MOBILE COMPUTING MADNESS.
Todays topic: MOBILE COMPUTING
OVERVIEW
Ok, so you want a PC in your ride. No problem. There's only 4 things to worry about.
1.) Power supply
2.) Control
3.) Monitor
4.) Space (that the PC takes up)
1.) POWER SUPPLY/CONSUMPTION
The easist way to do this is an inverter. 150 watts or more is more than enough. I'm running 300 watts and it powers the PC and PlayStation at the same time with no problems. The better option is a DC/DC PSU (Power Supply Unit). They come in AT style typically and wire directly to the cars 12 volt power. They provide "cleaner" power, are more energy efficent (no DC to AC to DC, PC's are DC) and cost about $70. I wouldn't advise running a PC of inverter longer than 30 minutes without the truck on. I hate dead batteries. On a side note, if you use an inverter you will most probably encounter a possitive sine-wave over your speakers better known as "Inverter-Wine". This can be resolved with a ground loop isolator and a filter kit, both you can get a Radio Snack.
2.) CONTROL
Controlling the PC is one of the two biggest problems, the second being the monitor. You can't really keep a keyboard and desktop mouse in easy reach, nor can you use either of them to great effect in an automotive enviroment. Some people prefer to use numeric keypad setups. You can get software to drive these from a number of sights (see links later). I personally solved the problem with the use of a wireless keyboard and a touch-pad mouse purchased at Office Max for $40. I placed the IR reciever for the KB under the ash tray under the dash. I keep the KB under the seat. I don't really need one except for the GPS software so that works great. The touch-pad mouse is the real control. Since I don't have to "mouse" it around I keep it velco'd to the top of my custom console. It works great. Small foot print and easy to use.
***VOICE RECOGNITION***
I tried ALOT of diffrent voice recognition packages. Dragon Naturally Speaking, IBM's Via-Voice, ect. None worked to the level I wanted. The stereo always confuse the computer. The software's just not there yet. If you're dead set on it, Dragon worked the best, but it's cost prohibitive.
3.) MONITOR/DISPLAY
Here's the REALLY tricky part. A computer is a VISUAL tool. If you can't see whats on the screen you can't control it. If your just building a MP3 box this can be done easily with a 40 Character LCD display bought for about $30. If you plan to do more intensive things such as DVD, GPS, gaming, etc. you will need a display of some kind. I've seen many things done. Laptop displays mounted in the dash, LCD screens used in car audio setups, even an actual monitor. These can be complicated to work with, I'll show you were to go to do research on these but my recommendation is to use a LCD screen and composit video. A little harder to work with than a regular monitor but ALOT cheaper. I'm personally running composit video out to an Alpine IVA-C800 6 1/2" LCD display that retracts into my dash and controls the rest of the system. The best reason I can think of aside from cost for doing composite video is you can hook other things to it like a VCR, Nintendo, PlayStation, ect.
4.) SPACE/FOOTPRINT
This is the last problem. Where do you put the dang thing once it's all built. A traditional PC is pretty good sized. I used a Book-PC. It's about the size of a dictonary. I cut the case to ribons and built a new center console around it, and my CB. (I REALLY need to get that scanner!!!) Some mounting locations include a new center console, just exposed in the back of the truck, in that space on the passangers side in the rear, etc. I guess it's up to you. I wanted supreme stealth to keep with the rest of my system. I would try to keep it as far to the front as I can for easy control of the power and to keep those cables short.
CONCLUSION
While an large project, it can be done. I have over 2,000 songs on demand. The ultimate CD changer. I did the whole thing, minus monitor, for about $500. A company called Key West Computers sells the Book-PC's I was refering to preassmbled for about $500. There not on thier website but if you E-Mail them they can ship it to you. If anyone here decides to do this and needs help, let me know.
LINKS
http://www.alpine1.com
Makers of great monitors for mobile media applications.
http://www.mp3car.com
Great source of car computing information.
http://www.kwcomputers.com
Where I bought my Book-PC. Tell 'em Skip sent ya. Make sure to mention the message board.
http://ashleypowers.homepage.com/
The DEFINITAVE web-page for custome PC installation in an automobile. He's my hero.
