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03-13-2008, 05:42 PM

Basically just buy a microATX sized mini-computer, make sure it has a good size hard drive and some kind of insulation (depending on your winter climate). Also, computer hard drives aren't good with vibration, so a laptop hard drive might be a better choice. A wireless card is also nice so you can sync from the driveway. If you know what your doing you can buy the microATX motherboard and parts, and build it right into your car. Hit eBay for the LCD monitors, make sure they support VGA or DVI - don't waste your money on something that only has composite input if you're using a computer. Touch screens are nice too but will run you a few bucks more. Lastly, find software that is easy to navigate and use from your drivers seat. Something like Windows Media Centre or Nero Home - you can purchase an IR remote to navigate these as well. As for audio, simply wire it out of your sound card, into a Y-RCA adapter then into your deck. With long enough DVD ribbon cables, you can build a DVD drive right into your dash. This also applies to inputs, outputs, headphone jacks, etc. As for power, you're PC won't need a dedicated power supply if you have a clean 12V source that can be spliced into Molex connectors somewhere. But use caution in ensuring that this is clean and consistent power - use means of filtering it if not. ATX motherboards use very simple means of powering on and such - you can wire this directly to your ignition to either power on or wake-up the computer every time you start you're car. Almost all computers have a low-power standby state in which they can live off a lithium ion battery for up to 2 weeks, this would barely tax your car battery and would eliminate having to boot up everytime you start the car. I've also helped a buddy wire it to his remote starter, so he could turn the machine on and off from inside the house and access it wirelessly. Add in a $10 microphone and your whole rig just went voice activated. It's amazing how simple this technology is, and how much you'll pay for it in new cars. Want Bluetooth? Get a $25 Bluetooth card and have at 'er hoss.

It's really one of the easiest, cheapest and coolest mods you can do to a car. I'm sure you could build a 250-300 GB machine with wireless, DVD playback and 1 monitor for under $300. If not for the bitter, cold, winters and hot and wet summers of Canada - I'd do this in my car!

03-13-2008, 05:42 PM	#6
telcart Posts: n/a	Basically just buy a microATX sized mini-computer, make sure it has a good size hard drive and some kind of insulation (depending on your winter climate). Also, computer hard drives aren't good with vibration, so a laptop hard drive might be a better choice. A wireless card is also nice so you can sync from the driveway. If you know what your doing you can buy the microATX motherboard and parts, and build it right into your car. Hit eBay for the LCD monitors, make sure they support VGA or DVI - don't waste your money on something that only has composite input if you're using a computer. Touch screens are nice too but will run you a few bucks more. Lastly, find software that is easy to navigate and use from your drivers seat. Something like Windows Media Centre or Nero Home - you can purchase an IR remote to navigate these as well. As for audio, simply wire it out of your sound card, into a Y-RCA adapter then into your deck. With long enough DVD ribbon cables, you can build a DVD drive right into your dash. This also applies to inputs, outputs, headphone jacks, etc. As for power, you're PC won't need a dedicated power supply if you have a clean 12V source that can be spliced into Molex connectors somewhere. But use caution in ensuring that this is clean and consistent power - use means of filtering it if not. ATX motherboards use very simple means of powering on and such - you can wire this directly to your ignition to either power on or wake-up the computer every time you start you're car. Almost all computers have a low-power standby state in which they can live off a lithium ion battery for up to 2 weeks, this would barely tax your car battery and would eliminate having to boot up everytime you start the car. I've also helped a buddy wire it to his remote starter, so he could turn the machine on and off from inside the house and access it wirelessly. Add in a $10 microphone and your whole rig just went voice activated. It's amazing how simple this technology is, and how much you'll pay for it in new cars. Want Bluetooth? Get a $25 Bluetooth card and have at 'er hoss. It's really one of the easiest, cheapest and coolest mods you can do to a car. I'm sure you could build a 250-300 GB machine with wireless, DVD playback and 1 monitor for under $300. If not for the bitter, cold, winters and hot and wet summers of Canada - I'd do this in my car! Last edited by telcart : 03-13-2008 at 05:50 PM.