I recently made some progress with my computer install. There are some shots of the Windows desktop, but the main software used is MediaEngine, which can be selected as the default shell; meaning it boots up and shuts down the PC, so the desktop is never seen. The program functionality is controlled entirely with the credit card-sized remote and an infrared reciever (as shown).

 

 

pretty cool.

 

What the shit??? That's pretty badass. Porn on the NAVI!!! :P

 

nice set-up!
but b careful to drive while you enjoy your upgraded PC system

 

WOW!! That is awesome! I want to get that for my TSX too !!!

 

dang that is nice. good job!

 

you got a how-to for that thing?

 

cool

 

are you able to utilize the touchscreen functionality with the pc, or is input only through the touchpad / IR / keyboard?

 

I was wondering if you made that engine or if you bought it, or found it online cause I am in the middle of doing the samething myself but dont want to run windows cause its to hard to see.

 

that looks hot!

 

p.i.m.p.

 

P.I.M.P.

 

Damn that's an awesome install dude! Did you do it yourself? I wish I had the skill to do something like that.

 

I like it but you've got to do something about the mess in your trunk. Maybe you could make a simple bracket out of sheet metal to suspend it from the rear deck.

 

Hey Roger,

Did you run into any problems with the audio? I had to buy a DC to DC power supply for the computer in my Golf because there was an awful hum that came from the inverter. I tried using a GLI and numerous different brands of inverters and no luck. Just curious what you did to get around that issue.

 

Dude...that's fucking awesome!! Now how's about some more info on how you did the install and some of the pieces you used? I would love to know how you put it all together. Kinda makes me wish I'd sprung for the navi.

 

No I only use the IR/Touchpad for input. I am sure the Touchscreen hack could be done, but the Navi Touchscreen only has a finite amount of touchpoints that can be registered. so the mouse would be limited to move in "chunks" of about 1/2 inch.

 

The software is FREE! - Here is where i got it http://mediaengine.org/

I think its the best out there currently.

 

Tell me about it! when i have more motivation i plan to hide everything in the trunk, and build a similar harness for the PC like the Nav has.

 

you know i did have problems with the sound. i could hear every HD access and mouse movement thorugh the speakers, along with alternator whine. but the GLI from radio hack seemed to fix it, or at least hide it from my ears...

 

alright, tonight i will post more details and explain what i did and how. for now here is another link with the installation of the shutdown controller.

http://home.comcast.net/~bsomm22/

 

Yes it sounds like a GLI would fix that problem Roger. I was getting 60hz hum from the inverter which couldn't be filtered. If you see a DC-DC power supply for cheap on ebay sometime you should probably give it some thought. Car inverters seem to be pretty unreliable at best.

 

That is damn impressive Mr. Podacter.

 

thats f'n cool. now set up wireless internet, that will ne P.I.M.P

 

Wow.

 

Youre the man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You've done realy a fantastic job.

Where have you installed your CTR ALT DEL keys? LOL

 

i was wondering what the box under the dvd drive in the trunk was with all the wires coming out of it, also where did you install your power inverter and did you hardwire it

 

Very, very cool.

I'd love to do that to my TSX, except... my TSX won't be built till march 22nd... and i'm not getting the NAVI... and if i did do all that, i'd be too busy watching the simpsons or family guy, that'd crash my precious...

 

Nice job. Have you considered using myHTPC? It works pretty well with only a four-way controller, no mouse input. Now if you could hack the Nav joystick to work with that, it would really be a trick. A 1U rackmount or Shuttle SFF in the trunk would complete your kick-ass mod.

 

I see you've also found that the 500mL narrow neck Nalgene is a perfect fit for the large cupholder. It's too big for anything else short of a Super Big Gulp.

 

That box is the AVelectronics unit that allows and composite video source to be displayed on the Nav. It plugs into the back of the Nav DVD drive...I plan on hiding this behind the trunk lining. Just need the weather to get a little better...

And i didnt use a power inverter, it runs straight off 12V.

 

Yeah i think i played around with that software long ago...but MediaEngine has more functionality, and it is entirely controlled with the little remote...

Plus this software has an option where as soon as the home network is detected, it automatically synchronizes a designated folder on my home pc with the car pc. it will update any new songs, movies....etc automatically

 

That is the Shit! We are all still waiting on the how to post. Also does the NAVI still work?

 

Here is an update.

How To
The video on the nav screen uses the same unit that people on this forum have used for DVD player conversions. Its the TV Tuner bought from ww.avelectronic.com. The PC has onboard TV out (composite) and this goes into the Tv Tuner input with an RCA cable.

For sound i use the onboard soundcard and run directly to the head unit's aux input - i use the SHOND3 unit that others from this forum have used for their XM or IPOD installs.

The power supply is a DC-DC board that came with the case. This allows the computer to run directly off of the car battery (with voltage regulator), and also eliminates the aweful hum that most power inverters give off. However, i ended up buying a similar PSU called PW-70A from Ebay. This has a little more power then the original 60W PSU. I recommend getting this unit unless you have very little power requiremnts. Another suggestion is to buy one of the DC-DC units units here www.dc2dc.com

The input method used is a small IR remote with an IR reciever. The software (Media Engine) has built in IR commands and allows each button on the remote to be programmed to any keyboard function.

Hardware
Motherboard: Epia Mini-ITX M9000 933Mhz w/ 256 MB DDR PC 2700 RAM. This motherboard has all peripherals integrated on the motherboard, including onboard sound (with 5.1 available), ethernet, USB, firewire, video/TV out (VGA, Composite and S-Video), 1 PCI slot, mouse and keyboard, serial and parallell ports. Cost app. 160$.

www.mini-itx.com
Also I hung around the mp3car forum for a while to get a good understanding of what i would need. www.mp3car.com <---Lots of good ideas and info there, just read, read and read

60 GB Maxtor HD

Linksys PCI 802.11b wireless card. Great for random wireless access points like in a mall parking lot or in front of Barnes & Noble.

PC Case: Morex 2699R with 60W DC-DC power supply. This PSU takes 12V DC power with a 1/4" barrel connector. This allows the computer to run directly off of the car battery. WARNING: the voltage output fluctuates during normal operation of a vehicle. I use a 12V regulator to clean up the signal and ensure the Mobo wont get fried.


Boot up and Shut Down
I was lucky enough to have a friend build me a custom shutdown controller and 12V regulator all in one small circuit. This unit simulates the power button being pressed with the ignition switch. There is a 6 second delay so when the car is started, the PC waits 6 seconds before booting up, accounting for engine cranking power/voltage drop. Windows is set to suspend/hibernate upon the power button being pressed. This allows the computer to be fully functional in less than 10 seconds, instead of doing a full boot up everytime i take a trip to the gas station or store. There is slight power draw when the PC suspends to RAM, but it is negligable unless the car is off for over a week.

There is also a manual override function to turn off the ignition shutdown functionality. This is good if i dont want the pc to start everytime i take a drive.

Although i am sure they exist, i was unable to find a decent 12V regulator that i could buy, so my friend built me one.

Software
Default Shell: Media Engine. I believe this software uses an Access database to play and organize all media on the HD, using Windows Media Player.

This software has many useful features since it was desinged strickly for a car pc application. One clever feature is "autosync on network connection" option. All i have to do is specify a folder on my home PC, and link it to the media folder on the car pc. When i pull into the parking lot and the wireless signal is detected, the PC automatically compares the 2 folders and adds any new files from my home pc to the car.

Media Engine also supports IR remote button assignment used to emulate keyboard presses.

Other convienent features included are the "favorites" menu. As I scroll through my music directories and i see a song that i want to listen to, there is a shortcut on the IR remote that automatically queues the selection into the favorites list. Since the entire software is based on an Access Database, it automatically saves all playlist info as you navigate through the menus...etc. In fact, the software even remembers what song was playing and where it was before shut down. For example, if I am listening to NIN and am half way through a song, and i turn off the car, when i start back up it continues playing the song from the same spot it left off

OS: Windows XP Pro

 

Yes the Nav runs in the background. The voice will still mute the speakers, etc and give directions.

 

Great job, I was looking to do something similar. VERY impressive.

 

that is soooo sick.... i just creamed myself at how []D [] []V[] []D that is

 

hey roger,
how do you like your avelectronic kit for dvd/tv? i am about to order mine, but i am curious about the quality on dvd's and the reception on the tv tuner.......


any regrets buying it?