Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trail https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/t125263 Runboard| Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trail en-us Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:26:17 +0000 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:26:17 +0000 https://www.runboard.com/ rssfeeds_managingeditor@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds managing editor) rssfeeds_webmaster@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds webmaster) akBBS 60 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2014402,from=rss#post2014402https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2014402,from=rss#post2014402Where are you Carlos ? It will only be another 2 months and I'll be SERIOUSLY starting to get this little project off the ground so some pics of how you fitted yours into the dash would be a BIG help.nondisclosed_email@example.com (Revhead Kev)Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:09:18 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2011160,from=rss#post2011160https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2011160,from=rss#post2011160Hi Carlos, How are the pics going ? I'm thinking I need to go with a very small board instead of the standard 17cm x 17cm mini-itx as there does not seem much room in the dash because of the large structural pipe along the firewall.nondisclosed_email@example.com (Revhead Kev)Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:36:56 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2009970,from=rss#post2009970https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2009970,from=rss#post2009970quote:Revhead Kev wrote: Hi Carlos, I'm gathering information to start a CarPC for my Series 1. It seems there is not much room for a Mini-ITX board and audio amp where the old double-DIN stereo is located. The hole is just wide enough and maybe not quite deep enough. I would be interested to see pics of how your bits fitted into your Series 2 dash please. Hi, The screen might look neat, but behind it is a big mess of wires and nylon cable ties (nothing is bolted or screwed in... just held in place with cable ties). I will try to take some pictures over the weekend and post them on Monday. Later, Carlos nondisclosed_email@example.com (esvcasm)Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:11:36 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2009960,from=rss#post2009960https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2009960,from=rss#post2009960Hi Carlos, I'm gathering information to start a CarPC for my Series 1. It seems there is not much room for a Mini-ITX board and audio amp where the old double-DIN stereo is located. The hole is just wide enough and maybe not quite deep enough. I would be interested to see pics of how your bits fitted into your Series 2 dash please.nondisclosed_email@example.com (Revhead Kev)Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:28:28 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2008005,from=rss#post2008005https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2008005,from=rss#post2008005quote:basshead wrote: Have you heard of OziExplorer? Thanks. I will give it a try. Cheers, Carlos nondisclosed_email@example.com (esvcasm)Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:39:57 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007981,from=rss#post2007981https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007981,from=rss#post2007981I thought you just scanned and installed your own maps, or sourced some already-scanned online (such as NASA's website)? I didn't know it was specific to Australia? I've only just installed Ozi onto my PC and played with it abit yesterday with the sample map/tutorial. nondisclosed_email@example.com (basshead)Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:58:03 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007980,from=rss#post2007980https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007980,from=rss#post2007980So OziExplorer covers El Salvador Rich?? Wow! nondisclosed_email@example.com (Rybky)Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:59:56 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007978,from=rss#post2007978https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007978,from=rss#post2007978quote:esvcasm wrote: I dont use Nav because there are no maps for my country, so if I got the GPS I would be looking at a nice little arrow in the middle of nowhere... no road info. :-( Have you heard of OziExplorer? It's not navigation software with directions, but rather you install maps of your area and you could pre-set routes/tracks on it before heading out. It's more suited to 4WD'ing & hiking than town/city navigation. nondisclosed_email@example.com (basshead)Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:36:00 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007970,from=rss#post2007970https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007970,from=rss#post2007970quote:Revhead Kev wrote: Thanks for the update Carlos. So you bought Centrafuse then ? Last time you said your trial just expired so that is why you were looking at RoadRunner but thought it not as user friendly. Looking at motherboards lately, I'm thinking of getting a VIA with the CN400 chipset as this has hardware MPEG2 & MPEG4 acceleration where the new CN700 only has MPEG2, but you can only get the CN400 with a C3 cpu. Was there any particular reasons for choosing your motherboard and have you had it playing music and doing nav at the same time ? Hi, The software was a gift from my parents for my birthday... so no, "I" did not buy it. I chose that motherboard because the processor was pretty fast at the time (for that form factor), it also had PCMCIA and Compact Flash II slots (in case I wanted to use CF as a boot device, or PCMCIA WiFi... but they remain unused as of today). I don´t use Nav because there are no maps for my country, so if I got the GPS I would be looking at a nice little arrow in the middle of nowhere... no road info. :-( Therefore I can not comment on Nav and Music. But, I can comment on disk defragment, and full screen video at the same time without a problem. It seems 1.5GHz is just fast enough. Later, Carlos nondisclosed_email@example.com (esvcasm)Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:18:38 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007969,from=rss#post2007969https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007969,from=rss#post2007969Thanks for the update Carlos. So you bought Centrafuse then ? Last time you said your trial just expired so that is why you were looking at RoadRunner but thought it not as user friendly. Looking at motherboards lately, I'm thinking of getting a VIA with the CN400 chipset as this has hardware MPEG2 & MPEG4 acceleration where the new CN700 only has MPEG2, but you can only get the CN400 with a C3 cpu. Was there any particular reasons for choosing your motherboard and have you had it playing music and doing nav at the same time ?nondisclosed_email@example.com (Revhead Kev)Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:09:39 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007803,from=rss#post2007803https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007803,from=rss#post2007803Hey Kev, Happy New Year. I have not done anything at all with Road Runner since I used a program called Bootvis to speed up WinXP startup. I used to get about 1 minute from crank to music... now I get about 30 seconds from crank to music with Centrafuse. So I just keep Road Runner as a backup in case Centrafuse stops working. I also added a switch to be able to disable the carputer for cases where I don´t want it to turn on (like if I just want to move the car a few feet in a parking lot, or if I want to leave it at the dealership for scheduled maintenance). I placed the switch in one of the empty slots next to the power mirror switches for very easy access. It also allows me to make the PC do a proper shutdown early so that the PC does not drain battery power while shutting down after I turn off the car. Later, Carlos nondisclosed_email@example.com (esvcasm)Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:30:08 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007675,from=rss#post2007675https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2007675,from=rss#post2007675Hi Carlos, I've joined the mp3car.com forum and noticed over 50% use RoadRunner and it seems to do some amazing stuff. Just have a look at Moahdib's setup here on Youtube. How have you gone with RoadRunner lately and what have you got it doing ? nondisclosed_email@example.com (Revhead Kev)Sun, 30 Dec 2007 08:42:50 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2006921,from=rss#post2006921https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2006921,from=rss#post2006921I came across THIS fairly comprehenshive guide for anyone considering a carputer Admin Edit: URL converted to a clickable link nondisclosed_email@example.com (PMcDermott)Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:55:33 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002631,from=rss#post2002631https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002631,from=rss#post2002631quote:Revhead Kev wrote: Thanks Carlos, Yes, I have looked at the same ebay suppliers as you for the screen and separate car pc as well. I also looked at an ebay item for half the price which was a combo dvd/cd/tv/am/fm/7"lcd unit in a 2din housing but it only has half the resolution (480x234) compared to the screen you chose. I think your choice of separate lcd and pc allows better picture and more flexibility with gps/rear camera/tv(digital) integration, worth paying more for, even though the installation is a bit harder. Yes... the installation is a ROYAL PAIN, but it is well worth it. Once it is all integrated (I already have tv, music, video, internet access working very well), it is much better than something that is NOT a computer. With something that is not a computer you can´t have 40+GB (or more... the limit is the size of the HD that you buy). If you go to the mp3car forum you will see that the options are limitless as to what you can do with the pc in a car. And yes, the resolution should be equal or greater than 800x480 (my setup, in 8" diagonal, which fit perfect for double-din) or 800x600 (normal aspect ratio of most pc monitors, which is taller than double-din) for the PC functionality to work well, and the video to look good. Later, Carlosnondisclosed_email@example.com (esvcasm)Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:05:41 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002623,from=rss#post2002623https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002623,from=rss#post2002623Thanks Carlos, Yes, I have looked at the same ebay suppliers as you for the screen and separate car pc as well. I also looked at an ebay item for half the price which was a combo dvd/cd/tv/am/fm/7"lcd unit in a 2din housing but it only has half the resolution (480x234) compared to the screen you chose. I think your choice of separate lcd and pc allows better picture and more flexibility with gps/rear camera/tv(digital) integration, worth paying more for, even though the installation is a bit harder.nondisclosed_email@example.com (Revhead Kev)Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:40:59 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002581,from=rss#post2002581https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002581,from=rss#post2002581quote:shadowmas wrote: Hey esvcasm i would love to know where u store the actual pc parts. behind the lcd screen? Yes... the parts are stored behind the LCD screen. I placed the mobo all the way back, vertically against the round bar that runs horizontally across behind the stock head unit. I also placed some plastic insulation behind it, so it wouldn´t touch the metal. The power supply is right on top of the refrigerated compartment, behind the A/C controls. The amplifier is behind the screen, next to the center-left A/C vent (the one on top of the 4x4 control knob. I ran a separate power wire from the battery for that, since the stock head unit power wire was too thin (but it is thick enough for the power supply, PC, HD, and screen) The hard drive didn´t fit there, so I placed it on top of the bottom glove compartment. I removed the little storage box that covers the hole where the navigation system cd player would go (inside the top glove box on the passenger side), and ran the power cables under the right-center A/C vent. The USB extension cable runs from the mobo to the hole that was left after I removed the little storage box inside the glove box. That way I can add music, videos, software, or any other USB gadget. It currently has the Bluetooth adapter on it. I might take some pictures eventually, if I open it up again to install the DVD-Rom... but it is not a pretty sight. The cables look really messy because I left them long in case I have to move things around without disconnecting, and everything is held in place with multicolor nylon wire ties because I didn´t want to drill or make any permanent modifications. Oh... and thanks for everyone else who made positive comments. Later, Carlos nondisclosed_email@example.com (esvcasm)Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:23:01 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002580,from=rss#post2002580https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002580,from=rss#post2002580quote:Revhead Kev wrote: Carlos, That looks excellent I expect your prices are US$ Did you source the computer parts locally or on the internet ? What is the software you have it running ? Thanks Revhead. Yes, the prices are USD. The parts that were sourced as follows: eBay - Jetway VIA C7 1.5G Mini-ITX MB + PCMCIA/CF - J7F2WE1G5D ($165) eBay - M2-ATX Car PC CarPC Carputer 160W DC-DC Power Supply ($80) eBay - Lilliput 8" Touch screen LCD PC 16:9 - 889GL-80NP/C/T ($240) Local - Barracuda 7200.9 SATA 40-GB Hard Drive ($42) Local - 512MB DDR2 Kingston Memory ($25) Local - El-Cheapo 150W Amplifier ($25) Local - El-Cheapo ground loop filter (works great for only $8) Local - KWorks PlusTV FM/TV Tuner (Only TV part works so far $32) Local - MSI BToes Bluetooth USB adapter ($20) Local - USB Cable for other stuff (Inside the glove compartment $3) Local - Various cables and adapters (About $10) I bought the screen from eBay user "carmate1" and the motherboard and power supply from "mitxpc123". They were both very good at shipping the parts and replying to my e-mails. The rest of the stuff I already had or bought here. Especially the memory and HD... that way I could make sure I was purchasing the right parts. The software is Centrafuse, but I expired yesterday and I don´t want to pay the 200+ USD for it. So I switched to Road Runner, which is free. They are both pretty good, but Road Runner is much less user friendly. If you are interested in placing a PC in your car I suggest you go to this forum Later, Carlos   nondisclosed_email@example.com (esvcasm)Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:09:05 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002305,from=rss#post2002305https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002305,from=rss#post2002305Hey esvcasm i would love to know where u store the actual pc parts. behind the lcd screen?nondisclosed_email@example.com (shadowmas)Sat, 30 Jun 2007 20:21:59 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002207,from=rss#post2002207https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002207,from=rss#post2002207That is excellent! Great job, well done! nondisclosed_email@example.com (Rybky)Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:41:35 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002200,from=rss#post2002200https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002200,from=rss#post2002200Carlos, That looks excellent I expect your prices are US$ Did you source the computer parts locally or on the internet ? What is the software you have it running ?nondisclosed_email@example.com (Revhead Kev)Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:10:04 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002198,from=rss#post2002198https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002198,from=rss#post2002198Excellent Carlos. Looks like a million bucks. Well done.nondisclosed_email@example.com (jalalski)Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:04:37 +0000 Re: Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002191,from=rss#post2002191https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002191,from=rss#post2002191Looks great! Well donenondisclosed_email@example.com (Y WAIT)Thu, 28 Jun 2007 07:31:32 +0000 Carputer on series II 2006 X-Trailhttps://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002190,from=rss#post2002190https://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/p2002190,from=rss#post2002190Ok... This is my carputer install so far. Please don´t make any comments on the shinny screws. I know they suck, but I had no choice. I will be replacing them eventually with other less obvious mounting method. By the way, the Lilliput 8" screen is EXACTLY the size of the double-din hole in the car (which is the standard). So the viewable area of the screen fits perfect. Parts: - Jetway VIA C7 1.5G Mini-ITX MB + PCMCIA/CF - J7F2WE1G5D ($165) - M2-ATX Car PC CarPC Carputer 160W DC-DC Power Supply ($80) - Lilliput 8" Touch screen LCD PC 16:9 - 889GL-80NP/C/T ($240) - Barracuda 7200.9 SATA 40-GB Hard Drive ($42) - 512MB DDR2 Kingston Memory ($25) - El-Cheapo 150W Amplifier ($25) - El-Cheapo ground loop filter (works great for only $8) - KWorks PlusTV FM/TV Tuner (Only TV part works so far $32) - MSI BToes Bluetooth USB adapter ($20) - USB Cable for other stuff (Inside the glove compartment $3) - Various cables and adapters (About $10) Next on the list of items to install: - DVD-Rom - WiFi Adapter - Reverse camera Later, Carlosnondisclosed_email@example.com (esvcasm)Thu, 28 Jun 2007 06:51:57 +0000