Laptop Controlled System??

dmeyer07 · Post by **dmeyer07** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:32 pm

(Attached picture is of the dash of a similar truck)

Sup guys, here's my question/plan. First off not that it matters, but i have a 2000 dodge dakota quad cab.

I want to Remove the stock HU And upper Heating Vents, and mount an lcd screen in there flush. I'd have to measure but i'm looking for the largest size possible. After that i'd like to some how use a laptop that i'm hoping can ( acutally i know i can) stealthly mount it, i'm thinking under the rear seats that flip up. So now i have a laptop mounted ( powered,etc ) and a screen. ( the laptop of course will have it's screen removed) I can run a montior cable from the laptop to my lcd correct? Somehow... maybe i'll have to buy some sort of adapter or w/e if it's not a computer lcd monitor. Know for the mouse pad, i figure i'll get a wireless keyboard/mouse setup for when editing/etc is needed, but for daily operation i will mount a laptop mousepad ( the flat thing on the laptop that moves the mouse duh) Somewhere in my central console ( where you set your arm when driving, the thing between the two front seats). Then i would have a windows media player ( prolly winamp) type program up with all my music, so all you would see on the lcd is a long long list of my music, you'd have a mouse pad to select music, and it would take over the positioin of a HU. But how do i connect the laptop to the speakers ( 4 stock infinity kapa comp. ) I already figured i'd have to run a sep. amp to power them.. Any special software ect i need?
Do you think this would be worth it? I'm really looking forward to doing something like this.. but not if it's totaly impractical.
Thanks for the advice and help!

http://img372.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dakota9dv.jpg

Team AI · Post by **Team AI** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:26 pm

There are actually in car computer systems that can do all of this and it would probably be easier to mount an actual desktop computer in there and run extended IDE cables to a convenient place in the cab to put in cd's for ripping and such. Also there are several monitors available that are touch screen and use a stylus plus you could run a usb hub up and mount it in the dash or wherever for hooking up a mouse, keyboard, mp3, external drives whatever you need. That's actually what I was thinking of doing in my truck. I would recommend using a very high end sound card. I have a little bit of stuff to do and I'll see if I can through up some links, you could also put a wireless network card so you could sit by a starbucks or something and download music, play games and surf the web :P

Darthness · Post by **Darthness** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:49 pm

mp3car.com

joeyc · Post by **joeyc** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:39 pm

the high end sound card is a must. makes a huge difference on simple computer speakers! as far as your question, all high end sound card(i believe) have a line output. you could just get a 1/8", or whatever size they are, jack to rca adapter, and hook it into your headunit. of course you may have to have an aftermarket hu for that

Darthness · Post by **Darthness** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:42 pm

screw a head unit when doing a car pc...you can go straigh from the PC to an amp with RCA's...

Team AI · Post by **Team AI** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:43 pm

You could also run it into an equalizer if you are going to omit the HU and run all in car entertainment from the computer. I know that they do make fm recievers for computers so you really don't need a HU with the right computer set up. But I can say this if you build your own custome computer in a situation like car audio use only high quality components and make sure it's kept cool and mounted in an area, in a manner that will protect it from vibration.

Team AI · Post by **Team AI** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:45 pm

Darthness wrote:screw a head unit when doing a car pc...you can go straigh from the PC to an amp with RCA's...

I would actually run it through an external EQ just because there are too many factors that can affect the settings on the eq's with different programs and as most default to a flat output.

joeyc · Post by **joeyc** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:51 pm

screw it!! get the new creative xi-fi with 7.1 surround, get 3 sets of coax a front and rear center channel and a sub. then get a couple amps and about 4 line ouput converters, then hook all that stuff up. then you can watch star wars on you lcd with super duper surround sound!!! lol

check out what all they say this thing does!!
http://us.creative.com/products/product ... duct=14065

Team AI · Post by **Team AI** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:02 pm

Hell for 200 dollars that's the shit right thar... I especially like the seprate control unit that is actuall ideal for in car situations. I would also suggest getting a small digital thermometer they make for cars that don't have them and run the sensor inside the pc case so you can constantly monitor the temprature. Your biggest enemies are going to be vibration and heat but the really nice thing is that mp3's and wma's don't skip. If you have it hidden well you don't need to worry about your cd's getting stolen and with wireless networking you can pay like 10 bucks a month from napster and download to your computer till your heart's content and be totally legal. Really if you are willing to make the initial investment to do it right then it is definately worth the money to do a project like this. I would suggest custom building a computer as opposed to buying a prebuilt as it gives you more flexibility on what it does and it's a lot easier to repair/upgrade. I would be happy to lend you a hand just pm me if you need help...

finally something I can be useful for lol I custom built computers for years and got sick of everyone I know wanting me to work on their computers for free lol.

joeyc · Post by **joeyc** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:16 pm

OMG!!! dude i am the same way!!! i've only built probably 10 or 15 total though. but everyone thinks cause im there buddy or they got a booger that i will fix there computer!!