EVO X CarPuter
Dec 11, 2008, 06:16 PM
#20
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This is just the beginning stages, but as of now it has the following features:
Wireless internet through Wifi and 3G services
Navigation
DVD / DiVX / Xvid (any codec you can think of is pretty much installed)
Bluetooth support (VOIP, Handsfree, Music Streaming, etc)
XM Radio
HD Radio (along with regular AM/FM)
Backup Camera
ODBII Diagnostics (ECUFlash Coming soon, and EVOScan once it supports the X and the OpenPort 2.0 cable so I can use it for my gauges and logging)
Dec 11, 2008, 06:37 PM
#22
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So far, that is what I have spent on parts.
I am about to add an accelerometer to it to measure G's and an infrared camera. I am almost done with the piece that will control my garage door. As of now, the system can tell when I get to my house and it will connect to my home network to sync my music and movies from my home server. I want it to check my garage door and open it for me. (I know, I am lazy and just want to see if I can do it
)
I am about to add an accelerometer to it to measure G's and an infrared camera. I am almost done with the piece that will control my garage door. As of now, the system can tell when I get to my house and it will connect to my home network to sync my music and movies from my home server. I want it to check my garage door and open it for me. (I know, I am lazy and just want to see if I can do it
)
Dec 11, 2008, 06:44 PM
#24
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A programmer is one of my past jobs. Currently I am a network security engineer. If you are interested in one, let me know what specifics you would like in a PM and I can get you a price assembled.
Dec 11, 2008, 07:19 PM
#27
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I put one just like this in my 350Z a few years back. Cost:
Nav Finisher Kit = $85
Car Puter = $650 (i would NOT recommend the Via motherboard to anyone)
7" Lilliput touchscreen = $200 (i would NOT recommend lilliput to anyone)
GPS (MS Streets & Trips USB) = $80
Premier CD HU = $250
High Quality VGA cable = $60 (my puter was in the glove box, which was behind the passenger seat... lots of interference on the cheapo VGA cable, had to spring for a good insulated one)
Windows XP = $0 (HAH!)
Centrafuse = $129 (i think that was the price.... the same front end as in these pictures)
Bluetooth OBD port = $200
Mini Bluetooth Keyboard = $60
Bluetooth Gamepad (passenger seat NES gaming) = $30
I eventually switched over to a tuned linux install + custom interface that I wrote. It drastically reduced start up times and the UI worked as I wanted it to. The hardware install took about 12 hours, Windows + Centrafuse = 2 hours. Linux setup = who knows, probably 6 months of writing code in my free time.
I wouldn't recommend this setup to someone who isn't comfortable messing with driver sets, inf files, etc., as these screens and custom chipsets tend to be fussy and can take some manual configuration to get to work right. Lilliput displays suck big time, as do Via chipsets, because of issues like this. I haven't messed with the car puter setup in a few years, but when I was, Xenarc was the best display to get (about $350) and it was worth the extra $200 to get the 'day-time' mod on it for better visibility in sunlight. Also, if you live in a cold weather climate, prepare yourself for malfunctioning screens at 7am until the car warms up and dead hard drives every 20000 miles or so. I even resorted to forking out extra cash for an automotive grade harddrive which still failed. The cases that tend to be used for carputers don't really do anything in terms of shock absorption.
Centrafuse is a decent front end but has its problems and is pretty pricey (i think the price went up to around $200), which is why I ended up switching to a homebrew frontend. In the end, I had any gauge config I wanted (based on data that was available from OBD), electronic suspension control (TIEN), wifi with auto-snoop and auto-crack thanks to Linux, and full phone capabilities via bluetooth to my cell.
If you have LOTS of time to play around with the carputer setup, to the point that its a hobby rather than an accessory to your car, it's great and as cost effective as an in-dash unit. However, for the casual user, it simply is not ready for primetime in my opinion. This is coming from a professional software developer's perspective.
Nav Finisher Kit = $85
Car Puter = $650 (i would NOT recommend the Via motherboard to anyone)
7" Lilliput touchscreen = $200 (i would NOT recommend lilliput to anyone)
GPS (MS Streets & Trips USB) = $80
Premier CD HU = $250
High Quality VGA cable = $60 (my puter was in the glove box, which was behind the passenger seat... lots of interference on the cheapo VGA cable, had to spring for a good insulated one)
Windows XP = $0 (HAH!)
Centrafuse = $129 (i think that was the price.... the same front end as in these pictures)
Bluetooth OBD port = $200
Mini Bluetooth Keyboard = $60
Bluetooth Gamepad (passenger seat NES gaming) = $30
I eventually switched over to a tuned linux install + custom interface that I wrote. It drastically reduced start up times and the UI worked as I wanted it to. The hardware install took about 12 hours, Windows + Centrafuse = 2 hours. Linux setup = who knows, probably 6 months of writing code in my free time.
I wouldn't recommend this setup to someone who isn't comfortable messing with driver sets, inf files, etc., as these screens and custom chipsets tend to be fussy and can take some manual configuration to get to work right. Lilliput displays suck big time, as do Via chipsets, because of issues like this. I haven't messed with the car puter setup in a few years, but when I was, Xenarc was the best display to get (about $350) and it was worth the extra $200 to get the 'day-time' mod on it for better visibility in sunlight. Also, if you live in a cold weather climate, prepare yourself for malfunctioning screens at 7am until the car warms up and dead hard drives every 20000 miles or so. I even resorted to forking out extra cash for an automotive grade harddrive which still failed. The cases that tend to be used for carputers don't really do anything in terms of shock absorption.
Centrafuse is a decent front end but has its problems and is pretty pricey (i think the price went up to around $200), which is why I ended up switching to a homebrew frontend. In the end, I had any gauge config I wanted (based on data that was available from OBD), electronic suspension control (TIEN), wifi with auto-snoop and auto-crack thanks to Linux, and full phone capabilities via bluetooth to my cell.
If you have LOTS of time to play around with the carputer setup, to the point that its a hobby rather than an accessory to your car, it's great and as cost effective as an in-dash unit. However, for the casual user, it simply is not ready for primetime in my opinion. This is coming from a professional software developer's perspective.
Dec 11, 2008, 07:26 PM
#28
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Also, if anyone is interested in a setup like this, do some research on www.mp3car.com before buying anything. These mini computer setups tend to shift standards frequently, so make sure you're getting the right components. Some motherboards just do NOT play nice with certain pieces of hardware.
Some of the best in-car setups I've seen to date were based off those mac-mini boxes... and that's coming from a mac hater.
Some of the best in-car setups I've seen to date were based off those mac-mini boxes... and that's coming from a mac hater.
