CarPC project by vlad47 step-by-step

[vlad47]

Hi everyone, I know many of you are very interested in a carPC project. I was in touch with some and told them that more info will be released when I will finish everything. Well it's still not at the end, but today it's the first day I can see that end. So I've decided to start this thread as I've organized all the ideas in my head and now I think I'm ready to answer all you questions. Maybe you've already seen my first stage on youtube from 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqSBuGjBJzY
There are a large number of improvements done. I would like to make a video, but I've forgotten the hd camcorder at my parents house. So to try to sum it up, it's a new software for front camera recording, with datas like the date, time, gps coordinates, actual speed etc inprinted in to the picture, everything is automatic, starting the recording, stripping the video into 10minutes files, auto deleting old files when videos are greater than 10GB etc. Software for automatic controlled hibernation with timing was added. The layout for the navigation was improved. Night dimming function is working by sunset and sunrise times received from gps. Two independent tv tuners were added and attached to the original TV antenna on the rear window (I have made also the pictures of antenna installation). TV is operated directly via car interface you have seen on the video. Reverse camera with automatic on/off switching was installed, but not tested yet, the cables need to be brought into to screen.Tomorrow I will receive the third board for the original picture, this one must be working . Screen switching would be operated by ESC key (the preparation and fittingness was tested today). Today I've ordered a microcontroller which I will program for the steering wheel buttons operation (only when using the carpc, not thesis stuff), I will try to implement to this microcontroller everything possible for you, for example now for the 3 seconds delay I'm using a special memory relay that is quite expensive, so this should be used also for some money sparing for you.
For that moment it's all I remembered, if want some more info, feel free to ask

[Peltze]

Hey Vlad 47,

sieht alles wunderbar aus. Mit welchen Gesamtkosten muss man rechnen für so einen Umbau?

Gruß aus Berlin

[vlad47]

Well I was getting the stuff together for about two years, so I'm not sure about some prices, but the most important is how you can get the computer, I've bought one from my friend with a broken monitor (you need only the video output for external monitor) for 50€ - dual 2 core with nvidia graphics and 2gb ram. I've also bought some not needed stuff for testing, some stuff didn't work and I had to buy another one, but to sum up what I've used, it maybe something about 250-300€. It also depend on what all you want, because there are some features like TV tuner etc. you may not consider important.

[lanciathema.nl]

I understand that you try to explain to us how the work is done. I like the solution, I'm also busy with installing a PC in the car. If you would like to explain exactly what you have done we could learn from you, What I miss in your story is details. Could you show us what you have done and, more precisely, how you translate the video signal to the new screen? Show us the materials and connections etc.

[vlad47]

There are too many details and many of them can be understand also without the explanation so that's why I was waiting for the exact questions you are interested in. Well the original picture is EGA video signal so it's red green blue info with vertical and horizontal synchronization transmitting at 15mhz frequency. Not to forget to mention also the ground, so to sum up, six cables needed. All you need is a video converter that can convert this signal to the one you want, composite or vga etc. (can be found on ebay). The front panel in thesis is connected via two cables. The one with blue connector transmits all buttons and control data. The video is in the black cable so you can take it from there. I've also seen a solution where the additional cables are added to the original board on the back of original screen, but in my opinion, connecting to that black cable is less harmful. This part is still not completely finished in my thesis (I can provide photos and links from another thesis, where you can see which pins are used for which info, what can be found also in thesis original italian service manual). I've also made some tests on mine too and it's working, but the picture was a bit shaking because I was using a bad ground.

[lanciathema.nl]

I Have the manual, so I can determine the cables. Someone told me these video converters are also present in old video recorders. Can you provide a link to such an item in Ebay?
Do I understand you correctly: the signal of the buttons goes to the computer (NIT) and is then sent back to the screen via the black connector? So if I use the video signal of the black cable I will have the picture of the screen with the buttons in it? That makes life much easier.

Can you privide the specs of your touchscreen? I have an older touch screen which doesn't have five finger support.

I think I found an item: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Arcade-game-RGB- ... 3a6e152b7e

I wudl also need a VGA switch to be able to switch between the VGA from the NIT and the VGA from my PC. A cheap item which I foun alos on Ebay: http://www.ebay.de/itm/280743264970?ssP ... 1423.l2649

[vlad47]

Yes that's correct. The buttons are not two wire resistive, but only normal classical short circuit. They are connected to the original controller on back of the original screen. Than it's transmitted to NIT and NIT is making all the stuff.
I've used a 7" samsung screen with ips panel and the more resolution possible, 1280*800 with hdmi/vga/composite1/composite2 with auto function for rear camera controller that supports fullHD input. Touch is classical resistive system so as you sad only one finger. It uses 4 wire controller.
I have exactly the same video converter as you've sent the link. That info about the old vhs players was from me, but I was a bit wrong, everything is ok, this players has exactly the same input, the think is that they can not handle 15mhz signal, only 30mhz.
The switching board is your choice depending on what kind of inputs you have so what kind of inputs you have to switch.

[lanciathema.nl]

My PC in the car has a VGA output. The NIT signal will be converted to a VGA signal. In that case I have two VGA signals which both need to go to the LCD screen. I looked for an EGA to VGA converter with an extra VGA input to be switched on the board, but that seems not to be sold. My LCD has 1 VGA input and 2 Video-S inputs (rear camera and perhaps front camera?) so I need to switch between the NIT and PC. I want the Original functions te be kept fully functional. The PC will be extra and only controlled by the touchscreen. I will place the switch and it will be switching when one presses the SOS button.

[vlad47]

Yes that's correct, if I can advice you, buy another switcher, because this input switching on the converters or controller usually round across all the inputs and if there are some unused it still goes through them. To sos button I advice to disconnect it from the connect, because there's a voltage checking the short circuit and as there's only one ground in whole car it can go from the computer to the NIT, which noone knows what can cause. I've decided to use the esc button, as I really don't find this button useful and is quite near the other buttons what makes is more comfortable and intuitive.

[lanciathema.nl]

Today I fitted the screen in the centre console. The screen is bigger than the Original so I had to do a bit of cutting on the backside of the panel. It fits, just... I will have to find a way to cover both sides of the LCD though.