Plan on adding:
-OBD-II Reader
-DVD drive
-Maybe XM radio

The 'Brain' is a 1ghz mini-itx board with 256meg of ram and using a 40gig laptop drive. Also a laptop style wireless network card. The power supply automatically turns the system on when the ignition is on and shuts it down when the ignition is turned off.

Here is my Screen. Its a VGA 7" Wide touch screen. It was molded by a vortex member (Gruppe5) and it came out awesome.
Screen

Center Console

Case
The case was a total custom effort and after some tweaking came out really good. It’s just an aluminum project box (12x7x3) that you can pick up at an electronics store

I still have some finishing touches to do to the install, like clean up the wires and stuff but I was just happy to have it in the car and working. All in all, it's pretty cool and has been a nice addition to the interior. What do ya think?

Modified by Nanozic at 12:58 PM 9-2-2004

Everytime a noob gets bashed on the vortex, an angel gets its wings.

break the mold

good work!

Quote, originally posted by vr6power ! »

Nicely done

sweet !!

Also, seemingly you dont have adequate cooling in the box. You should have some kinda exhaust fan on there. The only on i see is the one on the CPU heat sink and that thing is tiny.

Modified by FroOch at 1:08 PM 9-2-2004

How does the LCD connect? Does it use a VGA port, or S-VIDEO, etc...

How are you formating the display (800x600, 640x480, etc...)?

What operating system does this run on?

"I think it's important to remember that character in a car is more important than the specs." - LBS

see bio for previous sig, banned by some random mod.

Sic semper evello mortem Tyrannis

FREE LCD MONITORS/TV's!! http://www.FreeFlatScreens.com...54212

FREE DESKTOP PC'S!!!
http://www.FreeDesktopPC.com/d...54669

Quote, originally posted by FroOch »

The screen is very well done but for the computer itself, wouldn't it have been easier to just run a laptop with upgraded fans down there? I mean you went thru all the trouble and it looks cool and all but a laptop would have slid under a seat no problem. Also, seemingly you dont have adequate cooling in the box. You should have some kinda exhaust fan on there. The only on i see is the one on the CPU heat sink and that thing is tiny.

There is one exhaust fan in front of the laptop drive (it may be a little hard to see, but its there) but the temps have actually been very low anyways even on really hot days. Nothing in there gives off any heat really. The item that gets the hottest is the HD and its really not that hot.

Both the HD and the MB are lowpower units. The Power supply is only 90w

And as far as using a laptop, I guess I could have used one, but most laptops cost more than double what it cost for me to build this. Also, I wouldn't have been able to use the special DC-DC power supply which makes the install in the car key. Plus, using a laptop would be cheating and where's the fun in that

Modified by Nanozic at 1:24 PM 9-2-2004

ok you know i like it.. i would have to say now you cant put a sodi in the cup holder

how much does that run a person? just wondering cause that looks like some / lot of CASH! and you get one of these ok so i got you two..

95 Passat VR6 (Sold)
Long Island, NY

//Lorentz

Digifiz installation http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1322291

The screen connects via VGA for the signal and USB for the touch panel.

The OS is WinXP using a front end called Frodoplayer.

The rez runs at 800x600 although the native resolution of the screen is 800x480. Hopefully new drivers for the onboard video will come out soon that support 800x480 but it's cool as it is for now.

"I think it's important to remember that character in a car is more important than the specs." - LBS

You just need to get a wireless router and then you can go on the vortex from your garage!

Thoroughly answered... thanks.

I already can

Nice setup dude. I've got big plans for my system. I've got to get the dough together. The LCD touchscreen will probably cost me the most.

As for the screen resolution go here in RegEdit if you're comfortable:
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\VIDEO\

IIRC it's usually the second key in there with a child key that has the monitor info. You'll want to change DefaultSettings.XResolution and/or DefaultSettings.YResolution appropriatly for the resolution you want. Make sure to select Decimal instead of Hex when entering the new value. Once you've made your mods, just reboot.

As always, do this at your own risk. Safe Mode generally can get you out of a jam like this if it screws up. You can also export the whole key for easy recovery.

cepavw.org
____________________________
Canon XS | Canon 18-55 | Canon Nifty Fifty | Canon Nifty Fifty Two Fifty |Canon 430EX | Bogen 458B /w 322RC2 | more soon

Navigation software is called iGuidance 2.0 and it uses a usb gps reciever to position you. It uses navtech maps which is what is used in most high end navigation units, OEM and aftermarket. It has pre stored 'points of interest' and also voice guided directions. It's pretty awesome.

what PSU are you using, ITPS?

Modified by Sh0cker at 7:19 PM 9-2-2004

Quote, originally posted by Jonny123 »

Nice work.

I agree! I want to do something like this to one of my cars eventually - for the sole purpose of having my favorite Winamp visualizations in my car.

Hmm - what happened the first time I posted this I wonder?