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View Full Version : A Computer for a head unit


SouLRioT
06-15-2004, 12:25 PM
Ok, so yes I'm young still and I watch Mtv still, but I caught the recent episode of "Pimp My Ride" and they put in a full on computer into the head unit that was touch screen and had controls to standard audio componets, and GPS nav, in additon to that it could do email and web surfing. My question is does any one know of a full complete kit that would do this. I know Pioneer has a head unit that does dvd nav and is touch screen, and I could build a computer myself, but thats not what I want. The set up on the show was nice looking. I tried looking at Mtv's web site and they had nothing about the car. I found the company's web site that does the work, but they only show a car similar to the one in the show (Scion Xb). I would post the picture, but dont have flash on this computer to get to the site. BTW things that I am looking at are a high capasity hard drive, touch screen that is flush with the dash, and Navigation. Give me feed back on what you guys know.
woaface
06-15-2004, 12:27 PM
YES! That is soooo cool! I can't find a website for the life of me though....:confused:

It was called DriveSoft right?
SouLRioT
06-15-2004, 12:34 PM
I have no idea, the software was that they used. The shop's is http://www.westcoastcustoms.com
crimzon
06-15-2004, 12:46 PM
I'm actually working on building my own system. I had built one for my F-150, and perfected it just before I got my Marauder. Now that the wife has the truck, she wants it out, so I'm trying to find a good way to set it up and mount it.

Will mount the CPU behind the glovebox, and I have a 7" touch screen LCD I plan on using for the display.

I'll take some pics tonight, and show you what I was thinking. If you like it, I could send you what I used to build it, and mount it.
SouLRioT
06-15-2004, 01:04 PM
What software were you using? Looking through the internet some home built ones were using XP and Linix and using a remote wonder from ATI for controls. I was also thinking if you used an airport card you would then beable to connect to the internet. Some places sell super small-form factor MoBo's that are good for this, but I was hopeing for something a little more plug and play. I mean I know the housing would have to be custom fit but everything else would just plug in. Because what do you do for the stereo?
Gunslinger
06-15-2004, 01:49 PM
The one on the show was Drivesoft like James said.

The site is www.drivesoft.net (http://www.drivesoft.net)

The site appears to have been designed by sixth grade girls though

Drivesoft Contact Information<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
Business Address<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
Phone Number<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
Website<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>


</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
USA Office – New Orleans, LA<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
504-733-2000<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
www.drivesoft.net (http://www.drivesoft.net/)<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>


</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
USA Office – San Diego, CA<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
<o:p></o:p>

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<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>


</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top>
<o:p></o:p>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" vAlign=top></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Gunslinger
06-15-2004, 01:50 PM
Just so you know the purpe smiley face just appeared after I cut and paste


Wanted to get that straight
woaface
06-15-2004, 01:59 PM
The site appears to have been designed by sixth grade girls though
O...that's why I didn't think that was the right place...:lol:
hitchhiker
06-15-2004, 02:16 PM
If a Pimp comes near my ride aka. car I will shoot him or run over him!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Actually, an onboard computer would by cool.
RobertG
06-15-2004, 02:39 PM
What software were you using? Looking through the internet some home built ones were using XP and Linix and using a remote wonder from ATI for controls. I was also thinking if you used an airport card you would then beable to connect to the internet. Some places sell super small-form factor MoBo's that are good for this, but I was hopeing for something a little more plug and play. I mean I know the housing would have to be custom fit but everything else would just plug in. Because what do you do for the stereo?

I have assisted in building a few in dash computers. A basic rundown of components include a small form factor MB such as a Via EPIA, a USB to 802.11b adapter, PCI or USB fm/tv tuner card, Gyration gyroscopic mouse, wireless keyboard, GPS device with a USB connection, hard drive and RAM of choise, DVD drive, and a 6"-12" touch screen LCD. I usually use Windows XP for driver compatibility.

The easiest way to power the system is by using an inverter and a standard computer power supply.

An amplifier is all you need to power the car speakers from the computer.
crimzon
06-15-2004, 05:27 PM
I have assisted in building a few in dash computers. A basic rundown of components include a small form factor MB such as a Via EPIA, a USB to 802.11b adapter, PCI or USB fm/tv tuner card, Gyration gyroscopic mouse, wireless keyboard, GPS device with a USB connection, hard drive and RAM of choise, DVD drive, and a 6"-12" touch screen LCD. I usually use Windows XP for driver compatibility.

The easiest way to power the system is by using an inverter and a standard computer power supply.

An amplifier is all you need to power the car speakers from the computer.
Basically the exact same thing here, Except I used a laptop I had that I never used. I took the LCD off (Actually, in the truck it was mounted under the A/C controls, with a Remote Wonder for control, with on screen KB). The laptop I am using uses a 12 volt converter, so I can just wire it direct to the battery (through a nice fuse, and Relay that was connected to a ignition on circuit). I had voice recognition software up and running (limited use) and was using a Delorme Earthmate (USB) and the software that came with it.

I wish I had taken some pics before I tore it out of the truck. My LCD should be here within 5 days, so I can get to mounting it in the car.

For Data, I was using my Nextel Data Cable with inline charger, I would plug my phone in, and could connect (19.2-28.8 comparable) to check email/weather/traffic info. I did just get a Nextel Data card which should give me 56k+ speeds (Woohaa!!! Soo close to my 3mb pipe at home... lol).

As for Software, It was Windows XP, Used MS Mappoint for daily city driving, and the Delorme Street (something) software for out of town trips. I used Dragonspeak for the Voice Recog, and of course a DVD drive in the laptop, and a few different software players.

For the sound, a 1/8" to RCA adapter for the audio. My head unit in the truck had an Aux-RCA In support at the back of the unit. For the MM, I would probably go to an FM Modulation setup.

I loved the setup, although I dont travel much, it is awesome to be able to grab a remote, start media player, and pick from your collection of 30GB of MP3's, and put a nice visualation up on the screen. Looks pretty cool, and music on demand. :rock:

If anyone is interested in a similar setup, let me know, and I'll help you as much as I can.
SouLRioT
06-16-2004, 06:08 AM
I'd love to see pics when you get them crimzon. And thanks for the link gunslinger, no price quoted on the complete system, but they soon will be selling the software for $50. I'm going to try calling one of their dealers and find out more. This is something I've been interested in since I've had a home computer, but didn't think the technology had cought up yet.