anyone else doing a media center/sound stereo system setup?

allsierra123

Just wanted to see some pics of what you guy have done.

So far I have a small 12v computer case. Intel motherboard and chipset. Blueray dvd drive. 4g or ram and a terrabit HDD. Basicly the case hardwires into the van im installing it under the driver seat towards the front. Im cutting out the little lip there giving me access to the dvd drive and usb ports. I will do Wifi bluetooth and gps all via the rear usb's. Going to be running vista on it since its preinstalled on my drive that was from my scrapped laptop. Just need to figure out monitor configuration would love to do something in dash.
_________________
95 GMC Yukon 6.5 TD 2 Door Tow pig/ Daily driver.
91 Vanagon GL. 1.9TD Conversion Sold
81 Vw rabbit 1.6 Diesel. Sold

240Gordy · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 12:45 pm Post subject:

check out Dogpilot's Mac mini install.
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR

Mr. Electric Wizard · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:09 pm Post subject:

A mac mini would be a great box for this application.
quiet, small, powerful for the size.
And pretty sure you can get a blu-ray drive for them too.
_________________
"Saying what we think gives us a wider conversational range than saying what we know."
~ Cullen Hightower

(T)exas (C)oalition (B)uses
(H)eidenhammer (B)ully (B)oyz

--1966 De Luxe Camper

allsierra123 · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:11 pm Post subject:

mac would have been perfect. But All my other stuff is PC. as well as my extra parts.
_________________
95 GMC Yukon 6.5 TD 2 Door Tow pig/ Daily driver.
91 Vanagon GL. 1.9TD Conversion Sold
81 Vw rabbit 1.6 Diesel. Sold

mightyart · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:25 pm Post subject:

I have a Samsung Q1 running Vista for my Vanputer, and a Creative Zen portable media center, that syncs with the media Center in my home computer.
The Zen holds all the tv shows I've recorded at home, then I can play them back in the van.
I just got the wife an 80gb zune that does the same thing with media center.
I just haven't gotten around to installing the video portion of my stereo, I've been to busy.

What are you using for a power supply for your computer?

allsierra123 · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject:

It came with one. It wires in much like the stereo does directly to 12v. The case was designed for automotive use.
_________________
95 GMC Yukon 6.5 TD 2 Door Tow pig/ Daily driver.
91 Vanagon GL. 1.9TD Conversion Sold
81 Vw rabbit 1.6 Diesel. Sold

mightyart · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject:

I almost bought one of these when I was going to throw a computer together for my van.
http://store.mp3car.com/OPUS_320W_Intelligent_DC_DC_PSU_p/pwr-024.htm
I was thinking about putting an x-box 360 in the van, but couldn't come up with a good reason other then just cause I could.
If I need video games I can take the Wii, it plugs straight into the 12 volt system (but again why).

this is a good place for parts:
http://store.mp3car.com
The forums are pretty good also, but I haven't been there in quite a while so...

allsierra123 · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject:

the wii would be ok. But you would really be limited with what games you could play do to the size of the van unless you had a flip down monitor on the rear gate so you could play it while standing outside.
_________________
95 GMC Yukon 6.5 TD 2 Door Tow pig/ Daily driver.
91 Vanagon GL. 1.9TD Conversion Sold
81 Vw rabbit 1.6 Diesel. Sold

mightyart · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:47 pm Post subject:

allsierra123 · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject:

lol if they only knew
_________________
95 GMC Yukon 6.5 TD 2 Door Tow pig/ Daily driver.
91 Vanagon GL. 1.9TD Conversion Sold
81 Vw rabbit 1.6 Diesel. Sold

240Gordy · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject:

have any of you guys seen Front Row running on a Mac?
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR

koolmoe · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 9:42 pm Post subject:

I have an articulating arm:
http://www.atdec.com.au/Content_Common/pr-Visidec-Focus-Range_Focus.seo
originally intended for a kitchen computer but other issues arose with that project, then got the bus, and thought maybe I could rig that instead.

However, the 15" monitor I have for it is an older-LCD touchscreen, so it's kinda heavy. I think there's going to be too much bounce in the arm going down the road...so will have to stabilize it somehow...
...plus I have to rig a mount for it anyway...likely from the front-table mount (the table was missing on purchase)...somehow.

I have a MacMini (PPC) that would work well, except the only drivers I've found for the touchscreen serial port (old, not USB) cost something like $100...
I have a 600mhz laptop (PC) that could work better...I have a better place for the Mini though...and think Frontrow would work well (but don't have that installed yet either)...

So, I've intentions, but focusing on the aux battery setup first. Once that's going, then an inverter, THEN the media system...

I'll be interested to see what others come up with Wink

KM
_________________
--
Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on)

Sheesh · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 8:58 am Post subject:

Interesting the things folks do with their vans!

Our "media" center consists of a Sony headset w/ AUX input, speakers, two Playstation Portables (PSPs; one running CFW), 12V power adapter, wireless transmitters, car mounts for the PSPs, about 50 UMD games, 20 UMD movies, and a few 4GB pro duo memory sticks filled with MP3s and ripped movies.

This way, the kids can watch / play what they want and I can listen to hours of music. On the go, of course. No playing/watching this stuff when in camp....
_________________
1982 Westy, 2.0L AC CA emissions

TheBlueTurtle · Samba Member Joined: July 03, 2007 Posts: 353

TheBlueTurtle · Samba Member Joined: July 03, 2007 Posts: 353

presslab · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 9:27 am Post subject:

I was considering a vanputer but I'm going a slightly different route. I have a EeePC 901, a small netbook computer. It connects wirelessly to an AP mounted in the van, and that is in turn connected to a IOGEAR GUIP204 Network USB device. The IOGEAR allows me to connect USB devices over the network to the EeePC.

Currently I have a DVD-RW drive, a Garmin GPS, a USB WiFi adapter with roof antenna, and a USB sound adapter connected to the stereo. I can play DVDs on the EeePC, use Garmin Mobile PC for navigation, and connect to the internet through the roof antenna.

I can then take the EeePC inside the house and there is nothing visible inside the van for theft, etc. It is also portable so it can be used from the passenger seat, the rear bench, the picnic table, etc., all without wires.
_________________
1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

Dogpilot · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 9:37 am Post subject:

The Mini worked well for the media part, I was just unimpressed with the ability of being able to do the functions of the touchscreen and manipulate a trackball while driving. The USB drivers for touchscreen are available with the Lilliput, and can be downloaded for free from their site. Routebuddy is an excellent GPS mapping program, but really any Garmin or the like is actually easier to use.

ITunes and the little mac IR remote make the Mini a super media server. I use it normally connected to the TV at home for Hulu, iTunes and movie ripping via Handbrake.

I did manage to mount the Mini, cleanly, in the glove box. I made an articulating, rotating support for the touchscreen. It only cost a couple of $$ to make since I used the original hinges that came with the touchscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

mightyart · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 9:56 am Post subject:

allsierra123 · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 10:30 am Post subject:

I like your setup its perfect for a westy and you dont feel tied to it.
_________________
95 GMC Yukon 6.5 TD 2 Door Tow pig/ Daily driver.
91 Vanagon GL. 1.9TD Conversion Sold
81 Vw rabbit 1.6 Diesel. Sold

allsierra123 · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject:

I like where dogpilot put his monitor. Trouble is I have all the over head AC ducts and no where to mount one. I wonder whats under those ducts. And how hard it would be to remove them from the front. Looks like it might be just duct work cant imagine why there would be any wires in the front portion then I could leave the rear one in place and just have it blow from back there.
_________________
95 GMC Yukon 6.5 TD 2 Door Tow pig/ Daily driver.
91 Vanagon GL. 1.9TD Conversion Sold
81 Vw rabbit 1.6 Diesel. Sold


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