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12-20-2006, 10:28 PM
#22
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I am flattered duece uno nueve, you really payed attention to my post.
I'm gonna cry out of sheer bliss!
Good eye on the real tip brah. The Ali G pic was taken when I plugged my lappy in to see if the 1417 I bought was cool. It worked, so I went right down to the Apple store and bought me a MacMini. The first 3 pics I took while the MacMini was running the show, So I am still right, and you are still wrong. I go to Stanford as well, which is fantastic.
Good eye on the real tip brah. The Ali G pic was taken when I plugged my lappy in to see if the 1417 I bought was cool. It worked, so I went right down to the Apple store and bought me a MacMini. The first 3 pics I took while the MacMini was running the show, So I am still right, and you are still wrong. I go to Stanford as well, which is fantastic.
12-20-2006, 10:29 PM
#23
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Re: Yeah, the Carnetix one is the way to go for the MacMini.
Awesome, thank you. I know you've spent some time on this whole issue too, So your advice is well appreciated.
12-21-2006, 05:40 AM
#24
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PS2 install
Hi,
Did something along the lines of just a games console. This is what I did...
The car already came with Sat-Nav and (Analouge) TV-Tuner from the factory.
I first ordered an adaptor from a company called Dietz. Example of this is from this link... http://www.ultramall.de/shop/artikel/1618.htm
This adaptor fits on the plug of the tv-tuner box. This is hidden on the inside left wall in the boot. Once fitted this can enable any AV device to be attached.
I also left the PS2 attached to a side wall in the boot.
For power, using the 12volt power point at the back of the car. I then connected a Belkin power adaptor so it coverts 12v to 240v. When turning the car ignition on/off it didn't seem to interfere with the power flow.
For the joypad, I nearly considered a long wire trailing to front of the seat. Instead I found a wireless joypad adaptor for the games console. Worked a treat!! (Sends signal's via a radio freq, and not Infra-Red)
Lastly, set TV mode on RNS-E to look for AV link. Job Done. Now I can drive and play games on my way to work!! NOT!
Would like to know for a PC/Mac how to convert the VGA signals to work on a normal AV phono connection.
Did something along the lines of just a games console. This is what I did...
The car already came with Sat-Nav and (Analouge) TV-Tuner from the factory.
I first ordered an adaptor from a company called Dietz. Example of this is from this link... http://www.ultramall.de/shop/artikel/1618.htm
This adaptor fits on the plug of the tv-tuner box. This is hidden on the inside left wall in the boot. Once fitted this can enable any AV device to be attached.
I also left the PS2 attached to a side wall in the boot.
For power, using the 12volt power point at the back of the car. I then connected a Belkin power adaptor so it coverts 12v to 240v. When turning the car ignition on/off it didn't seem to interfere with the power flow.
For the joypad, I nearly considered a long wire trailing to front of the seat. Instead I found a wireless joypad adaptor for the games console. Worked a treat!! (Sends signal's via a radio freq, and not Infra-Red)
Lastly, set TV mode on RNS-E to look for AV link. Job Done. Now I can drive and play games on my way to work!! NOT!
Would like to know for a PC/Mac how to convert the VGA signals to work on a normal AV phono connection.
12-21-2006, 06:25 AM
#26
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Infrared solution
http://www.coolgear.com/images/ir210u.jpg
it has a sensor on one end, USB on the other. you can probably mount sensor underneath climatronic control.
it has a sensor on one end, USB on the other. you can probably mount sensor underneath climatronic control.
12-22-2006, 08:50 PM
#28
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Here you go (looooong post)....
OK, man, here you go. I've been wanting to do a MacMini carputer forever, but I just can't afford it right now. Tempting as it is to keep my plans to myself until I can do it, I don't want to be "that guy", so here's some info and ideas for you to think about. Some of it is pretty technical; I don't know what your experience level is so it may or may not be useful.
The <a href="http://www.carnetix.com/optional_cables.htm">Carnetix MacPac cable/switch</a> with the <a href="http://www.carnetix.com/CNXP1900.htm">Carnetix 1900 power supply</a> solves the power problem, but let's take it up a notch. I would figure out how to integrate an <a href="http://stores.vagnav.com/catalog/8P0-035-775-B-5PR.JPG">Audi momentary-contact switch</a> into the power circuit on that cable. One touch, and it boots up! Bonus points if you can get the LED to indicate when it's on, and pulse when it's sleeping....
Having Nav is both good and bad. Good because you get an already-installed display, and the Nav makes having to use a USB GPS + Route66 irrelevant. It's bad because it's not a touchscreen, so you have to work out alternate input devices.
The must-have input device for this setup is the <a href="http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/">Griffin PowerMate</a>. This is a large **** that twists and clicks, connectable via USB. The various motions and combinations can be <a href="http://www.griffintechnology.com/pressroom/pressrelease.php?article=4">programmed to do pretty much anything you want</a> and do different things in different programs. You could entirely run FrontRow with it.
If I were doing this, here's how I'd mount the PowerMate. I hate the stupid gaping dust-collecting cupholders in the console. You know those brushed-stainless travel coffee cups? I'd find one that's (a) cheap, and (b) fits in the front cupholder solidly, no wiggling and no gaps. Then I'd cut it down with a saw and fit a cap to the cut-down base so that it's flush with the top of the console when you put it in the cupholder. This would be the mounting base for the PowerMate. Then I'd mount the PowerMate **** on top of it, securing it permanently to the base. The end result would be that the base of the PowerMate would be flush with the top of the centre console, it would be in a handy position, and it'll look like it was made there. You will of course have to drill a hole in the base of the cupholder to run the USB cable, but that way all wiring is completely invisible and the PowerMate+mounting base can be pulled out and unplugged from the console cupholder if you want to remove it for whatever reason. To shut down the Mac, tap the power button (mentioned above) which brings up the shut down/restart/sleep dialogue, twist the PowerMate to select the desired option, and click the PowerMate to click the button.
For a keyboard, you have a couple of choices. If you set up the Mac right you will be able to use all the media functions without a keyboard, but you'll want one occasionally. Personally, I'd get an <a href="http://www.inpace.com/wkbt.html">Inpace bluetooth keyboard with integrated trackball</a> in the car. If you really want to hard-core geek it up and have an always-accessible way to write emails while driving, you could get a <a href="http://www.frogpad.com/">FrogPad</a>. I'm a fast typist, so learning a new one-handed keypad would drive me nuts, but it's a great option if you want to one-handed type at 75MPH (different definition of 'fast typist').
If you still need a separate mouse, there are several USB touchpads on the market.
Now, on to software.
I would set up the Mac with a minimum of 3 user accounts. Make one for 'Media', one for 'VAG-COM', and then your own 'A_Tre' account with administrative privileges. Password your own account, but let the other two log in without a password. Set the Login preferences to show icons (not username/password fields) on the Login screen.
For the 'Media' account set it to open FrontRow on login and set up a user (not root) cron (or launchd) job to check every minute whether FrontRow is running, and reopen it if it's not. So, you click on 'Media' on the login screen and you effectively have a FrontRow kiosk, controllable with the PowerMate from login to logout.
For the 'VAG-COM' account, set it up to open a<a href="http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/beta_testing/">Parallels</a> session with VAG-COM running. (Obviously, have the USB VAG-COM cable run behind the dash so it's permanently plugged into the car and the Mac.)
Those are the basics. Now let's take it up a notch or two....
If you're not a unix guru, then you can just do as much as you can with <a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/automator/">Automator</a> macros. <a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/voiceover/">VoiceOver</a> will let you operate stuff with voice-commands and speech feedback so you can keep your eyes on the road. You'll need a good microphone mounted somewhere + a <a href="http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/">Griffin iMic microphone to USB converter</a>
Use <a href="http://www.adpartnership.net/DarkAdapted/index.html">DarkAdapted</a> (free) to 'red-screen' the display for nighttime.
I would write a shellscript which would seek and bind to unsecured WiFi networks, and then take actions based on the connection speed and signal strength.... like automatically updating podcasts in iTunes, checking email, etc. You could also have it automatically rsync with your home system to mirror your iTunes library into the car, for example.
Shellscripts can also open applications, and therefore can trigger Automator actions to carry out a number of steps.
I would also work out a way to integrate a backup camera. I have most of that worked out, but not the way to trigger a USB event from putting the car in reverse, yet. Could probably do it with a relay and a cannibalised mouse.
So, what all do you want to do with it? Give me some wild ideas, I can probably make it happen.
The <a href="http://www.carnetix.com/optional_cables.htm">Carnetix MacPac cable/switch</a> with the <a href="http://www.carnetix.com/CNXP1900.htm">Carnetix 1900 power supply</a> solves the power problem, but let's take it up a notch. I would figure out how to integrate an <a href="http://stores.vagnav.com/catalog/8P0-035-775-B-5PR.JPG">Audi momentary-contact switch</a> into the power circuit on that cable. One touch, and it boots up! Bonus points if you can get the LED to indicate when it's on, and pulse when it's sleeping....
Having Nav is both good and bad. Good because you get an already-installed display, and the Nav makes having to use a USB GPS + Route66 irrelevant. It's bad because it's not a touchscreen, so you have to work out alternate input devices.
The must-have input device for this setup is the <a href="http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/">Griffin PowerMate</a>. This is a large **** that twists and clicks, connectable via USB. The various motions and combinations can be <a href="http://www.griffintechnology.com/pressroom/pressrelease.php?article=4">programmed to do pretty much anything you want</a> and do different things in different programs. You could entirely run FrontRow with it.
If I were doing this, here's how I'd mount the PowerMate. I hate the stupid gaping dust-collecting cupholders in the console. You know those brushed-stainless travel coffee cups? I'd find one that's (a) cheap, and (b) fits in the front cupholder solidly, no wiggling and no gaps. Then I'd cut it down with a saw and fit a cap to the cut-down base so that it's flush with the top of the console when you put it in the cupholder. This would be the mounting base for the PowerMate. Then I'd mount the PowerMate **** on top of it, securing it permanently to the base. The end result would be that the base of the PowerMate would be flush with the top of the centre console, it would be in a handy position, and it'll look like it was made there. You will of course have to drill a hole in the base of the cupholder to run the USB cable, but that way all wiring is completely invisible and the PowerMate+mounting base can be pulled out and unplugged from the console cupholder if you want to remove it for whatever reason. To shut down the Mac, tap the power button (mentioned above) which brings up the shut down/restart/sleep dialogue, twist the PowerMate to select the desired option, and click the PowerMate to click the button.
For a keyboard, you have a couple of choices. If you set up the Mac right you will be able to use all the media functions without a keyboard, but you'll want one occasionally. Personally, I'd get an <a href="http://www.inpace.com/wkbt.html">Inpace bluetooth keyboard with integrated trackball</a> in the car. If you really want to hard-core geek it up and have an always-accessible way to write emails while driving, you could get a <a href="http://www.frogpad.com/">FrogPad</a>. I'm a fast typist, so learning a new one-handed keypad would drive me nuts, but it's a great option if you want to one-handed type at 75MPH (different definition of 'fast typist').
If you still need a separate mouse, there are several USB touchpads on the market.
Now, on to software.
I would set up the Mac with a minimum of 3 user accounts. Make one for 'Media', one for 'VAG-COM', and then your own 'A_Tre' account with administrative privileges. Password your own account, but let the other two log in without a password. Set the Login preferences to show icons (not username/password fields) on the Login screen.
For the 'Media' account set it to open FrontRow on login and set up a user (not root) cron (or launchd) job to check every minute whether FrontRow is running, and reopen it if it's not. So, you click on 'Media' on the login screen and you effectively have a FrontRow kiosk, controllable with the PowerMate from login to logout.
For the 'VAG-COM' account, set it up to open a<a href="http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/beta_testing/">Parallels</a> session with VAG-COM running. (Obviously, have the USB VAG-COM cable run behind the dash so it's permanently plugged into the car and the Mac.)
Those are the basics. Now let's take it up a notch or two....
If you're not a unix guru, then you can just do as much as you can with <a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/automator/">Automator</a> macros. <a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/voiceover/">VoiceOver</a> will let you operate stuff with voice-commands and speech feedback so you can keep your eyes on the road. You'll need a good microphone mounted somewhere + a <a href="http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/">Griffin iMic microphone to USB converter</a>
Use <a href="http://www.adpartnership.net/DarkAdapted/index.html">DarkAdapted</a> (free) to 'red-screen' the display for nighttime.
I would write a shellscript which would seek and bind to unsecured WiFi networks, and then take actions based on the connection speed and signal strength.... like automatically updating podcasts in iTunes, checking email, etc. You could also have it automatically rsync with your home system to mirror your iTunes library into the car, for example.
Shellscripts can also open applications, and therefore can trigger Automator actions to carry out a number of steps.
I would also work out a way to integrate a backup camera. I have most of that worked out, but not the way to trigger a USB event from putting the car in reverse, yet. Could probably do it with a relay and a cannibalised mouse.
So, what all do you want to do with it? Give me some wild ideas, I can probably make it happen.
12-22-2006, 10:52 PM
#29
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xtOrted & OOOO-A3 as well as 8P 3PT2 V6
Big ups fellas, I am eating up all this info, it's fantastic! I am by no means a "computer-guy" I work with my hands in the Blue Collar sense of the word, but am stoked to learn how things work. Your advice is invaluable, and will ultimately lead a bunch of us to getting this type of multi-media set-up accomplished. It's full steam ahead into 2007, and I think this whole project can be sorted out by Febuary 1st in it's entirety. Special thanks to
OOOO-A3 for giving up some of his guarded secrets to help out the rest of us in the A3 society. Good stuff man!
OOOO-A3 for giving up some of his guarded secrets to help out the rest of us in the A3 society. Good stuff man!
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