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Entertainment Centre And Telematics Computer

Boar-Ral

Boar-Ral

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Feb 14, 2002
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Location
Leduc, Alberta, Canada
For those who are interested, here are two photographs of my latest work in progress.

computer1.jpg


computer2.jpg


The motherboard a Via Technologies EPIA ESP5000, provided by them for prototyping. ?It is a mini-ITX form factor and only 17cm x 17cm, allowing for placement in various areas within the vehicle. ?I selected this area because of its proximity to the factory stereo and proposed location for the Pioneer 16x DVD-ROM drive.

A friend is currently constructing the DC-to-DC power supply with an integrated warm-up circuit to ensure that the mechanical components, including hard drive, are at operating temperature before the system powers up. ?(Another advantage of this location is that the heating duct will assist with this.)

I am looking for a reasonable deal on an LCD panel at the moment to mount off of the dashboard for driver-viewable telematics. ?(The software of choice at the moment is Microsoft Streets & Trips 2002 due to its excellent Canadian street coverage.) ?I have located two companies that manufacture touchscreen conversion kits, allowing mouse emulation. ?(I have on-screen keyboard software, in addition to a low-profile keyboard to connect to the computer, for tasks that require text input.)

Being a full-fledged computer operating fanless at 533 MHz, the final product will be used for playing MP3s and DVDs in addition to its normal navigation tasks. ?(Obviously, DVD viewing will be limited to the back seats due to laws.) ?I am also considering purchasing software for engine diagnostics that interfaces with standard computers using a special cable.

At the moment, the plan is to output the computer's audio to the factory stereo using an FM modulator though the final solution will be using an aftermarket CD changer interface with auxilary inputs for the factory deck. ?(Though ideally - and still an option, when money allows - is to use the SPDIF connector on the motherboard with a surround sound processor, but those amplifiers are considerably more expensive.)

The motherboard also allows for Video In, and this will eventually have a Dreamcast connected to it, in case people in the back seat have watched all of the DVDs brought along for the trip.

While I have not decided yet if I am going to mass-produce this system yet, I am curious as to what interest there is for such a product. ?It is certainly much cheaper than the Clarion Joyride, which sells for $4,000 CAD plus an additional $1,200 CAD for the GPS package. ?(And that unit is still not a full-fledged computer.) ?The Clarion is nice though because it is all a single-DIN solution. ?Future revisions of my computer should be brought down to GM's standard DIN-and-a-half. ?In fact, most of the components will fit in that area as it is. ?Money is the limiting factor at the moment.

If anyone has any questions or comments regarding this project, please feel free to reply to this thread, send me a private message, or e-mail me at dennis@boarral.com.
 
count me in ... i like it! Good luck!
Damon
 
I am a computer programmer who has also been building and repairing computers for about 6 years. Technologically speaking, very few things impress me. THIS IMPRESSES ME!!. This is one of the most innovative products that I have heard of in a long time. I wish you the best of luck.

1 Question.. In regards to your "integrated warm-up circuit" Why do you need to warm the system up first? I could see wanting to warm the LCD screen up especially on very cold days, but I do not understand the necessity of warming up the Hard drives and other mechanical components like you mention.
 
Thanks for all of the feedback and encouragement thus far! I will keep everyone informed about the progress of this project as it begins to take form.

Regarding the warmup circuit, it is required for Canadian winters. :) A majority of the components in the computer will function in cold weather, but the hard drive's operating temperature requirements are not quite as robust.

I hope that this helps. :)
 
That's really cool. Don't forget the serial port extension cable for GPS hookups. :)

After a couple friends at work bought these: SV24 (Review), I wondered if one would fit in the console. Only ~7.5" wide and ~6.5" high. It's ~10.5" deep though, so I think it'd stick out a bit. Maybe with some custom brackets and trim, it wouldn't look too obnoxious?

Awesome project... please keep us posted.
 
I already have the GPS unit wired in - it barely reaches without the use of an extension cable. (The cable is approximately 15 feet in length and the antenna is mounted near the sail panels.)

I bought mom and dad a Shuttle SV24 for Christmas and they are thrilled with it. (As was I, because of its size.) The motherboard I am using is even smaller though, and I am building a plexiglass enclosure for it. (You won't be able to see it, built into the console, but plexiglass is easy to work with.)

I am still trying to get schematics or pinouts from Delphi, formerly Delco Electronics, in an attempt to wire directly into the auxillary input on the stereo. It would be nice not having to force people interested in this project to have to either use an FM modulator or purchase a CD changer just to get it to work. I will continue to search though.

Thanks again for everyone's input! :)
 
I've been trying to figure out how to modify or mount a laptop with a DVD player in the back as an entertainment system for the kids. I would think the 12- or 14-inch screen would work as well as the 6.5-inch flip-down video screens. Plus, a PC would be quite a bit more versatile.

Any comments/suggestions?
 
Using a notebook computer works quite well. (It is what I have been using to test the various components until the motherboard arrived and until I receive an LCD display.) You may want to investigate a medium-sized computer store to see if they have any options. CompuSmart, a chain of computer stores in Canada, offers notebook installation into vehicles. Another option is to contact the companies that do installations for the police. They may have products that you can use.
 
This is great,

What about using VX chip istead, the whole operating system is located on the chip and easy program to. Based on G4 RISC processor which is faster and requires less power and can handle more computing needs.

Your foot print would be much smaller. Are you using a Fireball drive or ATA, hmm. I have been think of an Mac version because of the greater flexiablity with DVD and audio control.

This is fun to have a topic like this, of course I am a Mac Snobb, I work for Apple.

dvc
 
Boar-Ral,

What in the world is that little panel mounted on the door in the upper left hand corner of first picture?

Looks like a power mirror control, but I know that mine is located horizontally next to the window switches, not vertically on the door.

I just don't remember seeing these buttons in my Avy... Buttons and lights, you can never have enough of 'em...
 
Sorry about that last post...

ggates

I think you are referring to the seat memory settings and the butt warmers
 
dvc:
It would depend on cost. I deal with Apple products occasionally but last time I checked, Apple was not giving out hardware. Via Technologies gave me the motherboard for my prototype, thus making development much less expensive. The hard drive will be a standard IDE notebook hard drive - I want something rugged. (Eventually, I want the Pioneer 16x DVD drive replaced with a slimline notebook slotload drive, similar to what is in the Apple notebooks. Finding them is difficult though. :/ ) In addition, the motherboard I am using consumes very little power. The VX that you mention may be low-power too, as it sounds like it is for embedded solutions like this. Regardless, I already have the software picked out for everything the system is supposed to to, and I do not believe there is a version of Microsoft Streets & Trips 2002 for it, and I know for a fact that the engine diagnostic software is not available for the Macintosh, nor is the interface. Unfortunately, that is the problem with an otherwise decent computing platform. Rather than upset people, I like to straddle the fence though - the Macintosh is great for some things, and the PC is great for other things.

Since you work for Apple though, any chance of getting an engineering sample of this hardware? ;) You might be able to change my mind. :)

ggates:
sadurbin is correct. The controls you are asking about are for the power seat memory settings and for the bun warmer. :)
 
DocToss:
The computer certainly has potential. Unfortunately, when I looked into it several weeks ago, they had not found a manufacturer yet and were considering building them themselves. There is still no word on it yet, so availability would be limited to samples from them. Of course, given my money situation, by the time I am able to purchase more components, they may have a manufacturer then.
 
Hey Boar-Ral,

I will check into the logic board, we have a recycle program and get parts is not that hard.

I may try to play with this. You have point about the SW limitations, but the good news is that with embedded VX Works, it is not tied to a specific OS so I am able to run both Mac and Windows based software.

I like your point, Mac has very good uses so does the PC, they have their strengths and weakness.

cheers,
dvc
 
Thank you for looking into this for me, dvc. For the prototype, money is an issue because I am experimenting with several different components. Cost quickly adds up when I am looking at five possibilities and only go with one.

If the platform allows Windows to operate, even emulated, that is all that is required. The software that operates in Windows is not very processor-intensive, with the exception of DVD playback, and that can be used natively in MacOS.

It is nice to meet a Macintosh owner not trying to ram the architecture down everyone's throats. I try to be that way with PCs, and merely show the benefits of each and let people make up their own minds. (My primary computer is a PC, but I also own a Macintosh - an old 1986 Classic II.) :)
 
That's it now you guys got me pumped. I have a 233 Pentium Laptop running Win 98 that I do absolutely nothing with. Lets see how I can rig this thing. All the solutions I have heard are going to cost thousands of dollars. I insist that using technology I already have that I can get a Navigation, telematic, DVD system for under $500. Wish me luck, I will report my findings!!
 
powersurg, I don't know if a Pentium II class machine (regardless of MHz) will be sufficient horsepower for DVD playback. I have always heard smooth DVD playback is accompanied by something in the PIII 500+MHz range with at least 256MB ram. My desktop is a PIII 500 and barely does DVD playback and that's with 720MB ram (2x256, 1x12:cool:. My laptop is a PIII 800MHz with 256MB ram and does very fluid playback with no hesitations or skips.

Before getting too pumped up, I'd borrow someone's DVD software and swappable drive and make sure your otherwise capable laptop can playback DVDs without any hesitations or skips.

Jamie
 
I have continued to work on the computer in my spare time, but the sticking point has been the LCD display. I want one that is moderately sized and capable of VGA resolution (640 x 480) and has touch screen capabilities. I have narrowed it down, but the sizes are larger than I originally planned. (12.1" vs 5.6".) While there are smaller displays, the cost is approximately the same. Obviously, a 12.1" display hanging off of the dash could be precarious during bumps. Thus, I have removed the front of my centre console and hope to begin casting it within the next few days. Following that, I will begin casting a new console from fibreglass, with the CD holder and cubby replaced with a position for the LCD display, built-in. The console will need to be expanded slightly, but I feel the result should be suitable. Once formed, the console will be covered in colour-matched vinyl, to appear factory.

This will be my first attempt at anything like this. I have read up on it as much as I could find online, but would appreciate any hints anyone has regarding this. In addition, if anyone knows of a fibreglass manufacturer, I may still consider someone else building it, though it is often cost-prohibitive. (The companies I have asked thus far are asking up to $800 CAD. (Approximately $500 USD.) The supplies cost me $80. Obviously, you can see why I have chosen to do it myself at this point.

I look forward to any sort of response.
 
Boar-Ral,
Awesome!! (y) I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who has been working on this. I had this thought before the Av's were released to the public, and am glad to see someone had made more progress than I. My original plan included an 802.11x card that would allow me to attach to my WLAN at home to transfer MP3s and data back and forth (don't forget the personal firewall and AV software). I have several spare laptops that I have been considering mounting one under one of the seats with an LCD in the dash, but I like what you are working on. My background is in IT and Info Security, and having a mobile PC with WLAN and GPS capability has some interesting advantages.

Here is a link to a project that GM and Lear were working on. Pretty nice install:



Gotta make sure that the factory cupholder remains, because I'm planning on putting in the beverage warmer/cooler ;D

Jason
 
sheffijm:
It is nice to receive input and feedback on this project. It helps to direct it as it proceeds.

Originally, I had planned on using high-speed wireless internet access in the truck, though that costs approximately $60 USD per month, and requires a $300 modem. I may attempt this in the future, but at the moment, I have also decided that 802.11 is the most suitable right now.

While the PC will primarily be used for GPS navigation, it will also be used for music and playing DVDs and games. (Though the last two will be limited to the rear seats, due to safety concerns.)

Tomorrow, I am going to talk to two companies, one owned by my father's cousin, who may be able to help me with the fibreglass console, or built it themselves. This would be very nice, though I would like to be able to say I did it myself.

I will keep everyone informed. :)
 
Boar-ral
There is a fiberglass mfg in Red Deer called BFS Fiberglass. Hopfully u find a deal somwhere so u can finish this awsome mod and show it off at our next meet. I luv the way the GPS worked when u showed me.

Are u planning on having a removable harddrive? MP3's will they be able to play through the factory stereo? Have u picked out your screens yet?
 
Boar-Ral,
Very cool! ?This is a project I started to research and never got back to. ?I wanted the power of a PC tied into the OnStar GPS with a touch screen mounted in the center console. ?So I am very interested in your progress.

Please keep us up to date on your progress.

Rondo in MN

Here are a couple of sites you may be interested in.

LittlePC
Cappuccino TX-3 Mini PC
Build Your Own Mini-PC
Auto PC Weblog This guy almost has it.




 
Wow! ?I think this project is very good! ?I've been swapping ideas with a former colleague of mine on how to integrate the technology into a portable solution (to have it "snap-in" to a slot in the vehicle while the essential components such as the screen are left in-tact -- think docking station). ?We've tossed the ideas of laptops and palm-based solutions based on power and start-up time, the whole "virtual" keyboard and mouse. ?I really do feel it can be done and I like your idea very much. ?My personal motivation was to get the Navigation System off of DVD and onto a hard drive to achieve faster processing, throughput, and to provide for updating through a wireless internet connection (such as using a web-enabled cell-phone). ?The DVD was secondary, but can be handled easily enough with a second video card that provides the proper MPEG-2 encoder/decoder. ?Anyhow, best of luck to you! ?(Oh, one note, my idea wasn't necessarily for an Av, just any vehicle) ?The great thing I like is how you are trying to integrate it into the present equipment of the Av using the same interior parts (center counsole, dash, etc.).
 
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