Have any of you Briskodians ever put a PC in a car as part of a multimedia system ?

Just a thought really after seeing PIMP MY RIDE on MTV but I think it would be a fairly cheap install to build, I'm not into big speakers and amps I would rather have something the passenger can watch on long journeys or when I am bored waiting for the misses to finish the shopping

Here is what I am purposing to do.

Cheap computer (Must have DVD drive, Big hard disk, Soundcard and a connection for a bluetooth dongle)

Touch screen monitor that is linked to the PC so you can put the PC in the boot and use the screen to control it.

FM modulator so you can use the stereo in the car for sound from the PC.

This setup would give you DVD movies, MP3 music, games, email via a bluetooth connection to a GPRS enabled phone.

I know it would be used maybe twice to 3 times a month but it would be a challenge to me.

Anyone had any similar ideas ?

Thanks Ivan

Ivan

E mail, davidcollins01, his best friend has just built a PC, that fits into a Dremmil carry case. ( that small enough).

He should be able to give specs etc.

Steve

Steve can you PM his email please.

ColinD has done something towards this. I'm sure he'll be around soon to expand on it.

Cheap computer (Must have DVD drive' date=' Big hard disk, Soundcard and a connection for a bluetooth dongle)

[/quote']

If you use something like a Mini-ITX board then it'll have all this and take normal/laptop peripherals...

Touch screen monitor that is linked to the PC so you can put the PC in the boot and use the screen to control it.

There's some pretty good ones around relatively cheap...depends what size you're after really...

FM modulator so you can use the stereo in the car for sound from the PC.

Use a proper line-in otherwise you might as well just listen to the radio!

Rob.

Rob I have seen a number of touch screen ones on ebay for less than

check out ebay for the touch screens.

Dam too slow.

Fancied doing this on the last few cars I've had Ivan but never got round to looking into it properly. Keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers

Ventmore

What about this?

http://www.digitalww.com/DWW-7VGT.htm

Found it a few weeks back when doing reasearch into the same thing. SWMBO has forbidden me now!

http://www.digitalww.com/TM701L_install4.htm

Very nice but the monitors I was looking at was around $200, basically it was a mini LCD computer monitor.

You can get a 7.5" touch screen on Ebay for about 150 quid but if I do go down this route I want the screen to be integrated, not stuck on top of the dash!

Rob I have seen a number of touch screen ones on ebay for less than

You can get a 7.5" touch screen on Ebay for about 150 quid but if I do go down this route I want the screen to be integrated, not stuck on top of the dash!

Ahh I have a cunning plan which is as cunning as a very cunning fox

On the fabia there is a spare slot where the Climate control might of gone. Now you can buy a draw for this which slides out of the dash. Now what I am proposing is to fix a screen in the draw and have it hindged so it flips up. This would also mean it is hidden from Chav's that take a fancy to it. I have got to find a small enough screen that will fit in the draw of maybe make a dummy end to go on the bottom of the monitor so once it is closed it just looks like another storage cubby hole in the dash.

It is going to take alot of planning but I think it is very possible.

Static screens give you most flexibility over mounting, so you might be best going for one of these anyway and "motorising" it yourself once you find a convenient location. One example I've seen of someone doing this is a 15" TFT rising vertically out of the dashboard of a Smart. Pretty simple, but very effective.

The other option would be to acquire an old laptop with a 12" touchscreen and remove the screen from that...would possibly be slightly cheaper than

OK what about this unit plumbed into a PC ?

mini itx is the way to go..

we stock it and the car power kits also.

ColinD has one up and running in his car.. one is going in my MG shortly...

mini itx is the way to go..

we stock it and the car power kits also.

ColinD has one up and running in his car.. one is going in my MG shortly...

Just out of interest how much for a box and power kit Paul.

Yepp as above...

i'll take over from ffelan, more my speciality, i will PM u both details on what we can sort.

ColinD has a mini itx setup in his car

si

Nice thanks Si.

I do have a mini ITX in the car. Works very well for what I wanted which was more than a Palm could offer me. There are issues with the usability. But thats my choice of software.

In summary, PC in the boot with HD and dvd tray. Plays mp3 into HU, moveis and of course dvd. Touchscreen and OSK gives me access to any pc based program on a 7" touch screen up front. The screen is not integrated or folding, instead for quick security it's ona bit of bent steel that clips over the fan unit.

Presently running it for sat nav, tweaking the APR map, logging engine stats virtual dials etc (although still getting software keys), Media engine (not the best but painless) runs mp3 collection and other winamp compatable media. Erm, internet when I remember the bluetooth dongle.

I got a tft from a UK importer, although www.cartft.com is a good source for panels. Basically you have lillyput and another one. Lillyput are the cheap and cheerfull ones.

Apologies for being vague but it's over 6months since I was researching it all. No need to shop for bits when you have them in place etc.

Will attempt to get pics, it's a doddle when you know how. Easily done

Sourced all the stuff via Si really for the best price barring one or two Maplin items...

Hope that helps...

And playing solitare when sat stationary on the m6 is most bizzare

Or watching various circuit laps in the paddock, or pictures from your digi (camara or recorder)

It has it's benefits.

And playing solitare when sat stationary on the m6 is most bizzare

Or watching various circuit laps in the paddock' date=' or pictures from your digi (camara or recorder)

It has it's benefits.[/quote']

@si - Any chance you could PM me the details too.

Cheers

Ventmore