The CarPC / Carputer Thread

srikant · 19th July 2009, 02:26

Congrats and cheers to you man for your real hard work that has gone into so many trials and still enthusiastically working for a great carPC.

You wont believe it, i read the whole thread at a single stretch and just finished it at 2.30am now. I have read it all night. Never even studied for my exams like this.

Well i too am planning for a CARPC in Swift and doing research on the same. I am not knowledgeable and experienced like you in computers and electronics. But i have to learn more by reading more to clear some doubts on the same.

God i cant type anymore, got a headache being glued on to your thread at once. But loved it and it was a learning experience by itself.

I would need all your support for the same. Please do support me. I will give more details in the coming days.

Cheers
Sri

DerAlte · 19th July 2009, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacmagic

little thought: with stuff like this available for not very much, do we need to spend large amounts of effort on setting up carputers like we do now?

Considering that the availability is very low, and comparatively the cost is quite high, it is unlikely to be a popular alternative.

One also has to consider the satisfaction and pride that comes out of a serious DIY effort - the effort is not the problem in such cases.:-)

blacmagic · 19th July 2009, 18:46

I get the DIY satisfaction part DerAlte. I had the good fortune of installing a carputer in an Innova ages ago. no tiny monitor for that. it was a proper computer in a car. each of the hassles with the install was maddening and gratifying after it was overcome.

but if all that somebody needs is a reliable carputer, I now feel the UMPC is the answer. the biggest problem is availability, but all it takes is some patience till someone is coming from the US or somewhere. they start from USD 500 which is quite competitive with the cost incurred to setup a conventional carputer [assuming nothing old is being used].
once the cost and availability issue is addressed, the rest looks all rosy.
you dont need to fret about the power supply and all thats needed is a car inverter.
no hassle of having to run a bunch of wires from the mobo to the monitor.
there is also the added advantage of being able to plug the sucker out and walk away with it making sure no thieving idiots can get their grubby paws on your precious computer.

I was seriously considering going for one but have nobody coming down in the near future. being impatient as heck, Im getting an HTC Touch HD and setting it up to be my car all-in-one, namely the music player, GPS device and internet phone.

Im not trying to discourage anybody from installing carputers; a DIY is always fun. I simply wished to point out alternatives.

DerAlte · 19th July 2009, 20:49

No, Venkat, you made a very valid suggestion. I completely agree with you regarding the suitability. Just that these things are seldom available off-the-shelf. There are a few other (Korea, Taiwan and China made) UMPCs out there, but none that one could try out in Fry's or Best Buy before picking up (speed is a relative issue, and the GHz mumbo-jumbo does not give a clear feeling regarding MIPS availability; so it is always better to get a feel first).

One finds most of these in a CES or Embedded conferences, but getting hands on one of these outside is a bit difficult. I really regret not having picked up a UMPC in last year's Embedded show in Yokohama.

gigy · 20th July 2009, 18:12

UMPC are lovely things, too costly for me to use in car environment.

My new amplifier is here, but will have to plug in the leaks in boot before i put this in. baleno spares are becoming rarer with time, not getting the bottom trim for rear glass.

Finally i have made some progress in discovering a optical to analog converter but 2 channel only.
Amazon.com: Digital Audio To Analog Audio Converter: Electronics

A higher priced one-
Amazon.com: Audiophile Products Fubar II - Gray USB Audio Interface: Electronics

DerAlte · 20th July 2009, 19:21

An actual product named FUBAR? Now I have seen everything!!!

These won't give you what you want, @gigy.

srikant · 20th July 2009, 21:00

Guys what are your opinion on these stuff for Carputer project? Googles this out during my research

1. ATX SMPS Power Supply India China Korea Taiwan Singapore USA

2. Laptop Hard Disk Converter, Laptop Hard Disk Converter, Hard disk Converter, 44 pins to 40 pins Laptop Hard disk converter, Data cable, IDE cable, hdd ide cable, india, usa, pune, mumbai, Laptop Hard disk Cable

3. Disk on Module SSD MLC DOM China Korea Taiwan Singapore India PQI Flash OS Linux Windows Embedded XP DiskonModule India, Flash Disk India, M-systems India, Flash memory IDE standard ATA, replace HDD with Flash Disk, Fast Flash Disk FFD India, DiskonC

4. GSM GPRS GPS Antenna 2 dBi 3 5 6 10 dBi Antennas Yagi Omni Panel Antennas China Korea Taiwan Singapore India gsm antenna booster gsm car antenna gsm gps antenna gsm external antenna gsm antenna antenna gsm RF module

gigy · 21st July 2009, 14:09

DerAlte, I will try the 5.1 Sabrent USB-SND8 8-Channel USB 2.0 External 7.1 Sound Box and see if it works. another 2k for that one.

Srikant, interesting things there. what are the price of various stuff you intend to pick up?

itwasntme · 21st July 2009, 20:26

DerAlte,

How is a HCL MiLeap MH0214 netbook suited for a carputer mod? It's now available (for a limited time) from Croma Retail for only Rs. 14,990 including WIN XP Home Tablet edition.

Specs:

•Intel Processor A110 @ 800 MHz,
•Genuine Windows XP Home,
•Touch Screen Panel,
•WiFi, Bluetooth, Integrated Web Camera
•Stylus Pen, Weights 980 Grams
•Anti Virus for 12 months,
•Intel 945GU Express Chipset,
•1 GB DDR2 RAM,
•7" (17.7 cm) Wide (1024x600) LED Back Light, Touch Screen Panel,
•Swivel Screen, Integrated WebCamera (1.3 MP),
•2 Integrated Speakers,
•80 GB Hard Disk Drive,
•VGA Out, DC-IN,
•Headphone Mic-in, Built-in Mic,
•RJ-45, SD Card Slot, Lan Port,
•2 x USB ver 2.0,
•On-Screen Launch Buttons,
•3 Cells with 3 Hrs Idle Condition,
•Sleek Pouch,
•1 Year Bring In Warranty @ HCL Service Center

Link below:
MiLeap Ultra Portable Tablet Laptop with Windows XP

Digital Vampire · 21st July 2009, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme

How is a HCL MiLeap MH0214 netbook suited for a carputer mod? It's now available (for a limited time) from Croma Retail for only Rs. 14,990 including WIN XP Home Tablet edition.

Does it have a touchscreen which respond to finger touch or just the stylus?

If anyone has seen this, how is the sunlight/daylight viewability of the 7" screen.

srikant · 21st July 2009, 23:19

Still on planning stage gigy, would require all of your help here. Just exploring options as of now. Planning to start collecting hardware as of now. Have mailed those people asking for price.

BTW what are your opinions on the items posted above?

gigy · 22nd July 2009, 15:09

I have ordered for a angle toslink adapter and a 12ft optical cable to try out the sound card.

gigy · 22nd July 2009, 15:21

I have ordered for a angle toslink adapter and a 12ft optical cable to try out the sound card.

DerAlte · 22nd July 2009, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigy

... Sabrent USB-SND8 8-Channel USB 2.0 External 7.1 Sound Box ...

Looks promising. The most irritating part is the lack of sufficient info, so much of it has to be speculation and conjecture. The Sabrent website does not mention anything on the PSU (looks like USB powered), nor does the user manual (talks only of configuration over USB).

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme

... HCL MiLeap MH0214 netbook ... Croma Retail for only Rs. 14,990 including WIN XP Home Tablet edition. ...

WOW! The first time I saw it the price was 31K (when Asus Eee PC was 17K). Late last year it was 21K without OS. Now 15K with OS? That's a real good deal. The only problems you need to think of are:
1. How to mount it conveniently at hand (which car?)
2. How to power it from 12V line in the car, maybe from the cig lighter (you need to physically look at the AC converter to find out it's output voltage, then get a suitable DC-DC converter, or get a car inverter)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Vampire

... touchscreen ... sunlight/daylight ...

Of course it has a touchscreen (it is a tablet). Whether finger or stylus depends on the area exposed by an application, i.e. button or link. Daylight visibility is not bad - touchscreen is not so reflective. Of course, LCD being back-lit, colours look washed out when in sunlight. Not so much of a problem in the car, unless you have sunroof open in bright sunlight!

Quote:

Originally Posted by srikant

... BTW what are your opinions on the items posted above?

If you don't mind my saying so, one needs to look at the real critical items: mobo, PSU, cabinet etc. before the peripherals. Or did I miss something? If the mobo that you select does not have an FDD connector (quite likely), that SSD will be a waste.

gigy · 22nd July 2009, 16:15

SMPS12 is only 60w output capable, not of use for your kind of plan. i don't find automotive functions like wide input voltage, crank protection and amplifier thump in it. a unknown brand also. i think for these critical things you should stick with iride or import stuff proven, like in mp3.com. i dont think it will be any cheaper also.

Whats the plan with gsm antenna?
Have you got quote for the components?
Avoid converters for laptop hard disk and go for sata with lock or solid state DOM with good read/write speeds.
Which motherboard you are planning to use?

19th July 2009, 02:26	#391
srikant BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 489 Thanked: 12 Times	Congrats and cheers to you man for your real hard work that has gone into so many trials and still enthusiastically working for a great carPC. You wont believe it, i read the whole thread at a single stretch and just finished it at 2.30am now. I have read it all night. Never even studied for my exams like this. Well i too am planning for a CARPC in Swift and doing research on the same. I am not knowledgeable and experienced like you in computers and electronics. But i have to learn more by reading more to clear some doubts on the same. God i cant type anymore, got a headache being glued on to your thread at once. But loved it and it was a learning experience by itself. I would need all your support for the same. Please do support me. I will give more details in the coming days. Cheers Sri
	() Thanks

19th July 2009, 18:46	#393
blacmagic BANNED Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 221 Thanked: 12 Times	I get the DIY satisfaction part DerAlte. I had the good fortune of installing a carputer in an Innova ages ago. no tiny monitor for that. it was a proper computer in a car. each of the hassles with the install was maddening and gratifying after it was overcome. but if all that somebody needs is a reliable carputer, I now feel the UMPC is the answer. the biggest problem is availability, but all it takes is some patience till someone is coming from the US or somewhere. they start from USD 500 which is quite competitive with the cost incurred to setup a conventional carputer [assuming nothing old is being used]. once the cost and availability issue is addressed, the rest looks all rosy. you dont need to fret about the power supply and all thats needed is a car inverter. no hassle of having to run a bunch of wires from the mobo to the monitor. there is also the added advantage of being able to plug the sucker out and walk away with it making sure no thieving idiots can get their grubby paws on your precious computer. I was seriously considering going for one but have nobody coming down in the near future. being impatient as heck, Im getting an HTC Touch HD and setting it up to be my car all-in-one, namely the music player, GPS device and internet phone. Im not trying to discourage anybody from installing carputers; a DIY is always fun. I simply wished to point out alternatives.
	() Thanks

19th July 2009, 20:49	#394
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,035 Thanked: 2,920 Times	No, Venkat, you made a very valid suggestion. I completely agree with you regarding the suitability. Just that these things are seldom available off-the-shelf. There are a few other (Korea, Taiwan and China made) UMPCs out there, but none that one could try out in Fry's or Best Buy before picking up (speed is a relative issue, and the GHz mumbo-jumbo does not give a clear feeling regarding MIPS availability; so it is always better to get a feel first). One finds most of these in a CES or Embedded conferences, but getting hands on one of these outside is a bit difficult. I really regret not having picked up a UMPC in last year's Embedded show in Yokohama.
	() Thanks

20th July 2009, 18:12	#395
gigy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,321 Thanked: 47 Times	UMPC are lovely things, too costly for me to use in car environment. My new amplifier is here, but will have to plug in the leaks in boot before i put this in. baleno spares are becoming rarer with time, not getting the bottom trim for rear glass. Finally i have made some progress in discovering a optical to analog converter but 2 channel only. Amazon.com: Digital Audio To Analog Audio Converter: Electronics A higher priced one- Amazon.com: Audiophile Products Fubar II - Gray USB Audio Interface: Electronics Attached Thumbnails Last edited by gigy : 20th July 2009 at 18:25.
	() Thanks

20th July 2009, 19:21	#396
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,035 Thanked: 2,920 Times	An actual product named FUBAR? Now I have seen everything!!! These won't give you what you want, @gigy.
	() Thanks

20th July 2009, 21:00	#397
srikant BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 489 Thanked: 12 Times	Guys what are your opinion on these stuff for Carputer project? Googles this out during my research 1. ATX SMPS Power Supply India China Korea Taiwan Singapore USA 2. Laptop Hard Disk Converter, Laptop Hard Disk Converter, Hard disk Converter, 44 pins to 40 pins Laptop Hard disk converter, Data cable, IDE cable, hdd ide cable, india, usa, pune, mumbai, Laptop Hard disk Cable 3. Disk on Module SSD MLC DOM China Korea Taiwan Singapore India PQI Flash OS Linux Windows Embedded XP DiskonModule India, Flash Disk India, M-systems India, Flash memory IDE standard ATA, replace HDD with Flash Disk, Fast Flash Disk FFD India, DiskonC 4. GSM GPRS GPS Antenna 2 dBi 3 5 6 10 dBi Antennas Yagi Omni Panel Antennas China Korea Taiwan Singapore India gsm antenna booster gsm car antenna gsm gps antenna gsm external antenna gsm antenna antenna gsm RF module Last edited by srikant : 20th July 2009 at 21:04.
	() Thanks

21st July 2009, 14:09	#398
gigy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,321 Thanked: 47 Times	DerAlte, I will try the 5.1 Sabrent USB-SND8 8-Channel USB 2.0 External 7.1 Sound Box and see if it works. another 2k for that one. Srikant, interesting things there. what are the price of various stuff you intend to pick up? Last edited by gigy : 21st July 2009 at 14:11.
	() Thanks

21st July 2009, 20:26	#399
itwasntme Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 7,731 Thanked: 14,200 Times View My Garage	DerAlte, How is a HCL MiLeap MH0214 netbook suited for a carputer mod? It's now available (for a limited time) from Croma Retail for only Rs. 14,990 including WIN XP Home Tablet edition. Specs: •Intel Processor A110 @ 800 MHz, •Genuine Windows XP Home, •Touch Screen Panel, •WiFi, Bluetooth, Integrated Web Camera •Stylus Pen, Weights 980 Grams •Anti Virus for 12 months, •Intel 945GU Express Chipset, •1 GB DDR2 RAM, •7" (17.7 cm) Wide (1024x600) LED Back Light, Touch Screen Panel, •Swivel Screen, Integrated WebCamera (1.3 MP), •2 Integrated Speakers, •80 GB Hard Disk Drive, •VGA Out, DC-IN, •Headphone Mic-in, Built-in Mic, •RJ-45, SD Card Slot, Lan Port, •2 x USB ver 2.0, •On-Screen Launch Buttons, •3 Cells with 3 Hrs Idle Condition, •Sleek Pouch, •1 Year Bring In Warranty @ HCL Service Center Link below: MiLeap Ultra Portable Tablet Laptop with Windows XP
	() Thanks

21st July 2009, 23:19	#401
srikant BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 489 Thanked: 12 Times	Still on planning stage gigy, would require all of your help here. Just exploring options as of now. Planning to start collecting hardware as of now. Have mailed those people asking for price. BTW what are your opinions on the items posted above?
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 15:09	#402
gigy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,321 Thanked: 47 Times	I have ordered for a angle toslink adapter and a 12ft optical cable to try out the sound card. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 15:21	#403
gigy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,321 Thanked: 47 Times	I have ordered for a angle toslink adapter and a 12ft optical cable to try out the sound card.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2009, 16:15	#405
gigy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,321 Thanked: 47 Times	SMPS12 is only 60w output capable, not of use for your kind of plan. i don't find automotive functions like wide input voltage, crank protection and amplifier thump in it. a unknown brand also. i think for these critical things you should stick with iride or import stuff proven, like in mp3.com. i dont think it will be any cheaper also. Whats the plan with gsm antenna? Have you got quote for the components? Avoid converters for laptop hard disk and go for sata with lock or solid state DOM with good read/write speeds. Which motherboard you are planning to use?
	() Thanks