Worklog: Project TezzaPuta - 2006 Ford Territory Ghia (Melbourne, Australia)

G'day All,

The Car:
2006 Ford Territory Ghia RWD with 7 Seats
http://home.bigblue.net.au/~longy/te..._territory.jpg

The Project:
TezzaPuta (CarPC / Carputer in 2006 Ford Territory Ghia) - Melbourne, Australia

The Goals:
A) To implement a carputer that caters to the following "minimum" requirements:
- Play MP3's
- Play DVD's & Video through Rear Headrest screens
- Wireless connection to household PC
- Wireless Internet
- Touchscreen Implementation

B) To implement a carputer that caters to the following "discretionary/optional" requirements:
- Integrated Bluetooth functionality for Mobile Phone
- Personalized Front End "skin" for the car
- OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics)
- Satellite Navigation Integration
- Television Integration

The Plan:
Phase 1: Research & Planning (commenced Jul, 2006)
Phase 2: Design & Estimate (commenced Jan, 2007)
Phase 3: Component Acquisition & Purchasing (commenced Feb, 2007)
Phase 4: PC Construction & Software (commenced Mar, 2007)
Phase 5: Proof of Concept
Phase 6: In-Car Installation of PC
Phase 7: In-Car Fabrication (if required)

The Documentation:
Through my 8+ months of "addicted" mp3car forum reading so far, I have certainly come to appreciate the detailed documentation, discussion and problem solving contained in the squillions of threads. I too hope to contribute by documenting my experiences/issues/solutions/etc including photos.

The Main Concerns:
1) Cost. I'm definitely not a cheapskate, and when I do something I like it done well, but living in Australia certainly makes this kind of project expensive. If buying new, it's tough to source reasonably priced components over here, and when buying from overseas, there's the USD->AUD conversion, international shipping, and potential duty charges. Not really complaining, but it is a reality.

2) Time. Always a factor. With a full time job, two kids and other community based commitments, I'm just hopeful that the TezzaPuta will be 99% finished sometime in 2007. Hopefully I’ll have enough parts together to start work in March.

3) SAPOC (Spouse Approves Proof of Concept). Approval from my wife may be an effort, and that's why I've included a "Proof of Concept" phase. Basically, I want to show off the carputer in as complete a state as I can get it, before I even touch the car. I reckon this is my best chance of SAPOC and at that point the in-car implementation will begin. God I sound soft.

4) Skill Set. I reckon I can handle most things on the PC, software, peripheral and wiring sides, but I'm pretty well intimidated by any potential dash fabrication work that might be required. As such, I'm virtually treating the dash fabrication phase as optional. We'll see how adventurous I get towards the end.


I know it’s been a long winded start, so thanks for sticking it out. Wish me luck - I'll need it. And thanks to all who contribute here as these forums will be my Soul Mate right throughout project TezzaPuta.

Cheers,

Long.1

Event Timeline / Progress Updates:

..-Jul-2006 - Found out about these Mp3Car.com Forums
..-Dec-2006 - Took possession of new car - Ford Territory Ghia
17-Feb-2007 - Purchased Motherboard, Memory, Power Supply, Sound Blaster
21-Feb-2007 - Created Mp3car Worklog
23-Feb-2007 - Purchased 2x7" Rear Headrest Monitors
10-Mar-2007 - Started building PC on test workbench
18-Mar-2007 - Attended CarPC Meet - Melbourne, Australia
25-Mar-2007 - Purchased Slim DVD/CDRW & JAE to IDE Adapter
23-May-2007 - Dealing with SB Extigy audio issues
02-Jun-2007 - Testing Onboard Audio in Car
20-Jun-2007 - Testing DVD/Video on Rear Headrest monitors
02-Jul-2007 - Investigate Custom Carputer Box (under drivers seat)

Current CarPC Components & Links:

.....Motherboard: Via Epia Mini-ITX EN12000EG
.............CPU: 1.2GHz VIA C7 nanoBGA2 Processor (Onboard Motherboard)
........Graphics: Integrated VIA UniChrome™ Pro AGP Graphics (Onboard Motherboard)
....Power Supply: Opus 150 Watt DC-DC Converter
..........Memory: 512Mb RAM
.......Hard Disk: 200GB Seagate SATA (Partitioned 30Gb WinXP / 170Gb Data)
..Optical Drives: Sony CRX830E Slim CDRW/DVD Combo
.Touchscreen LCD:
Rear LCD Screens: 2x7" Eonon Rear Headrest Monitors
......Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Extigy
.......Bluetooth:
....Wireless LAN:
....GPS Receiver:

PDF Documentation:

Last Update FileSize PDF/Documentation
----------- -------- -------------------------------------
29-Jan-2007 ...57 Kb Project_TezzaPuta_A_The_Car.pdf
12-Mar-2007 ..487 Kb Project_TezzaPuta_B_PC_Components.pdf
.

You have obviously spent some time working through a good project plan.
Good luck with your project!

Great to see your log. Im in the same boat as you kind of....havent got hold of my BA Falcon but have been reading the forums....the scariest part is the fabrication

I look forward to more posts of your progress.

I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress on a very well planned Carpc.

I'm a little concerned (for your personal safety) that you have left the SA (Spousal Approval) until after Component Acquisition & Purchasing. Then again it is sometimes easier to apologize than ask permission.

You may want to consider renaming the project. I'm not certain but I'm pretty sure you're currently telling everyone that the Tezza has sex for money. (In Spanish.) A definite hurdle in obtaining SA.

I have ordered:

This Case - speak to Graeme, very good Service :)

I have:
This to drive Ford color TFT LCD screen on the ICC - remember to get the PCI-Express version if you have pci-ex motherboard - Andy is the contact person there.

This is the motherboard I used, from Synrax in Australia (Commell Taiwan reseller) -
Commell LV-677

This is the WiFi card, Commell-brand:
MP2501

and this is the GPS:
MP-954GPS - they do not list this on Synrax's website, but ask Ben, he can get it from Taiwan!

You may want to get a Panasonic UJ845 DVD-RW optical slotload slimline drive

PSU I use id the M2-ATX supply, got it off ebay.

OBD-II interface:
Autoenginuity - it supports our vehicles out of the box, and ancludes very nice software. Nothing ricey, just very pro-looking bargraph indicators etc....check it out - if you go this route, search ebay for this, I got mine from their webshop for something like $50 Aud cheaper that way :)

Some info to consider, may make things easier for you when sourcing correct components the 1st time. Saves you money.

Enjoy, looking forward to your log.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by acejas

......the scariest part is the fabrication.....I look forward to more posts of your progress.

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Too right - don't want to think about it yet. Thanks for the support.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrJamieR

I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress on a very well planned Carpc......I'm a little concerned (for your personal safety) that you have left the SA (Spousal Approval) until after Component Acquisition & Purchasing. Then again it is sometimes easier to apologize than ask permission.

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Thanks mate. Think my wife's happy enough for me to buy some stuff and tinker around a bit. However, at this stage she's not real keen on me touching the new car, and she's not prepared to drive it without a dash. She probably thinks I can still sell-off my parts if this "passing fad" dies off. I can see Judgement Day on the horizen though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mrbean_phillip

......This Case
......This to drive Ford color TFT LCD screen on the ICC
......This is the motherboard I used - Commell LV-677
......This is the WiFi card, Commell-brand: MP2501
......and this is the GPS: MP-954GPS
......You may want to get a Panasonic UJ845 DVD-RW optical slotload slimline drive
......PSU I use is the M2-ATX supply, got it off ebay.
......OBD-II interface: Autoenginuity - it supports our vehicles out of the box, and includes very nice software.
......Some info to consider, may make things easier for you when sourcing correct components the 1st time. Saves you money.
......Enjoy, looking forward to your log.

---

Thanks Beanie - You've been a wealth of knowledge thus far, and I've already come to rely on it. I appreciate the info, and thanks for the support.

Cheers,

Long.1

As a minor update, I've purchased some rear headrest monitors off ebay. I'll post up some photos/details when they arrive (hopefully next week, but we'll see - waiting for PayPal to clear my funds at the moment).

Cheers,

Long.1

Quote:

---

Thanks Beanie - You've been a wealth of knowledge thus far, and I've already come to rely on it. I appreciate the info, and thanks for the support.

---

Ha, no problem - you are welcome :)

I am off to Bangkok next week for a few days till Saturday, but will be able to check your progress.....looking forward seeing those screens!