cp[mike]'s in-dash CAR PC build thread

[cp[mike]]

I created this thread to document the construction/implementation of the custom Car Computer that will be using in my coupe. I had most of the main components sitting around (plus the plans in my head) for years now, but I finally recently started putting it together so I would like to share my progress with you. I welcome any and all input - suggestions, comments... I hope for this thread to become a resource for other people putting PCs in their CBs.

THIS THREAD IS A WORK IN PROGRESS - The thread will contain the ongoing installation ideas and progress, but I will continue making revisions to these first few posts to keep the important details up top.


Original Project Goals:

To bring modern, luxurious new-car technology and entertainment to the decades-old CB7
• Flush in-dash LCD touchscreen
• Trunk- or underseat-mounted CPU unit
• GPS maps & navigation
• Rearview Camera (with recording option)
• Rear-deck mounted Wifi antenna (wardriving??)
• Audio (lots of music!) output fed into "Aux" input on existing headunit
• On-board ECU datalogging & chip burning
• Integration into existing circuits (locks,windows,lights) for automation
• Center console mounted USB/Audio/120vAC jacks
• Linked up to my cellphone's 3G for on-the-go internet
• Integrated games / emulators (NES, N64, Playstation...)


Additional Project Ideas:

• Bluetooth-connected handsfree voice calls (microphone needed)
• Connection to a radar detector
• smartphone based media controls, for rear passenger access
• SMS-based remote vehicle control (extra cellular modem needed)
• Rain, Sunlight, Temp sensors
• computerized control over the still-yet-to-install JDM digital climate control (one-touch full-blast AC?)


My Implementation:


- VoomPC Enclosure (pictured above)
- "Smart" 12v->12v power supply
- VIA EPIA M-series Mini-ITX motherboard
- Xenarc 700TS, 7" widescreen, touchscreen (pictured above)
- Slim rechargeable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard
- Philips SPC900NC USB Webcam (hoping to be able to utilize the 90 fps for making slow-motion rearview recordings)
- Motorola Droid w/ Verizon Mobile 3G internet (unlimited data plan)
- Other accessories:
.... 1gb memory DDR PC2100 memory (had on hand)
.... two 4GB CompactFlash cards (one to boot, one for software)
.... minimalist CF->IDE adaptors
.... Bluetooth dongle
.... WiFi PC-Card & external antenna (pulled from an old wifi router)
.... 60gb laptop harddrive (for music & movies, had on hand)

After assembling everything together (this will vary based on hardware, but all my stuff came with instruction manuals) it was time to decide the best software to run on it. Considering this was relatively uncommon at the time of my original planning, I expected to have to write the majority of the GUI/interface software myself, and was planning to use Microsoft VisualBasic to make it simple for myself, as I knew the language and had experience using it to control the Windows Desktop GUI. So that means running Windows XP. Anything older is lacking support, anything newer would require updated hardware.

I strongly considered the use of linux, and did so especially with the strides in GUI progress its made in recent years... but really since it is still made up of a mix of disparate goodies I felt it would take me longer, with more work, to achieve the implementation of my goals. Because the OS is booting from an easily removable CF card, there is no reason why I couldnt experiment with developing an interchangeable Linux version of the interface in the future - but I personally feel I would be able to build a more coherent system (that does more) using Windows.

Now that I am finally putting it all together, I looked up some information using the extremely useful resources of www.mp3car.com, which is a website started by the guy who built the car PC system that I envied at the time. Seems since my initial research, the community has developed a very powerful "front end" interface called RideRunner, that runs in Windows, and allows you to integrate various applications together into a nice skinned touch interface. Perfect! after various testing of demos, the following configuration was settled upon:

- Windows XP Pro (tweaked for optimal boot time)
- RideRunner front-end software interface
- iGuidance 4.0 Navigation maps
- Other supporting applications:
.... Daemon Tools Lite, to "mount" the image of the iGuidance Mapdata CD as a virtual disc drive

I can use my Droid as a mobile hotspot, or I share internet via bluetooth or USB. preferably USB, as I hope to leave the BT radio free so that the phone can be paired in "handsfree headset" mode, so that I can control it to make calls through the PC's interface, and the stereo's audio. Still need to locate a small noise-cancelling microphone to mount inside the car before that happens, though.

[cp[mike]]

THIS POST IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

(reserved) - Setup notes, Windows tweaks, Comments and considerations

- nLite - to strip down XP to barebones
- speed improvement tweaks (BIOS, services, pagefile, etc)
- resolution & video choices
- Changing the bootup screen
- Making a Windows theme touch-friendly
- Customizing the GUI theme (I chose "Elite 1.6" but it needs customization)
- CB7-specific customizations:

i still also need to speak with Chad to see if he can render me some little 3d-cb7-looking icons to use in place of the "arrow" icon in the navigation software

[cp[mike]]

THIS POST IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

(reserved2) - Integration into the car's existing systems

WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING FEATURES (still in development):

- Control over individual locks & windows
- Control over other accessory systems (lights, wipers)
- Extra sensors (rain, sunlight, temp)
- Datalogging, tuning, and chip burning
- warning lights & reminders
- On-screen RADAR alerts by hacking my radar detector's "remote-mounted display" option
- rearview camera mounted in tail light (lock keyhole)

- serial-based interface hardware (custom built, similar to "fusionbrain")
- integrating software controls directly into the GUI (see pic below)

FOR EXAMPLE ONLY:

[cp[mike]]

Progress pictures:

Here is the current state of the hardware:






Software. still needs a lot of customizations - i need a cb7 boot screen and skin logos.

"loading" screen


Homescreen


Music


Navigation


Weather

[cp[mike]]

(reserved4) - Final install pictures & screenshots

[Sarthos]

Sounds cool. Only thing I'm not sure about: Where are you going to put the thing if you keep the stock CD player? Personally I'd remove the stock stereo and use the PC in its place, with a digital output from it to a processor for minimal A/D, D/A conversions, and minimal noise in the signal path from the source to your amps.

[cp[mike]]

Sounds cool. Only thing I'm not sure about: Where are you going to put the thing if you keep the stock CD player? Personally I'd remove the stock stereo and use the PC in its place, with a digital output from it to a processor for minimal A/D, D/A conversions, and minimal noise in the signal path from the source to your amps.

I have already rearranged my dash and made room for the screen. I will be switching out the stock A/C controls for the much slimmer digital climate control, and moving the existing headunit down to the lower opening. This creates *just* the right amount of room for the screen, but obviously relies on the auto climate control conversion to happen before installation.

Here is a picture of the test fitment:


I do not want to use the PC as the standalone in-car entertainment. Sure it will be used primarily, but with the potential of "bootup" or hardware problems, it would suck to be without music. While it IS working though, I will leave the headunit's graphic display set to the fullscreen "bar-graph equalizer" visualization, and retain the option of quickly tossing in an MP3 CD into my deck without interrupting on-screen navigation. The screen has an internal speaker that can be automatically switched on and off, to still provide navigational voice prompts even if the headunit is switched off.

This arrangement also allows the use of a hardware volume knob - what if the touchscreen USB driver freezes with the music full-blast and a cop is walking up to my window? Would be nice to have a "mute" button ruling over the entire thing.

Here are two pictures of the headunit that I am using:

[Sarthos]

That's not bad then. How you gonna go about molding the dash? Fiberglass?

And in your position I would still actually still use a processor and a digital output on the computer. So long as your headunit can control the processor. OR if you have some remote accessory to control the processor. In which case you could scrap the stereo in exchange for a 100 disc changer

[cp[mike]]

That's not bad then. How you gonna go about molding the dash? Fiberglass?

And in your position I would still actually still use a processor and a digital output on the computer. So long as your headunit can control the processor. OR if you have some remote accessory to control the processor. In which case you could scrap the stereo in exchange for a 100 disc changer

There are fitted "shroud" panels that are available that fit around this particular screen. I will be fiberglassing it into place. Bracketry is already attached to mount the screen on the internal framing of the dashboard.

what do you mean 'processor' ?

I have considered hooking up the "cd changer control" of the headunit to the computer, and using it to change tracks using the existing hardware buttons. Down the line I can also upgrade to a headunit that has iPod support, and I can create something that interfaces the control signals so that the headunit thinks it is seeing an ipod, but is actually getting my PC's music collection. those add-ons will come later though...

[Sarthos]

Something like that

Digital input, multiple channels of equalization, time alignment, etc etc etc..

That particular setup sounds tricky trying to interface stuff like that :/

[SPLCB7]

I like your set up.....just wondering why you didnt use an dubble din carputer screen so you didnt have to do all that extra work.....im shure it will come out nicely anyhow....

[sanJ_01]

you've really put a lot of thought into this, gonna be legit when its done!

[Chrisisiced]

Hey Mike! Looks like a nice project. One question I have is are you concerned about heat? You know like summer time parked with the windows up and you jump in and start it up and it's like over 100 in the car...

[Hondapawa]

Nice project. I did a topic on here few years ago when i tried something like that. The car pc wasnt as good as yours at all and it went bad with low temp in winter so i removed it.

Cant wait to see the final result of the dash screen molded to the trim!

[sonikaccord]

Do you have enough processing power with that VIA board? Does/will it be sluggish?