Monday, August 21, 2006 - 08:21 pm, by: Kieran McIlwain(Exocet)
Hey guys,
As I mentioned in my welcome thread I'm hoping to rig up a Mac Mini. I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with the recent-ish update from Apple called Front Row. For those who aren't, check it out here. This will allow me to take care of all my music, load CDs and also allow guests to my soarer to plug their iPods in and control it all from the one interface.
Furthermore, if you had a look at the link above (and have Quicktime) installed you'll see that switching to and from Front Row leaves the main desktop in the background. This means that in future I can buy a GPS receiver and software and run that full-screen in the background and alternate between each of them as necessary.
We also have the Front Row remote, only six buttons and nice and small. I have mates who work in Apple service centres so they can take apart a Mini and run an extension of the IR sensor and mount it somewhere in the dash for me.
From what I've read across the forums it is entirely possible, but there are a few hurdles I need to overcome. Mainly three - power, audio and video.
Power can be looked after by an autoelectrician friend I have. Apparently a 250w adapter will be plenty to power both the Mac Mini and a GPS adapter down the line.
Video as I understand requires some sort of Adapter from Vlad? Also, the output needs to be NTSC, which is only a tickbox away on the display options of the Mac Mini. Run it through the TV option on the EMV and have it a button-press away.
Audio. This is where I'm worried, I hear you can run the audio back through the TV Tuner, but the problem is that its mono sound. For the main audio system in my car its not exactly what I'm after. The other thought I had on this was to run a third-party amp and rig the speakers up to that, then somehow get the volume knob on the dash to control that amp.
What I'm asking from you guys is advice on which way I should go. What updates do I need to the EMV? Which way would be the best way to go, mono sound via EMV or stereo via an amp? Also after opinions if you think that the system I'm intending to rig up will work and what you think of it?
Monday, August 21, 2006 - 11:11 pm, by: Callum Finch(Sigeneat)
Oooh, Front Row looks good for a CarPC.
Please update this thread or grab me on msn (sigeneat@hotmail.com) if you stumble accross potential solutions to your queries! I am keen to hear how you go!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 12:30 am, by: Tim Pike(Keydecoder)
You can wire both the video and audio through the TV tuner (by splicing the wires and disconnecting the tv tuner).
For the video, the only requirement is the output is NTSC (if its PAL output then you'll need a PAL-to-NTSC converter or Vlads TV mod which has that as part of it).
The audio will still be stereo, although it won't use the Soarer audio DSP processing. If you want to use the Soarer audio DSP then you need to get the radio recieved modded by Vlads radio mod, although chances are you won't need it (since the Mac-Mini will have its own equalizer).
Everything you want to know about DVD install can be found here:
You'll also need to do a handbrake override mod as well otherwise you won't get any video through the EMV while your driving (just audio), everything you need to know is here (with pictures, thanks to Mark Paddick):
Your best bet is to do the mod and splice in your audio and video and see how it sounds, it takes hardly anytime to do if you have a bit of cabling knowledge (or know someone that does).
Sounds like a good plan overall, should be able to mount the Mac-Mini in the glovebox and mount the IR sensor somewhere in the dash (perhaps hidden behind a air-con vent?).
Also, if you haven't found a car yet, I recommend doing a search on here for common soarer problems to keep an eye out for. Things you especially should be concerned about are dead pixels in the EMV which can't be fixed and you'll either have to live with it (like I do) or buy a good secondhand one (which can be rare). You also have to watch out for EMVs that tend to shimmer or flicker when the ignition is first turned on, which is a sign that the caps are leaking (but Mark Paddick can fix that for about $200-$300).
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 10:19 pm, by: Callum Finch(Sigeneat)
Tim Pike wrote on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 12:30 am:
Things you especially should be concerned about are dead pixels in the EMV which can't be fixed and you'll either have to live with it (like I do) or buy a good secondhand one (which can be rare
If you dont have an EMV, Lilliput lcd screens are a good brand and used very commonly in CarPC setups in USA. There is another one calles Xentarc or somethign which is also very good.
The 7inch pannel LCD's are a perfect fit straight in to the soarer radio thingy spots.
Prices in USD and other models can be found at this site. http://mp3car.com
Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 01:27 pm, by: Adam Fish(Rybky)
Mmm, this is a great idea and something I will look into when I get a Soarer.
Just a tip on the power supply, don't get a 250V power supply, what you are doing is stepping up to 250V just a run the Mac transformer that drops it down to a low voltage DC again! You can buy special carputer power supplies that convert the 12V DC of the car to the required (some of them a switchable) DC input for the computer equipment. This means you can do away with the Mac Mini brick of a power supply plus you will not be generating all that heat.
Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 02:58 pm, by: Leon Wright(Techman)
Sounds interesting, I'm looking at something similar using a Mini-ATX board built into possibly the cd player case (saw someone suggest that on here, sounds like a good idea!).
Probably running Damn Small Linux with a MythTV frontend. Personally I like how much I can customise a Linux system, I would feel pretty restricted with a Mac.
Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 05:10 pm, by: Keiran Beytagh(Kezzainc)
My few cents... Get a real computer (Mini ATX) if you feel you will want to do more than just play music. Eg, Bluetooth to your Cellphone to get the internet. Or Upgrading the hdd or sound card. Even GPS.
Also trying to find after market carputer software for a mac isnt a option sadly. Thats a big one for me because this software is made so you can drive your car...
You'll find a Mac to be nothing but limiting. But great for people who just want to plug and go.
All the Mac mini has to offer is the case. But building a Mini ATX is not hard. Can also get a PSU that will not hum through your speakers.
Maybe worth some more reading round before jumping into anything...
Monday, January 29, 2007 - 12:06 pm, by: Mark Donovan(Mark_donovan)
Kieran, macs run on intel, come with built in bluetooth and wireless, you can run windows and windows apps at native speed, you need not even run Mac OS X if you don't need it, all I/O is industry standard, all internal components can be upgraded and there is a large range of add-ons and accessories for the mac mini alone.
Monday, January 29, 2007 - 02:44 pm, by: Kieran McIlwain(Exocet)
Sigh Mark, some people are still living in the past. Mr Beytagh (last names, as first may get confusing) - I'm typing this from a 2.0GHz Dual Core Intel-based iMac. I use an ATi X1600, 256mb video card and I can dual-boot into windows and run Battlefield 2 at perfect resolution and high quality with approximately 100FPS.
As for my choice to run a Mac in my Soarer - its because the suite of programs available are perfect for what I want to do. A beautiful media interface, and an easy transition between media and mapping. There are a vast array of mapping applications, systems to run your mobile over bluetooth, and yes even GPS. If you're under the belief that there are no third party add-ons for mac you are sadly mistaken.
Guys, as much as I admire the effort involved in building a car PC etc. I just don't see the point if all that you have written up there can be solved by what I have already as dedicated units for those functions, at perhaps a lower cost, without windows bootup issues, navigation and other cr@p.
-*- Car deck for: * MP3 DVD * DivX movie player * inbuilt TV screen etc. * reverse camera
-*- Mio P550 PDA on my windscreen for * inbuilt SiRFstarIII GPS receiver and maps for entire country * Windows PocketPC software with usual PC features * Connected via bluetooth to my mobile for internet 3G access wherever I may be, there's also wireless but useless while driving * Can play MP3z and movies as well, via my deck's AUX sound input and main speakers * cannot obviously play proper computer games, but who does in their car??
If I still want to use my 30 gig MP3 player, I just connect line out to my deck's AUX input, and it works fine. All though my standard speakers, amps and sub.
Unless you start building your system from scratch, I just don't see the point, sorry...
Monday, January 29, 2007 - 08:40 pm, by: Kieran McIlwain(Exocet)
Daniel, I'm the kind of person who prefers to keep things looking stock. A LCD head-deck just looks too out of place, and besides which I've already got a TV screen in my Limited. Furthermore, its hard to describe exactly how seamlessly the media interface in Front Row works. But when you're not fiddling with your media, you can press a single button on the remote and it will show you the mapping application. Press that same button and it returns you to your media.
I can connect any number of peripherals to it, GPS, TV Tuners, TV recorders, auxillary video inputs (reversing cameras) etc. There are even CarPC platforms written for Mac which can be interfaced with some Trip Computers and ECUs. And best of all - the entire package is in a housing 6.5"x6.5"x2", and only 1.3kg.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 07:25 am, by: Keiran Beytagh(Kezzainc)
Wow... I clearly didnt know the Mac is open in the way of changing OS's. Still would like to know more about drivers etc. That's great for the MAC guys.
Myself... I'll be sticking with my Mini ATX because you do have more options over a Mini Mac hands down. From Heatsinks to Bluetooth drivers to Active Sync software. But the mac wins for size and for people who like plug and play.
Can someone please point out some of this MAC software designed for Carputers? I've never seen anything that has come close to what a 32bit PC can use. Would love to see it as Macs do have smooth GUI's which is by far the most important part for your car.
Its great how 'PCs' have got more that 5 sorts of dedicated software that one can pick the one that suits them the most. I've tried 6 of them now and they all offer something different from each other. I love options.
Thanks for telling me that Mark. Its important to be corrected if one is wrong about something.
LOL @ Buying a Computer with just a MAC OS on it!!! Wonder why they would use that hardware....
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 10:42 am, by: Brett Moloney(Lxsv8)
Adam Fish wrote on Thursday, January 11, 2007 - 01:27 pm:
You can buy special carputer power supplies that convert the 12V DC of the car to the required (some of them a switchable) DC input for the computer equipment.
Adam where is something like this available form? Make? Model numbers? Cost?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 11:01 am, by: Leon Wright(Techman)
Daniel Czechowski wrote on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 05:54 pm:
I just don't see the point
Depends what your into Daniel. Myself, well I'd never be happy with something as limiting as some aftermarket head unit. I get bored easy and I like to change things. Then there is the challenge of it, I could fit an off the shelf head unit in an afternoon, it could take weeks to get a car pc set up *exactly* the way I want it (using Loonix not Windoze)
Admittedly I have a computer hooked up to my television and I get queried a lot by visitors and my house mates, but at the end of the day it's because I can.
Nah don't get me wrong, I do admire the effort it takes to do it, just that most CarPCs I've seen you are a bit of a hassle to use while driving etc... I like to press a button and it works now, don't want anything to be loading up etc. SOme people got these keyboards and a mouse in their car etc. that is something I just could not be farked using in the car while driving, which is why I prefer simple buttons on the deck, well, got touch screen on the GPS to change settings and destination etc, but press the on button it works immediately.
Yeah I got my comp hooked up to my big screen and hi-fi as well. It's easier to watch DivX movies off your HDD rather than burning them on a disc hehe. Windows looks sweet with 1920 x 1080 resolution Pity it's still hard to get actual movies like that though Oh well, few more years...
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Pity it's still hard to get actual movies like that though 
Oh well, few more years...
