What kind of touch screen are you using? I'm guessing there is no way to get a write up on the install process due to the amount of work put in but the more I look at this the more I'm thinking this might be a cost effective DIY project.

 

Is there alot of reconfiguring of actual software to run the mac mini in a car? How difficult is it to integrate a minimac into the cars existing system?

 

yea i am a pc guy too but thats a very nice install. good job

 

do I need a HU that has aux input in able to run an in car PC?

 

I can't be the only one wondering this........why? I'm not understanding why people put video games and computers in their car....when would you actually be able to use the stuff? Just curious.

 

Video game systems, I totally agree with you--doesn't make sense to me (but then again, I rarely play video games in the first place).

As for computers, however, I would do it for GPS, storing all my music, and having internet access. There are times I know I could use the internet while on the road. It is possible to go without these features, but they are definately nice to have if you have the funds and patience

 

I use my car PC every day. All of my music comes from it. I use gps in situations it is necessary (and it has been before) and random things like that. But it gets used every day at least for music

 

It's a nice install, and if you like Mac's it may be the way to go.

I am not trying to step on this thread, just letting others know what they are getting into if they head down this road.
When I did my PC install I found there was a lot more to installing a PC into a car than simply using a power inverter and a touch screen. Things for instance like handling low power conditions when the car starts and how to start up and shut down so it works like part of the car and not a desktop in a car.

As for the price of the mac mini, it is about the same as what I spent on my PC, just under $600 not including the screen (for a breakdown and install pics see my install at http://www.hypersprite.com/auto/tech-z-007 ) but I ended up with a automotive DC to DC power supply and 512mb of ram. I did end up building my own box though so I saved about $80 there.

Temperature is thrown out quite a bit as a plus for the Mini but mobile AMD chips are now easy to get and not all that expensive so they run low power usage and low temps than regular PCs.

Lastly, software support for in car PCs is excellent and you run into more of a problem deciding what to run than just trying to find something to run. For instance there are half a dozen GPS solutions some of them actually giving you voice command navigation and some with petter POI DBs.

I have more work to do on this project but have been working more on software for the last month. Some of the outcome of that is has been a usable RoadRunner skin for Microsoft Streets and Trips (the first touch screen friendly integration of this product as far as I can tell) and a near completed RR/wmp skin for Audible so I can listen to Audible books in the car and use the touch screen effectively with it.

My next big projects for this is going to be a screen than dims with the cockpit lights and moving the PC into the stock sub location with my amp

Chris

 

So hypersprite please edumacate me on car PCs please. I'm really interested in doing this the right way. I wanna use the mac mini cause it almost seems built w/ the purpose of being an in car comp. What type of work am I looking at in terms of integrating this into a car. Is it software or hardware issues when you speak of low power conditions and start up and shut down. I've installed car stereos before but am a dip shiet when it comes to computer programing. PLEASE HYPERSPRITE HELP ME PIMP MY RIDE!

 

lol.......how do you use internet while driving a car?

 

Maxi, how did you mount it in the stock location? Did you use the existing bracket, and how did that work? My mini is just sitting in that hole right now.

 

MethodRN
If you are going to use a Mac Mini, I am not the person to answer your questions.

If you are going PC, first take a look at my website page on this. It has answerers to some of your questions.

http://www.hypersprite.com/auto/tech-z-007

The case is the only thing you can't just buy as far the hardware goes.

The power issue is this, what happens to your stereo when you start your car, it shuts off and restarts because there is not enough power while the starter is running. If it was a regular computer, it would switch off and reboot. A DC-DC automotive power supply allows it to run even during starting because it car operate on as little as 6V of power. It also has firmware that lets you specify how you want it to turn off when you switch off your key. For instance mine stays on for fifteen minutes (to allow for me to stop at the store or get money out of the bank) before it issues a shutdown command to the and waits an hour before it hard shuts down. It also keeps tabs on the constant battery power and if that drops below 11V it will turn the computer off until voltage picks up again, saving the battery for starting.

As far as software setup goes, I did the install of XP home in my house with standard CD Rom, monitor and whatnot. Configuration can be as easy or as hard as you are willing to go. Take a look at the info on http://www.mp3car.com forums, it's all there, even a few 350Z installs.

Chris

 

350Z

 

Hey thanks Chris. That is a great system build you did. Love the custom case you built. I read the whole thing and so not sure how I go about integrating a PC/Mini Mac to car stereo but I've been reading up on mp3car and they have lots of info. Thanks again Chris.

 

You can integrate it into a system one of a few ways.
If you have a stock system, the cheapest way is with an FM modulator but the sound with these devices is not spectacular. There are ones you can plug into a cigarette liter (lots are sold for ipod use) and ones that can be installed inside the dash that sound a bit better but more expensive.

If you are adding amps but want to keep a stock radio, take a look at JL Audio's new Clean Sweep http://www.jlaudio.com/press/CleanSweep05.html , looks cool and gives you AUX directly in to your amp.

If you are ditching your headunit all together, you need to connect your 12v lead on your PC power supply to your amp remote turn on lead and connect the PC sound directly.

Or what I did, buy a head unit with "AUX in" and use it to control the sound.

Hope this helps,
Chris

 

You have to be going at least 100MPH to do so...lol

Actually sometimes you may need to access the internet, so you can pull over, connect using your cell phone, get the info you need, then get back on the road. Although, I must admit that using the internet while DRIVING is a bad idea It's just a nice feature since sometimes I find something on the internet, go to the store, but forget the model number/etc. In cases like those I always wish I had internet access!

 

Hmmmm!!!

Don't take this wrong but it sounds like you really need some big SUV or a limo. The Z is suppose to be a drivers car....not a living room. I won't even get into using a MAC and AIM. (Do they still come with an application to the Democratic party and gift certificate to The GAP? jk)

No flame intended.

 

Basically, because you have no idea how to intergrate a computer in your car and you think you have no use for any of the features you trash talk to make yourself feel like this mod is not worth the time?

 

350Z

 

Like Tivo, if you haven't got it, you really don't understand what can be done with it. Also because you can run whatever software you want, it can be tailored to what your needs.

Be careful with those reruns in the car, technically, you cant have video playback within vie of the driver.

Chris