Motorised In Dash TFT - With a Mac!

danielbriggs · 01-20-2007, 05:28 PM

Hi All!

I'm planning on sticking a Mac Mini in the glove compartment, and making it easily removeable. Also I'm going to use the CarNetix P1900 or the P2140.

So, I'll hook this upto the audio (somehow!) and then all that is left is a monitor...

I *want* an in-dash motorised TFT that is VGA, and a USB touchscreen, all that works on a Mac. i.e. good drivers etc.

I'm not bothered about clocks or fm radios or tv tuners etc.
Does anyone know of any good models that are available readily in the UK. I've had a look around DigitalWW, but some people have had problems, and I don't want to start sending it back and too, as it's going to cost a bomb etc.

LinITX used to sell some but they recently stopped. :-(

Basically, it needs to be/do the following:

Display stuff
Have a Touchscreen interface that works with a mac
Automatically fold out when ignition is powered on
Close, when the car is switched off
Be able to connect to the carnetix P1900 or P2140
Be VGA (i.e. a good resolution)
Be availalbe in the UK

Does this sound realistic?
Does anyone have something similar powered from a Mac, they can advise / reccomend?
Do Xenark or Lilliput do things like this - as I believe drivers are around for the Mac for their screens?

Thanks in advance!

Dan :-)

SEGgeek · 01-20-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by danielbriggs

Hi All!

I'm planning on sticking a Mac Mini in the glove compartment, and making it easily removeable. Also I'm going to use the CarNetix P1900 or the P2140.

So, I'll hook this upto the audio (somehow!) and then all that is left is a monitor...

I *want* an in-dash motorised TFT that is VGA, and a USB touchscreen, all that works on a Mac. i.e. good drivers etc.

I'm not bothered about clocks or fm radios or tv tuners etc.
Does anyone know of any good models that are available readily in the UK. I've had a look around DigitalWW, but some people have had problems, and I don't want to start sending it back and too, as it's going to cost a bomb etc.

LinITX used to sell some but they recently stopped. :-(

Basically, it needs to be/do the following:

Display stuff
Have a Touchscreen interface that works with a mac
Automatically fold out when ignition is powered on
Close, when the car is switched off
Be able to connect to the carnetix P1900 or P2140
Be VGA (i.e. a good resolution)
Be availalbe in the UK

Does this sound realistic?
Does anyone have something similar powered from a Mac, they can advise / reccomend?
Do Xenark or Lilliput do things like this - as I believe drivers are around for the Mac for their screens?

Thanks in advance!

Dan :-)

Hi dan, Xenark does ALMOST everything you ask, the only thing is the screen isnt motorized, you need to pop it out, push it back in manually,
but it has all mac drivers (both intel & ppc)
is decent quality, has 2 composit video in, and hides well when closed

Jonathan

danielbriggs · 01-21-2007, 05:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SEGgeek

Hi dan, Xenark does ALMOST everything you ask, the only thing is the screen isnt motorized, you need to pop it out, push it back in manually,
but it has all mac drivers (both intel & ppc)
is decent quality, has 2 composit video in, and hides well when closed

Jonathan

hmmm... I really wanted it motorised, but as people have had loads of trouble with them, are they more trouble than they are worth?

Is there any way I could stick a xenark screen in a motorized "chasis" or is that not possible?

Also, anyone know of a UK supplier for either option?

How does the one that MP3car.com make, fair, in comparison to others? Do they have Mac drivers?

Thanks!

Dan :-)

Un_discovered · 01-21-2007, 08:38 AM

Stay away from motorised.
They break sooner than the manual ones.
Surely it's not that hard to guide it back in.
It takes about three seconds...

danielbriggs · 01-21-2007, 08:40 AM

Ok, *sniff* it sounds cool but I guess it's the exact opposite in practice!

So the Xenarc is the best then? i.e. in general for an in-dash solution?
What price should I be looking at for the UK?

Un_discovered · 01-21-2007, 08:57 AM

Go to the xenarc site.
Find the product on the site.
Then click the buy it now button.
It will take you to Xenarc's online store.
Then go to www.currency-conversion.info for the price conversion.

EDIT: I assume you're going to want the 700IDT.

danielbriggs · 01-21-2007, 10:09 AM

I've been mooching around - and I've come up with the following list. I'm going to explain the pro's and con's of each - and if you could let me know which one you would go for or reccomend. Also if you have any experience running any of these from a Mac, your tips would be helpful.

1. Xenarc 700IDT

+ Good make (so I've heard)
+ Mac Drivers for the Touchscreen
+ VGA Input
+ I've found a few places in the UK that sell them

- Not motorised
- Expensive

2. Lilliput GL701NP

+ Another good make (but less than xenarc)
+ Mac Drivers for Touchscreen
+ VGA Input
+ Motorized
+ Cheaper

- Not easily availalbe in the UK
- Heard some bad reviews about mechanism breaking
- Some say Lilliput screens break easy
- The posibility of sending it back and to abroad is expensive

3. DWW-700M

+ TV Tuner (not fussed about that)
+ Motorized
+ VGA Input
+ Touchscreen
+ Cheap(ish)

- Not readily available in the UK
- Again, heard some problems with gears and meachanism etc.
- I'm unsure if it works with a Mac Mini - i.e. are there any drivers for it???
- Heard of problems with it shutting off and clock etc.

4. MP3 Car MTSVO-SC

+ Motorized
+ VGA Input
+ Touchscreen
+ Cheap(ish)
+ Hopefully could get good support - i.e. from these fourms as they make it etc.

- Not readily available in the UK
- Again, heard some problems with gears and meachanism etc.
- I'm unsure if it works with a Mac Mini - i.e. are there any drivers for it???
- Is it a good make screen inside???

So can anyone reccomend the best of these (or another one?)
I think I *should* go for the Xenarc, as it's better quality etc. but it's about £90 more expensive and it's not motorised. Then again if I but from abroad with a cheaper one, will I pay more long term in getting it fixed????

Has anyone used the Xenarc with a P1900?
Is it possible to motorise it???

Ta!

Dan :-)

Un_discovered · 01-21-2007, 11:04 AM

700IDT expensive?
I think not, considering it's about AU$700 shipped, whereas in a retail store you'll pay about AU$1500 for a Clarion/Kenwood etc screen the same size, which is only composite.

EDIT: Go the Xenarc

danielbriggs · 01-21-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Un_discovered

700IDT expensive?
I think not, considering it's about AU$700 shipped, whereas in a retail store you'll pay about AU$1500 for a Clarion/Kenwood etc screen the same size, which is only composite.

EDIT: Go the Xenarc

I meant relative to the others....
The others are around £260, and the 700IDT is £350. So you would all go for this one, even though it has less features?

Un_discovered · 01-22-2007, 04:52 AM

I think if you search you'll find what most people say about what monitors.