evoxdc

Long time lurker first time poster here. I've been searching the forums here and there looking for what I want. For those of you that dislike spoon feeding newbies, please bear with me.

The primary purpose: mp3 playback
Secondary(support may be added down the line): video playback, gps navigation, wi-fi(mainly to transfer files to the system while parked on the street), potentially run emulators (another conversation I know)

I still haven't selected a LCD display yet, but I'm planning to add a single-DIN unit under my existing alpine headunit. Potentially I'd like to add the capability for an aux-in source for my psp down the line. The computer I'd like to mount into the trunk.

These are the key points to the setup that I'm planning to work with:

The Car: (This basic sound stage, has been done for about a month now)
'97 Mitsubishi Mirage Coupe
Alpine CDA-9825 (believe that's the model, bought it off a co-worker for $15?)
Kicker 4 channel Amp
Kicker Mono Channel Amp
Kicker TC104 10" sub
Eclipse Speakers


Motherboard: Via EPIA MII 12000
Power: M1 (not committed to this)

Case: Morex 2699 Black
Memory: 512mb - 1gb? (have a stick of pc3200)
HD: (Min 60gb) 160gb WD1600jbrtl (Seems to leave me room to expand)
Optical Storage: Cd-Rom/Dvd-Rom? / dvd-rom/cdrw (looking to go slim-line)

OS: Xp pro(not committed to this)

Questions:
When making use of a front end, is there more support for XP Home vs Pro? Considering that the standard extras of a Pro machine should have little consequence on a car setup...

The board I selected has on-board sound, will making use of the Alpine KCA-410C that has support for increase the gain as far as volume goes from the system to the headunit make a big difference compared to just getting the aux cable?

Compared to building a full sized what may be something I should take into consideration? I.E. lesson from first desktop build, be careful with thermal paste.

As far as Power considerations go, would I need to make use of a capacitor, when at the moment the existing electrical system is getting proper levels to the installed sound system?

What questions should I be asking myself as far as making sure that this is the setup for me?

MP3Car.com

 

2k1Toaster

If you actually have both copies than always install Pro. The networking advantages are nice. And for file transfering, pro is nicer. I don't know why but the only XP Home computer we have always drops itself and the printer randomly stops sharing and all sorts of stuff. XP Pro, no problems. That is about the only thing that you would use in the CarPC from the Pro advantage.


Onboard sound is just known for its hissy-ness or whining. I have neither problem and if you do there are things to fix it, but if you are an audiophile, a better soundcard will be in your future.

gain != volume

and volume is controlleable PC side.


I want to know what you did with thermal paste! But not really any difference. I always handle the via boards carefully like an egg, because it just looks so meek and fragile. I know it could probably take it, but it was the most expensive motherboard I have purchased and it is the #3 out of now over 11 computers speed wise yet the "newest"!


Capacitor == bandaid

As long as your voltage range is within what the M1 or M2 can handle, and you use nice thick wire, you will have no problems. The power supply is not like a speaker where you can see the power fluctuations such as speaker sounds or dimming lights. With the PSU, it will try its hardest to level out the voltages.


Make sure it is powerful enough for what you want.

If you want what you say here, then this is plenty power. If you want to do video games, then no. SNES emulators are fine, but N64 is probably pushing it because it isn't as efficient.

Also the M2 is more bang for your buck over the M1.

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MP3Car.com