2003 Durango SLT / Project HiJackZX1 CFSC / 56K= D@mn this $h!+ is gonna load slow! - Page 18

HiJackZX1 · 05-08-2009, 12:12 PM

Well everything has been finalized. Rather then use the NComputing solution, which uses the resources of the HOST PC, I decided to drop them. They don't have any type of USB support, except for thumb drives. Anything else acts very flakky. I contacted Wyse, DevonIT, and iGel, the leaders in these solutions. The one thing most told me is that I may not be able to have reliability since the HOST PC would be bogged down in certain situations, like when Sat TV or 3D Games are in use on the HOST PC, all other users may start having LAG and performance issues. Another reason was budget, $220.00 for Ncomputing and even higher prices for the rest, really turned me off. Why would I pay that much for a 400MHZ based processor? I then started to search because SwiftDeath really turned me onto a dual PC setup per user. I then came across HP T5510 thin clients. They are 800MHZ with I think 32MB flash and 64 MB SDRAM. The good thing is Ebay has alot of people selling them. I picked up a unit for $35.00 dollars. I then saw a deal for a lot of 5 for $160.00, I bought those also. Thats $195.00 for all 6 versus $220 for just one. I will still integrate them into the door like before. I will not need a powered hub anymore. Another reason I went with something like this because there is a chance that Centrafuse may come out with a Windows CE.net version for head units that have it built in. So that means I can have CF on all those systems as well. I am still trying to work out powering the units, but I am sure I'll think of something.

Now that I have CE OS in my install I am going to look for apps that will be useful for the car PC, thats until CF comes out with something.

I can now boast that I have the largest most massive system in the world, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Lets just hope I don't kill everyone from major EMI and radiation poison.

rdholtz · 05-08-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

. . . I picked up a unit for $35.00 dollars. I then saw a deal for a lot of 5 for $160.00, I bought those also.

I can now boast that I have the largest most massive system in the world, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Lets just hope I don't kill everyone from major EMI and radiation poison.

Let's see now, that's 7 PCs and eight screens in your car? Plus peripherals? Plus 6 people and all the other stuff like 64-ounce Cokes and a bags of chips? You probably better contact DMV and see if you can get an increase in the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for this vehicle.

This really does sound amazing, and using terminals is a good idea. I'm not sure how well they'll handle gaming without a video card implant, but you have time to test that before deploying them across the vehicle.

HiJackZX1 · 05-08-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rdholtz

Let's see now, that's 7 PCs and eight screens in your car? Plus peripherals? Plus 6 people and all the other stuff like 64-ounce Cokes and a bags of chips? You probably better contact DMV and see if you can get an increase in the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for this vehicle.

This really does sound amazing, and using terminals is a good idea. I'm not sure how well they'll handle gaming without a video card implant, but you have time to test that before deploying them across the vehicle.

LOL..... They wont know its there if they cant see it, lol.... Well except the screens.

The terminals will mainly be used for Video, Music and internet. I really dont expect someone to try to run games, infact the games are only going to be a shared experience, as well as Sat TV. Basically anything that is processor intensive will stay on the main system. Using these terminals was a better idea because I can use a USB KVM and not have to worry. I simply have to make sure the terminals have the CE drivers for touchscreen installed. I also contacted Brando about the USB keyboard I bought (the light up one). He stated that each keyboard can pair to the dongle, so that means I can have six of them with no cross control issues. All that is left is trying to get IE, a video and music player, onto the systems. I am guessing that for storage I will use the SSD for them to place temporary files on. No one seems to want to buy it, so I might as well use the thing.

Ramanator · 05-09-2009, 01:02 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by rdholtz

Let's see now, that's 7 PCs and eight screens in your car? Plus peripherals? Plus 6 people and all the other stuff like 64-ounce Cokes and a bags of chips?....

This really does sound amazing...

And don't forget the canines

HiJackZX1 · 05-09-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Ramanator

And don't forget the canines

LMFAO..... yes we cant forget my babies.

HiJackZX1 · 05-10-2009, 08:22 PM

Decided to make a clay image of what I want to do with my top screens. Since rdholtz had so much success with Sketchup, I may make my model out of that. Basically it will be simple. Just raised areas that the screen falls into. The back though will get a special piece so when the screen is opened, it lifts out the way. When closed the piece closes and conceals the back area.

HiJackZX1 · 05-10-2009, 08:36 PM

Took out my headliner and ran all the Ethernet cable. I also scouted were to put 2 of the thin clients. One will go in a door pocket, but the 3rd row doesn't have doors. The back has one flat side were the sub is going, then the other will have the amps. I was thinking of putting 2 thin clients with the amps in a indented area. Pix below. I still have to rip out the old speaker wire and AMP kit. Also have to add another power cable to power on a relay that will trip power for the thin clients PSU. Have to run new speaker wire and new electrical for the thin clients to the doors.

In the next pic is the indent that the 2 remaining thin clients can go. I will have to X out that power socket, or at least move it.

This is the side were the sub is going.

Here is the compartment. Kimota was telling me to put the amps in here, but I felt it was too small. Plus I need it for storage of 2 PSUs, Ethernet switch, 1 small amp for shared mode headphone jacks, and cable management. Basically a small power panel will go here also, that makes 2 now, one under the driver seat, and one in the rear.

colin · 05-10-2009, 08:47 PM

Yikes! That's a lot of planning, you're crazy. I love it.

HiJackZX1 · 05-11-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by colin

Yikes! That's a lot of planning, you're crazy. I love it.

Yea it is, I just hope it all works out.

I happen to work in IT, thats how I got the box of 1000 feet of Cat5 cable. Now that my setup does have a ethernet switch, I can now implement an idea that I had a while ago. Basically I want to add a access point to the setup. This will allow me to connect to the internet with my phone, since the internet is so slow (I flashed my phone to MetroPCS). Now if I want to show my location on Google Latitude I can connect that way. Also car meets and car shows would be able to share my connection. I am so hoping that Sprint starts to roll out its new 4G network, because I will be all over that. I am trying to wait till they also come out with a 4G express card unit. In the past direct USB units have problems. Two years ago I upgraded my jobs wi-fi network to A/B/G and installed units with a 1 mile range. So that means I can use the B Access points for my car. I think 11 mbps is more then enough.

HiJackZX1 · 05-11-2009, 03:03 PM

The KVM came in today. The good thing is that it is smaller then I thought. Another thing is that I will be able to use my touch screens with them. Only bad this is, when I hit the button, you hear the USB disconnect sound. This is simple to fix though, just turn the sound off in Windows, lol.

I decided to open it and see how hard it would be to create my own circuit that will house all the buttons, like the LEDs for what PC your on, the button switcher, a toggle switch for sound, two more LEDs so you know what sound source your on and a headphone jack. I need to design one that is small and can fit in all doors and areas.

skeet2331 · 05-11-2009, 03:29 PM

How often do 6 people ride in your truck? I could probably see the glow from your truck all the way up here.

Have you heard anything about the logos yet?

HiJackZX1 · 05-11-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by skeet2331

How often do 6 people ride in your truck? I could probably see the glow from your truck all the way up here.

Have you heard anything about the logos yet?

OMG, everyone is asking me that..... I would rather have it there, then not have it there. Its a hobby, if I dont keep coming up with crazy ideas, I wont have one because I would have been done a long time ago. If you mean the brightness? I dont think it will be to bright. I could make a front like cover over the LEDs so they arent bright.

I am confused though on how to switch between audio. I cant seem to find a product so I may have to make it. I dont know where to start though. Any ideas? I may X out the LED idea for the audio because it will be too hard and its to hard for me to figure out how to do, lol. Unless someone can think of something for that too. I wonder what would happen if I coonect a LED to a audio channel, will it make it light up?

colin · 05-11-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

I am confused though on how to switch between audio. I cant seem to find a product so I may have to make it. I dont know where to start though. Any ideas? I may X out the LED idea for the audio because it will be too hard and its to hard for me to figure out how to do, lol. Unless someone can think of something for that too. I wonder what would happen if I coonect a LED to a audio channel, will it make it light up?

A simple bus switcher will do what you want, instead of spending a ton of money on those KVM switchers I know you're looking at. If you connect an LED to an audio channel (with proper resistor), it MIGHT light up, depending on the voltage and current of your audio source. Many sources are 1v and therefore will not light up your LED, but with a transistor and the appropriate circuit, you can light an LED if there is a signal present.

Mitch's audio switcher is based on a simple bus switcher, you could ask him where to look for circuits.

I also want to know about the logos... you avoided that question!

HiJackZX1 · 05-11-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by colin

A simple bus switcher will do what you want, instead of spending a ton of money on those KVM switchers I know you're looking at. If you connect an LED to an audio channel (with proper resistor), it MIGHT light up, depending on the voltage and current of your audio source. Many sources are 1v and therefore will not light up your LED, but with a transistor and the appropriate circuit, you can light an LED if there is a signal present.

Mitch's audio switcher is based on a simple bus switcher, you could ask him where to look for circuits.

I also want to know about the logos... you avoided that question!

HAHAHAHAHAHA, I didnt avoid it on purpose, when I get into something I tend to focus on that. I went the easy route, I bought cheap little A/V switches. They are 3 way though, they dont have many 2 way switches. Cool thing is, if I go with the 3 way, maybe I can add another jack for iPods and other devices. Although that would be corny since they can just plug the headphones directly into the unit.

I actually use the audio selector, its great. Do they make one though that doesnt have to be switched by USB? Maybe one that is switched by a physical switch?

HiJackZX1 · 05-11-2009, 08:31 PM

OK, I found out that they sell headphone switches.... i see 2 that are promising.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/s...s/8054/?cpg=ab

http://www.officedepot.com/textSearc...:referralID=NA

Now the thing is this is made to split between speakers, but I am wondering if it will work the other way. Basically I want to reverse it, put PC1 into headset port, PC2 into speaker port, then convert the part that would plug into the PC to a port to plug in the headphones instead. I don't know if it will work in reverse like that. I like the Platronics one, but its too pricey. I also like the first, but it has so many ports and that volume control makes me wonder if I can reverse it, like some type of resistor system.

What I like about the platronics is that I may be able to add the KVM and LEDs to its housing. So not much moding.

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