What do I need to install a Carputer? In Dash PC Computer

[95CarbonEclipse]

So, I've done a bit of searching on here and on a few other websites, but I'm still a bit confused on exactly what I would need, and how it would all go together, to have a working in dash carputer.

My goal is to have an setup that would allow me to have access to my music library, Ipod hookup, play DVD's, GPS enabled, and most importantly be able to run ECMlink off of. I'm not looking for anything super high powered, just something simple and fast enough to get the job done. Ease of install would be ideal, but I'm not ruling anything out just because "some assembly is required".

Obviously I would need a CPU, DVD drive, GPS hardware, and a touchscreen... but, what specific components and features should I be shopping for?

 

[synthetek]

There is a lot of info on mp3car.com about this kind of stuff, they could probably point you in the right direction about what kind of components you would need, there are also complete pre made systems but they can be kind of expensive.

 

[greathuskie]

There is a lot of info on mp3car.com about this kind of stuff, they could probably point you in the right direction about what kind of components you would need, there are also complete pre made systems but they can be kind of expensive.

you need an incar PC and a indash monitor with VGA input

 

[InfiniteGSX]

YEs, just look up things on MP3Car.com. I have a Abit NF-M2 64bit system in my car with a 7" Lilliput USB TS. Get ideas what you wanna do. There are good power supplies and micro motherboards and tons of stuff you can do. I've done carputers for a long time. I know there are a few people on here that have a computer in their car.

 

[SnprSlick]

May I reccomend an Asus Eee PC?

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

YEs, just look up things on MP3Car.com. I have a Abit NF-M2 64bit system in my car with a 7" Lilliput USB TS. Get ideas what you wanna do. There are good power supplies and micro motherboards and tons of stuff you can do. I've done carputers for a long time. I know there are a few people on here that have a computer in their car.

I was looking for a response from you, Infinite. I've seen a few of those Lilliput touchscreens around, are they supposed to be pretty good?

Also, I'll definitely check out MP3car.com. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[rha_81]

check the new item on EVOSCAN site...
EvoScan OBDII Mitsubishi MUTII DataLogger Scantool

is toutchscreen LCD display, Mitsubishi datalogger, GPS, multimedia, EVO and 1998-1999 Eclipse ECU Reflash. good investiment.

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i have one on my 95 Eclipse!

 

[synthetek]

check the new item on EVOSCAN site...
EvoScan OBDII Mitsubishi MUTII DataLogger Scantool

is toutchscreen LCD display, Mitsubishi datalogger, GPS, multimedia, EVO and 1998-1999 Eclipse ECU Reflash. good investiment.

i have one on my 95 Eclipse!

They need something like that that works with dsmlink!

 

[InfiniteGSX]

I was looking for a response from you, Infinite. I've seen a few of those Lilliput touchscreens around, are they supposed to be pretty good?

Also, I'll definitely check out MP3car.com. Thanks for the heads up.

Lilliput screens are cheap. Xenarc are the best. Xenarc are almost 100% positive to work. Lilli's some times have issues from being sent out. So its kinda hit or miss. But price is alot different. If you want the best of the best. I belive Lilli or Xenarc sells a brand new LED screen so its really bright and has a kick ass viewing range. I'm right now pulling my x64 system out of my car to put my old Shuttle SN41G2V2 in so I can turn my x64 system into a Media Center PC.

For cars there are USB GPS systems, DC-DC Power Supplies with shut down controllers so when your car turns on or off it will trigger the system however you like, I like to use Sleep because its faster then a cold boot.

Go ahead and pm me if you ever need help.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

I see that a majority of Car PC users go with a screen that is flush mounted into their dash. With this type of setup, where would install your DVD drive in order to make it convenient to use?

I personally would prefer an in-dash flip out monitor only because I feel that having the screen installed in the double din area in our cars would place it too low and that the gear shifter would get in the way. Of course a flip out screen would cover the HVAC controls, but I don't really mess with those that much.

The Xenarc x7000 In-dash unit looks to be a perfect fit for my needs, but it's rather spendy.

 

[selmerguy]

No matter what brand screen you buy you get the same quality LCD. They are made by the same company. The assembly is different between the Lilli and the Xenarc that is what makes the xenarc the better buy. I personaly would buy the lilly because to flush mount it you are taking it apart anyway. I have ran both the flush mount in a 2g and I currently run a motorized flip out in my 1g. Both worked fine. The flipout took about 5 mins to install where as the fiberglassed flush mount took a week. But it is worth it in the end if thats what you want. You might want to look into a used cheap laptop and use that for your pc. You can open it up and extend the power wires and make it work very well. It is also small and would fit nice under your seat. There are tons of options for Carpc's. Decide what you want to do and post pics!!!! I use mine to run DSMAP, my logger, my navi, music, vids, video games, and with my bluetooth cell phone I surff the web. I also mounted my DVD drive in the center consol where it opened up between the consol and the back seat. It was hidden and worked very well.

Good luck

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

I also mounted my DVD drive in the center consol where it opened up between the consol and the back seat. It was hidden and worked very well.

Do you have pics of this? I'm assuming that you're referring to your 2g for this setup?

I'm curious as to how you actually mounted the drive with the SRS unit right there.

 

[Gamble97]

I run a flip out screen 7". Alpine headunit for am/fm and cd's.
Epia 1ghz mb/cpu it's like the m100000 or something. Opus power supply.
Forgot what size hard drive, but I have music, had some movies on there. Wifi works great. I haven't had a chance to play with v2 of dsmlink but it's ready to go. I also have a usb nintendo controller with emulator and roms.
Rearview camera. GPS I have to install the antenna and software though. And I have centrafuse.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

So that Alpine head unit has a VGA input?

 

[Gamble97]

No. I use the headunit for cd and am/fm. The vga goes from the indash screen to the motherboard. Then from the motherboard I have the sound cable come out, convert to RCA and go to the input on the alpine headunit.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

Yeah some people would just install a flipout screen, and a stereo just so they don't have to waste some more space on installing an FM Modulator. Which they do sell. I to would recomend a Lilli if you want to flush mount it, cause you have to rip things apart and fiberglass it. Like what I did in my 2G. The Lilliput 7" casing with the bottom button area cut off fits perfectly on the 2G faceplate, then you just gotta mold it in and mount the screen.

Laptops just like Selmer said are also fun. You could do what I wanted a while back. Hot wire and mount a docking station to a laptop in your car, that way you can mount it under your seat, in the back of the car, wherever and not touch the laptop... and still easily pull it out to bring into a starbucks or whatever you wish. Pretty much bringing your expensive equipment with you in case your car is broken into. Thats what I would do if I had the chance... But I already have tons of SFF motherboards to use and custom build my own pcs so no use in spending cash on a top in my car.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

You could do what I wanted a while back. Hot wire and mount a docking station to a laptop in your car, that way you can mount it under your seat, in the back of the car, wherever and not touch the laptop... and still easily pull it out to bring into a starbucks or whatever you wish.

I had that same idea. I just can't think of a convenient place to dock the laptop. Normally under the seat would be perfect, but with my aftermarket seats, the brackets sit so low that it's nearly impossible to get things in or out of under there.

 

[Gamble97]

I had that same idea. I just can't think of a convenient place to dock the laptop. Normally under the seat would be perfect, but with my aftermarket seats, the brackets sit so low that it's nearly impossible to get things in or out of under there.

+1 I have the same problem. That is where I wanted mine, but my seat brackets take up soo much room. It would be possible with stock seats though.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

I'm sure I could make it work if it was just a single unit that didn't require access to it on a regular basis.

The only other option that I can think of that would look good and be functional would be to somehow mold the docking station into the trunk. Hmm... I do need to make a new trunk floorboard. I could always recess it a bit to mount the docking station in there.

 

[knochgoon24]

Make sure you have some sort of padding for hard drive components. They don't like to take a rough ride while reading and writing.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

There are solid state drives out now. Laptop hard drives do very well for shock protection. Same with Laptop DVD Writers. My PC was mounted behind the screen by the ECU, pretty much mounted to the frame of the dash. Had no issue with Shock Protection on a Laptop HD. Never ran a desktop.

If you don't run a Laptop. Make sure you get something that you can throw a mobile cpu into... less heat problems requires less power. Heat is always an issue with a pc.

 

[selmerguy]

Do you have pics of this? I'm assuming that you're referring to your 2g for this setup?

I'm curious as to how you actually mounted the drive with the SRS unit right there.

SRS unit... Yeah airbags are overated???? I didnt have my airbags so I got rid of that unit all togeather. You could mount a slimline in there with the unit still in. Sorry I dont have pics but I think I have a thread on here with both my installs. I am in Iraq right now so it would take to long for me to search for a link. I will try when I have more time for this slow internet.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

Selmer, you post as the same screen name on MP3car.com right? Cause you could just check on there. I know I've seen you on there before.

I know I have a photo of when I started to mold my lilli into my old 98's dash...

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And here was a screen shot of my old front end program

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[selmerguy]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/appearance-interior-exterior/214122-update-car-pc.html

Here is the link to my thread on here. I did clean up the screen. But never took pics. Sold the car when I got my 1g. If you do mold the screen into the 2g dont use to much bondo on the front cover of the screen. That was my mistake and it took hours to correct. Mad the install alot harder than it needed to be. No pics of the back of the consol where the dick driv was. It was simple though. Find the sweet spot where it fits, Cut hole, flush mount drive and there you go.

 

[Gamble97]

Is that centrafuse? How did you put the words eclipse in there, I can't figure it out. Mine just says centrafuse.