Carputer Questions
 

i have heard about a lot of members talking about installing carputers in there cars, but have yet to see one.
I have a few questions
1. What is the best GPS Software to run with Windows XP
2. What is the best Jukebox / Audio Player program?
3. Best DVD Player program?
4. What is the easiest way to power the computer? (Power inverter?)
5. Is there anyway to get regular radio threw your computer or no? If no what are some other options for radio?
6. I also want a 22" lcd monitor to flip down , what would be the best way to mount it?
7. I am getting a 7-10" touch screen and i want to know if there is a program out there that would have like 6 or 8 buttons that i could preset to open up scertain programs when i press them. Kind of like a Carputer Interface?
thx

you clearly have a lot of research to do.

If I were you I would start by searching the forum, as someone here already did/is doing a carputer and some of his threads will answer a lot of your questions. There should also be links in his threads that will take you to places with more info.

mp3car.com has carputers and they are set up for power with your car. http://store.mp3car.com/Car_Computer_Systems_s/25.htm

I can give you some suggestions for a few of your questions.

1) Microsoft Streets and Trips is one of the most popular GPS software packages sold.
There are a couple of different versions for turning a laptop into a GPS.
One version is around $150 - 200 and comes with the antenna, the other is cheaper but no antenna.

2) My favorite is WinAmp but there are lots of different ones.

3) Power DVD

4) This one I'm not sure of. I know that Inverters with 100% clean signal and protection are more expensive than standard inverters. I also know that computers have a DC Power supply so if you could find a way to bypass the AC portion this may be and option.

5,6 & 7 you will have to so some research.

Good luck,
Dutch

thx, i am gonna start doing a lot of research on this
this is gonna be my winter project

Hey, get a Pico power supply:
http://pico-psu.net/
This takes a 12V line, cleans it, and plugs in like a normal power supply to provide clean 3.3V, 5V, and 12V power.

I suggest GOOGLE MAPS!!! If you can wardrive professionally, you're set.

wardrive??

Wardriving is riding around and looking for unencrypted wireless signals. :P

been there done that one. shhhhhhhhh...

I believe the FCC ordains it's all right to use unencrypted signals, but it's illegal to crack into encrypted wireless networks. :pooper:

Check out VLC for video display. I use it exclusively now, as it plays almost everything I throw at it.

www.videolan.org/vlc

I know this thread is kinda on the old side, but I'd like to make a suggestion too...
Infill G4
It's an all in one double din solution, which means that you're probably gonna have to mod your dash (you would most likely have to, anyways), but it's totally worth it. It's about the best solution for beginners

Re: Carputer Questions
 

1) iGuidance, hands down. its expensive but totally worth it and interfaces to RoadRunner (see below) and is touch screen friendly. Its made for pocketPC's but has a UMPC version (ultra mobile PC for the bigger screens)

2,3,7. Roadrunner (found on the mp3car.com forums) is a "front end" program It uses winamp and powerDVD to do all your music playing and a TON of other functions all wrapped up in a neat little package to make it perfect for touch screen usage.

4) m2-ATX is the power supply i used. Unlike the PicoPSU it can actually power a computer from LESS than 12v (when your power dips or turn off your car) and gives you 160W to work with.

5) Yes they have FM tuners available that will interface to RoadRunner too.

6) I would NOT reccomend such an expensive monitor in your car. It will take up ALLL your headroom and will die quickly with the extreme temperatures. But if you must, mount it on the roof directly to the crossbeams.. thats a lot of weight up there.

8)browse mp3car.com forums. They are unbelievably helpful, but set aside alot of time, there is a TONNNN of info there to sort through and you will get shot down FAST if you ask a question that a million people before you have already asked.


My setup(s)

from most recent to oldest: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...589&highlight=

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...379&highlight=

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...255&highlight=

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...806&highlight=

My most recent undocumented changes are:
-Changed USB soundcard to a soundblaster X-Fi and will go straight into the amps

Biggest thing that you would never think to worry about and may never have to:
Radio Frequency Sheilding. Everytime i drive by a strong RF source (commercial tv/radio tower or I transmit on high on my ham-radio) my comptuer will turn on and off at will. I think this is a quirk directly related to my motherboard because it acts as if you actually hit the power button repeatedly (not a immediate off, it shuts down first)

Re: Carputer Questions
 

[quote="bmsgaffer86"]Here's another vote for iGuidance, I've got it on my laptop and my PDA.

Speaking of PDAs, if you want to go cheap, you could just do a slick PDA install into your dash.

I've got an HP iPaq HX4700 with a decent sized 4 inch screen that plays videos/mp3s, does email/web surfing and runs iGuidance.

You'd need a bluetooth GPS like the Garmin 10.