In-Car Vista Media Center PC - Calling All Techies:

Post by **ZeroK66** » Sun May 13, 2007 2:10 pm

Hi Guys,

I know a couple of you have been playing with this... given I have gone mad sorting out audio, performance etc... I think the "entertainment" system is next.

My idea would be to buy this case:

The front LCD is a 12.1" widescreen touch panel. This may be a little too big though... the alternative is another one of their cases which comes with a 800x600 7" touch screen which I think may be about right to fit in a double-din cage with a bit of jiggery pokery.

I would then setup a Core2Duo mobile processor based (quiet, low power) system. I would fit a dual Analogue/DVT-B tuner for TV (although who knows how well this would work on the move) a USB GPS receiver + navigation software. Vista Media Center would be the front end - Windows would boot directly into Media Center's Graphical interface:

Vista setup along with a Suspend to Ram shutdown takes about 2-3 seconds to boot up from standby.

If I didnt want to use the touch screen the Media Center remote controll has a really good receiver and should be good to pickup signal from the remote control where ever you point it.

Just wanted to get a few peoples thoughts on this in before i start tearing everything apart. Anyone want to do something similar/exchange notes.

Post by **ZeroK66** » Sun May 13, 2007 4:28 pm

Another idea is the Mac Mini...

Have that in the glove compartment so you have easy access to put in CD's etc... or maybe even have it in the place of the stereo... it would actually fit there then a touch screen LCD infront of it hiding away the computer.

The new Intel macs can run windows so you have the best of both worlds... MAC for media, MP3's videos etc and then Windows for VAG-Com, TV, SatNav etc etc...

Think I may go out and buy me one and start to tinker.

Post by **mattsimis** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:21 pm

I cant see that 7" screen or the casing fitting in a double din slot. My DVD Drive + 6.5" Screen + Amp (see other thread) is full double din (to access the DVD the screen slides out of the way). I would also stay well away from overpriced underpower Macs. Apart from price, limited to no upgradability.

Im going to use an "old" Centrino 1GHz laptop as my PC. Will upgrade ram and HDD, add USB Soundcard, USB GPS and USB Wifi. Just need to wire around that rear speaker AMP (see my other thread!).

Post by **bobbler** » Mon May 14, 2007 5:31 pm

I would agree with what mattsimis says above. It will be a bit of tight fit even with some creative modifications and as a guess that Origen case is hella expensive to be cutting up into pieces too.
There are a couple of options though that I can suggest. One is this from mp3car - http://store.mp3car.com/Mp3Car_Infill_G ... dk-014.htm
The other would be to build a mini-itx or similar system from scratch so that you get your own spec.
C2D processor would be overkill for a car PC IMHO, unless you really MUST use Vista. Its quite spec heavy for a Vista box in comparison to an XP based system. There are lots of opensource and freeware (and pay for) front ends which can be integrated into the system, these would allow you to customize the display and even skin your own menu systems in there allowing you more freedom than the Media Centre frontend too.
My personal preference would be a Xenarc or Lilliput touch screen in the double din space and a voompc enclosure in the boot/glovebox.
There's plenty of good information in the MP3Car forum and also some nice components on the shop which may give you further inspiration for the project.

Definately a good project though, keep us updated on how you are getting on.

Post by **shineydave** » Mon May 14, 2007 7:49 pm

Or get your hands on one of these Cappuccino Mini PCs and run it through a Nav-Plus head unit via the AV inputs on the TV tuner

Post by **bobbler** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:14 pm

Shineydave, can I ask does the Navplus headunit have the ability to do the touchscreen interface to the pc too or do you contol it via some other mechanism?

Post by **shineydave** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:56 pm

no touchscreen unfortunately. i discussed this with craig a while back and his advice was there wasn't a touchscreen overlay available for the size of screen on the nav. i'm using a touchpad plugged into the mouse input on the PC at the moment but when i get round to it i was going to try a wireless presenter although i do like ZeroK66's idea of using the mediacentre remote

Post by **bobbler** » Mon May 14, 2007 10:30 pm

Voice control is another option too

That would be well nifty, as long as your PC is decent enough you could call up playlists and stuff just by saying them

Post by **ZeroK66** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:35 pm

I dont have nav and retro fitting that would cost more than the whole PC install... the quality of the screen wont match a dedicated LCD either... but your install is awesome!!

Guess I will have to keep researching it... the unit mentioned by bobbler seems ideal

http://store.mp3car.com/Mp3Car_Infill_G ... dk-014.htm

All in one sorted. Shame it does not run Media Centre though...

Post by **bobbler** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:58 am

That Infill system is pretty much my perfect setup TBH. Shame I have no double din hole to put it in as I would snap one up in an instant. Also appears to lack the ability to remove the faceplate which would be a big no-no for myself as my car is also a daily driver etc.
No reason why it couldn't run Media Centre if you wanted to though, its still a PC in there on which you could install what you like. Personally I like the streetdeck software as a frontend far more. Its tailored for car use and its just far more integrated looking than Media Centre could be IMO.
That may be a personal thing though, I just like things that just work as they are supposed to (even if that entails huge amounts of work to get it that way) and that are suited for the task. Wouldn't want to be diving into seperate applications all the time to manage my bluetooth connections or jumping around applications to do my nav...if you get what I mean.

Post by **Alps** » Tue May 15, 2007 10:26 am

Zero, you are absolutely nuts.

But if you are gonna go down the road of mutlimedia system then in my opinion it has to be the Mac Mini all the way. You could then see if you could incorporate the new Apple TV system. That will give you 100% control of all your media quickly and easily.

Post by **viperbl** » Tue May 15, 2007 10:34 am

Zero, I recon you will remove it before you come to visit out here, extra weight if I am not mistaken

Post by **ZeroK66** » Tue May 15, 2007 3:39 pm

Yes I do have weight issues, both personally and in my car. I think the That Infill system ticks all the boxes... and bobbler is right, the front end being all in one seems perfect.

Mmm...

Post by **Alps** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:45 pm

Zero, I heard a little rumour from a Mac insider - there may be a supder-duper Mac mini on the cards soon. It may even be as soon as Q4.

He didn't give me too many details cuz all he knew was it was gonna be catered towards people looking to set up proper multimedia centres in their front rooms.

An announcment may be made by Apple in June so may be worth looking into this. I'll try and get some more info for ya if you're interested.

Post by **ZeroK66** » Tue May 15, 2007 10:29 pm

Oh awesome... Windows media center is a fantastic app... if you are a techie and a DIY type... it does crash and it does give grief. The Apple TV box is awesome... all it needs is support for live tv/time shioft & recording. MAC must be considering this?? Mac Media Center would be the sickest of all living room front ends!! I will be waiting patiently

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In-Car Vista Media Center PC - Calling All Techies:

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