Nice link...

Nice DC power source, but I've noticed that it only has one power connector...what about DVD

Except for the LCD display, prices are outrageous over there.

I'm sure glad we have the Nav compartment in the Z to put the LCDs....some of the links I've seen showed some pretty ghetto LCD setups.

 

Opus is expensive and BIG. I got the dc2dc one and going to build a 12V regulator to keep the voltage at 12V (i think its 12.6 in the Z but reads around 14 on the Z's gauge) Don't want a spike to fry my pc. As far as power on when car starts, I've found a guy that makes these (i think 25 bux, but might be more) Its pretty cool, you can control how long before it kills the power to the pc and it triggers the shutdown too.

As far as case, im gonna build my own that way I can get the smallest and most custom shape.

Plus working on a voice control software (post this last month) to handle it all.

 

FARENHEIT T-7002HRS 7" Wide Screen headrest Monitor-NTSC/PAL-Remote Control. It has an optional MS-2 to use as a monitor. Which may help with small text.

Any one thought of making a 350Z skin for the Players out there i.e. WinAMP and Windows Media Player. I think it would look tight to have a skin that looks similar to the rest of the dash. A screen saver would also be cool.

 

VGA LCD module links:

http://www.apollodisplays.com/

http://www.planar.com/products/amlcd.asp

http://www.mark-products.com/graphic...Pixel%20Format

http://www.nec-lcd.com/english/fa.html#fa065

http://www.optrex.com/

http://www.purdyelectronics.com/

 

well he's still working on it, it a second version. I'll let everyone know when hes selling it. I don't think i'm gonna get it. I got a cool looking switch and just love pushing it.

Also you can time it so when you shut off the car it still runs till a certain time then tells the pc to shutdown (like pressing the power button) If you restart the car, the thing reset and pc still running without rebooting.

heres a pic of the shutdown unit.

 

http://www.idot.com/TheStore/Periphe...t.status=green

 

I really like the idea of using the LCD modules instead of the full LCD screen with the useless plastics around it. The only problem I'm having is understanding how to connect the LCD to VGA/Composit/S-Video. They come with some sort of connector so I'm assuming I need to get a converter but I haven't seen anything that converts the LCD plug to VGA or whatever input I can use. Any one has any info on connecting LCD modules to your car PC?

zaway.

 

well, i have a question. what kind of hard drive are you planning to install? are you going for the low rpm ones? i personally don't really feel safe for a 5400rpm harddrive running in the bumpy Z.

 

They have 5400 rpm notebook drives as well as 4200 rpm drives.

I've been running a notebook drive for about a month now with no problems. They release a lot less heat and require a lot less power.

Note:
Most slimline drives will not mount in a non-notebook case. You will have to make an enclosure. The enclosure is closed on three sides with the other side open to allow heat disapation. I cut some stiff shipping foam with slots to allow the slimline drive to slide in and secure itself. The drive is secured into the foam and the foam slides into the 3.5" bay. This also takes away some of the shock.

 

abz123,

stupid question for ya,

how hot do those 4200rpm HDs get? will the dissipated heat warp the shape of the shipping foam?

i like the idea of using shipping foam to hold the HD in place and act as a shock absorber. very neat!

interested to see how things develop for you guys, keep us posted! i am definitely interested in looking at a car pc project in a few months.

thanks!

 

have you guys heard of the x10 mouse remote?

http://www.x10.com/products/x10_mk19a.htm

it's a wireless remote that can control your PC like a mouse, for example, you can control winamp or dvd software to skip to next song/chapter, etc.

not sure if that would be helpful to you guys or not, but that's something that i'll be looking into when i start my car-pc project.

 

I don't think you will have a problem with a 4200 rpm drive. It gets a little warm, but not hot (definately not to the point of warping the shipping foam). Just keep one side open for ventilation.