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BMW 325ti -01

A simple picture (C# app) showing the things I will include in my carputer system. I will probably use RideRunner to create this outline. I might put some of it under submeny <info>. Like Weather, Tripcomputer, TPMS, and EQ.

There are other hidden things too, like tracking, voice command, and IBus interface.

ITunes????

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I strongly recommend that you think through what you want and get as much as possible working on your desk before installing it in the car. Once that is done, take some time off work and finish the installation in one go. Try to get as much running as possible. You will still have enough knirks in the system.

I also recommend to choose as many options as possible, or at least prepare for it so that you do not have to rewire anything. You will also find when demoing the system trying to impress someone (something I would never do myself), you do not want to hear - "ok, and what else can it do?" Get the TV for god sake:-)

Third advice is to search mp3car for any advice on what parts to buy. You will save a lot by buying the right stuff first time. There is no such thing as walking into your computer shop of choice and say "I want a bluetooth dongle, please".

Why car PC?

My car pc will provide functionality presented under software. But in short I will have:

Audio (mp3 on HDD, CD's, FM Radio, telephone via BT)

Navigation 

TV and DVD

Telephone  

Tracking via internet connection

Tyre Pressure Measuring System

Rearview Camera

But there is really no limit. Controlling the car air-condition. Alarm. 

The CarPC hobby

There is a lot of people who have started by building a PC for their car from scrap they got for free, and then it grow bigger than themselves. Have a look at http://www.mp3car.com

They find a particular problem area and starts working on it, designing sw skins and hardware. They end up being telephone experts, GPS experts or experts in Tracking, tyre pressure monitoring, OBDII, FM RDS, Antenna issues, tweeking winXP or other operating systems, USB, LCD's etc. There is a field for everyone. Enjoy!

Bordmonitor, or On-Board Monitor

The goal of this project is to install a PC in the car that uses the Bordmonitor screen and its buttons.

From this...  into....     

Note that the clima is moved down.

It has to be invisible

I have done some things prior to this regarding audio. I modified the business MD player for low level output. The reason why I did that rather than buying an aftermarket product was that I do not want it to show from outside that this is something more than a standard system. 

That's the reason why I bought a Bordmonitor on eBay for this project rather than buying an off-the-shelf TFT even if that would have been much easier and given me same functionality for less money.

I also wanted to get the BMW look and feel on buttons. No one will ever be able to tell this from a (boring) standard BMW NAV DSP system.  

It has to be forward compatible

I've got a BMW and they sell expensive systems with this purpose, but the only thing that is certain in this world is that there will always be better cellular phones, navigation software, etc. The only way to be forward compatible is to use a PC.

How I want to integrate the PC with the car.

Software,
Buttons,
Telephone Input,
Other inputs,
Network,
Screen,
DVD,
Audio,
Connections at dash,
Harness

Software        

Also read software

RoadRunner is installed on the PC. It is an application driven by configuration files that makes it possible to operate the PC with the very small resolution that the BordMonitor offers. 

A lot of people has contributed to this sw by writing wrappers for media players, navigation systems etc.

Button messages on IBus

Also read IBus

In my BMW the different modules communicate on IBus. On that bus button press messages can be read for instance. 

IBusComM is run on PC and it interprets IBus messages and translates them into RoadRunner commands.

Eventually this functionality will be a plug-in to Roadrunner rather than a separate application.

Telephone input

Also read telephone

If mobile phone is present, text can be entered via mobile keyboard. Not all phones can do this. Make sure you check Phoco's compatibility list.

Other inputs

My intention is that no keyboard nor mouse has to be installed. No touch screen even if gesture etc is handy. Bordmonitor and steering wheel buttons (and telephone keypad) should be enough to operate the system. 

Also read voice control

When that is not enough, or when it is easier, voice control can be activated with the press of the "talking man" button on the steering wheel.

Network

Also read network

Includes Internet access. When that is not enough a lap top can be connected and control the PC with VNC via Ethernet.

Screen

Also read high-resolution LCD

The original screen of the Bordmonitor is replaced by a VGA compatible LCD with 800x480 resolution rather than the original 400x240. 

DVD

Also read replace CD.

The Bordmonitor CD is replaced with a USB DVD.

Audio

Also read Audio

My car was prepared to have a telephone installed and has for that reason a microphone already put in place. A USB sound card will be installed to interface that mic as well as speaker system.

One advantage that  appeals to me is that with a pc you can forever forget about moving ground points to get rid of wining! No ground loops.

Connections at dash

Also read installation

Here is music ripped, laptop with USB network connected, etc.

Harness

Also read installation

There will be a harness going from the boot to the dash. It will contain the following leads

1. High level speaker cables

2. USB for DVD etc

3. VGA Video cable 

4. Microphone cable

5. AV cable (rear view camera to screen)