1998 Volvo V70 + (for now) Libretto 100CT

**double-0-newb** · 04-30-2006, 04:56 PM

Thanks for looking, but for the moment this will be a "purging" of my list of things to do from my scattered mind onto this forum.

Car
Goals: Keep display/install out of way of airbags and keep in locations where safe if in an accident.
Allow install to either disappear or be removed from car completely with relative ease.
Pic of stock dash...
http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...t=DSC03987.jpg

HU
Goals:
1-Keep wife happy with instant-on, no fuss radio and CD capability.
2-Not too expensive!
Factory HU SC-813: sounds like crap, but I can use a tape adapter for the moment to test functionality with any PC.
Panasonic CQ-C3300U: CDs and MP3, but no AUX in without hacking into CD controller ($60 USD); likely will sell this and replace with CD/MP3 that must have a real AUX in.

PC
Goals:
Notes: I will likely sub-divide this area into Overall, OS, HW, SW.
1-Keep it on the cheap
2-Progression in phases
3-Display/unit can be removed or flips/folds out of sight
4-Play MP3
5-Wireless link with home server (when within range, of course)
5-GPS
6-Internet

>Power
(Apr '06) Borrowed inverter

>System #1
Toshiba Libretto 100CT
http://www.silverace.com/libretto/mac2.jpg
http://www.silverace.com/libretto/
BIOS version: 8.10 (most recent)
OS (Apr '06): w2k pro "heavy".

Can't for the life of me get this thing to play nice with my 3 different PCMCIA network cards running w2k, in or out of the docking station. Will likely try XP (chug-chug), but we'll see. If I can' get a network card running on this thing I might have to change to another PC/laptop.
Pros: Free. Color 7inch screen, built in keyboard and pointing device. Docking has USB port. Uses laptop drives. Awesome! Best kept secret for car PC?
Cons: Drivers for docking station + network cards. Grrrrr! Suspected dying MB battery as time keeps shifting.
Invested so far: 2.5mm to 3.5mm converter for audio jack. $3.

>System #2
E-Machines Celeron 600
BIOS: Pheonix version ?
Pros: Free. Mini case and power supply. Some RAM. All on-board.
Cons: Needs HD. All on-board.

Research, Planning, Purchases
Q: How hot can it get in the car before HW starts freaking out? Gotta check the forums.
Q: How cold can it get in the car before HW starts freaking out? Gotta check the forums.
Purchased Apr 30/06 - Best BHA9220 Volvo 1992~2002 harness adapter from Future Shoppe $14.99
Info Apr 30/06 - Harried "sales rep" @ Future Shop pointed me to the Panasonic MP3 CD Car Deck (CQC5301) when i asked him for a true AUX-in deck, but I will have to look at the owners manual on the support page for this product to confirm. Price seems fair enough, and color matches black dash better than the unit I have now...

**double-0-newb** · 05-01-2006, 02:05 PM

Re: Cq-C3300U + Aux-in
Azinprd972 found this for me, and it might work but at $80, I'm not so sure. Still looking at selling this one and getting a whole new HU.
http://cgi.ebay.com/PANASONIC-Car-Au...QQcmdZViewItem

Re: CQ-C5301
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0056724&catid=
WTF?

Panasonic's site has NO documentation on this model, nor the International section of Support. Gr.

One thing I noticed and requires further investigation; some of these new HUs have a line-in /AUX on front of unit; I want it clean and in the dash, baby!

**double-0-newb** · 05-04-2006, 08:40 AM

Whew.

Think I am leaning toward the iPAQ now as a controller. The libretto though having a larger screen is not touch-screen, and I think the iPAQ is significantly brighter.

Took measurements of dash <pic soon>.
Did a whack of researching on mounts and the like @ www.gpscity.ca; awesome selection of stuff, think I want a 9'' flex arm, but base size is proving difficult.
Removed factory head unit <too easy>
Mocked-up cockpit with factory HU and libretto and iPAQ; determined where I want to place either (or any unit) <pics soon>
Mocked-up cockpit with existing CQ-C3300U and libretto then ipaq <pics soon>
Read more on how to get iPAQ to terminal service into trunk "big box"
Read more on how to get 2 pcs with wireless cards to talk directly to each other without a router/AP
Trying to find free hack to rotate screen on iPAQ, and figure out how to best skin it for auto use...

**double-0-newb** · 05-09-2006, 03:08 PM

Ah-hah.
iPAQ to "Big Box" in trunk: built-in Bluetooth in PDA (free! frees-up backpack PCMCIA slot!) and use USB/bluetooth dongle on "Big Box". Requires purchasing of dongle.
"Big Box" to Home Server: Wireless ad-hoc network. Requires purchasing of 2 NICs

**double-0-newb** · 06-06-2006, 01:10 PM

Ordered Friday last week, should be here Friday this week.

USB Input for Compressed Digital Audio
MP3 and WMA Compatible with ID3-TAG Display
CD-R/RW Ready
4-Channel RCA Output
2-Channel AUX Input with Level Control

Behold.
http://www.clarion.com/ca/en/product...706936860.html

**LiquidKernel** · 06-06-2006, 02:43 PM

Since we have the same deck-style (two tabs to pull it out, same size)... have you considered doing something that just replaces it? Check out my thread for idea if you wish: 1995 Volvo 850 T5 -- 2 din install

**double-0-newb** · 06-06-2006, 03:27 PM

LiquidKernel: I had in fact allready seen your project and been blown away by your skill, ingenuity and creativity.

However, if I refer back to my original post,
"HU
Goals:
1-Keep wife happy with instant-on, no fuss radio and CD capability.
2-Not too expensive!"

And knowing me, I can start projects, but easily get side-tracked or temporarily loose interest; so with installing this HU, I have satisfied the above requirements (sold old MP3 player to buddy for $100, meaning new HU only costs me $100) and taken one step forward, and I can still swap back in the factory HU if/when I sell the car.

Also after mocking-up the cabin, I realised I would like the screen to pivot to the passenger, as well as be a little higher-up than where our units ride (legal or not, wink-wink, nudge-nudge). Something like this
2001 S-10 Laptop Pics
so with the now empty upper DIN pocket, I plan on mounting a flex-arm and attach my screen/subnotebook/ipaq to that...

**sengd001** · 06-10-2006, 09:01 AM

Hi thanks for the response, so i noticed that your pc setup is a iPAQ PC, i found a few for about 40 bucks thanks for the recomendaton. you should also consider trying to power it using an inverter and your monitor might also be powered via the pc console im not a pro pc tech so dont quote me on this lol.

the only thing i am lost on is how do you plan on getting the audio through your oem sound setup? there must be a specific adaptor made especially by volvo to connect a pc from the oem radio adaptor. As you know I too am on a budget..... $100-150 to complete this setup, as you know I drive a 2000 s40 volvo...... here is my touchscreen dash>>>>>

http://s40concepts.net/forum/index.p...67dee140d27ee4

I bought it from crash on this website also. but let me know how the cpu handles, and if you find out about any wiring stuff spread the word and thanks.

**double-0-newb** · 06-12-2006, 11:55 AM

Hi sengd001,

I should clarify 2 things.

1 - I am no longer using the factory HU; a couple of posts up you see I have purchased a Clarion unit with AUX-in. That was the biggest deciding factor as the HU-813 factory radio only wanted a CD changer, which meant I had to buy a trunk cd changer AND hack-into the cable to use a PC/iPOD/whatever. Or buy an iPAQ and the 120$ adapter. Read alot about it on swedespeed.com, and in the end chose to go with another HU. Clear enough? Ask if not.

In your case, ask the dealer (or search/ask at swedespeed.com audio forums) if you can plug ANY audio device (mp3 player, iPOD) into the back of your radio (sit in your car and jot down the name, looks like HU-625 ?).
Chances are good it will/does NOT, it only wants to see a factory CD changer or an iPOD adapter, again $100. Choice is yours, but I chose to get another radio so I could get any audio source in.

2 - I am not actually using an iPAQ PC, though I might get one if none of my other PCs work well enough. I always thought they would be perfect for a car PC, and cheap. If you get one let me know how it works for you.