Project: Carputer

Okay, so I have this new 2008 Prius base model in "Magnetic Grey."

Since I got the base model, I didn't get the auxiliary port or .mp3 and .wma read capability with my stereo.

My choices for remedying this are as follows:

A) FM transmitter-- inexpensive, noisy, messy wiring all over the place, need external device(s) for music, etc.

B) Second head unit-- Somewhat inexpensive, no integration with vehicle systems (steering wheel controls, etc.), somewhat redundant.

C) Carputer-- Expensive, may be able to integrate with vehicle systems, some redundancy, cool as all phucking hell.

Solution A I have in place right now. Solution B, I can do-- I already have a $79 mp3/wma unit in the garage, just waiting to be used.

If I go to option C, though, I will have virtually unlimited storage capacity for music, plus the ability to include and integrate BT, wireless, navigation, video playback, and maybe even gaming.

The problems include time, money, and specific knowledge of what would work best.

I'm looking at probably using a Lilliput in-dash LCD display, which would knock me back a good $2-300.

What should I be looking at for the mainboard and processor (or suggestions for a different, possibly cheaper display) and peripherals?

I don't know crap about carputers, but I sent stang a link to your thread.

He should be able to help.

Although an intel little valley should be a good cheap starting point

before you put together a list of parts to buy, have you considered just using the current in dash system to control your carputer? I recall several projects doing just that, including this guy who did a very fine job integrating a mac mini into his prius which is controlled via the standard in dash system. Read through it, its a pretty nice work log.

As for the carputer it self, for an entire build its not hard to come in under $400. With a bit of sacrifice on non essentials you can get that down another $100+. Ive been toying with mini itx boards for a while now, if your curious about performance I can certainly help you out with that. But Ive never worked with a prius so on that front I am not very good for knowledge, but there are plenty of prius hacker forums out there!

The MFD on the '08 Prius is a different model than what he had-- it's using HVIF inputs instead of RGB, and the CANview now requires a separate touch-screen monitor, which is why I was looking at the Lilliput.

As for motherboard/processor, I have found that the VIA EPIA M series is very cheap and robust for this situation. We use them as industrial firewall appliances in our office, but they sure handle any "tough" job thrown at them. Handle high temperatures in small spaces very well.

I have A LOT of experience with the VIA EPIA MII 10000. It is a VIA C3 1ghz, onboard video/lan/pcmcia/cf disk, takes standard DDR memory, fits in Mini ITX cases (solarpc.com has excellent SFF cases for this, as well as all the components you'd really need, minus the LCD Screens)

Thanks, weevil. I'm actually bidding on one right now on eBay... I like that it has a PCMCIA slot so I can get mobile internet later, if I want.

Excellent!! I also like the fact it has built in CF, but that's for reasons nobody else would utilize outside of my company...

D1: Did you get your carputer all set-up?

Unfortunately, no. Funding is seriously lacking. :/

Well, much as I wanted the MII for the PCMCIA slot, I ended up getting an Epia N8000E with lots of goodies for a helluva price.

I may upgrade the RAM a bit, but I can't complain much about the package. My next step will be to integrate the system into my Prius, then I will be looking at getting the carputer to work with the stock radio, if possible, so I can listen to my 40GB of ripped music.

Wow DI!!!!

That is some nice hardware you got there and looks to be one fun project!!

Be sure to keep us updated.

Nice pick up sir.

Yeah, I was kind of surprised myself... dread having to tell Dngrswife what I just did...

Damn!! Hell of a price. Go with the "If I bought it new, it would have cost this..." approach?

Okay, $11 netted me two NEC uPD72042BGT-A surface-mount IEBus interface chips. I need to find a microprocessor to translate this into something more useful, like a USB connection. This chip is designed with a serial interface that will work with the NEC 5575XL and 78K series microprocessors, so I need to shop for one of those that will fill the bill, then figure out the support circuitry needed.

Once I get my IEBus translator designed and built I can then learn how to program it so I can tap into the Prius' AVCLAN bus (Toyota's name for the IEBus) and communicate with it-- tell it that there is a CD Changer available, and be able to intercept control messages such as next song, etc. If I am really lucky, maybe I can even get song data to the head unit for display on the MFD.