Thinking of... Media Computer in my Car.

http://store.yahoo.com/logjam/pietoy03aux.html

I guess...

As for computer, I am thinking about Windows CE device + USB hard disk. CE is instant on, I would hate to wait for Window to boot. OS X is not snappy either. However, you can add high quality USB DAC to Windows box, but it is almost impossible to find such driver to CE device and therefore you'll have to settle with embedded audio device which is probably not very good...

 

One way to get audio into the Prius radio could be through an FM modulator. I know it is not the cleanest way to do it and personally I would try to find a direct input. Monster Cable makes one that looks pretty nice. http://www.monstercable.com/mobile/mobile_...ge.asp?pin=2436

Justin

 

If you are not strapped for cash, you can replace stock head unit (4 1/4"x9") by Sony U750 computer which is only 4.3"x6.4". It has 5" touch screen.

You'll need a custom mount panel, but I think custom audio shops should be able to manufacture one (I was told at Car Toys that they could do that).

You can then add large USB disk, high-end USB audio DAC, GPS, FM tuner, rear view video camera, etc. In the opening below you can mount high-end CD player with Aux input from your favorite brand and connect computer to it. Or, even better, mount external CD/DVD USB drive in custom enclosure that fits DIN car mount. Connect computer audio out to external amplifier and you are all set.

In fact, it may cost you about $3000, but isn't that what Toyota charges for their Nav + JBL combo that does not have half of the features and flexibility that fully functional computer can provide?

 

there are wireless FM transmitters you could use. then just tune the radio to the frequency of the transmitter. wireless microphones use same technology.

its much better than it used to be.

 

FM trasmitters suck. I own two (iTrip and PodFreak) They really SUCK. Even professional FM equipment does not sound close to CD, leave alone $30 piece of junk.

You DON'T want to use them is $3000 audio/video system. And after all - why would you need one? To send high quality signal to a STOCK UNIT that does not even have line outs? Just feed signal from M-Audio USB DAC directly to external amplifier. Want to use stock nav system? Well, feed IT'S output to the new system via computer line out.

BTW, XM module for computer cost $59 (at least that what I paid for my PC-XM), not $299.

Gee, Dave...

 

I did some research along the lines of possibility of adding real computer to the car. It is very doable in Prius. Basically, there are two possible configurations:

a. Mount slide-out touch screen in the opening below the head unit. See specs here http://www.digitalww.com/DWW-7VGT.htm
Install computer (http://www.cappuccinopc.com/solutions/12vpc.asp) inside the center console. You may have to add a small fan that blows toward rear seatc that will be moving heated air out of the console space. Major drawback: you won't be able to use CD/DVD drive. However, you can probably connect coputer audio out to the stock unit using PAC-AUX adapter.

a. Remove stock head unit and install 7" touchscreen in its place in custom mount. Car stere shops can do it for about $300. Install computer in the opening below the screen. I think this is the best installation since computer CD drive as wel as USB/Firewire jacks will be fully accessible. You can run USB cable to the center console and add there a larger hard disk, PC-XM radio, etc. Or install them in the glove compartment. You can add USB FM tuner, GPS nav and external audio DAC for higher audio quality.

You will also need 12V DC-to-DC adapter that will start computer when you start the car and gracefully shut it down when you turn the car power off.

If you want mouse support, you can add small touchpad in the center console.

Baseline cost is probably around $1500 with installation. (This does not include external HDD, XM, GPS or any other add-ons.

 

I've been considering doing something like this someday as well. One thing I was thinking of doing is using a mini-ITX system. There seems to be several that have done this already for car PC's. Here's a couple websites related to the subject:

http://www.mini-itx.com/

http://www.solarpc.com/

The things I'd hope to do with it is MP3 audio, (Well actually you have a whole choice of codecs including loseless ones.) NAV and maybe even a backup camera using a USB webcam or two. I was also thinking of adding 802.11 as a way to get the music files from the house to the car.

 

If you mean XM-PCR, yes, at one point it was $50, when it was available - but now it isn't. The Toyota receiver (ie, Pioneer) XM box that you need to correctly integrate with your Toyota vehicle costs $255, down from $400+ earlier this year. XM-PCR is now going for $300 on ebay, I suggest selling, because it's quite likely they'll be shutting those units down eventually, thanks to the RIAA not being fans of those unit's ease of time-shifting.

-m.

PS - to replace the XM-PCR, XM introduced XMonline, done over the internet. Pretty reliable from what I've been hearing of it at home, and $0 for hardware. You can try it out for free for 3 days with just an email address at listen.xmradio.com

 

Mini-ITX is still too large to fit into DIN1 box. You'll have to mount it elsewhere: center controle, trunk, etc. You'll want nano-ITX (5"x5"). The unit I mentioned

http://www.cappuccinopc.com/solutions/12vpc.asp

uses SlimPRO MB

http://www.cappuccinopc.com/slimpro-mainboards.asp

Yep, WiFi is a must for sync'ing.

 

Audio In? See the post right here that tells you what products work with the Prius:

http://priuschat.com/forums/list-of-hardwa...html?highlight=

Video:
Why build another screen into the car or separate, when you can use the screen you already have. It is not out yet, but Coastal Dave has been planning a video&audio in for some time now. I would save my money and wait.

I am currently planning the same project. I have been working on a web based interface for my Jukebox MP3 player and XM radio. I just took an old laptop, and used HTML/CSS to create a larger, more visible interface to my portable MP3 player. Just waiting on the video interface from Dave:

http://www.coastaletech.com/video_preview.htm

Ryan

 

As for XM PCR, you need to check eBay again. There are plenty available for $109-$129 (buy it now) and it does not seem there is a rush to buy them. 34 were available at average price of $140 as of 12/20.

 

Video in is not enough, you also have to wire up touchscreen which is not video interface. Typical touchscreen has video or VGA in and USB touchscreen interface with appropriate OS driver. With Coastal video option, as far as I understand, you'll only get video in.

Second screen is larger, has better resolution, easier to access and you can have both of them active, like energy monitor and nav at the same time.

I personally HATE touch screen audio controls. I also have to lean forward to access the screen it is way farther than the steering wheel. I would prefer screen where volume control is and volume control MUST be rotary knob twice the size of what is standard in Prius (did they design it for child fingers?)

Disconnecting stock units also gets rid of all the stupid beeps that Prius engineers like so much.

 

Good point about the touchscreen capabilities. Forgot about that.

I am currently using a Multimedia remote for input. I also find it difficult to control the audio and climate with a touchscreen as opposed to a knob that you can feel without taking your eyes off the road or stretching forward over the wheel to access.

The XMPCR I think is a bad move. They have already removed the product and have threatened all 3rd party software developers. I think the next move will be to phase out activation of these products. Best to move to XM Direct USB options, which are still kind of in their infancy but have longer "legs" than the XMPCR.

 

Hi this might be a thread resurrection. I wan to better the sound sound of my package 5 gen 3 with JBL system. The stereo pumps out pretty good but its giving me a digital sound headache. Is there any way I can add a digital audio converter in between the source to the line going auxiliary or can I add a cassette deck. I never tried plugging a Walkman for I don't have one yet of course. Any takes?

 

Not sure what you are asking. Do you want a Bluetooth connection for digital instead of AUX or a way to plug in a cassette deck into AUX or into the radio in back?

 

Is there gadget I can buy or use in in the car to make the sound more "analog" like using a DAC in between and ipod shuffle and the auxiliary line.

 

I use this in my 2007
It has very high quality sound. I listen to classical music in the car via Bluetooth from iPhone and it sounds amazing compared to what one would get over FM
Plugs into the AUX port in console along with a cheap 5v cigarette lighter power adapter.
Not sure if it is what you’d want
Something to try and if it doesn’t work, just send it back.

 

Not sure why link didn’t post the first time but here is the Amazon product description
TUNAI Firefly LDAC Bluetooth Receiver: High Resolution Wireless Audio Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter with Audiophile USB DAC 3.5mm AUX for Car/Home Stereo Hi Res Music Streaming; Auto On, No Charging Needed