My07TLS

Hello all,

I have just purchased the parts

- high-brightness 8" TFT LCD 800x480
- 4-wire resistive touch overlay
- USB touch controller board
- LCD controller with reverse camera and auto-on functions

to replace my Navi screen in my 07 TLS. I think this is the only clean way to install a CarPC. The screen is exactly the same physical size as the factory LCD

I would prefer not to remove the current screen and rather interface to it directly with an LCD and touchscreen controller but the resolution sucks in this factory LCD...so I am replacing it.

Because of this change I will lose the interface to the factory Navi and audio stuff. I would like to keep that though. I am hoping to interface the current Navi into another input of my new screen and touchscreen. I am not sure this will happen but I am going to try :-)

Also since there is already a backup camera on my car I need to figure out wehre its analog video cable and power is at so I can piggy back of of that...anyone have a wiring diagram? I read in someone post there is a connection under the passeger side kick-plate but he didn't say which wires were which.

If anyone can help at all with this (wiring, dash teardown tips etc.) I would appreciate it. I just don't know how the heck I could possibly go from the current Navi computer into a totally different screen. The factory touch screen is a 4-wire touch screen (so I have been told), same as the one I just bought so hopefully that part proves easy...maybe.

I also have 3 other 7" screens currently, 2 headrest and passenger visor, that I will (at some future date) be replacing with 7" VGA 800x480 non-touch screens to match the resolution of the 8" main touch LCD. I could do 7" touch screens and do multiple zones but I don't think I want to get that invested.

I thought about getting an 8" 1600x768 screen that was made for the Sony Vaio P series but since I would have to get the touch screen overlay custom made it became cost prohibitive...that would have been awesome to have that res in my dash though. It was a dimmer screen and not exactly the right size though so I will be happy with my perfectly fit 800x480 screen.

I will post pictures as I work on this. I am quite tech savvy and have a pretty deep understanding of circuit boards and electronics in general so I hope this works.

DiamondJoeQuimby

iTrader: (2)

cool. Looking forward to pics. Good luck.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Pictures are gone but you might enjoy the read.
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/carpc-installed-into-3g-tl-navigation-610655/

My07TLS

Yes, thanks. I may actually be using his scheme to interface the touchscreen to both my computer and the stock NAV.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

I started a similar carpc install but it's been on hold because I bought a house. the only difference is I'm not trying to replace the factory screen because I still want the OEM interface. I have yet to see anyone successfully convert the factory rgb signal to VGA on the new screen. I believe someone here got close but the scale was way off. if you figure out a way I'd love to know!

right now I have a scando 800 convertor which displays the carpc interface pretty well on my stock screen (centrifugal ) but text in windows 7 is very hard to read.

dwb993

iTrader: (13)

I decided to keep my OEM screen---the resolution is fine for the Centrafuse screens I will be using.
Per Roger's recommendation, I picked up one of these to switch between PC and OEM: http://www.customgadz.com/store/prod...?id_product=15
I have not installed it yet. For now, I use a BT keyboard to control the PC.
Dash tear down video DIYs are in the 3G Garage: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-service-department-aka-garage-questions-answers-check-here-first-553557/

My07TLS

Yeah, I think I have it figured out. I purchased a RGBS converter that is used for old arcade machines to interface to LCD monitors. When I am done with this project I will try to do a nice write up with pictures and videos and lists of everything I purchased or used. I have wiring diagrams from an Acura service dept so that will help. (shhh...i am not supposed to have those)

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Cool ya i've read about the arcade convertor I hope it works! Whats your timeline for this project? I'm very close to resuming mine and would love to change directions and replace the screen.

PS I have the electrical trouble shooting manuals for the 2006 & 2007 TL if you need anything specific i can scan it

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Here check this out too

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-94/carpc-navi-integration-826972/

My07TLS

Well..hopefully I will be done in 2-3 weeks. I am waiting for the screen assembly to come from China.

slden

Imho. For a project CarPC with monitor OEM navigation system provides the best results set the video card in the computer. Not all video cards can be customized .. This imposes some restrictions on the choice of the model PC. But this is justified because it does not require the cost of the converter VGA to RGBs

csmeance

What you want to do was an vision I had with the stage 2 of my carpc but I had to turn my attention to other stuff and never did it.

I was going to use a much nicer screen that fit in the factory location and run the carPC off of it. But I was going to route the factory video signal into the monitor and have it on a switch so I could switch between the video feed from the factory navi and the carPC. I could use the joystick to get 90% of the function of the factory system if need-be.

TVandNav2Go had a reverse converter to convert the signal from VGA to RCA a few years ago when I spoke to them. I'm sure they must have something better by now.

One of your concerns was getting some of the factory data through the aftermarket screen like the video from the reverse camera. I was going to build a circuit with some 74'00 chips (NAND gates) and was going to do the same thing with the audio for the factory navi screen and route it into the computer/AUX input so if I used the factory nav (in the event the carpc failed) I would have full functionality.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Any links to what you screen you bought & the RGB converter? I'd like to check them out.

I'm excited i've been sitting on this carpc for about 8 months now!

My07TLS

Screen assembly:
http://www.wayengineer.com/index.php...roducts_id=510

RGBS to VGA
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...E:L:OU:US:3160

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Thanks! Look forward to your next update! How much better is that screen then the stock screen?

My07TLS

stock screen is something like 480x234 with 400nits brightness. This screen is 800x480 with 450nits brightness.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Been looking this over.. Are you sure this converter will accept the RGBS 15.7 Khz input signal the factory system puts out? It doesn't even list RGBS specifically as in input RGBHV is listed but thats not the same and the frequency is not correct.

The XVGA box on the other hand does support RGBS @ 15.7Khz but obviously more expensive.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...t_14272wt_1150

Here is a good site I have bookmarked from way back
http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de

My07TLS

Looking at the board itself...yes it has separate pins for RGBS. I hope it works :-) after a bunch of hours searching I found a few forums that stated that left me with the impression it will work. If not $33 lost isnt bad for trying.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Oh yes I see it now in the picture just not on the spec sheet.

My07TLS

It seems like my screen will be here today from China so I may get started a bit later after work. I have every part I need accept one (small KVM) but it isnt critical. I have 2 computers and the old Nav system that will all be VGA outputs so I got a small 4-pot USB powered KVM. I will route its button up to my dash somewhere.

One computer is running Android x86 and the other Windows 7. I would run Windows 8 but drivers are an issue sadly.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

sub'd

KN_TL

iTrader: (3)

A Belkin flip would work well. I used the audio input to do my relay switching for the 4 wire touch screen.

I worked for quite a while on this and honestly don't remember what worked and what didn't. But in the end, I could never get an image from RGBs that was satisfactory to me.

It consumed so much of my time that I gave up completely so I could concentrate on my performance mods. Maybe someday I will go back to it.

I am interested in the screen you bought. Seemed weird that the touchscreen spec was much smaller than the LCD. Hopefully it's a typo. For that price, I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

You got the converter already?

My07TLS

Yes. I got my LCD screen and KVM today also. The only thing I don't have is my bluetooth OBDII...but that will be easily installed next week.

I hope to get started on this a bit later today or tomorrow morning.

punky

I just finished the carpc on my 07 TL-S, but i went the SCANDO method.
I gotta say, like many others here, i found the RGBS signal to be more than adequate for carpc. The text is clear and readable, at 640x480 resolution.

I had thought about going through the same route as you as well, but i went with the scando method to save time and work. I'm definitely interested in your progress.

Let me know if you need some help along the way.

My07TLS

Well...I am pretty much done with the install. Everything works great! still a few odds and ends to wrap up but its pretty close.

I am writing up a good post with some pictures in the next day or two.

My07TLS

I thought about doing that too but it just didn't seem like the big project I wanted :-)

I found this for $40 and could have done that.

http://www.jammaboards.com/store/vga...b-gbs8100.html

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Sweet!! In for some pictures of the new screen displaying the car interface!!

24no7

iTrader: (2)

subscribed!

TheLowLife

in4updates

punky

It's definitely going to be a big project for sure. I will send you links on stuff I've collected over time which i think will help you. Have you thought about how you will plan to switch the touchscreen and video input while keeping the existing reverse camera?

My07TLS

OK, so here is a quick update on what I have accomplished. I am pretty much done, just a few extra things I need to add or configure.

List of parts:

1- 8” LCD screen kit. Includes Screen, 4-pin resistive touch overlay, USB touch controller, VGA composite LCD controller and button panel. This screen is high-brightness and is exactly the same viewable size as the stock screen. $128

http://www.wayengineer.com/index.php...roducts_id=510

2- 4-Port USB 2.0 KVM Switch. To switch between 2 computers and the old NAV interface. $12.83

Amazon

Amazon

3- VGA Splitter $10.17. Put this on the output of the KVM. One to the screen and one to a VGA composite scalar which plugs into my 3 LCD screens.

Amazon

Amazon

4- CarNetix CNX-P2140 Dc-Dc regulator. $125

Amazon

Amazon

5- Accell UltraAV B101B-003B Display Port with VGA Active Adapter. The computer I used only has Display port and HDMI. The screen is VGA.

Amazon

Amazon

6- PC To TV Video Converter. This is used to convert the VGA signal from the KVM out to 3 LCD’s I have, a visor LCD and two rear seat LCD’s. I got this one because it is USB powered. $15.50

Amazon

Amazon

7- Bluetooth OBDII. So I can read everything I could possibly want live. $15

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190701701912&ss

8- RGBS to VGA converter. This is used to connect the stock NAV unit to the new screen. $33

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:L:OU:US:3160

9- Zotac Nano AD10 computer with 4GB RAM and a 60GB OCZ SSD. I got this free from work. If you are buying then get whatever you want J The Zotac Nano PC’s are great because they are tiny…like 6”x6” or so.

10- Mini Wireless keyboard for the times I need more than the touch-screen. $17

Amazon

Amazon

11- USB GPS x2 I have 2 computers..one android, one Windows 7 x86. $24

Amazon

Amazon

12- 4PDT 5v coil relay. This is used to switch the touch screen between the USB controller and the old stock NAV system. I had this around but just google to find one...should be $10 (thanks to met152 for this idea)

Now for the actual work!

First I tested the screen outside on my desk...looks fairly nice. The touch overlay ruins the image a bit but its not too bad.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...0-14-53-29.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...0-14-53-42.jpg

Once I knew that was going to work for me I started the dash tear-down. For that I followed this nice series of videos. This will get the NAV and radio stuff completely out of the car and expose the entire under dash where I put a few parts.


And here is a picture of that done!

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...1-12-46-50.jpg

Here is the radio\NAV head unit.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...1-12-47-11.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...1-12-47-23.jpg

So now came the part where I needed to actually rip out the LCD screen. Once you get this far its not too hard to take it out completely. Here is a shaky video of some more of those details.


So I did get the the LCD part out...but I found out my new screen isnt the same physical size so i couldn't just plop it right in... sad day. So I took a while but I came up with a stupid simple solution you can see in the next terribly shot video :-)


So yeah...I just used rubber stand-offs to make the circuit boards press against the back of the LCD screen therefore holding it in :-) it actually works perfect!

So to get to this point I had already been working for about 5 hours...i wanted to see something working. I plugged things into the wall to satisfy that urge.


https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...1-15-02-26.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...1-15-04-03.jpg

You will want to secure the screens circuit boards...I didnt do that and i realized yesterday that they rattle back there...So i will have to open things up again and do that.

Getting the Stock NAV into the new LCD!!!

OK...so this actually was quite easy with the converter board I found. It is made for arcade systems that use the same RGBS signal.

Looking at the wiring diagrams I found where on the NAV head unit the RGBS and ground signal were.

Yup..I even have a link to that manual...

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...e%20Manual.pdf

If you look on page (section?) 22-483 it says that connector E (a 22pin connector) on the back of the nav unit has the RGB and Composite sync channels needed. It tells you the wire colors too. Page 22-488 has a drawing that shows you which connector this is on the back of the unit...the large green one.

I cut into those 5 wires, soldered on extension wires and ran them down to the lower passenger feet area where the plastic will hide the card and hold it up.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...1-17-44-35.jpg

Here is a picture (taken hours later after re-assembly) of that actually working. You can see the card down there at the bottom. It has a nice menu system allowing you to adjust every aspect of the image. It up-scales it and looks very crisp. As long as the card doesnt lose power (carnetix takes care of that) the settings keeping the image where it needs to be will not be lost.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...2-15-25-08.jpg

So I have that cards VGA output going into input 3 (first two are computers) of my KVM switch. It takes a simple button press on the KVM to see it on the screen...backup camera and all.

I just bought a nice momentary button to put into my dash near the steering wheel to move that button from the KVM up to the dash...more useful. I will have the KVM switch itself buried under the passenger side dash.

Getting the new touch screen to switch between the old and new system.

I have yet to add the 4PDT 5v relay to get the touchscreen working with the old system but that should be simple.

For those that don't understand that I will attempt to explain:
A relay is basically a switch...this particular one has 4 switches. The touch screen wire (NOT the USB wire) has 4 pins. If the relay receives a 5v signal it connects (switches) the 4 wires to the old NAV system..without a 5V signal the relay connects the 4 pins to the USB controller (computer). I will have the 5 volts signal come from the USB port of the KVM switch. So yeah, when I switch the KVM to the old NAV input it will activate that USB port on the KVM and therefore activate the relay to connect the 4 touchscreen pins to the old NAV system.

I haven't connected this yet so I am just hoping that since the new touch screen is basically the same it will be calibrated and aligned...lets hope. If not its not really a huge loss since all of the cars NAV hardware buttons work just fine.

Notes about the Carnetix CNX-P2140

This thing is awesome and worth the money. It controls every aspect of powering such a system. it powers my screen, the computer and everything else in this mix. It knows when to turn things off and when not too for convenience and also safety.

It has a feature (wire) that you can use to remotely send an "on" signal to the PC. I connected that wire to a wire I found in the drivers side door that only gets voltage when I click the unlock button either on the door or my key fob. so yeah...when i hit unlock as I walk to my car, the PC boots up so its pretty much booted and running by the time I start the car :-) I didn't take a picture of the wire I connected to so I will have to put that in a later post.

I may convert to something like the below link later though. I don't know that I want to boot the computer every time I unlock the car...no matter what. Sometimes I am just unlocking it to grab something...i don't want the computer to boot. But for now this was a free way of remotely booting.


The Carnetix also doesn't just cut power. It has a connection to the power button of the computer and send a normal button press. In windows you can tell your power button to hibernate (i do anyways) then the Carnetix waits a configured time to actually cut power...something like 45 seconds by default, enough for the computer to actually be off.

Several other awesome Carnetix things I could talk about but just know, it is well worth the money if you are going to do a CarPC the right way.

Some Notes About Android

The Zotac Nano PC's run an AMD chipset that Android X86 supports. The touchscreen i purchased is also supported. Bluetooth is pretty much not working though which is sad. I may try a USB bluetooth dongle since I just bought that bluetooth OBDII thing.

Apps that you should use:
Car Home Ultra.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....carhome&hl=en

PL2303GPS MockLocationProvider
This allows android to use the USB GPS unit I have :-)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...xwcm92aWRlciJd

Here is how to calibrate the USB touch screen on Android:

1. Press Alt + F1 to go into Terminal mode. (Alt + F7 will switch back to the GUI)
2. Type in (Without the Quotes) "stop zygote" and press enter (This will stop the Android GUI)
3. Type in (Without the Quotes) "mkdir /data/system/tslib" and press enter (This should make a directory/folder called tslib inside /data/system
4. Type in (Without the Quotes) "cd /data/system" and press enter (This will change the current directory to /data/system
5. Type in (Without the Quotes) "ls" and press enter (This will list all files and folders in the current Directory)
6. Check to see if your new directory, tslib is listed.
7. Type in (Without the Quotes) "ts_calibrate" and press enter
8. This should load up the calibration tool and you should have a X in the top left to press, when you do, you are moved to the top right, then bottom right, then bottom left and finally the centre of the screen.
9. Type in (Without the Quotes) "cd tslib" and press enter (This should move you into your new tslib directory you made earlier)
10. Type in (Without the Quotes) "ls" and press enter (You should see a file in there called pointercal, which was created by the calibration tool)
11. Finally, type in (Without the Quotes) "start zygote" and press enter (This will load up the GUI again along with your new calibration settings)

Other Things

So that is pretty much it. The only thing I have left is to find the reverse camera composite cable and run it up to the AV1 input of my screen. That shouldn't be too difficult. I know from the wiring diagrams that is all in the trunk. The camera wire goes into the NAV unit that is in the trunk. This LCD controller I have states that it will auto switch to the AV1 input when it detects a signal.

Here are a couple of pictures from the back of the car. You can see that since it is all routed through the KVM switch and split out to the main LCD and the VGA to composite adapter all of the screens show the same thing.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...2-22-35-25.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12285343/Ca...2-22-35-51.jpg

I have the audio plugged into the Aux input inside the center console. I have 3 infrared headsets that came with the 3 LCD screens. I plan to get an audio switcher so I can rout it to the headphones or to the car Aux input.

As of right now the only thing I would change about this is to dig a bit deeper on the internets and find a capacitive multi-touch screen and overlay. The only thing I could find was this Tablet that seems to be the right size according to some emails a seller gave me. I would have to disassemble it, buy a controller card and a capacitive USB touch controller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Ainol-NO...05%26rk%3D4%26

That would end up costing $250 or so.

I cant think of anything else at the moment. I am sure I will post more random things as I work out any kinks, change things or add features. Now its mostly messing with the Windows and Android computers to configure them to be very useful. I just may get into hacking around with the serial CAN network of the car where I can control just about anything I want...windows, lights etc.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

awesome write up !!!

well done

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Holy SHIT, that's a well done write-up.

punky

Holy amazing progress in such short time. Curious to see how well your RGBS to VGA converter work. I may upgrade in the future if the convert works well.

My07TLS

It works perfectly...really. The image it produces is great quality, no flickering and it scales to the screen size perfectly.

I plan on making another movie in the next day or two running through the whole system working. Something happened to my Android PC though so it is out of the mix. I am trying to get it returned to the manufacture but I broke the "warranty" sticker opening it up to connect the external power button wires. So yeah, I need to find a replacement sticker :-)

My07TLS

Oh...and it was a "short time" only because I started Saturday at about 10am and worked non-stop alone until about 3:30am then I continued Sunday morning at 11am until about 7:30pm. So yeah...needless to say I was tired but that is how I do projects. I can't stop until I am done. I am now just spending time configuring windows, messing with Centrafuse and Ride Runner. I have a few more wiring things to do but I will get those done sometime this week.

My07TLS

I hate that I cant edit my original post. It is so much better to keep things organized in one post. Makes it a lot easier for people to follow. I was hoping to continually update the post to make it very organized, helpful and the best resource online for carpc installs for this car. Oh well I guess.

Roger555

iTrader: (3)

Looking good man! How does that screen perform in sunlight? Any testing with it yet?

My07TLS

well the screen itself is pretty good...its the touch overlay that makes it not so good. I am going to try and put the stock touch overlay back in as it has a nice anti-glare on it. I may get to that tonight.