CarPC

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » August 2nd, 2006, 7:03 am

Here's a near finalized list of what componenets will comprise my CarPC;

Comwell LV-673NS Pentium M Mini-ITX Mainboard $335.00
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info ... cts_id/410
other possible mainboard contenders;
VIA EPIA EN12000EG Fanless Mini-ITX Mainboard
VIA EPIA EN15000G Mini-ITX Mainboard with Fan

Notebook 2.5" SATA Hard Drive 80GB Samsung 5400rpm $105.00
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info ... cts_id/467

Automotive 160W DC-DC Power Supply M2-ATX $89.00
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info ... cts_id/504

Panasonic UJ-845-B Slimline Slot Loading DVD Writer $97.00
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info ... cts_id/197

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS w/ 24-bit Advanced HD, 7.1 OE $100.00
http://ibccomputers.ca/shop/product_inf ... cts_id=514

BU-353 Weather-proof GPS Receiver $75.00
http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails. ... =GPS%2D002

HQCT : (High Quality Car Tuner) FM Radio $150.00
http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails. ... =COM%2D009
http://www.xtronic.be/index.php?id=91&lang=2

AVerMedia MTVCBMCER PCMCIA Interface AVerTV Cardbus MCE TV tuner card $130.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6815100010

BUFFALO WLI-CB-G54HP Wireless Notebook Adapter $40.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6833162128

Already ordered/purchased;

Mp3Car TRANS 7” VGA transflective (sunlight readable) monitor $679.00
http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails. ... de=MON-010

I believe that I'll be using Roadrunner as a Front End and possibly IGuidance 2.1.3. Any suggestions/recommendations from some PC techies would be appreciated. Many thanks to Barry so far who has been very helpfull in assisting this noob with his first ever PC / CarPC build.

Bochek · Post by **Bochek** » August 2nd, 2006, 8:03 am

Roadrunner works well if you live in the states, but when you get to canada people tend to have problems with. ie the WIFI weather exct.

Bochek

Post by **Custommx3** » August 2nd, 2006, 9:43 am

Good choice on some of your parts.

However, the boards you have chosen that have a PCMCIA slot, you only have 1, yet you have 2 listed.

You have a Soundblaster card listed, and per our discussion, I explained that rhe EPIA boards already have 6.1 Channel surround. You wont notice a difference with an Audigy based on what you plan on doing with this carPC. But then again, you have the dillem aof needing the line-in inputs for your TV tuner as well as XM if you decide on that later.

You may want to ditch the who 5.1 deal, cause 160w, is very low power supply. That DVD burner is going to draw alot of power and that EPIA may not have the power (not referring to wattage) to keep up with a DVD burner. Plus, how often will you burn a DVD in your car. Id just get a plain slot load DVD,

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » August 2nd, 2006, 10:59 am

Custommx3 wrote:Good choice on some of your parts.

However, the boards you have chosen that have a PCMCIA slot, you only have 1, yet you have 2 listed.

You have a Soundblaster card listed, and per our discussion, I explained that rhe EPIA boards already have 6.1 Channel surround. You wont notice a difference with an Audigy based on what you plan on doing with this carPC. But then again, you have the dillem of needing the line-in inputs for your TV tuner as well as XM if you decide on that later.

You may want to ditch the who 5.1 deal, cause 160w, is very low power supply. That DVD burner is going to draw alot of power and that EPIA may not have the power (not referring to wattage) to keep up with a DVD burner. Plus, how often will you burn a DVD in your car. Id just get a plain slot load DVD,

Thanks Barry.
After going through the specs of the Pentium M I noticed that it said this "The ICH6M chip is integrated with Realtek ALC880 7.1-CH HD Audio. This would mean that the Audigy card would be redundant .... right? Would that TV Tuner listed not work well with the Pentium M or is there a better product out there? Don't know what I was thinking about the DVD burner thing ..... you're right - not necessary. At this point will not the 160W PSU not be adequate enough? Not sure what you mean by "the
dilemma of needing the line-in inputs for your TV Tuner as well as XM if you decide on that later"?

Adam, what's the best Front End for us Canucks? I'm not sure what you meant by WiFi weather. You'll have to break it down a little more for this noob to understand.

Post by **Custommx3** » August 2nd, 2006, 4:02 pm

jschrauwen wrote:Thanks Barry.
After going through the specs of the Pentium M I noticed that it said this "The ICH6M chip is integrated with Realtek ALC880 7.1-CH HD Audio. This would mean that the Audigy card would be redundant .... right? Would that TV Tuner listed not work well with the Pentium M or is there a better product out there? Don't know what I was thinking about the DVD burner thing ..... you're right - not necessary. At this point will not the 160W PSU not be adequate enough? Not sure what you mean by "the
dilemma of needing the line-in inputs for your TV Tuner as well as XM if you decide on that later"?

Adam, what's the best Front End for us Canucks? I'm not sure what you meant by WiFi weather. You'll have to break it down a little more for this noob to understand.

yes redundant. What I ment by the line inputs for XM and tv tuners is that Your TV tuner if like most, may require a line-in port on the soundcard to input the TVs audio, same with the XM unit, it also needs a line input. You can use what we discussed on the phone by hacking up a CDrom audio cable and putting a headphone jack on it, using the cd audio connector on the motherboard as an audio input. On an EPIA motherboard, you have to use the line in port on the soundcard portion on the motherboard as a line out via software to utilize the 5.1, or use 4 channel by default. It shares the same port, a line in or a line out depending on how you want to use it.

As far as the power supply. There are a few places on the web that can calculate the amount of power draw the PC is going to use.
There is a thread on MP3 car about power supplies that has the links to those sites. I believe its a sticky or a FAQ. Im not sure on the power consumption on a pentium M CPU, alothough I know its more than a C3, but alot less than a standard desktop CPU. See what you will require, and base your power supply on what you expect to use, + some voltage just incase.

As far as software, just post a topic and ask on Mp3 car , let the Canadian guys respond

mr1in6billion · Post by **mr1in6billion** » August 2nd, 2006, 7:06 pm

You might think about switching to the cheaper Pentium M (like this one).

It can handle 4-6usb's (are you really going to need '8'?)
It has 1 lan port (why would you need 2?)
6 Channel audio instead of 8ch (it's a car, you don't need 8 channels)
It supports a pci riser, allowing for 2 small pci cards (the other doesn't)
It supports 1gig or ram instead of 2 (512 is more than enough)
2 IDE slots, as opposed to 1
It lacks the serial port (which hardly gets used)
It has a fire wire port (the other doesn't)
It also has TVout (as the other doesn't)
And it's $90 less.

Also, unless space is an issue, don't get a notebook hard drive. For $105 you could get 200gigs on a small 3.5in drive going 7200rpm.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » August 2nd, 2006, 9:23 pm

mr1in6billion wrote:You might think about switching to the cheaper Pentium M (like this one).

It can handle 4-6usb's (are you really going to need '8'?)
It has 1 lan port (why would you need 2?)
6 Channel audio instead of 8ch (it's a car, you don't need 8 channels)
It supports a pci riser, allowing for 2 small pci cards (the other doesn't)
It supports 1gig or ram instead of 2 (512 is more than enough)
2 IDE slots, as opposed to 1
It lacks the serial port (which hardly gets used)
It has a fire wire port (the other doesn't)
It also has TVout (as the other doesn't)
And it's $90 less.
Also, unless space is an issue, don't get a notebook hard drive. For $105 you could get 200gigs on a small 3.5in drive going 7200rpm.

I don't know why I overlooked that one. you had me nearly convinced all the way to the part where there is no serial port. I need at least one serial port to connect my Megasquirt to. It was one of the main factors in opting for a CarPC over a conventional Head Unit. Had it a serial port I think I would have made a switch. If there was a way to integrate a serial port to that one I would make the switch.
As far as HDD, I was told that the 3.5" HDD's use more power and generate more heat. Space is not the most precious at this time but I like to attempt to keep it as small as possible. I was also considering the Barracuda 200gb HDD too.

BTW, this feedback is great. I learn more each time someone offers other considerations/options.

ariesdude · Post by **ariesdude** » August 3rd, 2006, 1:11 am

jschrauwen wrote:I need at least one serial port to connect my Megasquirt to.

http://www.usbgear.com/1x-Serial-USB.html

Post by **Custommx3** » August 3rd, 2006, 9:40 am

mr1in6billion wrote:You might think about switching to the cheaper Pentium M (like this one).

It can handle 4-6usb's (are you really going to need '8'?)
It has 1 lan port (why would you need 2?)
6 Channel audio instead of 8ch (it's a car, you don't need 8 channels)
It supports a pci riser, allowing for 2 small pci cards (the other doesn't)
It supports 1gig or ram instead of 2 (512 is more than enough)
2 IDE slots, as opposed to 1
It lacks the serial port (which hardly gets used)
It has a fire wire port (the other doesn't)
It also has TVout (as the other doesn't)
And it's $90 less.

Also, unless space is an issue, don't get a notebook hard drive. For $105 you could get 200gigs on a small 3.5in drive going 7200rpm.

Looks like it has mobo connectors for serial ports.

he will need 2 serial ports if he wants to add XM later. The reason why I suggested a laptop 2.5" HD, is that they are a bit more durable than your standard 3.5" IDE drives.

Looks like it comes with bot 2.5" and 3.5" IDE connecotrs.

That does look like an awesome board, makes me want to buy one, lol.

My only concern is that its a BTX form factor for power. I know the larger BTX designs will still use today’s ATX power supplies but the boards designed for smaller systems may need new power supplies.

Before buying this board John, decide on a power supply, and verify the power supply will work with this board. I think the board may be perfect for what you want, power supply depending.

mr1in6billion · Post by **mr1in6billion** » August 4th, 2006, 3:07 am

-Most boards will have posts to tap into (esspecialy usb connections) or at least solder points left over from when the board was still a proto type. And as it was shown, there are pci serial cards and serial to usb connections.

-I'm running an M10k, a dvd burner, and an 80g 3.5in hd, off a 60watt power supply. Your goals will need more power, but it shows you that the power consumption difference between burners/readers, and 3.5/2.5s isn't that big a deal.

-The BTX was something I hesitated about, but there are connecters to convert ATX/BTX, and they are only a few bucks, so it shouldn't be too much of a concern (tho you should probably check to make sure).

-Don't forget to look into picking your processor.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » August 5th, 2006, 1:41 am

Well after much deliberation with the vender/builder I've come down to this final list. We must have changed our minds on the MB numerous times before settling on one.

Commell LV-675D Pentium M Mini-ITX Mainboard with DVI [LV-675D] $245.00
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info ... cts_id/490

Intel Pentium M725 1.6GHz Processor - 400MHz 2MB Cache OEM [PM725] $158.00
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info ... cts_id/265

Toshiba 100GB (1032GAX) 5400RPM Laptop Hard Disk $160.00
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph ... a751a54686

Samsung 1GB DDR2 PC-4200 533Mhz IBC-M $99.95
http://ibccomputers.ca/shop/product_inf ... cts_id=359

MSI TV@Anywhere Plus $70.00
http://ibccomputers.ca/shop/product_inf ... cts_id=488

Panasonic CW-8124-B Slimline Slot Loading CD-RW/DVD $70.00
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info ... cts_id/309

BU-353 Weather-proof GPS Receiver $75.00
http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails. ... =GPS%2D002

BUFFALO WLI-CB-G54HP Wireless Notebook Adapter $40.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6833162128

Travla C156B Mini ITX Case w/ 200watt power supply $150.00
http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info ... cts_id/465

Already ordered/purchased;
Mp3Car TRANS 7” VGA transflective (sunlight readable) monitor $679.00
http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails. ... de=MON-010
I believe that I'll be using Roadrunner as a Front End and possibly IGuidance 2.1.3.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » August 26th, 2006, 7:24 pm

Still waiting on the finalization of the PSU and I should be somewhat good to go for picking up my PC next week. In the meantime, I've been working on the display. The retractable hosing project didn't pan out so I'm into Plan "B". Fixed mounting of the 7" Transflective VGA Touchscreen (based on the Lilliput 269).

Your thoughts?.....

Bochek · Post by **Bochek** » August 26th, 2006, 8:20 pm

looks nice, your dash looks way different then mine, but yea, lookin sick. you used foam to fill the gaps too eh?

Bochek

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » August 26th, 2006, 10:02 pm

Bochek wrote:looks nice, your dash looks way different then mine, but yea, lookin sick. you used foam to fill the gaps too eh?
Bochek

Adam your's and my dash are identical. '92's and '93's were the same, 94's and up went to the rounded vents. Probably the only difference to our dash's would be that I have the E-Spec 323F controllable vents, other than that - the same.

No foam used for gap filling. I got a sheet of textured ABS to make a surrounding plate for the display. The display was too expensive to try and relocate the control buttons on and possibly screw up. I just had to remove a slight portion of the twin DIN plastic runners to give me depth, then add a surrounding plate I made. I'll use high density foam to hold in place in key locations and to give it a bit of a cushion for those jarring bumps. The resolution isn't quite right in the pics since my home PC isn't able to display the native resolution of the 7" display - 800x480.
I still have to make a cover plate to cover the blank switch and cigarette lighter and remove a section of that underneath to install the slotload DVD/CD-RW and possibly a trio of USB ports.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » August 26th, 2006, 11:26 pm

Here's the list of Audio Components that I'll be looking to install. LF1, jump in and let me know what you think.

ICBM 5.1CH 2000Watt Amp. This will enable me to send only one optical cable to the optical input.

Front and Rear Surrround Channels: MB Quart RCE 216's

Centre Channel: 2x MB Quart DKE 108 2Way Coaxial

Sub Channel: 2x 10" JL Audio 10W0-4