I saw a tiny projector about the size of a palm pilot, I think on Cnet. Anyway I was wondering if there was anyway you could install that to display on the windshield. I was thinking to tint the windshield with something thats like 60-70% just to it's a bit reflective on the inside and then harwire a docking station for a laptopn in the trunk that is connected to both the projector a screen in the front, headrests, the audio of the car, and have a laptop external usb dvd player connected on the inside of the center console. This way you can use navigation software and display it on the actual windshield but it will be transparent so you can keep driving, also gives you internet vie cellphone connection, and dvd/mp3 through the other tvs. Give thoughts I know it would be expensive but most of that goes into the projector if you already have a laptop, plus you can take the laptop with you when you get out of the car and just clip it in when driving.

 

So basically your trying to make a modified HUD on your window? It seems like it would be a pain to do all of this, and personally i think it would be a little distracting. ALthough i reserve judgement until seeing the finished project.

 

It's certainl possible to create a heads-up display in a car. One problem is oncoming headlight brightness washing out your projector beam, though... and I suspect it would be blinding for onlooking drivers.

Tint on the windshield will get you a ticket as a visual obstruction.

 

The tint thing no one will notice if you get 70 percent especially here in miami legal limit is 28, ive got 20 and every cop i know is like" hey if your gonna get tints atleast get 15 because i look directly into your car" so I figure 70 on the windshield no one will notice

 

and to the blinding thing, not if its pointed at an upward angle instead of straight on.

 

Well if you can get away with it go for it, if you do take this project up, id be interested to see pics of how it turned out.

 

First got to get the cash, but if all goes well in the next 3-4 months ill definately get started on it. This all came up because Ive been wanting a digital projector for my house and I drove a caddi XLR(crappy accelleration for a v8, although it looks nice, never buy one though shit quality) at a lexus driving event and saw the HUD with speedo on the windshield and I was like "wow haven't seen that since the eighties Nissan's, I wonder...)

 

They have been working on this for Rear Seat Entertainment too... have a pulldown screen that the projector shines on. Not ready for prime time yet...

Hope the top of your head doesn't get too hot : )

 

How's this projecter going to look in the day time on a sunny day though?

Also...in my old car I use to try to use a laptop. The laptop is not very convnient and pratical to always have to hook up/turn on everytime you get in/out of your car. I use to have all of these great ideas that I would be able to do all of these different things with the laptop since they are so expandable. It all sounded good in theory, so I hooked the laptop up for a month or two before I realized that it was just not pratical. I got tired of bringing that thing around.

Don't let this deture you from doing it, I just thought I would mention my experiences before you put a lot of money into this project. Just weigh the pros and cons.

Good Luck though man!