New Car Electronics idea... - United Bimmer Community

**QcMarque** · 03-15-2007, 06:31 AM

Well, I was going to get a DVD headunit... then the thought occured to me, why not build a car pc that has all the functionality of a high end DVD headunit (touchscreen, rearview camera, etc.), and add WiFi/ethernet, cd/dvd burning, voice recognition, radio (scheduled) recording, gps, diagnostics/live engine management, 'on demand' (hdd stored) video, console system emulation, etc.

Granted... all this will take some time (and $$$) to get components together and installed (looking to buy a house) - so in the meantime I will be geting a cheaper DVD headunit so I at least have music. But I think this project will be SOOO much fun.

Thoughts?

**elsabor67** · 03-15-2007, 09:25 AM

If you have the knack for challenges, go for it. Most of what is done on my car is done by me. Good luck.

**Dudesky** · 03-15-2007, 10:44 AM

Our admin, Komodo, has done it before to more or less of a degree, with fingerprint scanner to boot. Check out these threads for info/ideas:

http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/e...er-system.html

http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/e...rprint+scanner

**c1apton** · 03-15-2007, 11:34 AM

Nice idea but I wouldn't go to over-board on it for multiple reasons;
#1) media changes - better quality formats, smaller components, etc
#2) theft - more stuff for some low life to rip from you

If anything make it removable and able to sync or be used in your home set up also. IE: we just added GPS tracking ability to ALL of our gear so if a peice "vanishes" we have the ability to track where it is - including all 45 macbooks we just purchased. It's not cheap but it's cheaper than replacing some of the $250k consoles we have.

**QcMarque** · 03-15-2007, 02:56 PM

The beauty of a car pc is that it's just that, a pc and is completely upgradeable. Plus it can be hidden in the dash or elsewhere so it's out of sight.

I'd never seen the threads from Komodo's car pc upgrades, and from the looks of the threads it doesn't appear they finished... did they? I'd love to see some of the final product and know how things were wired and whatnot.

Rather than a keyboard and whatnot I'll probably be using an opensource OS to allow running the BMW engine management software and other things much more efficiently than a windows based system. I'll have the touchscreen of course and a rotory/push button for volume, mute, zoom in/out, etc depending on the currently selected application.

It'll deffinately be a learning project - building a system is no problem, it'll be the opensource programming and overall system integration that'll be interesting... especially when it comes to the obd system since it's an older BMW. Though once done I'll be able to check fault codes and see everything in realtime.

Also, with the system always 'on' (ie:hibernation/sleep, running of a deep cycle isolated battery) I can have it autosync with my home network, updating my music, schedule, etc. Then with bluetooth connection to my phone I'll have the internet everywhere I go to maintain connectivity to the 'outside world'.

Computer geek + car nut = true mobile entertainment and fun... or something like that.

**Littlebimmer** · 03-15-2007, 03:12 PM

http://www.newwegg.com

assuming you dont build computers

lemme know your price range on the COMPUTER not like the monitor or anything and ill give you a list of all the computer components to buy, your bound to have one friend or another that can build it for you.. hell your not dumb im sure this is easy stuff building computers you could do it yourself with patients

:-)

**Littlebimmer** · 03-15-2007, 03:14 PM

lol... nvm XD

**QcMarque** · 03-15-2007, 03:30 PM

Lol, yeah... it's all good. I used to build systems for a living, just never did opensource programming (or any programming for that matter.) I'll put up an overall pricing for what I put together and a DIY for those who wish to do the same. However, it's going to be a somewhat longterm project due to finance restrictions... just designing the project right now.

**Dudesky** · 03-15-2007, 04:59 PM

I can't recall exactly, but I think Komodo did finish the work, and he kept adding stuff to it. At one point, IIRC he replaced the visors with ones that had screens on them, in addition to the screen in the center. You should PM him and talk shop . . he's also big on open source as well, and much other things having to do with computers . . why, he's UB.c's admin

Also check out mp3car.com for some ideas.

**belal** · 07-02-2010, 02:23 AM

It's great that I submitted that, I collected some good information according to your opinions, and that what Komodo did is great.

But now, I should research about 3 issues:
1. The front-zoomed camera will need a stabilizing technique to not jitter a lot.
cause the zoom will result for quick and distant jitter radius that will make the vision horrible.
2. To search for Parking radar with video output.
3. To find a workaround to activate both of the Parking Radar and the reverse sensors to work integrated with each others.

**Npitt** · 12-24-2010, 07:56 AM

I am agree with you!!! This idea of getting new car electronics is really awesome!!!

I would further add-on to this by suggesting you to visit http://www.brandsdragon.com/Car-Elec...st1-sid63.html where i hope you can easily find all car accessories without any hassle.

Thanks.