setup confusion

RobsImprza00 · 01-10-2007, 10:08 AM

Hey im new to the Carputer idea but have always been interested by the idea.

Ive had my current audio setup in my car now for about 1 year, and now want to switch over to carputer setup. I have a Jensen In dash DVD player non-touchscreen, along with two amplifiers powering all four speakers and a seperate subwoofer. i want to install a laptop with harddrive and other compnents to it. Im confused about one part, i know how to do all the installation but, If i hook up the laptop to the radio the computer screen will appear on the radio screen. Now how would i control the computer without having access to the laptop? If i have to i will sell the jensen unit because i do have a 7" touchscreen available. How would you recommend i go about controlling the computer from inside the car?

Thanks
Rob K.

DarquePervert · 01-10-2007, 10:18 AM

You're right. That Jensen unit will not be able to control the laptop.

You have a couple options. You can use the touchscreen you have, certainly. That's how the vast majority of us control our vehicle PCs.

Another option is an external glidepad mouse. It's just like that touchpad thingie you see on many laptops. That can be used as an external mouse, allowing you control.

Other people have adapter devices like the Griffin Powermate to control functions of a front-end. I don't know if this would also function as a mouse, but it's also another option.

2k1Toaster · 01-10-2007, 10:18 AM

It is almost impossible to get a HU's touchscreen to work with a computer. You need a touchscreen with a USB port on it so it can plug into a computer. Also the screen you have is not VGA quality. Meaning computer text and everything will be all fuzzy. So definately sell the one you have, and then get a VGA screen with a USB Touchscreen. Lilliput, Ex-Audio, Super, and Xenarc are common.

RobsImprza00 · 01-10-2007, 10:24 AM

Okay so that solves the problem, one last question, Is it possible to use the laptop as a harddrive and play music directly from that thorough the Jensen?

2k1Toaster · 01-10-2007, 10:29 AM

If it has aux in (the Jenson) then you can get sound in as if it were any other device, but no control. They do make some harddrive enclosures that act as media decoders too so they send out rca video and audio and have a remote. I'll try to find a linky...

2k1Toaster · 01-10-2007, 10:32 AM

Like this: http://www.amazon.com/TVisto-Multime.../dp/B000BX7KLI

RobsImprza00 · 01-10-2007, 10:49 AM

well my radio has Svideo input along with several others, this is an assumption now, Ive got streets and trips navi program on my laptop, if i was to install that on thisa harddrvei, is there anychance it may work? Im almost positive it wont, but i really like this harddrive, im glad you mentioned it because im planning on spending alot less money than anticipated now!

2k1Toaster · 01-10-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by RobsImprza00

well my radio has Svideo input along with several others, this is an assumption now, Ive got streets and trips navi program on my laptop, if i was to install that on thisa harddrvei, is there anychance it may work? Im almost positive it wont, but i really like this harddrive, im glad you mentioned it because im planning on spending alot less money than anticipated now!

No S&T will not work. All this does is play media files from prespecified folders on the harddrive. And this is just an enclosure. You still need to buy a 3.5" IDE harddrive. It is defineately not a carPC solution.

My reccommendation is to sell your HU and buy a full carPC rather than buying this with no navi, and wishing you had later.

RobsImprza00 · 01-10-2007, 11:05 AM

so this harddrive is self sufficient, it doesnt require a computer to do anything for it, and will plug directly to my radio via RCA's and work? i was looking at that setup and it comes with a Install CD? so my guess is that you need a computer to upload the software and then it is okay to run self sufficiently?

2k1Toaster · 01-10-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RobsImprza00

so this harddrive is self sufficient, it doesnt require a computer to do anything for it, and will plug directly to my radio via RCA's and work? i was looking at that setup and it comes with a Install CD? so my guess is that you need a computer to upload the software and then it is okay to run self sufficiently?

You need a computer to setup and maintain it. Basically put everything on there. Then it is "self sufficent". Keep in mind though that using a remote control while driving around might be a bit awkward.

RobsImprza00 · 01-11-2007, 06:48 AM

Cool, i placed an order through tigerdirect last night, Mini 2.5" Multimedia player jukebox, along with 160 gb harddrive, with remote and other stuff, I now have a question about this, I cant find the specs on my radio for remote output, would it make sense that if it is 5v dc i could install the HDD drive on it? or having both amps and the HDD running a 500mA drawto much for it to run correctly? Would you recommend a i use a power regulator 12v to 5v?