I created this thread to document the construction/implementation of the custom Car Computer that will be using in my coupe. I had most of the main components sitting around (plus the plans in my head) for years now, but I finally recently started putting it together so I would like to share my progress with you. I welcome any and all input - suggestions, comments... I hope for this thread to become a resource for other people putting PCs in their CBs.
THIS THREAD IS A WORK IN PROGRESS - The thread will contain the ongoing installation ideas and progress, but I will continue making revisions to these first few posts to keep the important details up top.
Original Project Goals:
To bring modern, luxurious new-car technology and entertainment to the decades-old CB7
• Flush in-dash LCD touchscreen
• Trunk- or underseat-mounted CPU unit
• GPS maps & navigation
• Rearview Camera (with recording option)
• Rear-deck mounted Wifi antenna (wardriving??)
• Audio (lots of music!) output fed into "Aux" input on existing headunit
• On-board ECU datalogging & chip burning
• Integration into existing circuits (locks,windows,lights) for automation
• Center console mounted USB/Audio/120vAC jacks
• Linked up to my cellphone's 3G for on-the-go internet
• Integrated games / emulators (NES, N64, Playstation...)
Additional Project Ideas:
• Bluetooth-connected handsfree voice calls (microphone needed)
• Connection to a radar detector
• smartphone based media controls, for rear passenger access
• SMS-based remote vehicle control (extra cellular modem needed)
• Rain, Sunlight, Temp sensors
• computerized control over the still-yet-to-install JDM digital climate control (one-touch full-blast AC?)
My Implementation:
- VoomPC Enclosure (pictured above)
- "Smart" 12v->12v power supply
- VIA EPIA M-series Mini-ITX motherboard
- Xenarc 700TS, 7" widescreen, touchscreen (pictured above)
- Slim rechargeable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard
- Philips SPC900NC USB Webcam (hoping to be able to utilize the 90 fps for making slow-motion rearview recordings)
- Motorola Droid w/ Verizon Mobile 3G internet (unlimited data plan)
- Other accessories:
.... 1gb memory DDR PC2100 memory (had on hand)
.... two 4GB CompactFlash cards (one to boot, one for software)
.... minimalist CF->IDE adaptors
.... Bluetooth dongle
.... WiFi PC-Card & external antenna (pulled from an old wifi router)
.... 60gb laptop harddrive (for music & movies, had on hand)
After assembling everything together (this will vary based on hardware, but all my stuff came with instruction manuals) it was time to decide the best software to run on it. Considering this was relatively uncommon at the time of my original planning, I expected to have to write the majority of the GUI/interface software myself, and was planning to use Microsoft VisualBasic to make it simple for myself, as I knew the language and had experience using it to control the Windows Desktop GUI. So that means running Windows XP. Anything older is lacking support, anything newer would require updated hardware.
I strongly considered the use of linux, and did so especially with the strides in GUI progress its made in recent years... but really since it is still made up of a mix of disparate goodies I felt it would take me longer, with more work, to achieve the implementation of my goals. Because the OS is booting from an easily removable CF card, there is no reason why I couldnt experiment with developing an interchangeable Linux version of the interface in the future - but I personally feel I would be able to build a more coherent system (that does more) using Windows.
Now that I am finally putting it all together, I looked up some information using the extremely useful resources of www.mp3car.com, which is a website started by the guy who built the car PC system that I envied at the time. Seems since my initial research, the community has developed a very powerful "front end" interface called RideRunner, that runs in Windows, and allows you to integrate various applications together into a nice skinned touch interface. Perfect! after various testing of demos, the following configuration was settled upon:
- Windows XP Pro (tweaked for optimal boot time)
- RideRunner front-end software interface
- iGuidance 4.0 Navigation maps
- Other supporting applications:
.... Daemon Tools Lite, to "mount" the image of the iGuidance Mapdata CD as a virtual disc drive
I can use my Droid as a mobile hotspot, or I share internet via bluetooth or USB. preferably USB, as I hope to leave the BT radio free so that the phone can be paired in "handsfree headset" mode, so that I can control it to make calls through the PC's interface, and the stereo's audio. Still need to locate a small noise-cancelling microphone to mount inside the car before that happens, though.
THIS THREAD IS A WORK IN PROGRESS - The thread will contain the ongoing installation ideas and progress, but I will continue making revisions to these first few posts to keep the important details up top.
Original Project Goals:
To bring modern, luxurious new-car technology and entertainment to the decades-old CB7
• Flush in-dash LCD touchscreen
• Trunk- or underseat-mounted CPU unit
• GPS maps & navigation
• Rearview Camera (with recording option)
• Rear-deck mounted Wifi antenna (wardriving??)
• Audio (lots of music!) output fed into "Aux" input on existing headunit
• On-board ECU datalogging & chip burning
• Integration into existing circuits (locks,windows,lights) for automation
• Center console mounted USB/Audio/120vAC jacks
• Linked up to my cellphone's 3G for on-the-go internet
• Integrated games / emulators (NES, N64, Playstation...)
Additional Project Ideas:
• Bluetooth-connected handsfree voice calls (microphone needed)
• Connection to a radar detector
• smartphone based media controls, for rear passenger access
• SMS-based remote vehicle control (extra cellular modem needed)
• Rain, Sunlight, Temp sensors
• computerized control over the still-yet-to-install JDM digital climate control (one-touch full-blast AC?)
My Implementation:
- VoomPC Enclosure (pictured above)
- "Smart" 12v->12v power supply
- VIA EPIA M-series Mini-ITX motherboard
- Xenarc 700TS, 7" widescreen, touchscreen (pictured above)
- Slim rechargeable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard
- Philips SPC900NC USB Webcam (hoping to be able to utilize the 90 fps for making slow-motion rearview recordings)
- Motorola Droid w/ Verizon Mobile 3G internet (unlimited data plan)
- Other accessories:
.... 1gb memory DDR PC2100 memory (had on hand)
.... two 4GB CompactFlash cards (one to boot, one for software)
.... minimalist CF->IDE adaptors
.... Bluetooth dongle
.... WiFi PC-Card & external antenna (pulled from an old wifi router)
.... 60gb laptop harddrive (for music & movies, had on hand)
After assembling everything together (this will vary based on hardware, but all my stuff came with instruction manuals) it was time to decide the best software to run on it. Considering this was relatively uncommon at the time of my original planning, I expected to have to write the majority of the GUI/interface software myself, and was planning to use Microsoft VisualBasic to make it simple for myself, as I knew the language and had experience using it to control the Windows Desktop GUI. So that means running Windows XP. Anything older is lacking support, anything newer would require updated hardware.
I strongly considered the use of linux, and did so especially with the strides in GUI progress its made in recent years... but really since it is still made up of a mix of disparate goodies I felt it would take me longer, with more work, to achieve the implementation of my goals. Because the OS is booting from an easily removable CF card, there is no reason why I couldnt experiment with developing an interchangeable Linux version of the interface in the future - but I personally feel I would be able to build a more coherent system (that does more) using Windows.
Now that I am finally putting it all together, I looked up some information using the extremely useful resources of www.mp3car.com, which is a website started by the guy who built the car PC system that I envied at the time. Seems since my initial research, the community has developed a very powerful "front end" interface called RideRunner, that runs in Windows, and allows you to integrate various applications together into a nice skinned touch interface. Perfect! after various testing of demos, the following configuration was settled upon:
- Windows XP Pro (tweaked for optimal boot time)
- RideRunner front-end software interface
- iGuidance 4.0 Navigation maps
- Other supporting applications:
.... Daemon Tools Lite, to "mount" the image of the iGuidance Mapdata CD as a virtual disc drive
I can use my Droid as a mobile hotspot, or I share internet via bluetooth or USB. preferably USB, as I hope to leave the BT radio free so that the phone can be paired in "handsfree headset" mode, so that I can control it to make calls through the PC's interface, and the stereo's audio. Still need to locate a small noise-cancelling microphone to mount inside the car before that happens, though.
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