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Nav_Attack

i'm assuming you are looking for something more profound than the LINE-IN on the sound card?

Yes, a video input.

edrock200 · 09-17-2004, 09:00 AM

Thank you for all your advice and help. I will continue to research and build up this project and look forward to posting about it when it starts! What a great forum....

I've noticed that when it comes to a/v/electronic/mechanic stuff, whether it be home theatre or engine repair, online forums provide me with better info than any store/sales person I've ever come accross.

Thanks again.

LekanB · 09-18-2004, 12:49 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by edrock200

Thank you for all your advice and help. I will continue to research and build up this project and look forward to posting about it when it starts! What a great forum....

I've noticed that when it comes to a/v/electronic/mechanic stuff, whether it be home theatre or engine repair, online forums provide me with better info than any store/sales person I've ever come accross.

Thanks again.

edrock200... I couldn't agree more! People here just have a passion for this stuff and want to share their advice... no ulterior motives behind it.

mushin · 09-18-2004, 02:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by edrock200

Yes, a video input.

Yes, you can get video input. You're going to have a full PC at your disposal after all, and there's little you can't do from that position

You will need a capture card or video card with capture capabilities, such as ATI's All-In-Wonder series. I'm not too knowledgable about these cards, someone else might be able to point you to the best solution, but this at least will give you an idea.

edrock200 · 09-18-2004, 08:07 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mushin

Yes, you can get video input. You're going to have a full PC at your disposal after all, and there's little you can't do from that position

You will need a capture card or video card with capture capabilities, such as ATI's All-In-Wonder series. I'm not too knowledgable about these cards, someone else might be able to point you to the best solution, but this at least will give you an idea.

Cool, thanks for the info. After some further research I saw that some screens have s-video/composit inputs in addition to VGA, so I'll go for one of those.