Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bobboau on May 09, 2004, 12:01:10 am
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I have been upgradeing my car audio system for the last few weeks, and I was just sitting in the car when I though of this reoccurring idea I've had of getting a cheap laptop and useing that as an input for a large volume of MP3 (ect...). then I though, why use a laptop, they have inferior quality sound cards, why not get a full PC, the only problem would be the power supply... which is 12 volts... like the car...
so, I'm sure there are power suplies made, hell I know (0.82 seconds of googleing gives me over a million), so now I'm wondering about cases, displays (I'm thinking a realy small LCD, but one that runs on a 12 volt power suply), do I have to do anything major for grounding, what sort of pointing device should I use (could use that ATI remote wonder wich is mostly colecting dust, or I could use a trackball). what does the abyss of knoledge and experties that is HLP have to say on my insain plan? and more importantly what advice?
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How about using an Audigy 2 NX (http://www.soundblaster.com/products/audigy2NX/) with a laptop?
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Why do that?
There is a product out there called the "Music Keg" that can hold like 12 GB of MP3 music, all for your car. Seamlessly playing in your car, from music DLed on your computer. :nod:
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mini-itx is the way to go.
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mini-itx, ok from who? and what sort of power suply should I get, and from who?
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See if Wacom makes a small version of their touchscreen Flat-Panels.
I've been thinking about doing something similar for a while now, but I alway drift the way of rebuilding the dash, seats and other frontseat stuff in my bomber* around the computer components with the addition of sensors in key areas and replacing the instrument panel with an MFD that can switch back and forth between traditional auto stuff and an interface for the comp.
*blue 1984 Chevy Caprice Classic w/ 305 V8
it ranks as the finest car Chevy has ever made in a price/performance POV
the engine runs quieter than my father's 2003 Ford F150, I love it and want to completey fix it up and customize it
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If you're going with mini-ITX, one of the Hi-fi ones might be your best bet.
Example (http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/handhelds/6306/)
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hmmm, I don't need built in sterio capabilities as it's going to be getting hooked up to a $500 500 watt system, it just needs to produce high quality line level sound, no high volume needed.
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first, i wouldn't really worry about the sound card of the laptop, if that's the only thing putting you off, then don't even worry about that. it's minor, you won't notice a difference if your head unit's going to rendering the sound.
otherwise, it's very possible to mount a computer in the car. i know a few people who have (or have tried ;) :P) doing it. you could put the case under the seat, with the front facing the drivers side (so loading CDs, etc. wouldn't be too hard). you can buy a small screen at any car audio place (if you really want to buy one though, send me a PM, i'll get you a good deal). and all screens have inputs that you can use from pracitcally anything, be it a playstation, computer, etc. the only limit is your imagination. so now that that's set up, you could invest in a good touch screen ;) (talking expensive), or if you're really 1337, you could fabricate a mount for a trackball mouse on the right of your seat :cool: so when you want to change songs, all you do is just put your hand on the mouse, and move through the list ;) there's really many, many ways to do it. i've seen, and helped friends install, dozens of these setups, whether for playing music, or for gaming. as far as power supplies go, don't worry about that. that's the least of your worries.
however, if you could tell me what car it's going to be for, and if you know what alternator you have at the moment that would be great :)
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not all head units allow for an external source (such as a laptop) to be plugged in and run via its signal path. tell me what head unit you have too and i'll check if it can support that.
if it doesn't, then you may want to consider buying a fm modulator. you'll lose a little quality, but it's the best way to get music from an external source into your head unit ;)
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