CarPuter install

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

I'm struggling to find a car stereo for my Astra that fulfills my needs... I'm being stupid, picky and arrogant here!

I'm looking at wanting to build a car-puter install. My car is an Astra H which has space for a double-din stereo opening.

What I'd ideally like is a small Atom based system with a touchscreen mounted where the stereo currently is.

A few questions:

1) Is this a fools errand, a folly - something that is going to get more and more expensive?

2) To do this, I'd have to remove my current stereo to put a 2din screen in there. So I'd lose all stereo functionality, how do I deal with sound output?

3) Anyone got any experience on this would be greatly appreciated.

WHY?

Well my needs (or desires) are:

1) Entire music library on the go using an interface allowing me to browse akin to an iPod (playlists, albums, artists, search)

2) Bluetooth audio link for phone, importing phonebook

3) SatNav

4) Integration with steering controls

5) Fun to do

[sc302 Veteran]

Most car steros have this now, well the higher end ones. but sure you can build one and put it in your trunk.

it has been done,

google search

car computer build

[iKenndac]

I actually put a computer into an Astra H a while ago. I ended up building a 2-Din box that contained a small computer and buttons on the front to replace the head unit, then a 7" touchscreen up in the panel where the Astra's normal screen goes. When I get home I'll dig them out.

As for speakers, you can get an adapter to break out the harness to a standard ISO fitting. From there, you can connect an amp or whatever to power the speakers.

[MattL]

Worth having a look at these guys. I have spoken to them in the past well worth a call.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

iKenndac: Wow, cheers mate lemme know if you find your old gear. I'd not against putting a screen where the display is, but then won't I lose the features that the display gives such as MPG, etc?

[blade1269]

Hey

iPad 2? For a head unit..http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=DL6PxvwuIyM

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

I did think about that. Problem is I have about 200gig of music I'd want to take with me.

[Guest]

Wouldn't it be better to have an SSD in a car with all the bumps and vibrations all the time?

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Of course it would, for the primary drive, but a standard removable HDD is perfectly fine for in car use. But this point is moot, I never said NOT to use an SSD ;)

[Guest]

True, although quite obvious, no one mentioned this so I put it out there :p

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Cheers. But yes, an SSD would be preferable for a number of reasons (shock resistance, power, boot speed). But there's no way I'm storing my entire collection on one ;)

[Dan~]

Hate to say it mate but I think it'll be more hassel than it's worth, thats my opinion anyway.

But if you choose to venture on, good luck and post some pics :)

[Japlabot]

I have thoughts about it too. It is a big project to integrate from scratch. If I were going for the Carputer model, I would have a Mac Mini/Apple TV (1st Gen) base with XBMC, otherwise a Tablet (Android/iPad) is also quite viable and probably easier as well. You can have a Low-Power NAS box to stream your music from. Shouldn't be hard to plug in a decent sound system into the headphone jack. Advantage of a Tablet is that it has GPS and Maps software already sorted (useful for driving) and you can take it out easily for security. The biggest problem for any Carputer/Tablet is customising the interface to make it safe for driving.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

See, interface is the easiest IMHO, as there are numerous off-the-shelf apps for this.

Hmmmmmmmmmm.................... food for thought...

[vincent]

Here's your solution, pop in a 32GB card and be done with it:

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-AVH-P4300DVD-Double-DIN-Receiver-Control/dp/B004HW6F7Y

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

32gb < 200gb

But it has iPod control, which works for me!

But doesn't even have bluetooth onboard for the phone!!!

Or sat nav.

In fact, it doesn't do half of what I want :(

[muzzle79]

http://mp3car.com

Should have everything you need in the forums.

[iKenndac]

As promised, a few photos of my Astra H with a computer in it, as well as one with the dash pulled apart. The Astra doesn't bother with those tedious things called "screws", so the entire thing just pulls apart!

Everything did get cleaned up, but I don't have photos of it. Unfortunately for the project I sold the car - fortunately for me it was something way more awesome. Didn't dare rip that one apart!

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Wow cheers mate. Where did you hide the macmini?

[htcz]

Hate to say it mate but I think it'll be more hassel than it's worth, thats my opinion anyway.

But if you choose to venture on, good luck and post some pics :)

It was very entertainging :) Its a month by month project though as most parts/modding is expensive (but worth it)

http://mp3car.com

Should have everything you need in the forums.

+1

Great forum and store.

Im also planning to do this in the future. muzzle79 put a great resource. Search on that site because probably someone else has also tried it before.....

http://www.mp3car.com/search.php?searchid=788098

[htcz]

And even though like said a SSD is ideal, it wont store as much music and shoot the price threw the roof. There are accessories that hold your HDDs and make them more shock resistant.

Carputers are about alto of research (a lot more than making your own custom build).

Tablets are just a fruity way of putting a PC in your car. They aren't PC. They don't have the quality to transfer audio. The list goes on and on......For a cheap simple build, great. For something you are looking for, not a chance.

Also, if you decide to sell your car in the future there are two things:

1: Your car is valued a lot more.

2: You can take all the components out of your old car and put it in your new car at drastically lower prices then your first build (and with a shorter learning curve).

Unlike normal PCs, Carputers usually don't need to get upgraded. And if they do, its easy being a Carputer....

Example, in the future (long future) Galileo will be deployed and with it USB receivers. Just swap your USB GPS receiver for a USB Galileo receiver and thats it: 100 euros tops (after prices go down) Do you know how much it would cost in a OEM installation?

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Right, as I see it - if I wanted to do this, I would need:

1) CarPuter itself (low-spec computer, specialist chassis, under car set may be a good location). I have an Acer Aspire Revo that may do.

2) 2din in-dash monitor

3) Specialist power supply for startup-shutdown

4) Some sort of mini-amplifier to replace the amp in the standard car stereo and route sound to speakers.

5) Input method (for now assume a USB gamepad, I have ideas for this)

Then can extend with a USB bluetooth stick, usb gps adaptor, usb-steering wheel control adaptor.

[PNWDweller]

OT a bit - I just can't get my head wrapped around the steering wheel on the right side of the car. :)

I used to want to do a carputer myself one time. I remember seeing a few years back, people using ITX based systems and tucking them under the driver's seat or passenger for the cpu portion along with the storage. I had seen some projects where they linked the system to their wifi and would upload the music to their car for the daily commute.

In most localities, be careful/mindful of the laws as well regarding on-board 'entertainment' and computers. Don't want to get caught changing songs or pressing the 'Pandora' button on camera or by the police if it is illegal. :)

I never did one for my car as I never got to it. Couple that with trading the car in for a differnet one, and then moving down to a SUV with crappy speakers at the moment....no motivation + no money.

Best wishes for you though in the endeavor and keep us posted on what you find and pics too!

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160401193370&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

This deals with the "computer" and power supply... That's a start. Can be mounted under my seat...

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

I was going to put an actual PC in my minivan - did a lot of research back in the day.

Basically, I'd swap 200gb storage for wi-fi or get both. imho, a carputer isn't complete without wi-fi.

3G connection shared as wi-fi spot in your car = win :woot:

who needs to take all your library with you if you can remotely access your desktop from your car :rofl: