BtownVolvo Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 I don't really meddle much in Arduino or Raspberry Pi...or hell much of any PC's nowadays. However, with today's release of Raspberry Pi 2, it got me thinking as to why it wouldn't be easy to create a CarPC from one. I just recently installed a Kenwood DDX371 and while I like the functionality, I can't help but think it wasn't their best effort. Frankly, the UI is ugly and kinda buggy. I'm curious what kind of Frontend is needed or what's available. So what's not to like about the prospect of a $35 computer and generic touchscreen? Discuss. EDIT: Way to go, Reid. Carppppppc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serge Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Was thinking about that as soon as I saw news the Pi 2 being released. There are lots of options for small PCs these days. The Mini-ITX platform is now offering Thin ITX, some even have built in PSUs (although unsure if they can survive crank). I have parts for a new carpc, but it will still be using a traditional Mini-ITX board and components. However, you can make a very small and powerful machine with a Thin ITX board, an SSD, and a power supply. There are good 7" LCDs with capacitive touch screens and HDMI input that would go perfectly with that setup (about $150). The issue with the Raspberry Pi is the lack of SATA connections. As far as I know, there are no SATA options for it. However, you can get a large MicroSD card that will be on par in terms of space (just not performance). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BtownVolvo Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Yes! You are the perfect person I was hoping would respond, Serge! So you still out your money on an itx board? It doesn't need to be super powerful for me. Really I'd be just stoked for it to look aesthetically pleasing, play BT audio or hard wired iPod controls plus hands free telephone. So no nav or browser necessary I suppose. Just curious more than anything because I above all want it to feel like a finished product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serge Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 It really depends. The Thin ITX platform is going to be more powerful and likely more expandable, but with each release the Raspberry Pi is more attractive. Do you want to fit this into the double-din radio cage? I believe Mini-ITX boards fit into double-din cages. Here is something that I wonder: will the software you intend to use run fine on the ARM architecture? I know Windows 10 will support ARM (what the the Raspberry Pi uses), but the software might also need to be compiled to run on ARM. I assume you'll use Centrafuse, RideRunner, or something similar. As far as I know, they are only compiled to run on x86 (32 and 64 bit) platforms. That's something to research. Either way, let me know what you plan to do. With recent advents in embedded computing, I have been re-evaluating my carpc decisions to see if I can run something more fitting with the times. Then again, my carpc has been solid for nearly a decade, and discounting the motherboard upgrade I did 5 years ago, it has been running like a champ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankenMoose Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 I am interested int his as well. I just replaced my SC901 with a Pioneer AppRadio4; and I have to say, it is rather disappointing. The UI is at best mediocre. I can't help but thinking of gutting it and using its skeleton for CarPC. I was thinking of getting something int here that runs Android; but at this point, I'll outfit it with whatever works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piston Slapper Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Um... Intel NUC anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BtownVolvo Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 It really depends. The Thin ITX platform is going to be more powerful and likely more expandable, but with each release the Raspberry Pi is more attractive. Do you want to fit this into the double-din radio cage? I believe Mini-ITX boards fit into double-din cages. Here is something that I wonder: will the software you intend to use run fine on the ARM architecture? I know Windows 10 will support ARM (what the the Raspberry Pi uses), but the software might also need to be compiled to run on ARM. I assume you'll use Centrafuse, RideRunner, or something similar. As far as I know, they are only compiled to run on x86 (32 and 64 bit) platforms. That's something to research. Either way, let me know what you plan to do. With recent advents in embedded computing, I have been re-evaluating my carpc decisions to see if I can run something more fitting with the times. Then again, my carpc has been solid for nearly a decade, and discounting the motherboard upgrade I did 5 years ago, it has been running like a champ. Hmm. I've also thought about throwing a Mac Mini in the glove box, simply for packaging reasons. The more I think about it though, the more I just want to get an iPad mini 2 cellular and just slap that in the opening. It'll more-or-less do everything I want to do, including continuity that will allow me to take calls from it. I am interested int his as well. I just replaced my SC901 with a Pioneer AppRadio4; and I have to say, it is rather disappointing. The UI is at best mediocre. I can't help but thinking of gutting it and using its skeleton for CarPC. I was thinking of getting something int here that runs Android; but at this point, I'll outfit it with whatever works. See and that is what I was thinking about replacing mine with. Glad I didn't. It seems as though NO ONE has done it properly (CarPC aside). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piston Slapper Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I've also thought about throwing a Mac Mini in the glove box, simply for packaging reasons. Throw an Intel NUC in the glove box, or practically anywhere else. They're tiny and pack plenty of power/features. I've been seriously considering one myself, just been debating which one to get and what screen, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serge Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Throw an Intel NUC in the glove box, or practically anywhere else. They're tiny and pack plenty of power/features. I've been seriously considering one myself, just been debating which one to get and what screen, etc. Wouldn't survive crank as the input voltage is 12-19V. You would still need a DC-DC PSU that can push out 12V when the input drops to 7V. This would suffice: http://www.amazon.com/CarNetix-CNX-P1900-Output-DC-DC-Regulator/dp/B004NDPVI6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piston Slapper Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Wouldn't survive crank as the input voltage is 12-19V. You would still need a DC-DC PSU that can push out 12V when the input drops to 7V. This would suffice: http://www.amazon.com/CarNetix-CNX-P1900-Output-DC-DC-Regulator/dp/B004NDPVI6 Yeah, I'm aware you can't just hook it straight up, I was looking at this one: http://store.mp3car.com/products/intelligent-dc-dc-converter-with-usb-interface Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serge Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 That work well, too. It's smaller and cheaper, to boot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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