I finally completed the installation of my PC and it is now in the state that I am happy with, with the exception of mounting the tiny toggle switch that turns the power on and off to the FM modulator. I will either put it inside the change box to make it completely stealth, or simply mount it on the side of the console in front of the driver's seat where I can get to it more easily.

Since I have two FM modulators (the other is for my XM radio), I needed two separate radio channels to run both. For anyone who has an FM modulator, you know that when you turn it on, it sort of "scrambles" all of the other radio channels except for the one you must tune to, to run the device. Therefore, I need to turn the power off on the PC FM modulator if I want to listen to the radio. I also have two of my FM presets set to the two channels I am using for my two modulators.


Here are some pics of the FINISHED project:

 

Here is the external DVD in the Mailbox slot. Hey Chazz, is it turned the right way now?

I had to cut out a big chunk of plastic in the back to make it fit this way.

 

My wireless remote, velcroed to the change box. It is a really convenient place and yes, I can still open the box easily:

 

This is where I decided to put the GPS Nav. antenna. It is stuck there with double sided tape. My signal is better now too (all green lights). In the pic it looks like it stands out but this is with a flash and zoomed in. You really don't notice it if you aren't looking for it.

 

The unit turned forward for easy access in the glovebox.

 

One more:

 

The sound of the FM modulator is EXCELLENT. Playing a DVD the sound is actually better than the stock radio or CD player. The MP3's and music videos I downloaded from KaZaa are fair. They sound about as good as FM stereo. If you tweak them a bit with Windows Media Player 9.0's WOW effects and equalizer, they sound much better.

Overall, I am EXTREMELY pleased with the entire system!

 

nice setup..i like it a lot...keep up the good work Bonz

 

My DVD player is the worst sounding part of my system! Are you saying the external DVD player sounds the best? How does the internal DVD sound? Maybe I need to work on a setting or two for WinDVD Platinum but the sound is somewhat muffled!

Anyone else have this problem?

 

Looks good!

What's up with all the scrathes on the center console though?

BTW.....that is a GREAT Journey DVD!

 

....but, Bonzer, your cell phone & remote are not colored matched to the Brick!!



PS: One heck of a job.

 

Thanks Z Ya!



All Bark: The internal sounds just as good as the external. In fact I have the Journey DVD (I agree, it is a really good DVD) in the external and the Z DVD (the one with all of the member cars on it) in the internal one and they both sound great.

I haven't adjusted anything on the WinDVD Platinum yet. I haven't had to. Didn't you say you are running Windows 2000? I have XP. I don't know if it is a driver issue or not but that's the only thing I can think of.


Rat: I haven't found any covers for my Nokia that are close enough to Brickyard, but when I do........


Stone: Those aren't scratches:

 

The sound from my computer is 100% better now after some tweaking. Unforutunately, I adjusted quite a vew different settings, and so I can't be sure what resolved the problem. Wish I knew.

One thing that obviously wasn't set correctly (although I don't know if it really had any effect) was the advanced speaker setting in Windows ( Control Panel / Sounds and Audio Devices / Volume Tab - Speaker Settings - Advanced). Before it was set on "No Speakers" .I changed it to stereo speakers, but also fiddled about with various volume settings.

I popped a CD in the regular stereo, and at same time was playing the same CD from the computer hard drive. I could jump between sources by hitting the CD/FM button on dash, and the sound was identical.

I unsure if the volume signal from the computer should be more towards maximum, or more towards minimum. Ditto for FM Modulator.

In any case, the sound went from totally unacceptable to very acceptable, and maybe can get better with more adjustinig.

 

Dr. Bonz, 2 things...

1st
This guy got an FM modulator that is XM ready and can be used for multiple things, (a little late) but maybe this would be better for you. Also maybe sound quality would be better? maybe

2nd
How did you mount your cell phone holder there, do you have a link to a thread with your instructions, or something like that.

Thanks

BTW, your car is pretty damn bad ***

 

sweet install, ya from the pics looks like scratches...but good thing its not

 

Dr. you could hide the GPS receiver under the dash in the center console. (But you'll need an usb extension cable) I tested it out and I get all green for the signal.

 

Thanks Raistlin. My cell phone was installed by Cellular One. It sits on a flexible "gooseneck" that is bolted down to the side of the center console. The hands free mic is mounted just left of my sun visor. The antenna is on the small side window on my side.

You can see the pedistal in this pic of my metal mats back in the fall. I stopped using those...too slippery and noisy. Looked unique though...

 

Antenna:

 

Alphared: Do you mean under here?

 

yep. When you take the dash out you can see the two slots on top there. I stuck mines in the one on the right. Its easier to fit on the left cause that big group of wire isn't there that much, but thats where plug for the gauges fits. Ran the wire on the side panels between the center and the driver dash (if you look you see cut outs where you can fit your hand and fish the usb cable up to the top)

Two hints to install it.

1) pop off the ferrite core on the USB B side (where it connects to the antenna) This will make fishing up the panels possible. Can pop back on afterwards.

2) you have to remove the plastic case to fit it in that slot. Its one piece anyway without the case, so I just electrial tape the whole thing to prevent the metal from touching anything in the car. Then connect the cable once it's in place

Its not really hard, have to kinda 'encourage' the antenna in buy pushing back and down the wire bundle thats there. You will need a usb extension to reach the glove box (I think 3 feet should do)

Once thats all done, its really rare to have anyone steal it. With the tape wrapped around it, it looks pretty stock. So unless someone knows about it, it ain't going anywhere.

Tested out today, got all green signal. only problem I had was when I was in the garage and couldn't get a signal (and it was cloudy and raining)