anyone thinking of installing a screen??

I have had in my car a computer that allows for mp3s and movies... my screen was mounted below the deck and climate control...

but a 7" widescreen would fit about perfect where the stock deck is... hmm...

 

there is a guy called mattjk that makes them for like $350.

 

Yeah but for some reason he's refusing to do touch screens right now, from what i've read on the boards over in the audio section... looks like he does nice work though.

 

I have one in mine.........The screen fits perfect by the height, but the width is too much. I just covered it up with some metal pieces...i have to see how to make a good mount/frame for it or see if i can get it made. I have a pic of mien...heres the link..

http://community.webshots.com/user/1cebox

 

cool pics... nothing mentioned about what you are running...

the pics look like you are just running XP, have you tried MediaCar or other front end software to control the whole thing, just found out last night that you can control a Bluetooth phone... I'm intrigued...

in the past I used an ATI Wonder Remote to control my system and just used a wireless FM modulator... worked out pretty cool, cause on interstate if your friend drives in the next lane (within about 40 ft)... he can listen to the same MP3s that you are...

 

yeah, i am runnin an xp...i should write it on their later.... i have a switch to switch from my head unit to the laptop for sound....i got an fm modulator, but it sucked ___ since i got it for like 20 bucks at best buy

ive heard of some kinds of software, but never seen or known what they did. anyone got any info on this software?

 

http://www.mp3car.com/

that's gonna blow our mind... I highly suggest MediaCar... it is really setup for touchscreen (you can add for less than $100)...

sorry to point this out to you, I'm sure you life already has enough expenses, but you are seriously about to lose some sleep and some dough... :-)

 

i dont know what you mean......whats going to blow our minds? the link doesnt show me anything.....and what do you mean by im going to lose sleep and dough...im so lost

 

This looks very interesting though.............anyone know if its any good?

http://www.alk.com/products/consumer...top7/index.asp

 

okay, dig around that site and you'll start seeing what I mean... there is a software package that is free... called MediaCar... it has everything... Radio controls, DVD playback, support for any movie file type, MP3s, GPS support... it is super smooth...

there are add on functions to do the backup camera, Bluetooth support for controlling/receiving/sending calls through your cell phone...

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=36
this will take you directly to the forum where this program is discussed...

the reason that I was saying that it'll blow your mind, is because you can't imagine all the work that is going into streamlining the in car computer setups... you stuggle alone with your laptop setup, you will be amazed...

check out this BMW install... http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=16568
that's as clean an install as I have seen... full featured... wireless networking, internet, it is tied into his ECU so that he can monitor sensors... the list goes on...

maybe it just blows my mind... :-)

 

What brand is the touchscreen? I read somewhere else on the forum we couldnt get one to install without major mods... I ordred a Lilliput 7" widescreen touch panel... hopefully I can get that mounted without TOO serious of work... Not really THAT worried though...

 

i have a 9" monitor in that location, which fits perfect... its not touchscreen but i guess it just depends on what u r using it for

 

I have a liliput too......the height is perfect....the only thing you have to do is some minor cutting of the console....you use a dremel to cut about an eighth of an inch off the bottom where the scrren is going to lean so the screen can sit more vertical...then you have to put like a flat piece of something, like a small flat metal peice that is long enough to go from top to bottom of the hole for the screen, and slide that peice to the side, and mark the side of the console so you can dremel that too so the sides are made straight now tht the bottom is cut shorter...you also havew to dremel off the tabs behind the console so the screen can lean on the console.....then u just have to figure out how to cover the sides, since the screen isnt wide enough to cover the entire hole.....i used some acrylic covered in black decal...but i gt to still work on it..

Like i siad, there is some fabricatin u have to do....u cant just slide it in place.....then u have to find out how you can mount the screen onto the console.......i havent done that yet.....i cant figure it out....i just 3Med it on...

I hope u understand..

 

nice set up

i need a dremel...

 

icebox.. that's exactly what I am going for... I want to totally remove the drop down door... I am hoping that glare won't kill me... I fully intend on tinting the windows...

you keep referring to the tilt of the screen, are you tilting because of glare?? I was hoping that I could keep the angle fairly parallel to the dash, I guess I could plan to recess it pretty far into the dash hole to mimick the iDrive screens that BMW is using, also the Prius screen is pretty recessed... but I am gonna use the touch screen, so I don't want it too far in there...

also, what is that small rectangle that I see down in the bottom right of your screen, it looks like some sort of tray app, mouse / touch screen related??

 

Believe me, I'm not amateur when it comes to fabricating. I ran my own car stereo business for 2 years.

I was just curious about how you did yours as the wait is making me anxious. Thanks for the heads-up and the ideas!!!

I mounted my headunit last night, that was a lot of cutting!!!! As far as I'm concerned interior pieces will be on ebay in less than a year after teens start crashing these things LOL!!! I'm not to worried about cutting replacable panels!!!

Thanks again!!!

 

As far as the mounting part goes, I planned on using the head unit brackets and some MDF wood. Then mounting the screen to the wood. I might be able to get around a lot of cutting (besides the tabs)

 

I tilted the screen so it would be more vertical and so it looks flush with the console....two for one deal...

I do get a lot of glare sometimes....i dunno how to get rid of it....maybe i should tint my windows too...

The box is a feature that comes with the screen that allows you to chosse to either right click or left click.....is helpful....

 

What resolution settings are you using?

 

okay, so now that I have had more time to ponder... do I remove the door and flush mount the screen... OR do I mount the screen slightly inside the hole and use the door for two purposes #1 out of sight, out of mind... and #2 to provide some shading from ambient / direct light...

I might could live with the door, it'll probably stay up most of the time, but I would have to fix the perimeter... I think it looks pretty trashy when you can see the edges around the unit... call me crazy, but it looks cheapo...