book

Car PC Hacks

Name: Car PC Hacks
Author: Damien Stolarz
ISBN: 9780596008710

by Damien Stolarz

July 2005

Intermediate to advanced

382 pages

11h 36m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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A Note Regarding Supplemental Files
Credits
About the AuthorContributorsAcknowledgments
Preface
Why Car PC Hacks?How to Use This BookHow This Book Is OrganizedConventions Used in This BookUsing Code ExamplesSafari EnabledHow to Contact UsGot a Hack?
1. Car Power Basics
1.1. Hacks 1-11: Introduction1. Understand Car Electrical Systems1.2.1. Computer Voltages1.2.2. Car Voltages1.2.3. The Key to Car Power: Off, Accessory, On/Ignition, and Crank1.2.4. Discovering if Your Car Power Outlet Is Switched1.2.5. The Hack: Making a 12V Power Supply for Indoors2. Prevent Electrical Fires1.3.1. Amps1.3.2. Fuses1.3.3. Protecting Your Devices with Fuses3. Gauge Your Wires1.4.1. Wire Sizes and Amp Ratings1.4.2. The Hack: Powering Everything4. Connect Your Wires1.5.1. Connecting Wires1.5.1.1. Twist and tape.1.5.1.2. Solder and shrink.1.5.1.3. Crimp and save.5. Calculate Your Car’s Battery Life1.6.1. The Difference Between Amps and Watts1.6.2. Battery Capacity1.6.3. The Hack: Calculating Battery Drain1.6.3.1. Method one: Power arithmetic.1.6.3.2. Method two: Amp meter.1.6.4. Testing Drain6. Upgrade Your Car Battery1.7.1. Convenient Power Connectors1.7.2. The Hack: Installing a Deep-Cycle Battery7. Add New Power Connectors Throughout Your Car1.8.1. Planning Your Wiring1.8.2. Drilling Holes1.8.3. Switched or Unswitched Outlets?1.8.4. Installing the Power Outlets8. Use a Huge Capacitor to Sustain Power1.9.1. Understanding Capacitors1.9.2. Car PC Capacitor Use9. Upgrade Your Car’s Alternator10. Add a Second Car Battery1.11.1. Battery Isolators1.11.2. Dual-Output Alternators1.11.3. Conventional Versus Deep-Cycle Batteries1.11.4. Battery Fumes11. Put Home Power Outlets in Your Car1.12.1. What Inverters Do1.12.2. Choosing an Inverter1.12.3. Powering High-Amperage Inverters1.12.4. The Hack: Wall Outlets in Your Car1.12.5. Hacking High Voltages Safely
2. Automotive Audio Entertainment
2.1. Hacks 12–22: Introduction12. Get a Headful About Your Car Audio2.2.1. Head Units2.2.2. Amplifiers2.2.3. Cabling2.2.4. The Hack: Remove Your Head Unit13. Install a New Head Unit2.3.1. Standard Head Unit Wiring2.3.2. Adapters for Mounting2.3.3. Proprietary Bus Connectors2.3.4. Caveats14. Get Computer Audio into Your Head Unit2.4.1. Tape Adapters2.4.2. FM Modulators2.4.3. Auxiliary-in Adapters2.4.4. Aftermarket Head Units2.4.5. Digital Inputs2.4.6. Adjusting Input Volume2.4.7. Choosing Your Adapter2.4.8. Multiplexing Your Inputs15. Amp Up Your Computer Audio2.5.1. Amplifier Inputs2.5.2. Bypassing Your Head Unit2.5.2.1. RCA switch box.2.5.2.2. PC pass-through.2.5.2.3. Eliminating the head unit.16. Make a Very Cheap AUX-in17. Reduce Your Audio System’s Noise2.7.1. Install Better Wires2.7.2. Install Shorter Wires2.7.3. Use a Better Power Supply2.7.4. Upgrade the Sound Card2.7.5. Eliminate Short Circuits2.7.6. Use Electronic Noise Filters2.7.7. Eliminate Ground Loops2.7.8. Use an Audio Isolator/Decoupler2.7.9. Use Better Connectors2.7.10. Use Better Power Inverters2.7.11. Segregate Cabling2.7.12. Add Shielding18. Control Your iPod with Your Car Stereo Knobs19. Tune Your PC for Radio Reception2.9.1. PC Radios2.9.2. Problems with PC Radios2.9.3. The Hack: Getting Radio to Your Car PC2.9.4. PC XM Radio20. Record Radio Shows2.10.1. TiVo-Like Functionality for Radio21. Listen to Email, Weblogs, and RSS Feeds on the Road2.11.1. Reading Email2.11.2. Reading RSS Feeds and Weblogs22. Find Out What Was Playing on the Radio2.12.1. Hacking the Hack
3. Automotive Video Entertainment
3.1. Hacks 23–40: Introduction23. Understand Video Connectors3.2.1. Choosing Your Connector3.2.2. Powering and Feeding Your Screen24. Choose Your Screens3.3.1. Off-the-Shelf Screen Options3.3.2. Factory Screens3.3.3. Custom Screens3.3.4. Mounting Your Screen on the Dashboard25. Install a Headrest Screen3.4.1. Replacing Your Headrests3.4.2. Clamping onto Your Headrests3.4.3. Digging into Your Headrests3.4.4. Velcroing onto Your Headrests3.4.5. Installing the Wiring26. Install a VGA Touchscreen in Your Dashboard3.5.1. Maximizing the Screen Size3.5.2. Determining the Placement3.5.3. Adjusting the Angle3.5.4. Ensuring Brightness3.5.5. Exposing Infrared Controls3.5.6. Integrating Existing Navigation and Video Features3.5.7. Finishing the Installation27. Install a Sun Visor Screen28. Install a Motorized Fold-out Screen29. Install a Fold-Down Ceiling-Mounted Screen3.8.1. Selecting Your Screen3.8.2. Scouting for Locations3.8.3. Building the Set3.8.4. Costumes3.8.5. Action!30. Supersize Your Fold-Down LCD Screen31. Turn Your Laptop into a Fold-Down or Dashboard Screen3.10.1. In-Dash or In-Seat Monitor3.10.2. Fold-Down Laptop32. Connect a Car PC to Your Factory Screen3.11.1. European A/V Entertainment Systems3.11.2. Rearview Mirror Systems3.11.3. Installing an RGB Screen Adapter3.11.4. Finding Your RGB, Sync, and Ground Wires3.11.5. VGA to RGB Conversion3.11.6. Composite Video Screens33. Install a Rearview Mirror Screen and Camera3.12.1. Installing the Screen3.12.2. Installing the Camera3.12.3. Hacking the Hack34. Boost Your Video Signal for Multiple Screens35. Customize Each Passenger’s Video3.14.1. Built-in Switchers3.14.2. Automatic Switchers3.14.3. Matrix Switchers3.14.4. Proprietary Switchers37. Receive Satellite TV While Driving38. Play DVDs with Your in-Car Computer3.17.1. Locating Your DVD Drive3.17.2. Connecting Your DVD Drive3.17.3. Running the Right Software3.17.4. Putting It Together39. Put Multi-Channel DVD Surround Sound in Your Car3.18.1. DTS Versus Dolby 5.13.18.2. Audio Connectors3.18.2.1. Analog approach.3.18.2.2. Digital approach.3.18.3. Auto Upgrades40. Install a Video Game Console Computer in Your Car3.19.1. Installing a Game Console3.19.2. Hacking the Hack
4. In-Car Computers
4.1. Hacks 41–54: Introduction41. Choose an in-Car PC Hardware Platform4.2.1. Fast Computers4.2.2. Cheap Computers4.2.3. Small, Power-Efficient Computers4.2.4. Laptop Computers4.2.5. Non-Obvious in-Car Computers4.2.6. Cases and Enclosures4.2.7. See Also42. Power Your Car PC4.3.1. Inverters4.3.2. DC-to-DC Power Supplies43. Start Up and Shut Down Your Car PC4.4.1. Starting Up4.4.2. Shutting Down4.4.3. Startup/Shutdown Controllers4.4.4. Alternative Solutions4.4.4.1. Switches and long wires.4.4.4.2. Relay circuits.4.4.4.3. Capacitors.4.4.4.4. Shutting down.44. Reduce the Boot Time of Your in-Car Computer4.5.1. Breaking It Down4.5.1.1. Stabilizing power.4.5.1.2. Optimizing the BIOS settings.4.5.1.3. Optimizing boot loading.4.5.1.4. Trimming the operating system.4.5.1.5. Giving the user something to see and hear.4.5.2. More Hardware Approaches4.5.2.1. Using faster hard drives.4.5.2.2. Starting the computer earlier.45. Keep Your Computer on During Engine Cranking4.6.1. Stabilizing the Voltage4.6.1.1. Adding a second battery.4.6.1.2. Adding a small 12V battery.4.6.1.3. Using a crank-proof power supply.4.6.1.4. Using a big capacitor.46. Turn On Your Car Computer Before You Start Your Car4.7.1. See Also47. Boot Your Car Computer on a Schedule4.8.1. Computer BIOS Wakeup4.8.1.1. Problems with timed wakeup.4.8.1.2. Using a second battery.4.8.1.3. Using a startup controller.48. Choose an in-Car PC Software Platform4.9.1. Windows4.9.2. Linux4.9.3. Mac OS X4.9.4. DOS and Other Operating Systems49. Install Windows on a CompactFlash Card4.10.1. Setting Up MinLogon4.10.2. Setting Up Enhanced Write Filter (EWF)4.10.3. Setting Up Your XP Installation50. Power Your Portable Devices in the Car4.11.1. Powering Hard Drives and Optical Drives4.11.2. See Also51. Install USB Ports in Your Car4.12.1. See Also52. Build an in-Car PC4.13.1. Choosing a Computer and Screen4.13.2. Installing and Mounting the PC and Screen4.13.3. Powering the PC4.13.4. Peripherals and Controls4.13.5. Audio Connection4.13.6. Networking4.13.7. Frontend Software4.13.8. GPS/Navigation4.13.9. Movies and Music4.13.10. Conclusion4.13.11. See Also53. Build an in-Car Macintosh4.14.1. Choosing a Computer and Screen4.14.2. Installing and Mounting the PC and Screen4.14.3. Powering the PC4.14.4. Peripherals and Controls4.14.5. Audio Connection4.14.6. Networking4.14.7. Frontend Software4.14.8. GPS/Navigation4.14.9. Movies and Music4.14.10. Conclusion4.14.11. See Also54. Install a Mac Mini in Your Car4.15.1. Choosing a Computer and Screen4.15.2. Installing and Mounting the PC and Screen4.15.3. Peripherals and Controls4.15.4. Audio Connection4.15.5. Networking4.15.6. Frontend Software4.15.7. GPS/Navigation4.15.8. Movies and Music4.15.9. Future Plans4.15.10. See Also
5. Car PC Interface Options
5.1. Hacks 55–61: Introduction55. Control Your Car PC with a Keyboard and Mouse5.2.1. Wired Keyboards5.2.2. Wireless Keyboards56. Control Your Car PC with a Handheld Remote5.3.1. Understanding Infrared5.3.2. PC Infrared (IR) Receivers5.3.3. PC Radio Frequency (RF) Remotes5.3.4. Integration and Compatibility57. Control Your Car PC with a Touchscreen5.4.1. Solutions58. Car-Enable Clunky Applications5.5.1. Scripting a Solution5.5.2. See Also59. Listen to What Your Car Computer Is Saying5.6.1. The CarBot Player Software5.6.2. Can I Have a Screen with That?5.6.3. Listening to Your Apps60. Control Your Car PC with Voice Recognition5.7.1. Controlling Routis and iGuidance5.7.2. Text-to-Speech Output5.7.3. SAPI Hints5.7.4. Further Development5.7.5. See Also61. Find More Ways to Control Your in-Car Computer5.8.1. Rotating Knobs5.8.2. Car PC/Head Unit Integration5.8.3. Future Controls
6. Wireless Connectivity and in-Car Internet
6.1. Hacks 62–68: Introduction62. Get Online in Your Car6.2.1. Wireless Internet Options6.2.1.1. GPRS (20–40 kbps).6.2.1.2. EDGE (60–80 kbps).6.2.1.3. CDMA2000/CDMA 1xRTT/W-CDMA/EVDO (40–60 kbps/80–144 kbps/300–500 kbps).6.2.1.4. WiFi (802.11) (1500–50,000 kbps).6.2.2. Getting Online with 3G6.2.3. On-Road Experience6.2.4. Making Your Car a Mobile WiFi Hotspot63. Make Your Mobile Phone Hands-Free with Your Car PC6.3.1. Installing Bluetooth on Windows6.3.2. Searching for Your Mobile Phone6.3.3. Pairing with Your Mobile Phone6.3.4. Setting Up Your Phone6.3.5. Initiating a Call6.3.6. Choosing the Right Phone64. Transfer Data to and from Your Car PC6.4.1. Flash Drives6.4.2. Portable Hard Drives6.4.3. iPods and Other Portable Media Players6.4.4. Portable Media Synchronization6.4.5. WiFi/Lan Synchronization6.4.6. See Also65. View Real-Time Traffic Data on the Road6.5.1. My Traffic Viewer Application6.5.2. Using Seattle’s Raw Data66. Videoconference from Your Car6.6.1. Choosing Your Conference Software6.6.2. Going Wireless6.6.3. Not Quite There Yet67. Use GPS on Your Car PC6.7.1. How GPS Works6.7.2. Reading and Understanding GPS Sentences6.7.3. Creating a Record of Your Travels6.7.4. Displaying GPS Data on a Map6.7.5. See Also68. Find WiFi Hotspots on the Road6.8.1. Staying Free and Connected on the Road6.8.2. Finding WiFi6.8.3. Improving Reception6.8.4. Internet Telephone over WiFi6.8.5. Conclusion
7. In-Car Applications
7.1. Hacks 69–75: Introduction69. Plug into Your Car’s Built-in Computer7.2.1. The Four Flavors of OBD-II7.2.2. Access Your Car’s OBD-II Data7.2.3. Going Beyond OBD-II7.2.4. See Also70. Put a Video Jukebox in Your Car Theater7.3.1. Hardware Requirements7.3.2. Software Requirements7.3.3. HTPC Comparisons7.3.3.1. Windows Media Center Edition ($150 OEM).7.3.3.2. Meedio ($59.99).7.3.3.3. Media Engine (free).7.3.3.4. Media Portal (free).71. Choose Your in-Car Navigation Software72. Play Thousands of Games by Emulating Video Game Consoles7.5.1. Emulators7.5.1.1. Nintendo emulation.7.5.1.2. Sega emulation.7.5.1.3. PlayStation emulators.7.5.1.4. Other game emulators.7.5.2. Game Controllers73. Use CENTRAFUSE as Your Car PC Frontend7.6.1. Installing CENTRAFUSE7.6.2. Integrating External Programs7.6.3. Changing CENTRAFUSE’s Appearance7.6.4. Setting Up the Radio7.6.5. Adding Support for New Audio and Video Formats7.6.6. Adding Phone Support7.6.7. Getting Online in Your Car7.6.8. Changing the Voice Commands7.6.9. Video Poster Images7.6.10. Future Improvements74. Use Neocar Media Center as Your Car PC Frontend7.7.1. Neocar Media Center7.7.2. NMC Features7.7.3. Configuring NMC7.7.4. Neocar Manager7.7.5. Future Plans75. Use FrodoPlayer as Your Car PC Frontend7.8.1. Installing FrodoPlayer7.8.2. FrodoPlayer Features7.8.3. Third-Party Tools7.8.4. Replace the Windows GUI with Frodo7.8.5. Future Improvements

Index
About the Author
Colophon
Copyright

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Car PC Hacks

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