Hey guys,
Lately (over the past 3 months) i have been looking into setting up a carpc. but have got a few quires. Been searchin Mp3car.com for a while to.

The car is a 1997 Subaru Liberty. Now the thing is, i dont think it would be worth moulding a Lillyput 7" to the dash. What do you think? would it just be easier to have it on the stand that comes with the screen? BEcause i might want to take it into my next car, and save by keeping the screen.

Here's a rundown of the gear that i think i will get:
Stage 1 - Get it going
7" Lillyput VGA Touchscreen
ML8000 Mini ITX Motherboard 1.3 ghz
1GB DDR RAM
Opus Startup-Shutdown controller
120GB 2.5" Laptop Hard drive
External USB Slot Slim DVD player
5 Port USB Hub 2.0

Stage 2
Wireless 802.11g USB Network Dongle
Bluetooth USB Dongle
Noise Cancelling Microphone
USB GPS Reciever
USB TV/Radio Tuner
USB Camera (if needed)

I will then put it all in a custom box. But im still unsure of where to mount it.
- Under passenger seat?
- Glovebox?
- Boot?

But the main thing that is confusing me right now, is how to have sound. I am thinking about purchasing a Pioneer deh-p6850mp.

This unit has got aux input, so my question is, would it be better to buy a 5.1 sound card for the computer or get the sound from the headphone jack on the moterboard, and by 3.5 to 2 RCA. What would the sound quality be like? or is there any other way to connect it to the HU?

Other Components for the sound that i want to get will be
-12" RF Punch P2 Sub
-600w RF Monoblock
-800w RF 4 channel amp
-6x9's and splits.

Plan is to run Frodo. Anyone had any problems with it? What version do you use?

So whats everyone opinions on this? Any help would be awesome!

Thanks

check out http://vmscarpc.com.au/

this stuff is good.

I personally built my carpc from scratch, but the VMS is purpose built.
therefore making it a great choice.

Also I have been a fan of Frodoplayer since Kevin (frodo) started to script it over 5 years ago. Problem is that he is no longer actively supporting it. Centrafuse the only actively commercially supported software and my personal reccomendation.

Nathan

Not sure about the ML 8000 board, but the ViaEpia MII12000 is capable of "smart 5.1", meaning you can change the jacks on the board to 5.1 sound.
I am not advertising (I'm sure you guys prchase localy, but I only want to show the specs on the board here

You may want to consider a seperate 4 channel amp, and you could add a 2 channel to add a sub. Then utilize the "smart 5.1" on that board.

I'm far from an expert on sound, just some ideas.

I use Mobile Impact.

Note: Scrap the Lilli...get a Xenarc.

i dont see the point in putting in a touchscreen AND an up-front cd player unless you've got that extra money to really waste.

Thanks mate, i will look into that board.

Any links on where to get the Xenarc?

edit: not to worry, just checked out you link. lol



i am planning on taking my time to do the system right. so i still want to have good audio in the car while i make the carputer. i could just sell the HU as soon as i get the carputer installed.

Problem is...no good FM tuners out there yet. Here in the USA I removed my HU, and went with an amp only, but we have XM...to make up for the loss of FM radio

hi there .
im just learning myself but going on what ive been reading in the mp3 forums you could save some dough by going for a 3.5 drive over the lappy one . i know im going to get flamed but MANY ppl there have been using 3.5s with no problem . i wont back this statment up with links etc but if you want to check go looking for yourself .(i just bought a 250 gig 3.5 for my pc which is almost ready for an install .

by the way the 97 liberty is a lovely car . i had a 96 and theres many things i like about it over the wrx i have now . mainly interior spec which i was always big on .im using a m2 atx power supply . im having trouble testing for the amp remote ANTI THUMP output . im not sure that its working . ill try further when its in the car . im planning on using a 5 dollar fm modulator on my system due to the lack of inputs on my head unit , i have an equaliser that would take the rca inputs nicely but i dont want to have a big rca switc box between stereo and pc . mmmm fm modulator im asking for it probably , right up the ......

5.1 .... you probably wont need it i think . theres not many songs recorded in it . for the extra wiring .... dvds ok 5.1 but for the extra wiring .... maybee . i have a via mII with 5.1 but wont try using it because i want the thing in there working with no problems so the 2 channel modulator will hopefully work . a lot of movie arent real dvds anyway on some pcs so there compressed and end up only 2 channel .
good luck . dont mould into your beautiful liberty . thats my thought .

Thanks for you input mate. I have decided not to mould the screen to the dash, but have still yet to find a suitable location for it.

I just thought of a 2.5" HD because theyre used in laptops, and therefore are used to some small shocks from moving about, compared to the 3.5" desktop HD's.

I can see what you mean about the audio. I was thinking about it yesterday, and what you have just said has backed up my thoughts, so not gonna do the 5.1.

Anyone else got some opinions?

Sure, use the 3.5".
I took apart an old desktop, and put it in my car (about 4 years ago). I still use it today, with the 3.5" drive. I have had no problems with it.

I did a write-up a while back, copied from my forum. Someone might appreciate it:

Ok, had a request to do a writeup on using an old desktop pc for a carputer:
I personally used this method when I first started doing this about 3 years ago, I still have the same system in my car today. (modified some)

Step 1: I had old desktop Gateway lying around, a PIII, 1.2 Gig machine, so I just threw it (not literaly) in the back of my Honda Passport, (when I still had the Passport). I bought an inverter from Walmart, I think it was like a 700W inverter, and ran the positive wire straight from the battery to the positive side for the inverter, run the negative side to a solid ground on the truck.
Inverters do work ok, but might not survive engine crank, which means there might not be enough juice to keep the PC running when you start the car. I personally added a (new) lawn mower battery in the back to avoid this problem. (More on inverters later)

Next I bought a 7" Lilliput monitor (Lilli's suck) and put it on my rear view mirror (don't try this at home folks, not legal)
To avoid issues with the Lilliput monitor (screen flicker) I just used the included AC adaptor and plugged it straight into the inverter.
Obviuosly I plugged in the VGA cable too. I added a wired keyboard and mouse, and Voila! I got a "carputer" allbit a little primative.
Before I got the Lilliput, I even used a desktop monitor, sitting in the passenger seat. (lol)

The setup above is generally the same as setting up a home pc, just add the inverter. However....story don't end here....

Inverters suck! They are power hawgs and are only 20-30% efficient. They usually don't survive engine crank (meaning the pc shuts off, if it is on) and there is no start-up/shut-down controller, meaning you have to manually turn on and shut down the PC.

Soooo......(step2)
I took apart the desktop, disassembled it completely. Trashed the inverter. I found an old plastic box, a tool box from work, (been through 3 boxes since) and put the motherboard, the hard drive and (my newly purchased) Opus 90W power supply in the plastic case. Wow!!!! instead of a 2 foot by 2 foot box, I now had a box a foot wide, 11 inches deep and 3 inches tall....Nice!

I also trashed (sold) the Lilliput and bought a Xenarc. Man! what a difference!
The rest was easy too, hooked up the Opus to the pc and then the truck battery, and powered the monitor straight from the battery. (Xenarc has auto start) using the included cig adaptor.
The Opus has a startup and shutdown controller built in, so when I started the truck the pc would automaticly come on, when I shut off the truck, the pc will do a proper Windows shutdown, after 6-10 minutes. (which is change-able with jumpers on the Opus)

Now I'm cool Very Happy
Added iGuidance Navigation and the antenna/receiver, then a rear view camera, and since (got another car) added XM Radio, and can access the internet through WiFi (when a hub is available in range) or use my bluetooth phone (Verizon)
I don't use a keyboard (have the on-screen KB if I need it), but use a wireless (trackball) mouse.

All this stuff was quite easy too me, if you guys want to do this, save some time...get the 12DC-DC power supply (don't use an inverter) go to my "step 2". The inverter caused alot of noise also, so avoid it , if you can (and use a Xenarc monitor...skip the Lilli too)

Running sound is easy, just run from the PC's 1/8' plug (output) to the radio Aux-in, (RCA jacks) if it's got it. Radio Shack sells these cables.
If you don't have "aux-in" on the radio, you must use an amp instead. (or buy another HU)

Cost??? I guess that "step 1" cost about 500 bucks, for the inverter, the wiring, the Lillicrap monitor, and other odds and ends.

....thanks for listening

After alot of thinking. I am going to buy the headunit.

Then build the carputer, and have it done by about january next year. Doing everything so i will be able to take it when i get a new car.

I have got local links of everything i need, except for the screen. Either a lilly, or Xenarc, anyone help me out?

Also, anyone got any other advice on according to my first post?

I can get you either, from the USA.

Motherboards:
http://www.liantec.com/product/emboard/ITX-6965.htm
or
http://www.commell.com.tw/product/SBC/LV-677.HTM which would be my choice having optical output.



p.s. apologies for the exuming

The previous poster posted a linky of the Commell LV-677 board - I have one, and it is great! It has 2x onboard mini-pci slots, one in which I fitted Commel's Wifi card, and the other their mini-PCI GPS card.

It is still a project in developement, as currently I am running my MacMini in my UTE, but the Commell-based system would go in pretty soon.

edit: Soz, just saw the thread is quite old, so possibly redundant info. Oh well, migh come in handy for someone else then

Mr Bean, I've had my eye on the commell for a while. Where did you get it and at what $

Hello Mosoto,
I got mine from Ben at Synrax Australia, it was something close to $450- Aud incl shipping.

Be prepared to wait for the GPS a little longer, as they sip it from Taiwan. Motherboards is in stock though.

Glad to have helped

Wow thats quite a hefty pricetag m8. Seems the smaller the PCB the greater the cost

Thanks for the info tho.

Yep, they're quite expensive, but that's becuase they are Industrial Boards.

Good driver support, and very little, if any issues. So, well worth it I guess, unless you want to go for something from Aopen, which is also good in this form-factor.

Hey just my 2c..
running a car pc with pentium mobile on a mini itx board in an opus case with 120w inbuilt opus power... DON'T put it under the seat! boot or somewhere else would be better for cooling... good choice with the laptop hdd they hold up better than the 3.5".. what sort of soundcard are you going to run?

hey mate, i have most of the parts if your interested...

i dunno what you have got so far...







but seems to me:

you need 1x Lelliput motorized 7" touchscreen, with RADIO and Tv built in, you dnt need the headache of a usb radio or pc tv tuner card...tv in car is still a headache as reception is terrible and you cant run digital as signal changes everytime unless u want to spend $$$$ on antennma, but radio works great.

the screen is 1 din siz and its 650, i can dropp it off if u want depedning on where u live (i drive alot)



i can get tyou the PC in the small itx case with 150W Smart PSU, 40Gig hdd and 256 ram 1Ghz Via...for 650 as well....ican drop it off too....



the gps is cheap its $100 for the USB one thats so popular....



another note - llilys used to suck, now there quite good, the newxga models run fine and very clear..

nice idea....

Stage 1 - Get it going
7" Lillyput VGA Touchscreen --- 400 non motorizes, 650 motorised with TV and radio
ML8000 Mini ITX Motherboard 1.3 ghz -- 1ghz... .3 less..
1GB DDR RAM - ----go less ram....faster hibernate
Opus Startup-Shutdown controller -built in
120GB 2.5" Laptop Hard drive ------ive used bot laptop and desktop....i prefer desktops, they feel more rugged laptop ones you cnat touch from top or bottom and are dearer...
External USB Slot Slim DVD player ---- 160
5 Port USB Hub 2.0 -- 30 for a good one

Stage 2
Wireless 802.11g USB Network Dongle ---45 for an asus one
Bluetooth USB Dongle -45 for an asus ne with widcomm drivers much better than bluesoleil
Noise Cancelling Microphone ---i dunoo lol../
USB GPS Reciever -- 100
USB TV/Radio Tuner --- no need its in screen...no driver hassles etc.
USB Camera (if needed) ---cheapy 20 bucks if u wnat ur not looking for a hairline scratch on the bumper of the car behind u - u just wana see if its there





why 2 stages?? - all parts can be got within the week, mate take 2 sick days off work and do it or ull drive around with wires hanging left right and cente till january.....trust me if u need any help holla

Fellas this thread is almost a year old...