Thread: 2003 Durango SLT / Project HiJackZX1 / 56K= D@mn this $h!+ is gonna load slow!

Hey I hope your replacement Mobo works out for you. I am highly impressed with how much you are doing with your PC. It definitely sounds like you went through a lot to get it all working right and I can't wait to see your finished project.

I do have a question:

How well does the Dish network via Slingbox work when your internet connection is coming from the Sprint air card? I used to work at a help desk and fixed a lot of connections problems with AT&T air cards. Even with the best reception you couldn't watch a Youtube video. I'm wondering how well your Sprint card handles the data flow and if you get any problems with video endlessly buffering or if playback is smooth.

Also, what data plan do you use with Sprint? I'm curious as to how much once has to pay for that much data going through the Air card.

Good luck with everything!

Originally Posted by Neophyte_1984

Hey I hope your replacement Mobo works out for you. I am highly impressed with how much you are doing with your PC. It definitely sounds like you went through a lot to get it all working right and I can't wait to see your finished project.

I do have a question:

How well does the Dish network via Slingbox work when your internet connection is coming from the Sprint air card? I used to work at a help desk and fixed a lot of connections problems with AT&T air cards. Even with the best reception you couldn't watch a Youtube video. I'm wondering how well your Sprint card handles the data flow and if you get any problems with video endlessly buffering or if playback is smooth.

Also, what data plan do you use with Sprint? I'm curious as to how much once has to pay for that much data going through the Air card.

Good luck with everything!

HMMM, sorry it took so long to reply, I never got a email saying some1 replied. When Sprint had regular EVDO in the area, SlingBox and Youtube were bad, almost unwatchable. Once they upgraded to EVDO Rev. All those issues went away. I did have bad reception, but adding a external antenna fixed that issue. When driving normal speeds, most youtube videos will work without buffering, depending on the quality. When driving fast though, there is buffering. Sling Box will buffer alot if you dont optimize the software to work with the aircard. I noticed with a bunch of settings changed, it rarelt buffers except in heavy city area like downtown Miami. i guess its the buildings or something. I havent used the new Sling Player in the car yet, but on desktop pc I notice they enhanced how it buffers and handles the stream, so maybe it will work ok. I have Sling Player on my Touch Pro and it rarely buffers, maybe once every 15 minutes.

PS: I know this is going to sound crazy but i am considering redesigning the new center console. I hate the DVD slot being in the back, so I might put it in the front with me and relocate the USB ports. Basically I want more room inside the console and by relocating the extremely hard to install second tier system, I can also add my PS2 to the setup.

So its starting, yet another redesign. Basically i am trying to get that rear console to look as OEM as possible. Right now it does look ok, but not OEM. I have decided that since the front center console is almost filled with tons of electronics, that I might as well put the DVD rom and the HDD in there also. I am hoping I have no issues with EMI. Basically the DVD rom will be connected to a tray that hides all the components in the front console. All I would do is flip the door open and change CDs or DVDs. This will also allow me to make the PC in the back, smaller and remove the double tier system that is so hard to take in and out. It would basically be the MoBo and power supply. I am also going to redesign the console to allow me to put a PS2, DVDs, controllers, remote and what not, with room to spare.

Started to ponder some more. The 2nd row seats can easily touch the 15 inch, so I decided to buy a touch kit for the screen. After looking for almost 4 hours, I found a company that made one for $209.00. At this point I am on a budget, so I decided to go to some site that sells stuff to corporations by bulk. I then emailed them and asked them if I can buy one single unit. I was shocked that they emailed me back and sold me the touchscreen for $24.00, the USB controller for $7.00, and shipping was $27.00 through DHL. The 3rd row will get a 7 inch Lilliput EBY701 since they can not reach that far up to touch the 15 inch. It will be part of the back of the new center console.

This idea was attempted, but the weight of the panel and other factors caused me discontinue this idea. The screen and touch panel re currently for sale.

That is a massive touchscreen... make sure to post pics, I'm interested in seeing it in action. Maybe I can put one on my vespa...

Have ya'll seen the new flex screens? Now that they are getting away from silicon, and so thin... it's a matter of time before the screens can be worked into almost any surface.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn10mRyBqAE

Today I started on my second center console. I decided that I was going to buy my own jigsaw. The last time I borrowed my neighbors and his is battery so its heavier then I like and dies after about 30 minutes. I decided to buy one that was plugged, has a laser and metal guide for straight cuts, has an attachment for vaccum cleaner so there isnt much mess. Last time I made the sides of the console they were uneven, this time though they were both perfect. I made sure to mark and draw my lines and everything. Also bought all the correct supplies. Before I used nails, but those dont hold in MDF, this time though I used MDF screws which go in and hold very tight. This console will be longer to incorporate the cup holders and look more OEM (I went by the looks of the 2009 second row console). I am going very slow with this, because I want it to come out correctly. Last time I built the console around the arm rest piece, then the car, this was a bad move which lead to uneveness. The front of the console will look more like the front, but I still have not decided how the front vents will go, if I should do them like the front console or make something new. I will post pictures later.

can't wait to see the pictures man. By the way, the jeep project was put on hold. Got a new project to play with. Just got a 2000 Cavalier Convertible. Wife has given me free reign to put in the computer. So its go time.

There are two rules to this hobby that I think are key:

Occam's Razor - The simplest answer is usually the correct one.

Making the console simple will make it easier to wrap and build, and probably be stronger, and easier to maintain.

And "It's quicker to take your time and do it right the first time, than to rush and have to do it twice."

I found this one out the hard way too when I first started building sub-boxes. I made a box that was the correct volume, but I didn't realize until everything was cut, carpetted and installed, that the volume I calculated was exterior volume. At least I was able to sell the box and get something out of it.

Now, when I make boxes, I have each step of the process in mind the whole way through, so that I make it easiest on me each step. If you think about the end step (wrap and install) while you are building it, you will be less likely to have an issue like you did with the first one.

Hope it all goes according to plan. Good luck!

Originally Posted by rhuller

can't wait to see the pictures man. By the way, the jeep project was put on hold. Got a new project to play with. Just got a 2000 Cavalier Convertible. Wife has given me free reign to put in the computer. So its go time.

OH NOOOOOOOOOO, I would have loved to have seen a CarPC in the JEEP. Its so massive and I will dare to say has more room for goodies then my SUV. If I had that JEEP, I could trick it out like crazy. Also fabricating is easy for that truck, you see with mine, ive had to start again because it didnt look right. Yours though would have been easy though, infact I was inspired by your install with putting the screen in the center console. It ws the perfect solution for the issues with the 3rd row not being able to reach the 2nd row touch screen.

Im confused, I would think your wife would like the convertible better then the gaint blocky JEEP. You have to convince her to switch cars. Bring up that the Cavi will use less gas and she'll look better in it, with her hair flowing like a goddess through the wind. You just gotta turn on your game. If you have to, make her sit in the Cavi and say honey im getting horny seeing you in the car, but when I see you in the truck its a big turn off, you should switch with me.