e28 CarPC Project

[James Crivellone]

Since my e28 is slowly becoming the new cruiser/roadtrip vehicle, I decided to revisit the possibility of installing a CarPC. Some of you may remember when I tested a CarPC in my e30, however other then Via's crappy Eden platform I had nothing to really build the system off of.... Until now.

Here are the specifications of the system, still waiting for a few parts to arrive, but the main core components are here.

Intel Atom 230 Platform (Low Voltage Celeron 1.6ghz)
1024MB DDR2-667 Ram
250GB 5400RPM Laptop HD
Lilliput In Dash touchscreen VGA LCD
160W DC-DC Power Supply
Voodoo CarPC Case (looks like an amplifier)
Creative X-Fi USB Soundcard
CarPC Sirius USB Tuner
NTSC Backup Camera
HD Radio Tuner (still researching)
USB GPS Reciever
D-Link Bluetooth adapter

Software is Windows XP Pro SP3, and Centrafuse Profesisonal as the Front-End.

The VGA LCD has blue backlight LED's, so I will be replacing those with amber, however other then that it is very simple (VGA Pop-Out LCD's are not easy to find, and pretty much only 2 companies make them in China)

Anyway, here are some pics of the hardware thus far.

[Schnitzer318is]

subscribed...

[Tuanies]

Pop in an ATI TV Wonder 650 and put in an antenna so you can get ATSC channels.

[george graves]

James, have you looked into "StreetDeck" as your front end software?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89PEAXJSq3A&feature=related

Also, how is that touch screen? Does it flex much?

[James Crivellone]

James, have you looked into "StreetDeck" as your front end software?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89PEAXJSq3A&feature=related

Also, how is that touch screen? Does it flex much?

I am planning on playing with Streetdeck next, giving a bunch a shot.

Not too much flex if its all the way leaned back against the mount, otherwise it does flex about an 1/8th of an inch..

[george graves]

BTW - Street deck has a trial version.

[CorvallisBMW]

Subscribed, can't wait to see how it turns out!

[James Crivellone]

Small update today, got the Sirius and Bluetooth components in the mail and got Sirius running...Great interface thus far!




I also have the FM Radio tuner coming in (could not justify spending 200 dollars on HD Radio). Still looking into GPS recievers (I have a garmin around here, just gotta find it)

[Jall]

Centrafuse ftmfw.
I'm personally not a fan of the flip out screens, I have a 7"ws lilliput mounted in the cubby infront of the shifter.

It was hell to get the computer set up right and booting quickly, but it's so worth it. All my music in + nav + movies, and when I eventually go megasquirt....that too. :)

[Schnell 318]

cetnrafuse is ok, but i prefer roadrunner

[StereoInstaller1]

Zep? What the hell is that shit, you aren't old enough to listen to Zep.

I was hoping you would use a 9" touch, solid mounted, maybe even flushed in somewhere.

Looks great so far, captain.

Have you copied that 300GB hard drive somewhere? There is a bunch of good music on there, some you might even like.

[James Crivellone]

Zep? What the hell is that shit, you aren't old enough to listen to Zep.

I was hoping you would use a 9" touch, solid mounted, maybe even flushed in somewhere.

Looks great so far, captain.

Have you copied that 300GB hard drive somewhere? There is a bunch of good music on there, some you might even like.

I've copied some, rearranging my music stores so I can fit everything. Hah, Zep rocks damnit!.

I was thinking about doing a solid mount, but I like how the e28 dash is setup and didn't want to hack anything up to integrate the LCD...so popout it was!

[gjuu]

cetnrafuse is ok, but i prefer roadrunner

+1

I like road runner a lot. It is free and open source so lots of computer geeks developing stuff for it with heaps of support on forums. And really easy to skin.

[James Crivellone]

Case came in today, really tight, but it looks awesome!

Pictures are not great, I put the damn thing together on my kitchen counter..






More to come later!

[benDASHDASH]

ok, i really like the case