My CarPuter Install on a non-navi =P

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Old 10-25-2004, 10:00 PM
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My CarPuter Install on a non-navi =P

Ok just a bit of my hardware.

- Dell 4100 notebook (PIII, 512MB RAM, 80gig HD, Geforce2Go)
- Xenarc 7" TSV LCD touchscreen with Highbrite option, autoturn on, multiple inputs
- Griffin Powermate (thats the knob you see that looks just like the volume knob on the radio)
- buttons and switches for the screen and switch the music from XM to PC and vice versa
- Jensen Remote control
- IRMAN (infrared receiver for the PC)
- USB Rikaline Bluetooth GPS
- USB Bluetooth receiver.
- Custom shutdown and startup controller.
- USB touchpad (hardly need to use it since the LCD is a touchscreen
- Wireless internet through my Verizon V710 phone.

The software i'm running is called mediaengine.
GPS program is Routis 2004
Total cost, probably around 2G and a lot of my spare time =)

















Old 10-25-2004, 10:12 PM
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wow. Nicely done.
Old 10-25-2004, 10:15 PM
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You should've just bought the Navi since you spent $2000 anyway. Good job though. It looks professional but no where near as good as the Acura Navi.
Old 10-25-2004, 10:18 PM
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really nice!!! good job

points for you!
Old 10-25-2004, 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by EnJ
You should've just bought the Navi since you spent $2000 anyway. Good job though. It looks professional but no where near as good as the Acura Navi.
hmmm you make no sense to me. The main reason I didn't want to buy a NAVI unit for 2K is bc with a computer I can do everything the navi can and waayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more.
Old 10-25-2004, 11:13 PM
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GARAGE it... Sticky for a few days...

Wow, have to agree it's great. Impressive...
Old 10-25-2004, 11:23 PM
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Wow, amazing how it turned out! Looks very nice and professional, good job man.
Old 10-26-2004, 01:01 AM
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WOW! What part of Ca are you in? I'd be interested in checking out your setup sometime. I'm in Los Angeles county.
Old 10-26-2004, 12:03 PM
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Correction: the program you see running with the menu is MEDIACAR, not MEDIAENGINE. The guys at mp3car.com forum would kill me for making that mistake.

I'm in OC.
Old 10-26-2004, 12:15 PM
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That is the new hotness! Great job.
Old 10-26-2004, 03:03 PM
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how much did it cost?
Old 10-26-2004, 03:05 PM
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you did this yourself?
Old 10-26-2004, 03:18 PM
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moahdib, its not touchscreen right?
Old 10-26-2004, 03:27 PM
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All with my bare hands. Screen info is here:
http://www.xenarc.com/product/700ts.html
Old 10-26-2004, 03:51 PM
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Good shit......where did you put the actual laptop
Old 10-26-2004, 04:37 PM
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that looks sick man... good job
Old 10-26-2004, 05:32 PM
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SIIICK!!... I'm sure something like this could work for us NAVI people too right?? Using our factory screen??...

I'm in HB... maybe I'll check it out sometime.
Old 10-27-2004, 01:50 AM
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all i got to say is... WOW
Old 10-27-2004, 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by lookin4tl
SIIICK!!... I'm sure something like this could work for us NAVI people too right?? Using our factory screen??...

I'm in HB... maybe I'll check it out sometime.
It is easier with the Non-Navi TL. On the Navi-TL, the touch screen is a big problem. You will have to figure out a way to decode the communication bus that transmits the touch positions. Not impossible, but mighty hard. I have a non-Navi too. I am taking a different route from Moahdib in that I am not going to relocate the HVAC display. I am working on displaying that information on the screen as well and getting rid of the HVAC LCD. Work in progress.

Moahdib, awsome install. The cleanest I have ever seen
Old 10-28-2004, 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by havokgroup
Good shit......where did you put the actual laptop
Thanks for all tha compliments.

In the trunk. I haven't had time to go back there and take pictures plus it is a HUGE mess. =)

BTW: I tapped into the XM for the sound with a 4PDT relay and let me tell you..the sound quality is AWESOME. I can't even distinguish whether its coming from XM or the PC sometimes.

someway down the road I may try going with a 5.1 usb sound card and tapping in straight to the amp but i am quite happy how the sound is.

Now i have to organize my 40 gig of mp3. LOL
Old 10-29-2004, 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by moahdib
Thanks for all tha compliments.

In the trunk. I haven't had time to go back there and take pictures plus it is a HUGE mess. =)

BTW: I tapped into the XM for the sound with a 4PDT relay and let me tell you..the sound quality is AWESOME. I can't even distinguish whether its coming from XM or the PC sometimes.

someway down the road I may try going with a 5.1 usb sound card and tapping in straight to the amp but i am quite happy how the sound is.

Now i have to organize my 40 gig of mp3. LOL
moahdib:

When you have some free time do you think you can do a write up of this work? I currently have an 05 with navi, but I would like to try this in my 96 honda accord. Thanks in advance!
Old 10-29-2004, 10:32 AM
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OMG, So jeolous, Nicely done!
Old 10-29-2004, 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by havokgroup
moahdib:

When you have some free time do you think you can do a write up of this work? I currently have an 05 with navi, but I would like to try this in my 96 honda accord. Thanks in advance!
I will write a website on it later. I didn't have a good camera so I couldn't take any pictures during all the install, etc.
You find a lot of info on www.mp3car.com though.
Old 10-29-2004, 05:36 PM
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damn. HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT. not bad for 2g's at all. plus you did it yourself so no labor cost. dvd ready?
Old 10-29-2004, 05:39 PM
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very nice setup.
Old 11-01-2004, 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by moahdib
I will write a website on it later. I didn't have a good camera so I couldn't take any pictures during all the install, etc.
You find a lot of info on www.mp3car.com though.

Thanks I will start to read up on that site. Hopefully, it won't run me too much since I have a couple of extra laptops not being used right now.
Old 11-01-2004, 12:54 PM
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moahdib- looks great. I can't believe you've already got it installed and running!

whatacar- what's the latest?
Old 11-02-2004, 02:20 AM
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This is just awesome! What a nice Mod! It really beats the stock NAVI 100 times!

Getting online in the car is always my dream! There are so many protential what an actual in car computer can do! You can even posting respond to the forum when you are stopped at a red light!!!

I have an old PIII compaq laptop not in use too! I definately wanna do the mod as well! This is what I want for so long!
Old 11-03-2004, 07:29 PM
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Very nice job.
Old 11-04-2004, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ITL
moahdib- looks great. I can't believe you've already got it installed and running!

whatacar- what's the latest?
Working on it. I am decoding the comm bus right now. It is slow going. I want to finish the job during x-mas vacation. Will keep you posted.
Old 11-09-2004, 01:47 PM
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how did you connect the aftermarket screen to the acura hu do you have a wiring diagram or pics I am trying to do the same thing
Old 11-09-2004, 02:27 PM
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He didn't....he just relocated the screen to the storage areas below...the top touchscreen is for his pc.

I don't believe the two systems are connected.
Old 11-09-2004, 04:33 PM
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aftermarket screen

Do you know if it is possible I have the tl hu and the amps and speakers but not either one of the monitors so it has no display at all. I am trying to figure out how to hook up the els system to any kind of screen. Do you know if it is possible and where I could get teh adapter.
Old 11-10-2004, 06:06 PM
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Do you have to wait for the computer to boot up every time you start the car?

This is really awesome, great job! I've been trying to figure out a place to put in an aftermarket LCD screen with a DVD player, but I didn't think about moving the head unit down! I don't have the time or skill to do something like this, do you have any idea how much it would cost to have this system installed by a shop? 3000$? I'd also definitely want the DVD player to tap into the surround sound.
Old 11-12-2004, 12:16 AM
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I am doing the same project too...

Same 7" LCD touch screen + remote from TW Yahoo Action place for only US$ 330
PIII Laptop (already own. It is slow for daily task but great for to use on car for only DVD playback, mp3 and also Navigation system.) You canget it for only less than US$500 optional There also other CarPC for sell way better and powerful for around US$400
BU303 GPS USB mouse from Ebay for only US$60 (including shipping from HK to US)
DC Power Inverter from Amazon only US$30
Creative Audigy 2 NX US$75 option If you want 5.1 sound for dvd playback
USB 2.0 PCMIA car US$20
Laptop 12 DC car charget kit US$30

For me, my total cost is only $545 + alot of spare time + NO GUTS NO GLORY

Do you have to wait for the computer to boot up every time you start the car?
Yes. It really depends how did you set it up. If it is a complete hard boot up will probably takes 40s~60s but if resume from suspend will probably takes 30s~40s. The stock Navi boot up time is also 30s~40s. Remeber it is running Window CE too.
Old 11-13-2004, 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by EluSiOn
I am doing the same project too...

Same 7" LCD touch screen + remote from TW Yahoo Action place for only US$ 330
PIII Laptop (already own. It is slow for daily task but great for to use on car for only DVD playback, mp3 and also Navigation system.) You canget it for only less than US$500 optional There also other CarPC for sell way better and powerful for around US$400
BU303 GPS USB mouse from Ebay for only US$60 (including shipping from HK to US)
DC Power Inverter from Amazon only US$30
Creative Audigy 2 NX US$75 option If you want 5.1 sound for dvd playback
USB 2.0 PCMIA car US$20
Laptop 12 DC car charget kit US$30

For me, my total cost is only $545 + alot of spare time + NO GUTS NO GLORY



Yes. It really depends how did you set it up. If it is a complete hard boot up will probably takes 40s~60s but if resume from suspend will probably takes 30s~40s. The stock Navi boot up time is also 30s~40s. Remeber it is running Window CE too.

Stock navi takes 30-40s. holy craps....
This is my daily thing, unlock, go in car, turn engine on, screen comes on automatically, PC boots up from Hibernate in about 10 seconds.
By then GPS starts searching for sattelites and winamp resume plays from where i left off.
I think i beat the stock navi by good 20 seconds there.

Ellusion: are you getting a Xenarc for $330?? they don't run THAT cheap anywhere.. i think u meant a lilliput. If you're getting a screen i suggest the xenarc. Lilliputs break VERY easily i'm told. Its worth the extra money. And the new ones have remote so you dont have to do the crazy button box i did.
Old 11-14-2004, 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by EluSiOn
This is just awesome! What a nice Mod! It really beats the stock NAVI 100 times!

Getting online in the car is always my dream! There are so many protential what an actual in car computer can do! You can even posting respond to the forum when you are stopped at a red light!!!
!!!! Nice work. Points for you.

BTW we need more/better pics!
Old 11-14-2004, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by moahdib
Stock navi takes 30-40s. holy craps....
This is my daily thing, unlock, go in car, turn engine on, screen comes on automatically, PC boots up from Hibernate in about 10 seconds.
By then GPS starts searching for sattelites and winamp resume plays from where i left off.
I think i beat the stock navi by good 20 seconds there.

Ellusion: are you getting a Xenarc for $330?? they don't run THAT cheap anywhere.. i think u meant a lilliput. If you're getting a screen i suggest the xenarc. Lilliputs break VERY easily i'm told. Its worth the extra money. And the new ones have remote so you dont have to do the crazy button box i did.
moahdib,

I am getting Xenarc 700TSV for US$ 330 only. I am suprise too! It also includes remote + 16ft cable! The guy gets them directly from factory so that's why it was so cheap. This is the url for the auction http://tw.f3.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/c13078408 It also says that if order 3 or more, there will be more discount!

Also Window OS does not boot up that fast. Booting/start up from Hibernate definately faster. The stock navi system does not have 512mb RAM nor 5400rpm Hard disk. So there for it is slower. I remeber the stock navi booting seq is like this, display acura logo (bios image), showing warning text (for 15s) then get into navi.
Old 11-14-2004, 10:02 PM
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I don't see remote in there..but still, $330 is a sweet deal. I got mine for about $400 barely used. But then that is WITH the high-brite option which makes it super bright for daylight use. Definitelly money well spent. I just wish i had the freaking remote!!!
yah and just to clarify, my laptop hibernates when I leave the car. When i come back and turn the car on, i start hearing music and gps starts tracking within 10 seconds or less. Gps takes maybe 30 sec to get a lock. Its concealed under the dash.

I will try to get some more decent pics soon. My digicam is dead and only lets me take 3 pics before the battery dies.
Old 11-14-2004, 10:25 PM
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Nice job! I'd definitely look though for a better program than Routis for routing. The stock Acura NAV is MUCH better than Routis. Might be better with MSFT Streets and Trips 2005 or Mappoint. Only real plus to Routis is that you can use a PDA (pocket pc client) or the normal Windows version of the program and only need to learn 1 interface.

If you are going to the trouble of installing your own PC based nav it's not a bad idea to have 2 different map vendors as well. It seems that some vendor is always slower in updating maps in 1 region while another vendor might have more current ones there. Other than that it looks pretty sweet!


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