putting a laptop thru comand screen

[SilverSaloon]

i now have fitted (quickly, will fit properly at weekend) the video adaptor and it seems to work fine.

i was a bit concerned that my comand wouldnt have tv enabled but it looks like it has

i will be connecting my pc up to it (via a cable from my house) at the weekend so i will post a piccy of what windows looks like on the comand display.

 

[Shude]

i will be connecting my pc up to it (via a cable from my house) at the weekend so i will post a piccy of what windows looks like on the comand display.

Excellent

Remember to unplug it before driving anywhere! *visions of CLK dragging PC down the street by a cable*

 

[SilverSaloon]

looking more into the motherboard & power supply...

anyone any ideas on the following 2 items:

POWER SUPPLY (12v input, fanless) and approx £22


MOTHERBOARD & CPU COMBO (includes tv out, sound etc)... £51


not too sure on the power supply front but is much cheaper than the Opus unit... although i'd have to switch the pc on and off myself rather than automatically via ignition...

 

[Shude]

not too sure on the power supply front but is much cheaper than the Opus unit... although i'd have to switch the pc on and off myself rather than automatically via ignition...

The opus PSU is so slick though, definitely worth the money!

 

[SilverSaloon]

you can get the ignition on/off stuff too from http://lintx.com

problem is those boards dont come with a 12v power regulator

EDIT: yes they do

 

[SilverSaloon]

just got to figure out where to mount the PC now.

I would really like to squeeze it into the glovebox; the case i have my eye on is VERY small and i (think) it will fit, just need to measure the inside of the glovebox. I am prepared to hack a bit of the inner box away to squeeze it in.

Craig; quick question - what was the TV reception like from your TV card? i would imagine pretty poor as my home pc struggles let alone from inside a car, and i assume on the move is fully out of the question?

 

[craigyb]

TV=PC=Car=forget it

 

[SilverSaloon]

TV=PC=Car=forget it

hehe, that saves me buying a tv tuner card then

 

[Shude]

I see linitx now sell a special in-car power regulator to work with the standard 12v pc-side psu found on small form factor pc cases or boards!

Quite cheap too!

http://linitx.com/product_info.php?products_id=582&osCsid=e75cf7968117d9c092f0f33969882b3a

The new CNX-P1260 DC-DC power supply is designed specifically for the CarPC market to be used with systems such as the Travla C-134, Cubid 2688, 2699, 3677 or 3688 cases (feeding the existing internal power supply) and the VIA M10000 motherboard. The CNX-P1260 takes a battery input of +7.5VDC to +18VDC (survives engine cranking) and provides a regulated +12VDC +/-5% output at up to 5Amps. It also includes a shutdown controller with jumper selectable timeouts, a low-battery monitor to prevent battery damage, and a delayed +12VDC remote output to enable other devices such as your audio power amplifier (the delay helps prevent speaker "thump"). The units includes a "smart fan" with variable speeds to prevent overheating in high ambient temperature environments. The CNX-P1260 measures just 3.8" x 3" x 1.5" (L x W x H) or 97mm x 76mm x 38mm.


The CNX-P1260 includes an intelligent, microprocessor-based startup/shutdown controller. The CNX-P1260 Startup/Shutdown Controller (SSC) provides safe, reliable control over your CarPC's bootup and shutdown (full shutdown or hibernation) processes. The chief concerns of the SSC are protecting your hard drive from corruption, protecting your car battery from being discharged, and protecting the PSU from overheating.

One step closer to having the perfect list of parts to go into a car-pc.

 

[SilverSaloon]

i was planning to use THIS

combined with the 12v power unit supplied with the case (cubix) i was going to get it will shut down the pc etc with ignition off. + it is a power regulator too, and very small.

if i do manage to get the pc case to fit into the glovebox, then space will be even tighter.

i reckon the case will fit width and height wise , but will have to cut the back out of the glovebox inner trim to enable the case to go in depth wise.

i have another thread running asking about size & price of a clk glovebox inner but no replies as yet

 

[Shude]

i have another thread running asking about size & price of a clk glovebox inner but no replies as yet

I can get you prices later if you want using the catalogue and online price thing.

 

[SilverSaloon]

I can get you prices later if you want using the catalogue and online price thing.

yeah cheers that would be great:

its a CLK cabrio 1999 W208 model

thanks

derek

 

[SilverSaloon]

i measured the glovebox - even though it fits width-wise (1 cm either side) the PC case is too deep. I would need to cut the rear out of the glovebox (probably would have to do anyway due to wires etc), but i think the case should have more ventalation than that, so until i actually buy the case i will assume that it will be mounted in the boot. If i do mount it in the glovebox then i'll have to double check that there is nothing behind the box before i cut it.... when i fitted my gps aerial there were metal bars behind but i think there was a bit of free space, but i can see the boot being the most practical solution. Plus the pc would be easier to remove, connect up stuff etc.

the main reason for mounting in the glovebox was to illimatate the need for wires running the length of the car under the carpets (no big deal really), but mainly so cds/dvds could be inserted easily from the cabin.

As most movies could be DIV'Xd onto the HD and mp3s played via my portable mp3 player in the glovebox via comand aux in this isnt such a great deal.

 

[Shude]

but i think the case should have more ventalation than that

the blower motor is just behind there, I can think of a mod that'd give it more than enough airflow!

 

[SilverSaloon]

the blower motor is just behind there, I can think of a mod that'd give it more than enough airflow!

are you thinking of installing a PC too?

 

[Shude]

are you thinking of installing a PC too?

Been considering it for a while, I have no CD changer for comand and even if I did install one it'd be about £250-300 and would be limited to 6 discs. A PC in the boot, in the same location, with MP3/DVD features would probably come to less than £500 in total for all the bits and pieces and would have tons more functionality.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Been considering it for a while, I have no CD changer for comand and even if I did install one it'd be about £250-300 and would be limited to 6 discs. A PC in the boot, in the same location, with MP3/DVD features would probably come to less than £500 in total for all the bits and pieces and would have tons more functionality.

sounds like your reasons are the same as my own

plus i wanted to use the tv facility in comand for a while now. when i do eventually do this (hopefully next month) i will of course take some pix

 

[Shude]

Here is a list I just pulled from linitx.com:

Travla C134 mini-ITX EPIA M case - black : £92.83
Carnetix CNX-P1260 Power Regulator : £57.58
Carnetix Case Power Cable Kit : £3.29
VIA EPIA ME6000 LVDS Mainboard : £85.78
Kingston 256MB PC2100 266MHz DDR DIMM : £31.15
Fujitsu 60GB 4200 rpm 2.5" drive - MHT2060AT : £75.20
Matrix Orbital MX210 USB : £75.00 (from kustompcs.co.uk)
Wireless network device of some sort (TBA) : £40-50

That's under £500 for an mp3 player with 60GB of storage. Plenty of flexibility on the parts too. If you knock off the price of the cd-changer (which I was going to buy) it almost sounds like a bargain!

 

[Flyer]

<following this thread with much interest ...>


(I like the idea of being able to download new MP3s to the car from my server, using a wireless connection; currently, I have to remember to bring the iPod in to the house).

 

[Shude]

I like the idea of being able to download new MP3s to the car from my server, using a wireless connection; currently, I have to remember to bring the iPod in to the house.

That's the best thing about it.

<pedantic>
Surely you'd be uploading the new MP3s to the car from your server?
</pedantic>

Unlike other aftermarket stuff (satnav, phones, ipods etc) there is nothing in the car for thieves to see, it all looks boring and oem.