In dash PC
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Harm City, MD
E350 Coupe (2010)
In dash PC
Trying to plan out / price a indash linux based navigation kit...
I need the following :
1.) small footprint PC with serial ports
2.) GPS with serial out.
3.) 4 - 5 inch LCD screen (ebay)
4.) Power source
5.) some form of input device (small keyboard or remote mouse)
6.) mounting method
I am going to try to workout some kind of DVD setup as well so that I have that capability.
Any ideas?
I need the following :
1.) small footprint PC with serial ports
2.) GPS with serial out.
3.) 4 - 5 inch LCD screen (ebay)
4.) Power source
5.) some form of input device (small keyboard or remote mouse)
6.) mounting method
I am going to try to workout some kind of DVD setup as well so that I have that capability.
Any ideas?
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 565
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From: the OC, So Cal
2000 CLK 320
Planning to do that also but I just basically want it for the MP3 Player. Let me know if you get any more info....
For the PC, there are "biscuit PCs" that people have been using. They're basically small boards with everything on it, i.e. sound, video, hard drive (?), I believe.
I'm installing a COMAND in my car right now, then I'll install the TV tuner, then i'll use the video input of the TV tuner as the display for the PC where I can select my songs and view those plug-ins
.
Since I'll need a simple input, i.e. play, forward, reverse, stop, etc. I want to put some sort of LCD (touch screen) control in the ash tray bin.
Good luck and again, let me know if you have any progress.
For the PC, there are "biscuit PCs" that people have been using. They're basically small boards with everything on it, i.e. sound, video, hard drive (?), I believe.
I'm installing a COMAND in my car right now, then I'll install the TV tuner, then i'll use the video input of the TV tuner as the display for the PC where I can select my songs and view those plug-ins
.Since I'll need a simple input, i.e. play, forward, reverse, stop, etc. I want to put some sort of LCD (touch screen) control in the ash tray bin.
Good luck and again, let me know if you have any progress.
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From: Pencil-f'ing-Vania
MB C230K
Via just came out with a new x86 motherboard form factor, mini-ITX. It's intended for really small PC applications, and putting one in a car probably falls into that category. An all-in-one mb is 6.7 inches square, and runs with Via's C3 chip which can be passively cooled, so no fan noise. The entire setup is ultralow power too. It'll run Linux fine, though it may be too slow for software MPEG decodes. Check it out here:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/VInternet/mini_itx.jsp
http://www.mini-itx.com/faq.asp
As for input I think moding the armrest would be cool. Build a custom top to the armrest with a trackball and buttons on the outside and a hidden keyboard.
Also, throw a wireless modem card in the PC to complete the setup!
http://www.via.com.tw/en/VInternet/mini_itx.jsp
http://www.mini-itx.com/faq.asp
As for input I think moding the armrest would be cool. Build a custom top to the armrest with a trackball and buttons on the outside and a hidden keyboard.
Also, throw a wireless modem card in the PC to complete the setup!
Last edited by junyo; Aug 14, 2002 at 04:52 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Harm City, MD
E350 Coupe (2010)
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From: Malibu, CA
The Cappuccino PC is nice, but too expensive, I think. I would question if you really need the DVD drive or not. If you just want to play movies, I would suggest ripping your movies at home to DivX files, and then playing the DivX files in the car. You skip needing a disc player that way. On the other hand, if you want to rent a video from Blockbuster and watch it in the parking lot, then you may need the DVD drive and the Cappuccino PC may be an attractive option.
I suggest using the Via Mini-ITX motherboard. It is only 170mm by 170mm, comes with the CPU, and has all of the standard PC I/O, plus sound, vga, and TV-out on the motherboard. All you need add is a stick of PC100 memory. All you need for a power supply is 50-100W. The motherboard is only $129 from outpost.com.
For the power, I would suggest trying to find or build a DC-DC power supply instead of going the DC->AC (inverter) + AC->DC (PC power supply). Going that method, while easy, is inefficient, bulky, and probably generates a lot of heat. It is difficult and expensive, although possible, to get standard PC ATX power supplies that run off of 12V DC. There are companies who make them for use of computers on small boats, RV's, and automobiles. They will cost more than the Mini-ITX motherboard, however, and they will be a waste since they will be a 250-400W power supply and you will only need 50-100W for the Mini-ITX system.
If you do things right, you could put everything into the glove box.
Note: A numeric keypad add-on for laptop computers (just the numeric keypad) will work as a regular PS/2 keyboard. Just plug it in. You'll need to write software that does stuff when you press keys on the numeric keypad.
I suggest coming up with some kind of easy-to-use menuing system (either find one that someone else wrote, or make one).
Good Luck.
I suggest using the Via Mini-ITX motherboard. It is only 170mm by 170mm, comes with the CPU, and has all of the standard PC I/O, plus sound, vga, and TV-out on the motherboard. All you need add is a stick of PC100 memory. All you need for a power supply is 50-100W. The motherboard is only $129 from outpost.com.
For the power, I would suggest trying to find or build a DC-DC power supply instead of going the DC->AC (inverter) + AC->DC (PC power supply). Going that method, while easy, is inefficient, bulky, and probably generates a lot of heat. It is difficult and expensive, although possible, to get standard PC ATX power supplies that run off of 12V DC. There are companies who make them for use of computers on small boats, RV's, and automobiles. They will cost more than the Mini-ITX motherboard, however, and they will be a waste since they will be a 250-400W power supply and you will only need 50-100W for the Mini-ITX system.
If you do things right, you could put everything into the glove box.
Note: A numeric keypad add-on for laptop computers (just the numeric keypad) will work as a regular PS/2 keyboard. Just plug it in. You'll need to write software that does stuff when you press keys on the numeric keypad.
I suggest coming up with some kind of easy-to-use menuing system (either find one that someone else wrote, or make one).
Good Luck.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Harm City, MD
E350 Coupe (2010)
I like the espresso because its got the built in touch pad and Video outputs. That way I dont have to add all of that later... and its already in a housing that is palm sized.
So I plan to gut my cupholder aread and put it in there so that the sliding piece is overtop of the touchpad and I can hide the PC.
So I plan to gut my cupholder aread and put it in there so that the sliding piece is overtop of the touchpad and I can hide the PC.
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From: Pencil-f'ing-Vania
MB C230K
Originally posted by Enze6997
So I plan to gut my cupholder aread and put it in there so that the sliding piece is overtop of the touchpad and I can hide the PC.
So I plan to gut my cupholder aread and put it in there so that the sliding piece is overtop of the touchpad and I can hide the PC.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 426
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From: Harm City, MD
E350 Coupe (2010)
if i just run the AC whenever its on... I will be fine.. that cupholder housing is freezing due to the AC vents for the backseat. I think that the conduit for the AC runs underneath of it
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 131
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From: Malibu, CA
Why not mount it on the CD changer shelf in the glovebox and run a cable for a controller to the cupholder box? There is already the punch-out panel that leads to the center console behind the radio. I think you can also feed a cable down underneath the ashtray and alongside the shifter to the cupholder.
By the way, it is rather easy to remove the cupholder:
1. Open the cupholder door.
2. Press the button to raise the cupholder.
3. Reach into the cavity revealed by the raised cupholder and remove the square piece of rubber with the round indentation (the secondary cupholding space).
4. (This is the part I forget) There is some kind of clip or way to twist the cupholder mechanism so that it pops out entirely.
I think there is also an opening there into the underside of the shifter/cupholder/storagebox console. That opening is perfect to run a cable through.
Good luck, and take lots of digicam pictures along the way and when you're done.
By the way, it is rather easy to remove the cupholder:
1. Open the cupholder door.
2. Press the button to raise the cupholder.
3. Reach into the cavity revealed by the raised cupholder and remove the square piece of rubber with the round indentation (the secondary cupholding space).
4. (This is the part I forget) There is some kind of clip or way to twist the cupholder mechanism so that it pops out entirely.
I think there is also an opening there into the underside of the shifter/cupholder/storagebox console. That opening is perfect to run a cable through.
Good luck, and take lots of digicam pictures along the way and when you're done.
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300ce
Planning to do that also but I just basically want it for the MP3 Player. Let me know if you get any more info....
...........I have already done this. I purchased a Sony vaio Laptop Pc that sits in my trunk. It has NTSc RCA output which I integraded into the Alpine TV tunner integraded with my Euro command with TV option. I then use a wireless mouse to control the system from the driver or passenger seat. I have wireless internet from voice stream PMCI network card. Works perfectly. But there is one problem. The command screen is so small that the reading the words on web pages is not possible. The entire set up has a great "coolness factor" but you will need video signal processor/enhancer integrated in series in order to improve the resolution enough for it to be practical. Problem is that most video signal processors have RGb or VGA output and neither ther command or the TV tunner have RGB or VGA inputs. Rather they have S-video or RCA inputs. If you use an adapter then you arte defeating the the purpose of the video signal processor/enhancer and you are back to square one.
Ted
...........I have already done this. I purchased a Sony vaio Laptop Pc that sits in my trunk. It has NTSc RCA output which I integraded into the Alpine TV tunner integraded with my Euro command with TV option. I then use a wireless mouse to control the system from the driver or passenger seat. I have wireless internet from voice stream PMCI network card. Works perfectly. But there is one problem. The command screen is so small that the reading the words on web pages is not possible. The entire set up has a great "coolness factor" but you will need video signal processor/enhancer integrated in series in order to improve the resolution enough for it to be practical. Problem is that most video signal processors have RGb or VGA output and neither ther command or the TV tunner have RGB or VGA inputs. Rather they have S-video or RCA inputs. If you use an adapter then you arte defeating the the purpose of the video signal processor/enhancer and you are back to square one.
Ted
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300ce
...............If you are doing all this just to play MP3's, then the poor video resolution may not matter to you. But why not just buy one of a myriad og MP3' storage units/players and simply plug audio out to audio in?.........into to your car stereo. If you have no audio in, use the Aux input jack in your glove compartment if you have command or use an FM modulator. No, FM modulators do not sound like crap as has been stated in many places. I use an Alpine FM modulator to deliver XM radio to my command and I have CD quality sound.
Ted
Ted
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From: Malibu, CA
XM is not CD quality. XM is better than Sirius, but it's still not anywhere near CD quality. XM and Sirius now refer to their music as being "digital quality" in their advertising because of complaints that their previous description was misleading.
Some CD's may be of very poor quality, however the CD medium still has a potential for high quality which low-bitrate satellite radio and FM modulators do not have.
Some CD's may be of very poor quality, however the CD medium still has a potential for high quality which low-bitrate satellite radio and FM modulators do not have.
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From: the OC, So Cal
2000 CLK 320
Ted...
you have an Alpine TV Tuner connected to your Euro COMMAND? How did you do this? Don't you need the stock TV tuner to use with the COMAND?
about the MP3 player, i want to have a computer so I can have the program running with the visual plugins while I play the songs... for the "coolness factor." i've been highly considering the MP3 player too.... thx
about the MP3 player, i want to have a computer so I can have the program running with the visual plugins while I play the songs... for the "coolness factor."
i've been highly considering the MP3 player too.... thx
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300ce
you have an Alpine TV Tuner connected to your Euro COMMAND? How did you do this? Don't you need the stock TV tuner to use with the COMAND?
............Actually, you do not need the MB TV tunner to connect Video to your command. You can use an A/V adapter made by Megacome. However, in my case I did use the MB Tv tunner because it has two A/V inputs. Then I connected the Alpine Tv tunner to the command via one of the V/V inputs on the MB Tv tunner.
Ted
............Actually, you do not need the MB TV tunner to connect Video to your command. You can use an A/V adapter made by Megacome. However, in my case I did use the MB Tv tunner because it has two A/V inputs. Then I connected the Alpine Tv tunner to the command via one of the V/V inputs on the MB Tv tunner.
Ted
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: the OC, So Cal
2000 CLK 320
Originally posted by Ted Baldwin
you have an Alpine TV Tuner connected to your Euro COMMAND? How did you do this? Don't you need the stock TV tuner to use with the COMAND?
............Actually, you do not need the MB TV tunner to connect Video to your command. You can use an A/V adapter made by Megacome. However, in my case I did use the MB Tv tunner because it has two A/V inputs. Then I connected the Alpine Tv tunner to the command via one of the V/V inputs on the MB Tv tunner.
Ted
you have an Alpine TV Tuner connected to your Euro COMMAND? How did you do this? Don't you need the stock TV tuner to use with the COMAND?
............Actually, you do not need the MB TV tunner to connect Video to your command. You can use an A/V adapter made by Megacome. However, in my case I did use the MB Tv tunner because it has two A/V inputs. Then I connected the Alpine Tv tunner to the command via one of the V/V inputs on the MB Tv tunner.
Ted
Also, since you have the most advanced CLK i've seen and you seem to be into gadgets then I have an idea for you which I have been thinking about too. Would it be possible to hook up a webcam (those small cameras for PC's) to your laptop then use your modem to call your home computer and have video conference capabilities in your car. You can drive while the person talking to you can see you and you can see them on your COMAND. I think I saw that in a movie.
hehe... and the "coolness factor" of that would be extreme... anyone agree with me??
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From: Pencil-f'ing-Vania
MB C230K
Video conferencing in the car...
High coolness factor indeed....
Low safety factor as well...(It had to be said)
Until 3G cell modems are fully implemented, you wouldn't have to bandwidth to do decent quality mobile video conferencing.
High coolness factor indeed....
Low safety factor as well...(It had to be said)
Until 3G cell modems are fully implemented, you wouldn't have to bandwidth to do decent quality mobile video conferencing.
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The PC in the car has always intrigued me, I want to know how to do this reasonably, I don't think its that hard. Could someone confirm that I'm on track if I wanted to do something like the following:
Buy a small form-factor motherboard with audio/video.
Buy a laptop HD.
Buy a USB touch pad, or trackball.
Buy a DC-DC power supply.
Buy a PS2 port entension cable.
Buy a motorized LCD. *** this must have a 9-DIN connector to connect a PC, do these exist?***
Install the motherboard, HD and powersupply in the glove box (or make your own enclosure elsewhere.
Install the LCD in the dash where the audio HU is.
Move the audio HU to the compartment below (non Command equiped cars).
Install the touchpad/trackball and PS2 extension in the centre console.
Connect everything together, including the audio of the motherboard to the audio HU.
Preload the HD with Windows and install all the programs you wish to use, or connect a laptop to the system and load everything into the system.
Once the system is up and running, all you have to do is select the aux input on the audio HU, and power up the PC in the glovebox (run the power switches to the dash if you want). Now the PC is displayed on the LCD and you can control it via the touchpad/trackball in the centre console!
I think something like this would be killer, if you want to add more to the system, just buy peripherals for the PC... there's tons to choose from.
If you were creative you could install a killer PC behind the dash, and put the CDR/DVD drive in the dash, also USB ports and buy USB joysticks and play games via the CD drive.
Too many ideas... not enough money.
Buy a small form-factor motherboard with audio/video.
Buy a laptop HD.
Buy a USB touch pad, or trackball.
Buy a DC-DC power supply.
Buy a PS2 port entension cable.
Buy a motorized LCD. *** this must have a 9-DIN connector to connect a PC, do these exist?***
Install the motherboard, HD and powersupply in the glove box (or make your own enclosure elsewhere.
Install the LCD in the dash where the audio HU is.
Move the audio HU to the compartment below (non Command equiped cars).
Install the touchpad/trackball and PS2 extension in the centre console.
Connect everything together, including the audio of the motherboard to the audio HU.
Preload the HD with Windows and install all the programs you wish to use, or connect a laptop to the system and load everything into the system.
Once the system is up and running, all you have to do is select the aux input on the audio HU, and power up the PC in the glovebox (run the power switches to the dash if you want). Now the PC is displayed on the LCD and you can control it via the touchpad/trackball in the centre console!
I think something like this would be killer, if you want to add more to the system, just buy peripherals for the PC... there's tons to choose from.
If you were creative you could install a killer PC behind the dash, and put the CDR/DVD drive in the dash, also USB ports and buy USB joysticks and play games via the CD drive.
Too many ideas... not enough money.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 417
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From: Los Angeles
2003 CLK 320
I was planning on doing this as well, for dvd playback, navigation, and mp3 with cool winamp visuals. i was also planning on adding a usb webcam for rearview or side surveillance. Can be hooked up to an alarm system for automatic videotaping of vandals or the valet while your gone. Now that would be nice. Anyways, I think a keyboard or mouse input is too difficult while driving. I plan on using a touchscreen lcd. Check this one out http://www.newconcepttechnology.com/
The 700 ts model for 550.00. Plus a Cappuccino computer for about 650. And a usb GPS kit. I plan on housing the computer on the cd changer shelf in the glove compartment and put the audio out to the jack in there. So total about 1200-1400 for dvd, navigation, and mp3. What do you think am I missing anything?
The 700 ts model for 550.00. Plus a Cappuccino computer for about 650. And a usb GPS kit. I plan on housing the computer on the cd changer shelf in the glove compartment and put the audio out to the jack in there. So total about 1200-1400 for dvd, navigation, and mp3. What do you think am I missing anything?
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2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
You guys will find this interesting: https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=14262
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: France near Paris
Toyota MR2
I did a software for in car PC
Sorry for my bad english, I'm french.
I plan to install a pc into my 2003 CLK 200K. I will get it 15 october .
I write a visual basic program to play mpeg, divx, mp3, consult calendar, phone book etc... specialy for a in car PC with a small monitor.
If you are interested, i can send the first version or if you want a special software I can make it for you without money because I like doing this one.
My mail is didier.paradis@netcourrier.com
continue to be so enthousiast for car. Especially mercedes !
I plan to install a pc into my 2003 CLK 200K. I will get it 15 october .
I write a visual basic program to play mpeg, divx, mp3, consult calendar, phone book etc... specialy for a in car PC with a small monitor.
If you are interested, i can send the first version or if you want a special software I can make it for you without money because I like doing this one.
My mail is didier.paradis@netcourrier.com
continue to be so enthousiast for car. Especially mercedes !
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