Sum_1_Else

Lets keep this simple. I hate my 04 bose stereo. Will this option work?

Stash a laptop in the trunk/ under the seat. Run a VGA cable to a touchscreen monitor where the head unit used to be. Route an external cdrom drive for Cd's if desired. Wipe out all of the unecessary programs for a faster boot time. I'm not sure how the whole sound thing works really... let alone subs and an amp?

Also if I jailbroke my iphone would I be able to run wifi off of it onto my laptop for internet/ pandora.

Any input would be appreciated and believe me I have been searching for years for my stereo project. I figured this would be a cheap and awesome way of going about it. Trying not to spend too much as I am supposed to be saving for an engagement ring.

Thats all I got for now, thanks in advance!

rotarykillz

iTrader: (1)

The only thing I'm unsure about is that you sound like you're replacing the entire stereo with a PC only. I wouldn't recommend it. I'd get an aftermarket stereo to handle your radio/CD and use the PC as an aux mode hook up to that stereo.

It's definitely possible to do it either way, but I think getting true FM radio on a carPC is going to be a pain. Your software options are extremely limited too. Make sure you like the interface of the software you choose to run for your carPC if that's your only music interface..

good luck.

ninjajim4

iTrader: (4)

i would check out mp3car to get more info on this. you may think you have put years into it but carPCs are totally different and from the sound of things you haven't got very far. how, for example, are you going to have your laptop startup when you turn on your car? just hit the button every time? there are better ways of doing things. and like rotarykillz said, a carPC is an input, not an output. you want to get rid of your stereo, but then how would you be outputting to your speakers? good news, at least there are some options for carpc radio, some of which are rock solid

Thegurio

I agree with the above posters.... Mp3car.com is one of the best sources out there for this sort of stuff and there are guys on there who have done this many many times and know what they are doing. Head over there and check it out!

By the way, have you ever thought of having just your phone or an iPad or something similar? Therre are plenty of great mounts around and that way, you've always got it with you and it's always charged etc. I'm trying to work out a way to get my iPad into my current car but the things I'm seeing im not really liking and I am also thinking i might not keep it for that much longer so might research the next one!

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Unless you plan on running some engine monitoring software or similar, CarPCs are a waste of money and time IMO. Sure they can do a lot of great stuff, but not much more than any higher-end double din can do. And ask the guys over at MP3car and they'll tell you they're constantly tinkering/fixing/messing with theirs. I don't have time to jerk around with stuff anymore. I'll buy the high-end Pioneer that does everything short of WiFi, have it work 100% of the time, and move on to more important things in life.

rafaga

iTrader: (1)

I've built a few computers in my life, but building a carputer is a whole different ball game. It SOUNDS simple, it looks simple, but once you get into the details about power management, audio grounding, boot up/hibernation/resume times, drivers,etc ....it turns out to be a PITA. 2 years into it a a few hundred dollars later I still can't get mine to run 100% stable.

ninjajim4

iTrader: (4)

^ half agree with the 2 posters above. it really is a $#@%$ PITA, but when it's all done it's worth it. when it's done and done right, you can just run it, have it, forget it and actually enjoy it. just be prepared to put in the work, do LOTS of research before you buy ANYTHING, make a budget, then double it, have a 12v battery charger on standby and flat panel monitor you can drag out to the garage.

Z0oMzo0m

iTrader: (4)

well, i went through with the process, about a year ago, i enjoy it. yes it doesn't run every time how i want it to with certain programs to load up every time, but one day il figure it out. But there is so much you can do with it and people love the fact you can go online while driving the car :D (well your passengers can )

Talk to alzorz, greddytogreddy* they have a car pc thread with all that he has done.

i think i spent, from scratch at least 1200.00 for complete done and running, thats includes:

the stock navi hood, < that was my priciest piece.
car pc,
centrafuse program
cables/wires/connectors
touch screen
aircard, which i already had (internet)
subscription to playboy.... :X j.k j.k

but yes go to mp3car and you will find 90% of the stuff that you will need

jdenman03

I am too about to bust out and start to do this (my 8 came with the nav stock). I already have the PC, centrafuse, and touchscreen. I just need to find the time.... lol... I do have a small few things to buy though. To bad you didn't live here SUM or we could start the project together. I heard the biggest PITA was getting the screen to pop up and down with the stock motors and buttons. That's really the only big concern that I have with doing it.

Sum_1_Else

When I hadn't received an email about this post I got a little sad. I'm glad I logged back on! Lots of good information guys and unfortunatly it was what i didn't want to belive. That it was going to be a little more complicated than I thought. Better than the stock situation but still a pain to deal with. I forgot the most important factor. it would be a lot more exspensive than I thought...

Here are some additional thoughts as my dream strives to survive.

Seeing as I will have to get a Metra Kit anyways, I may as well just get a Double Din. Stereo problem solved. But there is still the stock navigation which is only good for openening and closing to impress new passengers...not the fact that it is a navigation unit - that runs slower than the cell phone you have in your pocket which is also a navigation unit and more.
Option 1?
I know I can stick a new monitor in the navi hood, but can I run a different image than the one shown on the double din unit. We have all seen where the double din and additional monitors show the same image in the headrests/ hood blah blah blah... but is it possible to have the double din play a movie on one screen (navi hood/ unit) and provide its installed navi/stereo interface/camera or whatever on the (unit/navi hood) at the same time?
Option 2?
hook up the computer anyways, run it to the new monitor in the navi hood and have a car/ laptop that is plugged into the imputs of the double din unit?

You guys have been very helpful in taking away my foolish excitement to start a project without all the necessary information. I have faith that you can guide me on the two options I just asked. I will be researching in the meantime. Anyone want to start an Rx 8 bank robbing club? If we all blend in then we should have some pretty good odds. We'll go with the confuse and divide method!

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Pioneer's Z-line will do dual zone video/audio. You're looking at about $900 online for one of those. If you can deal with the factory navi, Pioneer's P3200BT does dual zone video for less than half that price (~$350 online). Pretty good deal.

Again I ask, why do you want a carPC? What are you honestly planning to do with it?

Hooking up a laptop to an installed monitor doesn't allow you to do much extra. You can play a video and have to run to your monitors, but big deal. The double din can already do that. It can play video off a CD, DVD, iPod, or SD card. Music should come via an iPod. The on-screen controls are fantastic. It's just like they're on a hard drive. I mean come on man. Save yourself the headache and money. Install a sweet double din unit and move on.

Sum_1_Else

The carpc would be nice for tethering internet off my iphone. I have a feeling I will end up with a double din. You call the option dual zone for audio and vidoe. I will have to look into that. Thanks for the help guys, I will be sure to update when I start the project!

ShellDude

iTrader: (12)

Hmm... Not sure what to add... Best advise I've read thus far is check out mp3car