Anyone done a carputer?

[Randy Savage 5,000+ posts]

Thinking about building one...can you integrate it into an aftermarket in dash video monitor, using touchscreen controls on the carputer?

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[mattmcss 10+ year member]

mp3car.com

 

[Randy Savage 5,000+ posts]

Checking that site out as we speak...

 

[dak0ta_g33k 10+ year member]

closest thing i've done is hook a tunecaster to my laptop. nappy reception in cities. oh yeah used a air/auto power brick for the laptop instead of an inverter.

 

[Shelbrain 10+ year member]

You will have a problem using your existing screen, which I am quessing is composite (like my previous indash was). I sold that and purchased a VGA touchscreen, so the test is readable. As for the site, someone already suggested mp3car.com which I am also a member of. I am in the process of installing my carputer over the next couple weeks. I wouldn't recommend the FM modulator route. Like dakota said, the reception is shit. Find a headunit with AUX in so that you can run an RCA to a soundcard for best quality. Or you could go without a headunit and just go from the carputer straight to your amps. It has been done both ways successfully.

 

[Randy Savage 5,000+ posts]

You will have a problem using your existing screen, which I am quessing is composite (like my previous indash was). I sold that and purchased a VGA touchscreen, so the test is readable. As for the site, someone already suggested mp3car.com which I am also a member of. I am in the process of installing my carputer over the next couple weeks. I wouldn't recommend the FM modulator route. Like dakota said, the reception is shit. Find a headunit with AUX in so that you can run an RCA to a soundcard for best quality. Or you could go without a headunit and just go from the carputer straight to your amps. It has been done both ways successfully.

I'm thinking about using a touchscreen VGA now as my primary source. Running my amps directly off the soundcard on the cpu.

 

[Shelbrain 10+ year member]

I'm thinking about using a touchscreen VGA now as my primary source. Running my amps directly off the soundcard on the cpu.

If you put both the PC and the amps in the trunk you can have short RCA runs...since mine are right next to each other...I have 3 foot RCAs for everything

 

[skeptikal Premium Member]

My buddy Matt made a makeshift carputer but never put it in. He wrote a program like windows media player that would be calibrated on his 7" touchscreen for up front.

I'm gona get pics from him tonight so you can see what i mean.

 

[XtrmAudioCncpts 10+ year member]

can you listen to the radio with a carputer? and how do you hook up rca's to your computer?

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

1. The first problem (FM radio reception, if you want it) can be solved by using a PC-card based FM receiver, or one that fits into a CD drive slot if your computer is that big.

2. RadioShack among others makes 1/8" stereo jack to RCA adapters.

 

[Ivoryblade 10+ year member]

I've made a carputer and love it. I run windows xp pro on a 7" touchscreen. Wireless keyboard/mouse, 200g harddrive for all movies and music, visualizations through winamp milkdrop addon, bluetooth, xm radio (usb adapter), gps, and radio. As long as you amplify it, it can be as good as a normal headunit. Sure, it won't be the best SQ wise, but it is still pretty nice in a daily driver. Plus, I can watch any movies I want (downloaded about 60 XviD movies) and can easily update it by making an mp3 dvd and copying it over. It took a more money (my carputer was about $1400 w/screen) and lots of install time, but its effing amazing. I'll get some pics when my car is put back together and I'm at home.

 

[Randy Savage 5,000+ posts]

1. The first problem (FM radio reception, if you want it) can be solved by using a PC-card based FM receiver, or one that fits into a CD drive slot if your computer is that big.
2. RadioShack among others makes 1/8" stereo jack to RCA adapters.

Also- M Audio makes audio cards with RCA inputs. They're a tad expensive though.

 

[ss3079 5,000+ posts]

Talk to WeDgE.

 

[Cris 10+ year member]

I've never done a carputer.. because that would hurt //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif