Hey All,
I have finally kicked off my Carputer Project. I will start posting pictures of our progress soon. After much debate with co-workers (we are going to reproduce our efforts on 3 or 4 cars at the office), we have decided to run the following:
- Macintosh Mini 1.66 / 512M / 60Gb current "base" model
- Windows XP Pro via BootCamp
- StreetDeck
- Fixed Double-Din mounted Transflective Touchscreen (still shopping)
- Carnetix P2140 w/Mac Mini Cable & USB Management Software
- Sirius SIR-ALP1 w/RUSH2112.net USB Interface
- ccStick Input Device
- Valentine 1 Virtual Radar Display (when cables become available again)
- Bluetooth Hands free (when available for Streetdeck)
- Cingular UMTS/HSDPA 3G data connection
- USB external storage (250Gb+) for Media
We will be installing the first system in my Porsche Carrera 2 Cabriolet. Work will begin this weekend by re-locating the Porsche's A/C controlls to the lower console, scoping out the wiring, & taking measurements for the LCD fabrication.
We have settled on the Macintosh Mini for a few reasons:
- Its a nice tight formfactor for a Core Duo platform
- Great Bang for the Buck ($599 for a Core Duo system that includes Optical Audio)
- They were built to be used with a Remote PowerSupply
- We want the cool "Apple" sticker <SmirK>
We have no plans to leverage OS-X, but we plan on leaving it on the drive so that we can dual-boot if we ever had the desire to play around with the native Mac features.
We picked up the first Mini yesterday and got it running on our bench. It took about 2 hours to get it setup with a 32Gb Windows Partition running XP. We installed XP Pro, Mappoint 2006, Drivers for the SIRF USB GPS, StreetDeck, and a few other misc. applications.
Parts On the way: Sirius , Power Supply, StreetDeck, Lilliput 8" Monitor (For Bench Testing)
I'll start with pictures when they get interesting.......
Didn't even know about this ccStick - god that's a good idea. It'd be great if Streetdeck could have native support for that.Originally Posted by DiscoBayJoe
I also like the MacMini idea with Bootcamp. It costs a ton more then an iTX, but you could always pull it out and use it as a regular computer if all else fails.
Does Streetdeck have Sirius support?
Good luck and hope all turns out well.
Only 32Gb partition? You will definately need more space. Or at least I would with my 200+Gb of media!
Fusion Brain Version 6 Released!
1.9in x 2.9in -- 47mm x 73mm
30 Digital Outputs -- Directly drive a relay
15 Analogue Inputs -- Read sensors like temperature, light, distance, acceleration, and more
Buy now in the MP3Car.com Store
User "nakinney" has recently released a Sirius DigitalMod for StreetDeck. You'll find it in the streetdeck subforum for Digital Mods. The screenshots look great and it loaded right up for a dry-run under Demo mode. My SIR-ALP1 arrived today, so i'm just waiting for the rush2112 cable for a live run! Sirius is my #1 priority for the entertainment side of the CarPC.
32Gb is the maximum Fat32 partition that can be mounted as Read/Write if/when the system boots into OS-X. Today I loaded a couple gigs of MAME Rom's onto the bench unit for fun. I plan on using an external drive (USB) for the mass media store.
Sofar, So Good!
Ok sounds better!
Although since it is a mac, isn't there a firewire port on it seeing as how it is a mac proprietary port!
Faster than USB if you will be storing video on it too.
Fusion Brain Version 6 Released!
1.9in x 2.9in -- 47mm x 73mm
30 Digital Outputs -- Directly drive a relay
15 Analogue Inputs -- Read sensors like temperature, light, distance, acceleration, and more
Buy now in the MP3Car.com Store
Hey All,
I figured i'd post a few "before" shots and some pics of the components on the "bench" (actually, kitchen counter, to the dismay of my girlfriend):
The Car:
The Current DASH:
I am going to remove the CD holder in the bottom half of the dash and move the A/C controls down.
I think an 8" will fit, but we'll know as I pull it all apart. I want the monitor to install clean with no bezel behind the factory surround:
Since this is a Convertible, I want the install to be as stealth as possible. I was originally thinking the Mac Mini would go under the hood where the factory changer lived, but I think it'll work excellent in the glovebox:
I have most everything working, but i"ve decided I need a full GIG of ram (currently 512Mb). I have 30A 110V->12V power supply I am going to use to get the carnetix supply going on the bench this week. I'm also going to work on an orange/black skin so it will match the dash of the Porsche.
More as it comes.....
does the 02 use the MOST system?
Jan Bennett
FS: VW MKIV Bezel for 8" Lilliput - 95% Finished
Please post on the forums! Chances are, someone else has or will have the same questions as you!
No, 2002 is the last year without MOST. The car does have a BOSE system that is mediocre but will do for the first pass. The final solution will include a speaker/amp retrofit. I don't plan on leaving the head unit anyhow. It'll be 100% CarPC.
Move the climate controls to under the VDO CD Holder so you free up all the space ontop of the headunit
Just like in the Image Below
For Bootscreens click Here
Cool Photoshop. I plan on moving it one notch up from where you moved it so I can retain the little pocket (it fits my cellphone perfect). I don't use the CD holder (who needs CD's?)
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