Random Image
RSS Feed
Related Items
Logon
| CarPC Hardware v4 - Information About The Hardware Used, Past, Present and Future |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Terran Brown | |||||||
| Tuesday, 24 November 2009 14:31 | |||||||
Information About The Hardware Used, Past, Present and Future
Here you will find out about the hardware I have used for v4 of my CarPC. Where I can I have given you information as to how good the product is and others that do the same job.
My Screen - TFT 7" In Dash Manual Pull Out ScreenThis Non-motorized is packed with features such as USB Touch Screen, VGA and Video inputs, 1 din installation size. Touch screen consists of a 4 wire resistive touch panel and the latest USB controller. Touch screen is very accurate and easy to use. Remote control operates some of the functions of the monitor and has Left/Right swivel action which I find really useful. After all the problems with the K301 I was glad to get some thing reliable and well built although I do have a few niggles. First of all it is well built - when sliding the unit away it feels solid and you get a firm 'click' to indicate it is locked in place. Pressing the eject button also gives a similar response how ever I do feel that the springs behind it are a little too enthusiastic. I would advise you to make sure that it is correctly fitted as any play ( or wobble ) you get will be amplified when mobile.
Fitting the screen was easy enough how ever I was a little bemused at the instructions and found the 'ignition' cable a waste of time as the screen is not capable of auto on even though a software hack. I also found the power cables a little thin and a pain to fit but they should be able to carry the ampage none the less. I also like the idea they both the video and power looms can be detached from the screen allowing for easy removal should the need arise but with out having to de-cable every thing.
The scenes performance although just slightly less than the K301 is still far better than my old Lilliput and although it has the normal high reflection rate due to the touch screen like many others with the ability to swivel this screen to the side or even up and down it is easily over come.
OK - Problems.... ok - the touch screen is the only major problem I experienced. First of all the drivers have to be a certain version as the newer ones do not work well ( and this includes the bundled ones ) with out restarting them each time. So Ric355 came up with a solution on MP3car.com which I asked Konfoo to take one step further so that this process was hidden. The app basically watches for a reboot or a return from hibernation / stand by and simply closes and restarts the touch screen calibration program in the back ground. Simply starting it fixes the problem.... which tbh is very strange and my only issue with not giving this screen a 9 out of 10 for function or even a 10 out of to for value although I do think the inclusion of a reversing camera function would have made this unit a mega winner imho.
One further modification I did was to remove the 'steal me' logo on the front of the screen when its closed. Top that off I don't like the 7" TFT screen logo as I think it spoils the look of the dash. To do this I simply unscrewed the four screws on the back of the screen its self when extended... ( tip a work with a cloth underneath to prevent scratching the screen ) and then gently prise open the two halves of the main body. The panel with the button and logo should slide out easily then. Once its open push the logo out from behind - its only a bit of stick tape so does not take much effort - paint and then re-assemble. I used the same colour of my dash surround so as you can see it blends very nicely and is very easily missed.
So to sum up if you want a in dash screen that's reliable at this time then this is the one for you - motorised are getting better but do seem to have a high failure rate due to a number of reasons.
Specification
Features
Package Contents
Size
In all 8 Out of 10 From Custom Car Computers / Digitalww
My CPU / Motherboard Etc - TheVIA EPIA MII-Series Mini-ITX MainboardThe complete Digital Home Platform integrating CardBus and CompactFlash for seamless wireless connectivity, enhancing digital media performance and media portability.
Providing the signature low profile, minimal noise and reduced power of the VIA EPIA series on a 17 by 17cm small form factor, the VIA EPIA MII Mini-ITX Mainboard is an “all-in-one” entertainment platform geared to the digital home. The VIA EPIA MII-Series easily slots in to a digital home infrastructure providing a vast horizon of applications that feature sophisticated connectivity including wired or wireless media servers, mobile PCs, receivers for the living room and beyond.
An array of modern storage and connectivity options are supported, including onboard CardBus, CompactFlash, and a PCI slot. The VIA EPIA MII also offers support for the latest in high bandwidth connectivity through IEEE 1394, USB 2.0 connections, as well as S-Video and RCA TV-Out (NTSC & PAL) and 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet. The VIA EPIA MII also offers support for a number of embedded LCD panels and is fully compatible with Microsoft® Windows® and Linux operating systems. The VIA EPIA MII can be fitted into a full range of Mini-ITX chassis as well as FlexATX and MicroATX enclosures and power supplies.
This is a great board as it gives you that PCMCIA and a Compact Flash port with out the need for a large board or using that valuable PCI port. I chose it specifically for this reason rather than a faster 1.5mhz board as I planned to use my TDK Trueblue BT card with it and a Voom case.
Specification
Back Panel I/O - 1 CardBus Type I and Type II slot +1 CompactFlash Slot
Onboard I/O Connectors
In all 7 out of 10 ( Would be Nice To Be Quicker ) From Cartft.com / Mp3car / Custom Car Computers / Karputer / Linitx / Digitalww / Via
My Power Supply - Mini-Box 160w M2 With ATX PCB
Specification
Features
Size
To view the User Manual Click Here
In all 8 Out Of 10 From Cartft.com / Mp3car / Custom Car Computers / Karputer / Linitx / Digitalww and Mini-Box
My Case - The Mini-Box VoomPC ITX Case In Black
The voomPC (TM) automotive (car, boat, electric cart) enclosure is a small, rugged car PC (carputer) enclosure designed to work in harsh environments such as dust and high temperatures. Made our of massive 5.5mm extruded aluminium profile, the voomPC (TM) car PC (carputer) enclosure was designed to work with any type of mini-ITX motherboard (170x170mm) from fan less configurations such as VIA mini-ITX or Pentium or low power Pentium-M processors, making it the ideal car PC solution. This car PC / carputer enclosure is specifically designed to work with the M1-ATX car PC automotive power supply series. The VoomPC car PC (carputer) enclosure can take one or two 2.5" drives, mounted on silicone rubber shock-mounts and is recommended for use with a the mini-ITX board EPIA MII 12000. The VoomPC enclosure + M2-ATX + EPIA MII 12000 makes the perfect carputer / car PC combination and provides the lowest cost car pc solution to date. Its very easy to install your hardware how ever a flexible IDE adaptor is needed due to the space restrictions. I also found that until I got this right I was trapping the bladed from the fan ... I did not know this and every time I took the case out after hanging and over heating it seemed ok. Its also worth pointing out that the unit I had seemed to include soft screws and too much pressure severed the heads of causing a few unplanned problems.
In all 9 Out Of 10 ( Would love to see an mATX Version ) From Cartft.com / Mp3car / Custom Car Computers / Karputer / Linitx / Digitalww and Mini-Box
My Navilock GPS / RDS TMC Receiver
I have tested its reception of the TMC data using SendGPS so I know it does work, its just so frustrating that there is no app I can use to utilize this or any Internet based data feeds.
As a GPS it works very well and holds and signal very well and I have no cuase for concern at all although the USB adaptor you need to buy with it is fairly big.
In all 7 Out Of 10 From Cartft.com
My Sound Card - A Sound Blaster USB
I went do the USB route as I could digitally move the sound from the rear of the car to the front with out any interference. This was needed because due to some length issues I ended up running my power and data cables side by side. The Sound Blaster MP3+ is also know for not having any hibernation or standby issues as well, top this with the powered USB hub in the dash it means its very easy to install and run. The drivers are in built in Windows XP how ever I would recommend you download the latest driver set from Creative any way. I got this unit from EBay for around £25 how ever they are now harder to find so keep an eye out.
9 out of 10 For more information visit Creative
My TMobile MDA ( Kjam ) ( For Internet connectivity on the move )
Any way - its not a bad handset, although can it be a bit flaky and a bit slow and comes with a complete keyboard built in along with WIFI and on mine a 1gb card.
Overview
In all 7 out of 10 ( A bit slow at times ) For more information visit xda-developers.com
My D-Link Airplus 2.4Ghz Wireless PCMCIA Cards DWL-650+
In all 8 out of 10
For more information http://www.dlink.com/
My Bluetooth AdaptorCompliant with open standard: Bluetooth 1.1
Dial-up Networking DUN Network connection to Internet, e.g. web browsing and e-mail Modem, PC, PDA, Phone, AP
Using TDK’s own high performance ceramic antenna, the PC card provides invisible connection to a host of peripherals, with ranges of over 50 metres
 The latest version of TDK's Bluetooth software (v1.3) supports the following profiles: Personal Area Network profile, PAN; fully integrated audio (Headset and Gateway) profile; Hard Cable Replacement Profile, HCRP; easier access to folders used in data transfer; Bluetooth set up wizard; quick connect wizard; printer setup wizard; transferring images from and to picture phones.
In all 6 out of 10 For more information visit TDK.com
The Media Remote RF Control ( Also Known By x10 or a Fire Cracker )
This custom RF remote comes with everything you need to add control to pretty much any application you may be writing. It comes with a USB RF receiver, and you can download drivers as well as source code and test programs online to help you integrate support into your program. This remote is silver in colour and has everything you need to put yourself in control of entertainment. All the buttons are clearly labelled with symbols that most everyone knows; this means even people who have never used the remote before learn how in just minutes.
You will notice that each button has a few functions. When you press search for example, you can type letters in just like you do on a cellular phone, once the search is done, the buttons return to their normal functions. The use of multi-function buttons allows the remote to be very small in size.
Since the remote uses RF technology there is no need to aim it at a receiver, just be within 15 feet of it. It uses radio frequencies to transmit to the included receiver which hooks to your computers USB port. You may also want to have a look at Girder - the application has a control set just for this remote, look for 'Fire Cracker'. Finally the remote is very small at only 6.25" x 2" x 1" in size - very well worth the money.
In all 9 out of 10
My Portable Keyboards - PS2® MINI-key & PS2 Number Pad
This mini USB key board was originally for use with Sony PS2's how ever because it is USB it works just like a normal PC keyboard but its a lot smaller. The downside how ever is that a couple of keys such as Del is missing which means you can not do a control alt delete when needed.
That been said I do tend to use the XP 'On Screen Keyboard' a lot ( c:\Windows\System32\OSK.exe ) as I find it very useful but again that too can at times have some keys missing i.e. '\'.
I also have a PS2 ( as in PC connector ) number pad too. The reason for this is its small and if you look at it all the keys you need to access your BIOS and change any config or even press enter when that pesky hibernation file needs deleting are there. Best bit was it cost only a few £ as I got it from Ebay.
In all 7 out of 10 For More Info Visit http://www.dreamgear.net & Get From Cartft.com / Custom Car Computers / Linitx
My DTT ( Or Digital TV ) Receiver
This product comes with an infra red remote control capable of controlling all the features of the TV receiver. This item is supplied with all power connectors and AV connectors required to fit the unit into the car and connect to a screen. Ok so its slightly cheating by not being an actual CarPC item but that's because a) there is nothing out there that can do this for a PC as it is and b) I wanted it to work independently any way for the kids in the back. I do plan to add a Girder interface for it a later date so it can be controlled by the CarPC but thats in the future. In the mean time I would say this is an average unit with average reception even when connected to a full house aerial and unfortunately I have yet to test it at speed. The very nature of DTT does make it difficult to hold a steady signal and if you are making a long journey you will have to search for channels a number of times. This is unlike a analogue system where you would just tune up or down.
That been said its good enough for occasional use and if your using 7" screens the quality of picture should be more than suitable - after all its not a home cinema is it ?
In all 7 out of 10
For more information about the services it receives please go to www.freeview.co.uk
My Analogue TV Receiver
In all 3 Out Of 10 From Ebay
The Extra Passenger Screen
I chose a portable region-free DVD player for the passengers to watch movies on the move and form me to use at home. It has a stunning design with 8 functions with a 8.4" TFT LCD screen. It also came with 300 GAMES provided on a CD with two joysticks. You can also watch the TV channels or listen to FM Radio with its built-in antenna or connecting it to the external aerial. It is fully compatible with Mpeg4/Divx. With the rechargeable battery, car power adapter. It integrates 8 functions into 1 unit: DVD, MPEG4 (DivX), Analog TV receiver, FM radio Receiver, plays USB disc, Game, AV input/output.
In all 7 Out Of 10 From Ebay The Hi Gain Antenna
In all 4 Out Of 10 From Cartft.com
The Reversing & Forward View Cameras & CarTFT Reverse Sensor
Specifications
In all 6 out of 10 For more information See Cartft.com and Custom Car Computers
In all 6 out of 10 For more information See Cartft.com and Custom Car Computers
Kenwood KDC-W6527 ( My Head Unit )
In all 9 out of 10 For more information visit Kenwood
Power Cabling For The SystemTo power all this I used AWG wire and the easiest way to do that was buy a kit. Mine came from CPC and only cost around £24. The kit contains most items you need and some you don't. Running from the battery though the fire wall is the mains and to get the ground I took that from a local screw point in the boot area. The ignition was sourced ( fused of course ) from the existing stereo's DIN connector. Its important to note where possible run the power cables away from the audio and video cables. In my case I was unable to do this so to clean the sound up a little I have installed a ground loop isolator and a USB sound car located at the front of the car.
Included in this kit 60 Amp
In all 7 out of 10 For more information visit CPC |
|||||||
| Last Updated on Monday, 07 December 2009 13:50 |
The VIA EPIA MII is available with the fanless VIA Eden™ ESP processor for ultra low power, quiet or silent system designs, or the VIA C3™ processor for rich media-intensive applications. Enhanced multimedia performance is further delivered through the VIA CLE266 chipset featuring integrated VIA UniChrome™ 2D/3D graphics and an MPEG-2 accelerator with motion compensation, along with support for the greater memory bandwidth of DDR266 SDRAM and the high transfer speeds of ATA-133.
The M2-ATX is an high powered vehicle 12V DC-DC ATX Power Supply. It is similar to the M1-ATX but with a higher wattage. Likewise, this power supply is designed to provide power and to control the on and off switch of a motherboard based on ignition status. The M2-ATX power supply is capable of surviving tough engine cranking down to 6V, as well as transient over-voltage situations. M2-ATX has 8 user selectable microcontroller driven timing modes that allow you to choose up to 8 ignition/shutdown timing schemes. By removing all user-selectable jumpers, M2-ATX becomes a traditional PSU with no ignition control and it can be used in non-vehicle applications. The PC still consumes a few hundred milli-watts even when your machine is switched off. This is needed to monitor the PC's on and off status. If the computer is in the sleep mode, the memory needs to be powered at all times requiring more power. The power consumption in the suspend mode is a few watts. Regardless of battery size, it is possible that your battery will drain in a matter of days. Whilst in deep sleep mode, the M2-ATX constantly monitors your car battery voltage levels. Thus preventing deep discharge situations by automatically shutting down until battery levels reach safe levels again.
Package Contents
I got this GPS experiment with TMC ( Traffic Data ) how ever due to some licensing problems in the UK as there is a new provider ( RAC TrafficMaster ) I have not been able to find any software that supports it. Hopefully Freedrive or even Cetrafuse will support it as the codes ( locations are based on codes which equal junctions or crossings of roads ) how ever Destintors current version ( on which Freedrive & Centrafuse are based on ) requires a 3rd app called Trafficsam so I'm not sure where it will all fit.
This was a highly anticipated handset in the UK and in fact most of the mobile world. The main reason I bought it was because it came with a contact from T-Mobile that included 40Mb GPRS ... Web N Walk. In fact so successful this tariff has been they have just released a new one with up to 3gb of data per month for next to nothing compared to other providers.
This camera is easy to install. Simply plug RCA Video Jack to your car monitor and connect 12V (red wire) and ground (black wire) to the power. 
Rear camera view switcher (automatic) 
