ok, I didn't know what to call this thread. I have done more than a few carputer installs, all using a sony headunit and the sony XA-300 with a USB plug for DVD playback etc. I am considering going a different route with the Cavalier and doing a stand alone computer system with no head unit. all radio, video, etc.. will be run from the computer.

I have done a lot of reading at mp3car.com and have decided to use a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX External Sound System. Has anyone on here built a stand alone computer system like this or heard one that sounded good?




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Causa latet vis est notissima

DIY Clear 03+ Headlights

^^^^ Going to be doing this myself soon.

I will be using:
- a nano-ITX embedded board mounted behind the screen
- laptop harddrive mounted behind the screen
- slot load DVD drive mounted under the screen
- compact flash booting
- gps
- wireless g receiver
- 7 or 8 inch widescreen touchscreen
- latest creative labs soundblaster soundcard
- you will need either a 5 channel amp or something comparable, I have a monoblock for the sub and a 4 channel for the speakers

For the operating system i have not decided what im going to use yet. I am thinking i might build my own( I am a computer programmer in training ). I may base it off of a flavor of Linux called Dam Small Linux because DSL only takes up 50 mb and can be trimmed to 20 mb and boots in about the same time a normal mp3 play does if configured properly.

Questions on my future plans or comments are welcomed, flaming is not!



Whats up people?

my stand alone is in the making. it will be fully installed in about a month or so




RIP Kasey Burleson, and get well soon Chris Shelly

My stand-alone is going to be an older (almost 4 year old) Compaq Presario laptop (715US?) with either the Audigy or Extigy surround decoder and I've yet to figure out how I'm going to get radio on it. I'm going to have 3 amps, one under (hidden in) the dash for the 3 front channels (7.1 surround), and the other two on the rear deck (for center, rear, and sub channels). Speakers will be Alpine Type-R components & subs. Once I finish it, I will say "It is good" lol

I'd like to build a computer specifically for the car, but the one I priced out (didn't do much shopping around, only used tigerdirect.com I think, not positive tho) was like $2K with-out the GPS, OBD2 stuff