My car PC with 5.1 audio system project

[grave77]

well I wanted to install the PC on my E31, I just want to avoid the previous mistakes I did in my E34, so I wonder if there is a good path to pass the wires to the front in the E31? I suppose there would be some hidden places easy to pass the wires in.

I will use the OEM amplifier as a crossover like many guys did, this will save me hell of connections and speaker mess. also the OEM speakers are just fine for the front/rear system of the 5.1.

the only thing is to install the subwoofers and the center speaker.

Luckily I was able to install the center speakers in the center vents in a nice design

see the pics below:

http://grave77.no-ip.org:1972/image_00017.jpg



I tested the sound with a bandpass cross over and they sound excellent. as the duct makes a good baffle for those speakers.

I just need to pass 3 wires now: the VGA cable to the touch screen, USB cable to the touch screen function also with the Hub for any USB usage and the center speaker wire.

this is all the help I need for now.

here are some other pics of the system that I'll install.

http://grave77.no-ip.org:1972/image_00019.jpg

http://grave77.no-ip.org:1972/image_00022.jpg

http://grave77.no-ip.org:1972/image_00014.jpg

[632 Regal]

wow square speakers, wonder if they sound normal?

[grave77]

they sound like a subwoofer with a bass crossover. google Kicker 12" L7 you will get all the info. but I got screwed up today !! I took a design of the kicker vented enclosure and I payed a carpenter to make 2 boxes, finally they were awesome but they don't get into the trunk !! this is one of the curses of the E31 !!

[nizmainiac]

looks like that little lot will give you a nice sound, nice 850 by the way, they look so nice in black:)

[grave77]

thanks mate, well after some old experiments with my prev. cars I wanted this 850 to have a neat sound system, I cant seem to be very lucky yet as I can't seem to find a solution for the square subs.

[grave77]

Well I can't say much more than it took me one day to fix this mess ...

Specs:

1.5Ghz VIA CPU, built in the mainboard.
1GB RAM
DVD/CD-R Combo
80GB HD
Bluetooth
GPS receiver
USB TV + FM tuner
Bluetooth Keyboard
Motorized LCD touch screen
5.1 audio configuration

Here are the pics:

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/car%20PC/DSCF0009.JPG

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/car%20PC/DSCF0010.JPG

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/car%20PC/DSCF0014.JPG

[grave77]

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/car%20PC/DSCF0017.JPG

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/car%20PC/DSCF0018.JPG

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/car%20PC/DSCF0028.JPG

[grave77]

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/car%20PC/DSCF0029.JPG

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/car%20PC/DSCF0019.JPG

http://divineftp.no-ip.org:1972/car%20PC/DSCF0012.JPG

[BigKriss]

Your systems looks awesome, what touch screen are you running?

[grave77]

it's a Chinese brand, it doesn't have a trade mark, as I bought it as a sample. the thing I only care about is that it's a Panasonic Chip set inside and it supports resolution up to 1024X723 but in the car you cannot run it over 800X600. this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorized-In-dash-7-TFT-Touch-Screen-VGA-AV-LCD-Monitor_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38650QQihZ003QQ itemZ130077483508QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW) is the same item on ebay but I bought mine for 175$ from the main factory.

[cybereclipse]

your car looks awesome!!!!
love the pc setup...

[grave77]

Thanks, it took me some time to think about it, but luckily I had to drill nothing in the back and I found a small opening in the middle where there is a vent mesh so the bass is coming out from it.

one major disadvantage of the E31, that the trunk door is slim and doesn't allow big boxes to be in, so my kicker L7 boxes didn't fit in !! and I replaced it with an after market home theater subwoofer, removed the amp and installed my car amp and PC on it. and fits just fine and sounds nice too.

[BigKriss]

it looks great, i want a car-pc in my own car! i love the pics, jon k's setup looks awesome also. thanks. bue

[grave77]

Thanks mate, I have added another bluetooth dongle as now I can hear the phone on the system but I use the bluetooth headset Mic as a wireless microphone. the cheapest is the one at www.shortcircuit.com (http://www.shortcircuit.com) and they have all the accessories you need. but I prefer you buy the hard drive from a local market I guess it would be cheaper.

cheers

[cybereclipse]

where did u get the computer??

[grave77]

I bought it from www.short-circuit.com (http://www.short-circuit.com), but I got other stuff form the local market like GPS antenna, 80GB Hard drive, 1GB memory, wires and USB harness, USB external DVD case, and the amps.

at that site they have a complete kit that you can buy ( main board + case + smart 12V ATX power supply)

hope this would help. sure I would help with the installation tips when u get it.

[nizmainiac]

that system looks awsome now it's all finished, i wish i could hear it in person:)

[grave77]

well ... I will describe it for you, it has the same OEM sound but with extra power (no more bass distortion when it's loud) add to it the subwoofer bass. as for the center I usually set it at 20% for music and normal for DVDs. so the sound it exactly like any home theater system. hope this brings you the image :)

[632 Regal]

how did you power up the home sub unit?

Thanks, it took me some time to think about it, but luckily I had to drill nothing in the back and I found a small opening in the middle where there is a vent mesh so the bass is coming out from it.

one major disadvantage of the E31, that the trunk door is slim and doesn't allow big boxes to be in, so my kicker L7 boxes didn't fit in !! and I replaced it with an after market home theater subwoofer, removed the amp and installed my car amp and PC on it. and fits just fine and sounds nice too.

[BigKriss]

"removed the amp and installed my car amp and PC on it"


how did you power up the home sub unit?

[grave77]

nice question ... as kriss said, I removed the original amp and installed my old car amp. cuz it's not logical to use a 12 -> 220V inverter for the sub woofer, in the end the car amp has a better power supply 12-> 35+/- V and regulated.