Quote:
Originally Posted by Chimera
So I just scored one of these for free (from a vendor at work). :
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/em...1000/index.jsp
I'd really like to use it as a simple CarPC setup but I'd rather not do anything too drastic to the interior until I'm sure it's the direction I want to go. I was thinking about getting a 7" touchscreen and powering both the PC and screen from the cigarette lighter, then just running the PC audio into the Aux-In for now. Would this work? How is the best way to handle startup/shutdown on a carPC like that? What OS is best, what software on top etc?
The VIA box is already set for 12V DC in with no adapter so that should work ok I would think.
Any help would be appreciated  |
check out the mp3car.com forums. they know their carpc's like guys know their mini coopers here.
i actually tried out the artigo, but it was too slow for my purposes, especially when multitasking with my gps program. for basic mp3s and videos it should be fine. powering with one of those 12v regulator cig adapters should be okay, but don't blame me if a spike fries your board. not sure how robust the artigo is. also, problem with the cig lighter is once you turn off the car power to the artigo is cut off right away not allowing a clean shutdown/hibernate unless you remember to do it manually.
reliable and safe startup/shutdown is tricky in non-laptop carpc's. there's this $42
startup/shutdown controller at mp3car that you can hook up to the power switch pins. you will need to tap constant power as well as an igntion fuse. i recommend just using add-a-circuit to the appropriate fuse (check out the "Hot or Not" sticky in the electronics mod forum). it supplies power but unregulated so you can just splice a 12v universal type car adapter to it like you would have used with the cig lighter. make sure your 12v adapter has enough amps as well.
this one at amazon should work. you can snip of the plug end and connect it to the controller.
i use a pricey
Carnetix 2140 power supply/regulator that will also give you nicely regulated 12V for your Artigo and Touchscreen as well as 5V for any accessories. you can hook it up to the power switch pins and it will automatically turn on your computer with ignition and shut it down when you turn off the ignition with a usb computer interface to easily customize timings.
for quick and dirty way if you don't mind messy pull-the-plug shutdowns that could lead to file corruption, the artigo does have a resume after power failure option, so when it receives power again it will turn back on automatically.
as for os, use windows XP. less headaches. vista/windows7 is too much for the artigo and not necessary for a carpc. for software on top, otherwise known as "frontends" for touchscreen car friendly interfaces, i recommend roadrunner with the digitalfx skin (donation ware) or centrafuse ($65 for the non-nav version).
