carputer experts!
#17
#18
Originally Posted by rcdash
I've gotten 800 x 480 to work - it looks sharp, but it is not practical. I personally think the optimal resolution for a 7" screen is 800 x 600. The 480 height just is too small to run WinXP - all the dialogs are designed to big - makes it a real pain. And the scaling to 800 x 600 is great - virtually no difference in appearance compared to 800 x 480.
And most games will play just fine with the "slow" Intel graphics solutions because the resolution is set low anyway (640 x 480 or 800 x 600 max).
And most games will play just fine with the "slow" Intel graphics solutions because the resolution is set low anyway (640 x 480 or 800 x 600 max).
#19
Originally Posted by Mushdawg
my main concern with a video card is the power draw, I am trying to avoid any power issues. And also I need a sound card and I haven't seen too many mothers boards with 2 PCI slots. Speaking of sound, I am going to have the carputer in the trunk and I have a DVD player in the upper glove box. Is it possible to get sound from both? How am i gonig to do that, I know for the carupter I am gonig to use the PAc Audio thing twith the SAT button, but what about the DVD player? How have you guys handled this.. ive seen many people with carputers and something in the upper glove box
My plan is to do exactly the same thing as you are talking about. I am installing several other xenarcs in my car other than just the digitalwheelz dash LCD. I am connecting them all to a VGA splitter so that all screens can see my carPC. They will also have VID 1 and audio connected to a 1/2 din DVD player in the upper glove box (using RCA splitters). The audio out from the DVD player will also connect to the other input on the PAC unit. This way I can make the car sound system play the car PC output, or the DVD player output. Also, because each screen is also getting the DVD audio feed individually, I can have the carPC outputting to the car sound system while the xenarcs get the DVD audio feed and can be listened to using wireless headphones. My passengers can all watch a movie while I still hear my nav (or mp3s )
In addition, the MII10000 and MII120000 both have a single PCI slot, but you can install a 2 slot PCI riser in them to give you two PCI slots. The power draw of a single PCI video card will not be substantial enough to over tax your power setup.
Most motherboards come with a soundcard built into it... and even have a LINE-In port (important for expandability of the car PC).
#20
#22
#23
onboard sound and onboard video is the way to go.
i've tried all combinations - just too big of a headache.
for instance, did ya know: if you power down an extigy while still connected to a running pc, it will crash the pc? just one of the "issues" I had to work around. I couldn't have the extigy power off for example when you get out to fill gas, cause when you start up again, the pc will be locked up. So came up with a power supply with 2 diodes that powers the extigy by either the computer power supply or the car's switching power line (so it can still be on to receive power from the HU, even if the pc is rebooting - that was the whole point of getting the extigy). What a P.I.A.! And the remote control is flaky... the list goes on and on.
Keep it all as simple as you can and you'll save yourself a ton of headaches.
i've tried all combinations - just too big of a headache.
for instance, did ya know: if you power down an extigy while still connected to a running pc, it will crash the pc? just one of the "issues" I had to work around. I couldn't have the extigy power off for example when you get out to fill gas, cause when you start up again, the pc will be locked up. So came up with a power supply with 2 diodes that powers the extigy by either the computer power supply or the car's switching power line (so it can still be on to receive power from the HU, even if the pc is rebooting - that was the whole point of getting the extigy). What a P.I.A.! And the remote control is flaky... the list goes on and on.
Keep it all as simple as you can and you'll save yourself a ton of headaches.
#24
#25
The s/n ratio and thd for computer audio is going to be better than most car equipment. External units (USB) are supposed to be better cause they are located away from all the electrical noise associated with the PC (which is why I went with the Extigy).
That being said, on board sound is usually not the highest quality. If you can squeeze it in, an aftermarket stereo sound card (like from M-Audio) or USB solution (like Extigy or Audigy) will be top notch.
BTW, the stock system sucks IMO because of the stock Nissan speakers (not really any Bose component, though the amp is pitifully small).
That being said, on board sound is usually not the highest quality. If you can squeeze it in, an aftermarket stereo sound card (like from M-Audio) or USB solution (like Extigy or Audigy) will be top notch.
BTW, the stock system sucks IMO because of the stock Nissan speakers (not really any Bose component, though the amp is pitifully small).
#26
#27
it will work fine. The only reason I used the Extigy is because it can operate independently of the carPC being on/off etc. The audigy2 requires that the PC be working (on) based on what I've read. SO if your PC crashes, you're out of luck - no sound.
And if you're running windows, it WILL crash. At least I can just switch to CD and keep on going with some tunes.
And if you're running windows, it WILL crash. At least I can just switch to CD and keep on going with some tunes.
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