My First Car PC Install - Research and Planning Stage

[diezel]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Superb, @diezel! Congratulations.

1. What was the length of the cable(s) from the PC cabinet to the LCD?
2. What is the 'black box' at the extreme right of the boot?
3. Did you connect the audio direct to the amp (looks like a Sony 4-ch) or did you wire it to the HU? (Which HU?)
4. Where did you put the DC-DC Convertor? (not visible in the PC cabinet)
5. Where did you draw power from?

Thanks guys, last couple of days I have been going through some stability tests and finally managed to get the system completely stable.

1. I bought a Extended M-F VGA cable of 2m length.
2. The black box on the extreme right is just the cabinet's top cover. Behind that is my JBL MonoBloc.
3. The audio is directly connected to the AUX of my pioneer 7950 HU. Under the cabinet is the place where my Focal SW are installed.
4. The DC-DC card is installed within the cabinet itself and as you see 3 wires are coming out of the cabinet, one connects directly to the main power line drawn from the battery and the other two are the ground and the remote cable(Connected to Remote cable coming from HU)

[diezel]

hey gigy,

do you really have the Satguide GPS Software running on ur CarPC or ur a using a PND?

[gigy]

satguide database was used with destinator for pc. it was running ok except for the sound, was not getting audio alerts, so changed over to centerfuse. besides center fuse is more convenient to run navigation and music together.

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by gotzuk

came across this range of HCL entry level laptops.
and the specs read as follows ... MiLeap Y ...

There is a younger brother of this one - costs app. 17K. Doesn't have touchscreen and the screen does not swivel - otherwise almost identical! The guy at the shop could not explain why the swivel and touch should cost another 12K! :-(

[diezel]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

There is a younger brother of this one - costs app. 17K. Doesn't have touchscreen and the screen does not swivel - otherwise almost identical! The guy at the shop could not explain why the swivel and touch should cost another 12K! :-(

A Swivel is more of a mechanical upgrade so the cost may not be justified, but with a touchscreen it very well is justified. See most touchscreens are generally, 8-wire capacitative screens, which permit clicks, drags, and other commonly used left mouse button functions. They are more resistive to dust and heat related issues. A normal touchscreen external kit for a 17" monitor, which can be installed by removing the bezel of your monitor, comes for around 12K. Add to the cost of the monitor and you know where the prices are going...

So I guess, its more of a user's choice whether he/she thinks that it is worth it.

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by diezel

...A normal touchscreen external kit for a 17" monitor, which can be installed by removing the bezel of your monitor, comes for around 12K. Add to the cost of the monitor and you know where the prices are going...

True, but - an external 7" touchscreen LCD monitor, like this model has, costs 12K, I think (iRide)! A 7" touchscreen part actually costs $30, including the USB interface. There is a 'how to' video on YouTube for mod'ing an ASUS EeePC (costs 17K at Croma).

A true tablet PC with 12" screen (Toshiba, Compaq, HP) actually costs a lot more than the HCL one, though.

[diezel]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

True, but - an external 7" touchscreen LCD monitor, like this model has, costs 12K, I think (iRide)! A 7" touchscreen part actually costs $30, including the USB interface. There is a 'how to' video on YouTube for mod'ing an ASUS EeePC (costs 17K at Croma).

A true tablet PC with 12" screen (Toshiba, Compaq, HP) actually costs a lot more than the HCL one, though.

I agree... but as I said, its all about what one wants. Some might be content with a Laptop as a CarPC solution and some like me want a full fledged ATX PC in my car, unlike the ITX based PC.

[monty9991]

ok guys.. i pulled out my whole setup. currently i hooked-up my screen and HU.. i will make a box of acrilic sheet. will do that this next week end.

[monty9991]

as i was edditng what i said above accidently i hit enter and it got posted.
well anywayz.. my earlier setup wasent reliable. the screen use to move side to side and down ward. so i dint like.
i will make a new box of plexi sheet and will place it under the seat.

and more over i'd likw to have suggestion from every one in order to make my setup perfect.

[VOiLA]

HEY GUYS !! GR8 STUFF ! AWESOME CONGRATS MAN !!
i wanna do this too but i have a Q..
can i place my old sempron pc instead of a HU and play via that since i have a huge 1TB HDD with my a/v files....with the rest of the setup...amps/spks/subs

??

[monty9991]

Originally Posted by VOiLA

HEY GUYS !! GR8 STUFF ! AWESOME CONGRATS MAN !!
i wanna do this too but i have a Q..
can i place my old sempron pc instead of a HU and play via that since i have a huge 1TB HDD with my a/v files....with the rest of the setup...amps/spks/subs

??

yes sure you can do this. and if you want to use 5.1 or 7.1 sound card and directly hook it up to your amp that will be like "sone par suhaga" . lol..
best of luck on your setup.

[monty9991]

i have my 2 more friends installing carputer in swift and Lancer. currently we had screens put up in the the consols. pics will be posted soon.

[monty9991]

hi.. here are the pics of pc in an alto.. i palced this box under the seat..

later i will fix a dvd rom on this box.

[spadival]

monty, ur centre console install seems to be lot better now, Good job !!

Whats the last pic with the suction cap on the windshield? its a bit dark

[NetfreakBombay]

WOW cool work Monty. Case made with plexiglass is awsome. What are the dimensions? Was it difficult to keep it under seat?

Would be cool if you can post of pics of box it has been fit in car.

And cool idea of fitting WiFi adapter.. "war driving" will be fun