CarPC installed into 3G TL with Navigation

met152 · 01-10-2007, 7:03 PM

To summarize what I did here:

I installed a carpc (carputer) in my 06 TL with navigation. The stock screen was used to display the video, and the touchscreen was tapped into to provide touch coordinates to the PC via USB.

You can see my thread HERE about how I tapped into the touchscreen wires.

The PC is a 1.5 Ghz mini-itx form motherboard, 80GB laptop HD, 512 mb ram, cd-r/dvd-r burner, 802.11b wireless card. I also have internet via my verizon phone over DUN.
The PC is running a customized and slimmed down Windows XP Pro, using a Road Runner, and open source front end (the user interface).

The video is fed from the VGA video card into a Scan DO 800 scan converter. This unit outputs an RBG sync signal, which is the signal that our Acura LCD screen takes as an input.

A switch installed near the front cupholders switches the video and touchscreen inputs. They are operated by a set of 4 pole relays.

I think this is the absolute best way to install a carpc into the TL. It keeps all of the OEM equipment 100% functional. The resolution of our LCD isn't as high as a VGA monitor, but the quality is still GREAT. This was one of my biggest concerns at the beginning of the project, that the video quality would be sub-par. Fortunately I was wrong.

Please ask any questions you might have. I'll do my best to answer anything and explain what I have done done.

Enjoy!!

-Mike

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lookinco · 01-10-2007, 7:13 PM

Great props for you. Just wondering, which navi software are you using?

and I LOVE 24 !!! Jack bauer is so cool!

zax123 · 01-10-2007, 7:17 PM

First of all, AWESOME installation, AMAZING idea. I most definitely want to copy you.

So... my first question is... what's the grey box strapped to the backseats?

Also, you are no longer using factory nav? can you still switch to it? What GPS antenna are you using? Did you lose any factory functionality? HFL for example?

ITL · 01-10-2007, 8:00 PM

mad props, met. Extremely impressed with the image quality on that screen. I didn't think you had a chance in hell with the resolution of that screen.

What resolution to you have the video card set to?

Even more impressive, though seemingly simple, is your interface into the touchscreen controls.

**csmeance** · 01-10-2007, 8:22 PM

wow, this is amazing... the disk drive was a very neat install. i might have to do this as well

met152 · 01-10-2007, 8:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookinco

Great props for you. Just wondering, which navi software are you using?

and I LOVE 24 !!! Jack bauer is so cool!

I am using Iguidance 3.0 as my navi software.

The second set of map software is Google Earth.

**KaMLuNg** · 01-10-2007, 8:37 PM

... maddd props integrating the OEM interface into your carputer... do u find your iGuidance works better than Honda's Navi???

met152 · 01-10-2007, 8:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zax123

First of all, AWESOME installation, AMAZING idea. I most definitely want to copy you.

So... my first question is... what's the grey box strapped to the backseats?

Also, you are no longer using factory nav? can you still switch to it? What GPS antenna are you using? Did you lose any factory functionality? HFL for example?

Thanks man!
The grey box is the scan converter. Here is the user's manual on it
I picked it up on ebay for about $50.

I occasionally switch to the factory nav. Not too often though. I am using a cheap USB GPS receiver that I got on ebay a couple years ago. It's a Holux brand. I mounted it on the rear deck very close to the factory gps receiver.

I still have 100% factory functionality. The HFL works exactly like factory. I am getting audio through the Blitzsafe aux input. It emulates a CD changer and is activated by pressing the CD button twice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITL

mad props, met. Extremely impressed with the image quality on that screen. I didn't think you had a chance in hell with the resolution of that screen.

What resolution to you have the video card set to?

Even more impressive, though seemingly simple, is your interface into the touchscreen controls.

Thanks ITL. I was pretty impressed once I got it all hooked up too. Like I mentioned, it was my biggest concern.
I have the resolution set to 640x480. I could probably set it higher, but when I was getting all of the OS customized, it was easier to read some of the smaller text with 640x480.

met152 · 01-10-2007, 8:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaMLuNg

... maddd props integrating the OEM interface into your carputer... do u find your iGuidance works better than Honda's Navi???

It all depends. Sometimes it is easier to find POI's in Iguidance than acura's. But most of the time I don't really need the navigation, so it's just always set to the PC input.

Malayalee King · 01-10-2007, 8:48 PM

excellent job

integrate a trackball and minikeyboard into your steering wheel

RYAN97812 · 01-10-2007, 8:49 PM

Sweet job man looks like a killer set up!!!

met152 · 01-10-2007, 8:52 PM

Here is a short video showing it in action
VIDEO HERE

It's about 10mb.

waacow · 01-10-2007, 8:59 PM

awesome mod - very nice touch to integrate the touch screen - with internet enable that might enable it to get traffic updated for the navigation software, but i don't know where you get such update.

**csmeance** · 01-10-2007, 9:10 PM

one thing is confusing me, can you answer this?

from the 4 pin FFC, we add the extra 6-pin FFC wire (later cut it to 4) and put it inot one end of the relay. From the relay, we put the FFC to the USB controller right? then everthing gets mount on the computer board if you want to, but it can be mounted on something else?

this will help everyone as i conclueded this from studying the pictures and parts needed.

**csmeance** · 01-10-2007, 9:30 PM

also from where did you get the iguidance 3.0 and Road runner software? Sorry for all the questions

met152 · 01-10-2007, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmeance

one thing is confusing me, can you answer this?

from the 4 pin FFC, we add the extra 6-pin FFC wire (later cut it to 4) and put it inot one end of the relay. From the relay, we put the FFC to the USB controller right? then everthing gets mount on the computer board if you want to, but it can be mounted on something else?

this will help everyone as i conclueded this from studying the pictures and parts needed.

Yes, you're correct. The 4 pin from the touchscreen goes to the relay common. I made a small circuit board where I mounted the connectors and relay. The signals that come out of the normally close (NC) go on the 6 pin (cut to 4) back to the Acura computer board. You don't need an FFC from the relay to the usb controller. I just soldered the USB wires directly to the NO relay contacts.

The small board that I made was mounted on the back of the LCD. I think it's necessary to mount it here due to the short length of the cable coming from the touchscreen.

This pic shows the short length

This pic shows the Relay board mounted. The wires you see coming off the board go to the touchscreen controller which is taped to the bottom right side the lcd.

Here's a very rough schematic that I drew up quickly.

Hope this helps.

met152 · 01-10-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmeance

also from where did you get the iguidance 3.0 and Road runner software? Sorry for all the questions

Iguidance is retail software available here: http://www.inavcorp.com/
Sells for $109.00

Road Runner is free open source software.
Here is the forum dedicated to Road Runner: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=72

www.mp3car.com is an EXCELLENT place to get details on software and hardware for carpc installed. I spent MANY hours here researching.

**csmeance** · 01-10-2007, 10:29 PM

thanks for the schematic and the help met, this helps me understand it much better. Is is necessary to have a GPS antenna to use the google directions and the live satilite image?

met152 · 01-10-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmeance

thanks for the schematic and the help met, this helps me understand it much better. Is is necessary to have a GPS antenna to use the google directions and the live satilite image?

No problem. I'm happy to help out.

Well I don't use Google for directions. But I'm sure it's possible. The integration of Google Earth with Road Runner still isn't perfect.

But to answer your question, yes. You will need a GPS antenna if you want to use any sort of mapping program on the PC.
I thought about trying to tap into the signal for the OEM antenna, but decided to just add a USB receiver instead

There are some programs out there that will allow you to cache an area with google earth. You could potentially save a few gigs of data from GE and copy to the PC.

Search for a program at mp3car.com called GE Voyager, I think that's the program to create a cache of the maps.

SSM6MTNAVI · 01-10-2007, 10:54 PM

^I'm pretty much speechless right now............ Crazy mod!

**csmeance** · 01-10-2007, 11:12 PM

to help out met for helping me, here is a color coded diagram so it easier for members like me...

**datmrman** · 01-11-2007, 1:38 AM

Thats one impressive setup! Great job man!

RSA_Secure · 01-11-2007, 2:14 AM

nicely done

iTISTIC · 01-11-2007, 8:08 AM

Sick install! I'm very impressed. For someone who isn't very electronically inclined as far as making my own circuit boards and using relays -- what would be the best way for me to tap into the touch screen signal like you have done? Is there something I could buy to make this easier?

met152 · 01-11-2007, 8:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iTISTIC

Sick install! I'm very impressed. For someone who isn't very electronically inclined as far as making my own circuit boards and using relays -- what would be the best way for me to tap into the touch screen signal like you have done? Is there something I could buy to make this easier?

Sorry to say, but this probably isn't a project for you then. As far as I know, there isn't anything out there to buy that would make this easier.

A guy named Angrycamel was working on a module that would interpret the IEBus (the bus where all of the signals are sent across) and be able to send those to a PC over serial or usb. But unfortunately he was trying to pass off the project onto someone else because his car got flooded.
That post is here: http://www.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=346909

newin96 · 01-11-2007, 2:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by met152

Here is a short video showing it in action
VIDEO HERE

It's about 10mb.

This blows me away!

I'm trying to figure out if I have what it takes to tackle this. Probably

. Definitely you have bragging rights on this

Amazing

SSM6MTNAVI · 01-11-2007, 3:38 PM

^ Fer real! I'm still awestruck - since I saw this thread last night. How much $$ did this project cost you?

met152 · 01-11-2007, 4:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSM6MTNAVI

^ Fer real! I'm still awestruck - since I saw this thread last night. How much $$ did this project cost you?

Hmm.. I never really added it all up.

Let's see:
$550 - for motherboard, case, power supply, 80gb hd, 512 mb ram, slim dvd drive, usb hubs, usb cables, laptop to ide converter
$35 - pcmcia add-on card
$65 - scan converter
$43 - usb touch controller
$31 - components from digikey
$10 - small usb keyboard, meant to be used with xbox or PS2
$90 - blitzsafe adapter

Stuff I already had:

usb gps receiver
linksys 802.11b card

Total: $824
I'm sure there was some other stuff I'm missing. So probably closer to $850.

It could have been done for less, but I didn't really want to be cheap on things.
Could have gotten slower mobo/processor, less ram, smaller HD, doesn't really need a DVD burner,

Thanks everyone for the compliments on my setup!! I'm VERY happy with how it turned out.

Anyone looking to go a little less extreme and just add a dvd player? I have a Dom's tvandnav2go unit for sale in the black market.

Mike

**csmeance** · 01-11-2007, 4:43 PM

met, how did you know which wires lead to the USb (ie direction ones, the ones that move up, dpwn left and right) also how did you test it?

SSM6MTNAVI · 01-11-2007, 4:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by met152

Hmm.. I never really added it all up.

Let's see:
$550 - for motherboard, case, power supply, 80gb hd, 512 mb ram, slim dvd drive, usb hubs, usb cables, laptop to ide converter
$35 - pcmcia add-on card
$65 - scan converter
$43 - usb touch controller
$31 - components from digikey
$10 - small usb keyboard, meant to be used with xbox or PS2
$90 - blitzsafe adapter

Stuff I already had:

usb gps receiver
linksys 802.11b card

Total: $824
I'm sure there was some other stuff I'm missing. So probably closer to $850.

It could have been done for less, but I didn't really want to be cheap on things.
Could have gotten slower mobo/processor, less ram, smaller HD, doesn't really need a DVD burner,

Thanks everyone for the compliments on my setup!! I'm VERY happy with how it turned out.

Anyone looking to go a little less extreme and just add a dvd player? I have a Dom's tvandnav2go unit for sale in the black market.

Mike

Thats not bad at all. I'm definitely gonna attempt this come spring. Next time I'm in Pittsburgh visiting my bro I'll holla so I can see that thing in action if you don't mind. The video is nice too

**csmeance** · 01-11-2007, 4:44 PM

met, how did you know which wires lead to the USb (ie direction ones, the ones that move up, dpwn left and right) also how did you test it? BTW, if i can get htis work with my navi once i get the stuff, i migth sell this mod to people and have to give met a commision for his idea.

newin96 · 01-11-2007, 5:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by met152

Anyone looking to go a little less extreme and just add a dvd player? I have a Dom's tvandnav2go unit for sale in the black market.

Mike

I'm interested but being in Canada

...

SleepyTheDon · 01-11-2007, 5:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by met152

Hmm.. I never really added it all up.

Let's see:
$550 - for motherboard, case, power supply, 80gb hd, 512 mb ram, slim dvd drive, usb hubs, usb cables, laptop to ide converter
$35 - pcmcia add-on card
$65 - scan converter
$43 - usb touch controller
$31 - components from digikey
$10 - small usb keyboard, meant to be used with xbox or PS2
$90 - blitzsafe adapter

Stuff I already had:

usb gps receiver
linksys 802.11b card

Total: $824
I'm sure there was some other stuff I'm missing. So probably closer to $850.

It could have been done for less, but I didn't really want to be cheap on things.
Could have gotten slower mobo/processor, less ram, smaller HD, doesn't really need a DVD burner,

Thanks everyone for the compliments on my setup!! I'm VERY happy with how it turned out.

Anyone looking to go a little less extreme and just add a dvd player? I have a Dom's tvandnav2go unit for sale in the black market.

Mike

Point me to the Black-market, Im interested. I will pay u to do my install

met152 · 01-11-2007, 5:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmeance

met, how did you know which wires lead to the USb (ie direction ones, the ones that move up, dpwn left and right) also how did you test it? BTW, if i can get htis work with my navi once i get the stuff, i migth sell this mod to people and have to give met a commision for his idea.

I didn't know which ones. It was all trial and error. It was actually a pain to do this.
The first thing I did with this project was the touchscreen control.

At first I didn't connect the wires from the relay to the usb controller. I left them hanging and kept testing different combinations until it worked. Looking back, I should have written down which ones they were.

I used a laptop in the car with the usb controller plugged into the laptop and running the touch software. Once I had it figured out, I took the LCD back inside and soldered the connections. Such a pain in the ass to keep disconnecting and reconnecting all of the wiring harnesses.

for the commission

I thought about this as well, but I figured anyone who was going to be comfortable taking their LCD apart all the way down to the circuit board, could probably also handle the rest of it.

met152 · 01-11-2007, 5:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSM6MTNAVI

Thats not bad at all. I'm definitely gonna attempt this come spring. Next time I'm in Pittsburgh visiting my bro I'll holla so I can see that thing in action if you don't mind. The video is nice too

Sounds good man.. Just shoot me a PM or email. I'd be glad to show it off.

met152 · 01-11-2007, 5:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleepyTheDon

Point me to the Black-market, Im interested. I will pay u to do my install

tried to PM you.. it must be disabled on your end.

anyway, here's the black market thread
http://www.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350994

PPLAPW · 01-11-2007, 8:18 PM

Wow, all the other Carputer installations were awesome, but you integrating the stock screen is soooo cool.

Major props man...

I have a screen laying around that I'll be messing with...

kreolo · 01-11-2007, 9:03 PM

This is one of the best interior mod I have ever seen - Mike great job !!!

Keep on thinking about other mods to make all us crave...

Again congrats and this awesome krazy accomplished mod.

~ KREOLO

mn2trance · 01-11-2007, 9:29 PM

Wow! Your pics are making me want to stock up on PC parts and get mine going! Good job!

What are you using for your startup/shutdown control?

BrandonClaps · 01-11-2007, 11:23 PM

amazing amazing....u could turn a nice profit with that

01-11-2007, 9:03 PM	#38
kreolo 2004 Acura TL 5AT Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hartford, CT Age: 35 Posts: 46	Great Job This is one of the best interior mod I have ever seen - Mike great job !!! Keep on thinking about other mods to make all us crave... Again congrats and this awesome krazy accomplished mod. *~ KREOLO*

01-10-2007, 7:13 PM	#2
lookinco B A N N E D Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: vancouver, BC Age: 26 Posts: 1,040	Great props for you. Just wondering, which navi software are you using? and I LOVE 24 !!! Jack bauer is so cool!

01-10-2007, 7:17 PM	#3
zax123 Team Anthracite Member 2009 Acura MDX My Garage Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Montreal, QC Age: 35 Posts: 1,354	First of all, AWESOME installation, AMAZING idea. I most definitely want to copy you. So... my first question is... what's the grey box strapped to the backseats? Also, you are no longer using factory nav? can you still switch to it? What GPS antenna are you using? Did you lose any factory functionality? HFL for example?

01-10-2007, 8:00 PM	#4
ITL puts PCs in TLs 2004 Acura TL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ATL Age: 28 Posts: 1,461	mad props, met. Extremely impressed with the image quality on that screen. I didn't think you had a chance in hell with the resolution of that screen. What resolution to you have the video card set to? Even more impressive, though seemingly simple, is your interface into the touchscreen controls.

01-10-2007, 8:22 PM	#5
csmeance Moderator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 11,816	wow, this is amazing... the disk drive was a very neat install. i might have to do this as well

01-10-2007, 8:37 PM	#7
KaMLuNg Moderator 2007 Acura TL My Garage Trader Rating: (2) Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Belleville, NJ Age: 26 Posts: 10,298	... maddd props integrating the OEM interface into your carputer... do u find your iGuidance works better than Honda's Navi???

01-10-2007, 8:48 PM	#10
Malayalee King ഥഎണഡഏ Fellas Inc. Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: $,{MD,CA} Age: 26 Posts: 5,092	excellent job integrate a trackball and minikeyboard into your steering wheel

01-10-2007, 8:49 PM	#11
RYAN97812 8 second & 150 mph member Trader Rating: (1) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NJ Age: 30 Posts: 451	Sweet job man looks like a killer set up!!!

01-10-2007, 8:52 PM	#12
met152 '06 NBP : 6MT : NAVI Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Age: 26 Posts: 172	Here is a short video showing it in action VIDEO HERE It's about 10mb.

01-10-2007, 8:59 PM	#13
waacow TL Loverrrrrrr Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Age: 33 Posts: 251	awesome mod - very nice touch to integrate the touch screen - with internet enable that might enable it to get traffic updated for the navigation software, but i don't know where you get such update.

01-10-2007, 9:10 PM	#14
csmeance Moderator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 11,816	one thing is confusing me, can you answer this? from the 4 pin FFC, we add the extra 6-pin FFC wire (later cut it to 4) and put it inot one end of the relay. From the relay, we put the FFC to the USB controller right? then everthing gets mount on the computer board if you want to, but it can be mounted on something else? this will help everyone as i conclueded this from studying the pictures and parts needed.

01-10-2007, 9:30 PM	#15
csmeance Moderator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 11,816	also from where did you get the iguidance 3.0 and Road runner software? Sorry for all the questions

01-10-2007, 10:29 PM	#18
csmeance Moderator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 11,816	thanks for the schematic and the help met, this helps me understand it much better. Is is necessary to have a GPS antenna to use the google directions and the live satilite image?

01-10-2007, 10:54 PM	#20
SSM6MTNAVI Weather Watcher Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nairobi, Kenya Age: 30 Posts: 350	^I'm pretty much speechless right now............ Crazy mod!

01-10-2007, 11:12 PM	#21
csmeance Moderator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 11,816	to help out met for helping me, here is a color coded diagram so it easier for members like me...

01-11-2007, 1:38 AM	#22
datmrman Moderator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Age: 28 Posts: 4,184	Thats one impressive setup! Great job man!

01-11-2007, 2:14 AM	#23
RSA_Secure FIGHTING ILLINI Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Age: 31 Posts: 1,083	nicely done

01-11-2007, 8:08 AM	#24
iTISTIC Registered User Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Port Richey, FL Age: 29 Posts: 182	Sick install! I'm very impressed. For someone who isn't very electronically inclined as far as making my own circuit boards and using relays -- what would be the best way for me to tap into the touch screen signal like you have done? Is there something I could buy to make this easier?

01-11-2007, 3:38 PM	#27
SSM6MTNAVI Weather Watcher Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nairobi, Kenya Age: 30 Posts: 350	^ Fer real! I'm still awestruck - since I saw this thread last night. How much $$ did this project cost you?

01-11-2007, 4:43 PM	#29
csmeance Moderator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 11,816	met, how did you know which wires lead to the USb (ie direction ones, the ones that move up, dpwn left and right) also how did you test it?

01-11-2007, 4:44 PM	#31
csmeance Moderator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 11,816	met, how did you know which wires lead to the USb (ie direction ones, the ones that move up, dpwn left and right) also how did you test it? BTW, if i can get htis work with my navi once i get the stuff, i migth sell this mod to people and have to give met a commision for his idea.

01-11-2007, 8:18 PM	#37
PPLAPW I'm in Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,124	Wow, all the other Carputer installations were awesome, but you integrating the stock screen is soooo cool. Major props man... I have a screen laying around that I'll be messing with...

01-11-2007, 9:29 PM	#39
mn2trance Official Chair Raver Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,549	Wow! Your pics are making me want to stock up on PC parts and get mine going! Good job! What are you using for your startup/shutdown control?

01-11-2007, 11:23 PM	#40
BrandonClaps Registered User Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Syracuse, NY Age: 27 Posts: 397	amazing amazing....u could turn a nice profit with that