Not sure where to post this, but I'll start here, since I now have an xD ...


I would like to be able to utilize the stearing wheel controls to control my WMP on my laptop. Obviously, through standard headset cables and AUX input you can't do this.

So what I was wondering... if such a cable, and application existed, you could control the WMP through the steering wheel by using the iPod connector included with the car.

I made a brief search and came back with not much other than cables to connect your iPod to your PC (duh)

so is anyone aware of such a thing?

 

Hrm... put a computer in your car and have it recognize the steering wheel controls as the volume and skip buttons? lol Thats the only way I can think of doing that.

 

yea, carputer ... thats always been an option ... but at this time, I'd like to maintain the stock stereo and untilze my laptop on trips. I have one of those fancy logitec mediaplay mouses, that works really well as a remote for the pc, but there's always a better way to do it.

It came up bc I find myself using the skip buttons on the wheel to change tracks instead of reaching for the mouse/remote. habit, and quite natural

 

Having a laptop carputer install, I know what you're looking into as far as function.

The first resource you'll want to use is mp3car.com They by far have the the largest community of people who have done this stuff before.

A shot answer to what you're looking to do, as far as something integrated into the factory control system to work your laptop is pretty dim. There really is no magical cord or software to run between the two. You'd need to have an integrated system to even begin looking into setting up the controls as you described. and even then it'd be tricky since there is no really good way to hard wire steering wheel controls into a computer (unless your an electrician and a computer programmer with lots of time to kill.

I think your best bet is an ipod which can make use of the factory stero if you have an ipodm capable head unit, or, running an audio out from your laptop to a aux port of a after market head unit, and use your laptop on your front seat.

 

There is always a way to do it. Im sure if you get technical enough, you can trace out the wires, and wire them up to create pulses, and use that as a USB input device. Some software engineering will be needed to create drivers for the device and make some type of software front end, or plugin for WMP to translate all of that for you.

other side of coin.....

buy a 160gb ipod, load all media and junk on there, and enjoy.

 

http://car2pc.com/

Enjoy