car pc suggestions
 

alright ive been researching for a few days on car pcs for my rx8, i dont have the nav screen so im gonna need the metra kit and a screen.

my knowledge of computers is pretty ridiculous built them since i was 13 been a salesman for 3+ years so the computer part isnt too difficult for me.

what im wondering is how do i get the audio from the computer to the rx8 speakers and how is the sound quality going to be as im a major audiophile

also interested in the lilliput screen but i want one that has the dimmer for night time driving (do they have one?)

open to suggestions sorry for the nooooooob questions

you would use an aux interface.. such as a Grom unit.

sound goes out from the computer (standard jack) to a smaller unit that in turn hooks up to the back of the OEM headunit.

you mention you're going the metra route.. in that case you will need to tap into the amp for sound.. so therefore my previous suggestion won't work

feel free to click my sig for my build.

so then if im using the metra how would i go about using the car pc audio, uuuggh confusing

bump

i dont need a stero right? i can just run the audio froma computer cd player etc..

If you are going with the CarPC route you would use a product like Car2PC which has a USB interface on one end to the PC and an interface to the 6 CD Changer interface on the back of the OEM unit.

If you use the Metra kit then you'll need a wire harness or you can cut directly into the car speakers from the back of the OEM unit which I wouldn't recommend.

Audiophile quality sounds requires removing the stock bose system. If you're getting a metra kit, then it will be no problem to get a head unit with an Aux input for the PC, and have your head unit power your aftermarket speakers and amp directly.

Of course, you're going to have to want to remove all the speakers from your car and replace them with aftermarket ones of better quality. Not everyone wants to do this, but the Bose system is so muddy I can't imagine any audiophile wanting to hang onto it.

[quote=Socket7;2807999]Audiophile quality sounds requires removing the stock bose system. If you're getting a metra kit, then it will be no problem to get a head unit with an Aux input for the PC, and have your head unit power your aftermarket speakers and amp directly.
quote]

wellmain reason i wanted to use the lilliput screen was because the vga input and i'm pretty sure none of the standard recievers have vga or a resolution as high as the lilliputs

sounds like leaving the stock radio intact might be easier, how much would it cost to get the oem navigation screen?

bump, anyone know where i can get the oem nav housing?

They actually have an OEM housing for sale in this section of the forums, its like 3-4 posts down, also you can get them from Japanparts, one of our dealers here on the forums.

If I was doing a car-pc I would.. Scrap the OEM radio, yes the bose system is great, but aftermarket fitted right into the car sounds even more amazing. Get one of two things. USB Sound Card for 5.1 channel surround, or find a board that has an integrated 5.1 sound card built into it.

Get an AMP for your subs (If any), and get a 4 channel for the highs in the car, run 3.5mm -> Male RCA connectors from the carpc into the aftermarket amplifier(s) and enjoy crisp sound throughout the entire car. Also noting this requires the carpc, aftermarket speakers, metra kit, screen, aftermarket amplifier, and all the connections needed for it to all work! (Harness, AMP Kit, RCA cables (Depending on where the carpc is going to be mounted, you'll need to get the right length), and the 3.5mm -> RCA cables.)


Again, that's what I'd do!

skylar, looks you (planned?) to do what i wanted.

I have an 06 shinka, what I have been wanting to do is replace my stock unit with the metra kit+8in. lilput 859GL LCD, and a mac mini to power it all. PC hardware im comfortable with, but as far as cars go.....well, lets just say it must of taken me 20 minutes to fix the flat tire i got a few days ago using the mazda kit in the trunk...