The case doesn't have enough juice for the motherboard and options.

Just a heads-up for those consisdering it.

It does not boot up consistantly...

 

It might work with a notebook harddrive in it....that's the next thing I'll check.

 

Have you viewed windows (or any nav software) using your mini-itx with your Fahrenheit? Was the clarity acceptible?

Also, did the case come with a 55w PS, and that wasn't enough power?

Sounds like you are making strides on the system - kudos! Can't wait to learn more as you progress.

 

If you stick with that case, are you planning on putting it into one of the mail slots? Looks like the width of the case may be about .125" too wide to fit without any cutting.

What about power supply? Can you run the 12v from the car straight to the cases DC board?

(thinking of more questions.....)

I found the MB and case for $146 and $75 respectively at lillicomputers.net. How do these prices compare to what you have found, if you bought retail?

 

higher processor require more power. the 800 works fine with just 55W.

Putting it in the the "Mailbox slot" would require you to remove it, from what I measured, its too long (not to mention kinda tight on height too)

You'll need a voltage regulator to keep the battery stable at 12V. If you measure the voltage, its like 12.6V. Don't want to risk overloading you psu.

I think you should go with a notebook hard drive with an ide adapter. The Z supension is way too rough on a regular hard drive. If you want to mount it vertical that still wouldn't work (for some) cause when it reads the disk, the arm is moving horizontally, so it'll be acting against gravity.

 

I understand on the processor. I previously purchased the 800 and a 55w PS, and that did seem to work ok. But i don't think the 800 had USB 2.0, and also did not have 1394 ports, not to mention the faster processor. Hopefully, the notebook drive will help out on the power consumption.

Voltage regulator sounds a lot slicker then converting 12v dc to 120V, then converting it again.

I just popped out the felt box from the mail slot to check dimensions. A little bit of plastic would have to be cut on the sides to fit the width, and the depth of the compartment is 8.5" at it's shortest depth (the top area), so the case would protrude some forward, but might still be acceptible.

After looking in the slot without the felt box, i wonder why we would even buy a case for the motherboard and such. Maybe just build some type of custom box to house the components. As for the hard drive, I had this thought about 'suspending it in air' with springs from each corner, top and bottom, attached to a frame. Maybe this would resolve the jolts of a car ride?

 

uh, whats the need for usb 2 or firewire??? usb 1 is more than enough for everything sort of editing digital video.

How was the felt part held in? you can just yank it out?

I would say skip the case and just build your own. That way it can be any size, shape you want.

I'm still putting one together, so still have to decide a few stuff (plus its sooooo cold here to even install anything in the car)

going with notebook stuff all the way, hdd and dvd rom and psu (a super small 6x2x1 inches) Going to build the voltage regulator to get that clean, stable 12V from the battery to the psu. Along with my own interface (posted couple of weeks ago)

 

Not sure if usb 2.0 and firewire are necessary. One thought I had was to possibly locate the hard drive and/or the dvd drive in a different area, away from the motherboard. If I did this, then I would need to use non-ide devices, and as such, thought the speed benefit of usb 2.0 or firewire would be desired. I could be wrong- I'm a rookie at this stuff.

I still think that a VGA screen is going to be required, if the plan is to use an off-the-shelf navigation program, like Streets and Trips, or Street Atlas, and that is the stumbling block that I'm hoping we can get around. I tried the Tv out on my epia 800 with the farenheit, and text was nearly impossible to read. Hopefully, there is an easy solution to this, so we can use one of the ntsc/pal LCD screens thatwe know fit so perfectly in the compartment.

What is your plan for a screen alphared?

 

The power supply is barely acceptable at best. I've got two things working against me though: 3.5" harddrive and PNY memory . I contacted Via and they say stick with the following memory: Samsung, Kingston, Corsair, and Micron. Also I just ordered a 2.5" harddive which draws less power.

The power supply is 55W or so they say. The problem is it won't consistantly cold boot . I'm thinking the 3.5" HD is drawing too much power. Another possibility is I have an overrated and possible defective P.S. I hooked the unit to a 300W ATX P.S. and it booted up consistantly. This is the reason I'm thinking it's an inadaquate supply.

I did check it in the car. The clarity is acceptable for me. M.S. Mappoint looks good (it has scalable fonts). (There's a trial version you can get for like $10 and a crack on the internet.) The video card built in has a nice feature that allows to to maximize and use the entire lcd.

 

I not exactly sure where I'm going to put it. Possibly under the passenger seat. The thing does release some heat (although most of it I think was coming from the harddrive). They have an smaller case coming out later the mini checker cube...2"x 7"x 10"...also with 55W P.S. http://www.casetronic.com/Product/PC...minicheck.html

In testing it, I used an inverter. One of those little notebook adapters might work (don't know). Had everything plugged up to the cigarette lighter. It should do fine with the car on.

I bought retail. Those seem like good prices.

 

well, haven't decide on a screen yet. Want a touchscreen so I don't need a keyboard or mouse. I have a few options, just waiting to see what the best solution is. don't street atlas have voice command (or another program?) I know copilot does and voice input too (but its over $300).

I don't think its the memory, that draws little power, 3.5v (hence the ATX power supply, 3.5V, 5V and 12V) I just used a generic ram. The 2.5 harddrive is nice, its almost the size of a pcmcia card. It does get warm, but adding another fan should take care of it.

Well the location I was thinking of was under the glove box. Thats the only place that has a lock. I'm very paranoid that someone would break in and rip it out if I place it somewhere else. Plus I want everything to look stock. But the only problem is loading and unloading cd/dvd. Also thought of putting it in the armrest, but its not wide enought (have to check again). That way I can take it with me when I leave the car.

 

It will definately fit in the glove box...but there is absolutely no air circulation in there.

There's a few virtual (software) keyboards to choose from...(downloads.com)...even with a touchpad there will be a need for one of these.

A RF wireless mouse-like device is all that is needed...
I was looking at this one from remote point....

 

Why don't you just use a case like the one used on this mini PC. It's much smaller and could easily be placed in the map holder storage, with easy access to the CD/DVD drive and also could probably design a docking station for portability.

http://www.cappuccinopc.com/default.asp

I'm in the process of starting to build something very similar to this. You will definetly want to use as much laptop accessories as much as possible since they are designed for rougher use.

If you intend to use navigation then you will definetly want VGA. Using NTSC based screen from a PC will be crap, due to scan conversion degrading the quality. As for a screen this is probably what I will use...

http://www.xenarc.com/product/700ts.html

Its a 7" VGA touchscreen. I might get the one that doesn't have touch screen, still undecided on that.

 

The cappucino computers are nice little boxes, and i've looked at them a few times. But I don't think they are cost effective for a car application. The case is not what we need, it's the components inside the case: a small motherboard, hdd, dvd, power supply. That small case is nifty, but it limits you as to where you can install it, to have access to the various connections located on the sides/front/back.

As for the screen, I am in complete agreement with wanting to go VGA. With VGA, you get the benefit of being able to display VGA formats, but i also do not think you lose anything when displaying NTSC formats. But like the cappucino computer, I think with the xenarc you are paying for things you don't need, in particular, the casing. That is assuming of course thatyou would mount the xenarc in the nav opening. i think you would have to remove the lcd module from the casing, or, do major modifications to the nav area.

A Korean LCD manufacturer is introducing a redesigned 6.4" VGA screen, that should be available in April/May. I just received the specifications on the new screen today. I made a scale paper version of the screen, and took some pictures of it. It has a much smaller case then the previous 6.4" screen, which can also be seen in these pictures.

The new screen will be easier to install then the previous screen, but the active area is the same size. I'm trying to figure out how to install it, keeping any cutting of existing car parts to a minimum, if at all. The active area of the screen is taller then the bucket opening of the nav area, by about .25". I think this is acceptable, and you can just adjust your screen desktop to keep the displayed image within the opening. Width wise, there will be about .25" gap on each side of the lcd module. I think this can be easily filled with 2 strips of brushed aluminum.

 

screen installed

 

Comparison to previous 6.4" VGA

(Why can't we delete our own posts anymore?)

Oh well....

 

Comparison #2. The size of my paper version is the overall case size of the lcd module. The inside lines are the active area of the screen.

another difference in the new screen is that the mounting holes are located on the sides, whereas the old screen had mounting provisions on front.

Pricing is not available on these screens yet, but I estimate they will be somewhere in the $350 to $450 range, which would include the VGA/NTSC controller, inverter, backlights, and touchscreen. A bit more than a Farenheit, but i think the benefits will offset the cost.

 

Some modifications to normal computer habits will have to be made simply because you will be using a screen that is probably 1/6 of the on you are used to.....VGA is definately the way to go....Keep us updated on your progress.

Is there a VGA and RCA plug on that screen? Trying to figure out what to do with the tv tuner if I decide to go with a VGA at a future date. Maybe some kind of VGA splitter + RCA adapter.

Something else to consider is where to run the wires....if I remember right, the place I ran the wire was pretty tight...guess it will depend on size of the VGA connector.

The Cappucino is a very nice device, but I needed something that had a PCI slot for my wireless card.

If the case doesn't work out, I'll probably either go with the slower the epia 800 ($97), or get a micro atx power supply for like ($15).

 

Actually the motherboard that is used in the Cappucino (or similar model) has a single PCI slot. Which I also want to use for a wireless card.

The case is very cool. But I'm also not as interested in buying the full setup. I am basically going to build it using similar components. I have found several good sites that sell the 2.5" hard drives and slim dvd drives (laptop) with converters for IDE connectors since that is what the motherboard will have. As of right now its going to be in the sub void behind drivers seat. The DVD drive will most likely be mounted in a seperate location for easier access. I also plan on putting a touchpad recessed where the change storage place is behind the shifter.

 

I've thought about, but haven't found a place that sell such things...Cirque has something that could be modified but the are not consumer products.