Ok so i was just reading over Mitchello's Car PC Thread and am rather interested/intrigued...

To simplify the process, what else would i need to purchase/know if i were to get something like this all in one pre-made car pc? (has bluetooth and built in wireless)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mini-ITX-Carputer-w-D510MO-M2-ATX-250GB-HDD-M2-ATX_W0QQitemZ200430355194QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDeskto p_PCs?hash=item2eaa9482fa

I would need a touch screen, cables (I already have an amp/sub in boot that i would like to continue to use), would i need an inverter? Are those premade comps any good? Is it a problem its made in USA? (eg. with power sources)

Sorry for the questions, just wanted to get my head around it... Im good at software side of things, its more the hardware im a little bit noob at.

Consider a Mac Mini - nice compact machine out of the box.

mmmm....thanks for the suggestion, but I assume they would cost a fair bit more, wouldn't be as shock resistant, also this thing seems to be designed for specific use in a car...

Also, im a PC boy haha :P

mmmm....thanks for the suggestion, but I assume they would cost a fair bit more, wouldn't be as shock resistant, also this thing seems to be designed for specific use in a car...

Also, im a PC boy haha :P

If i'm honest.. I didn't actually look at your link.. actually that machine looks pretty nice and for a reasonable price! That looks really nice.

Also check out the mp3car.com products.



As for the mac mini.. you can always run windows.. but definitely will cost more..



Software wise.. I have a friend using Centrafuse (http://www.centrafuse.com/) and i-Go navigation and it looked pretty cool. Main thing then is to make a dash-mount for a 7" LCD :)

To simplify the process, what else would i need to purchase/know if i were to get something like this all in one pre-made car pc? (has bluetooth and built in wireless)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mini-ITX-Carputer-w-D510MO-M2-ATX-250GB-HDD-M2-ATX_W0QQitemZ200430355194QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDeskto p_PCs?hash=item2eaa9482fa

I would need a touch screen, cables (I already have an amp/sub in boot that i would like to continue to use), would i need an inverter? Are those premade comps any good? Is it a problem its made in USA? (eg. with power sources)

Sorry for the questions, just wanted to get my head around it... Im good at software side of things, its more the hardware im a little bit noob at.

For starters that unit looks pretty good. Nice compact case, new dualcore Atom CPU, WiFi/BT included, a socket for powering a monitor off it (I did this, worked great for making the monitor auto off/on) and it has the M2-ATX which is great.

Using the M2-ATX I never once came back to my car to find it dead if the computer didn't power off properly, and if you sat in the car for too long (well over an hour) with the engine off with the Car PC on, it would shutdown with plenty of power to spare to start the engine.

You'll need a touchscreen, might I suggest one that you can purchase a double-din bracket for? Custom moulding it into the dash like I did is great, but wouldn't really be any better than a good double-din LCD setup like this:

http://store.mp3car.com/Preassembled_Black_Double_Din_LCD_Frame_with_7_Li_ p/mon-067.htm

This is the screen I had in my TL and it was BRILLIANT, bargain price yet still very effective even with a good bit of sun on it.

If you are using a proper DC-DC PSU (like the M2-ATX) then you don't need an inverter. You don't want to be using an inverter.

Run it on a slimmed down version of XP with Centrafuse, and you will love it :)

Wow! thanks for the knowledge :D

If i went with that carputer, id prolly go for the extra ram option too, if it wasn't too pricey (Ill have to check if xp sp3 can take 4gb - cant remember off the top of my head.)

So I am assuming that unit connects straight to the car battery with a supplied cable? (no inverter/converter needed)

Id also need to run a VGA lead from the touch screen to the box. With that screen you suggested is it just as simple as mounting it like i would a standard double din head unit?

Thirdly, what would you suggest in terms of hooking up my current sound system? Can it hook into that? should i buy an external sound card? do i keep the head unit and run it into that?

I don't need amazing sound quality, but id like it to be equal to what i currently have, if not better.

If i went with that carputer, id prolly go for the extra ram option too, if it wasnt too pricey (Ill have to check if xp sp3 can take 4gb - cant remember off the top of my head.)

Honestly, I don't think 4GB is really necessary, 1GB of RAM never posed any issues in my system over the two years. Also work considering how much longer the computer will take to resume and go into hibernation with 4GB vs. 1 or 2GB.

So I am assuming that unit go straight to the car battery? (no inverter/converter needed)

Yep!

Id also need to run a VGA lead from the touch screen to the box. With that screen you suggested is it just as simple as mounting it like i would a standard double din head unit?

I've never owned that specific one but according to the description it should be just as easy as screwing in any normal double din unit.

Thirdly, what would you suggest in terms of hooking up my current sound system? Can it hook into that? should i buy an external sound card? do i keep the head unit and run it into that?

I don't need amazing sound quality, but id like it to be equal to what i currently have, if not better.

I added a PCI sound card to my system and the difference from the Intel onboard sound was VERY noticeable. It was only a pretty cheap 4ch Creative soundcard, but it was heaps better than onboard sound. Obviously PCI isn't an option in that eBay unit, so you'd be looking at USB. Be VERY careful with USB soundcards, many have issues resuming from standby/hibernation.

Edit: Just noticed on the eBay ad an option for a case with a PCI slot, go for it.

ok cool, i think i get it all now. $25 extra for the pci slot, not bad :D

Finally, since the pc runs off 3.5mm jacks (although i noticed it has 2 RCA slots), and my car has like all the cables going to the head unit (which arn't 3.5mm), how do i go about wiring it all, got any links for me to read over? Should i keep my existing head unit?

Current setup is:
Front: 6"/3"/Tweeters (non-amped) standard cables to head unit
Rear: 6x9" (non-amped) standard cables to head unit
Bass: Dual Enclosed Sub (Amped) RCA To head Unit


PS - One last question, since its from USA, will it be fine running off Aussie car battery and Aussie mains power?

EDIT: Found this http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advfaq.php?do=view&advfaqid=7 and my HU is a JVC kd-g825

That link looks pretty much like how I connected mine. Since I used a 4ch soundcard I had two 3.5mm to Stereo RCA cables connecting to my 4ch amp, which them went out to the speakers. Since you have a sub I'd go with a 6ch.

No problems running off an Aussie car, voltages are the same. As for running it off mains power, I see they have an AC adapter as an option in the auction, and it says 110-240v so it'll be fine here. For $15 I'd get it, very handy for setting it up inside the before the install into the car.

ok, so basically, id need to ditch the head unit and current amp, and buy a 6ch amp that powers sub,rears and fronts?

cos i have 3 stock speakers at front (6",4" and tweeter) will that still work? Im not sure how they are wired?

Now that i think about it, Since i have dual subs, will i need an 8ch amp? do they make these?

Still trying to get my head around it...

2 x 4Ch amps would be the way to go. depending on the power of the amps, I'd assume you would need at least a 4G for power at the least.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/imagehosting/8576466da9b714a5a.jpg

That's how the sound would be set up in your case, with the exceptoion of the sub amp having more connectors as you have 2 subs.