alright,

Im a computer nerd and I have a ton of parts laying around.

What I want to do is install a micro ATX PC in my tC. My only problem is the linking of the PC and my HU and how to power the PC from the car. Im not to handy with the car electric systems..

I guess I should also ask if this is even possible?

Thanks for any info and I hope I explained that well enough


CAMBY

 

Search for "carputer" using the search button at the top of the screen and you'll come up with lots of good info.

Here's some help on your power question:

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=67648

Also, if you are going the route of 'carputer' you should probably ditch the stock HU and get an LCD touchscreen to put where the HU goes.

 

Thank you for the repsonse and the link. I spent an hour yesterdat searching and found nothing, I never even thought to search "carputer" .

I was planning on installing a touch screen but I was hoping to keep the stock HU I didnt want to advertise that I had anything in my car.


Thanks
CAMBY

 

You could find everything you could possibly need to know about this here:

http://www.mp3car.com

 

I have worked in both IT and electronic engineering, so I may be able to add a little to this. One of my friends designed an entire PC control system in his car (lighting, locks, video/audio, alarm) for a project in our undergrad senior design class, so I know of a few lessons learned there.

First, I highly reccomend a solid state hard drive if you are going with an vehicle application. They are fast, small and dont run the risk of a head crashing as does a mechanical hard drive.

Second, to attach the sound, I would reccomend a touch screen that controls an audio app on the PC. A cheaper route would be to run line level convertors from the stock HU to the input on the PC. The only issue is that you will need a separate touch screen for the PC anyway.

Also, follow the links given above, there have been a lot of these going in, so they should be able to help.

 

Thanks alot guys,

I checked out the links and they have shed alot of light on this for me.

engifineer
Using a solid state HDD is a great idea, I never would have thought of it until it was too late.


I think Im gonna use a AMD compatiable Micro ATX board and try to integrate some notebook components all inside a custom built case and then toss in a 7" TFT/LCD scrren with touch screen from lilliput.


Thanks guys


CAMBYSES