Custom Touchscreen AV/Nav system

[AHels]

Right..

Been looking into this for some time now, and whilst I have a setup figured out I can't help but thinking there's gotta be a better way.

Basically I'd like a touchscreen in the front where I can control everything from Radio to DVD, Reverse-cam to Navigation. Not a problem, there's several good systems on the market I hear you say, and yes, you'd be correct.

However...

I want the system hooked up to a computer as well (got a couple hundred gigabytes of audio/video here) and be able to use the touchscreen to control the PC. Hence problems.

Now, my current system works like this;

<LI> stand-alone touchscreen connected to PC, acting as vga display and 'mouse'
<LI> Every other piece of AV equipment connected through the PC via a video-switcher
<LI> PC controls all other devices thru IR (http://www.redrat.co.uk)
<LI> Running proprietary .net application to use MS Autoroute (streets/trips in US) through SDK as satnav
<LI> Currently this is only single-zone which isnt ideal for the H2

I could extend it to a dual-zone system, but would require more video-switches and the whole setup would be more cumbersome to use, so... I'm after something like this;

A double-din (or larger) av/nav touchscreen unit with a minimum of two external a/v inputs (1 PC, 1 Xbox). Been looking at the Pioneer Avic D1 which seems ok. A bigger screen would be good, but hey, limited space so what can you do, right.

Anyways, there's no way to control the PC from this unit (unless there are some sort of IPlink interfaces available that I don't know about?) so I guess I'm after a headunit that has a built-in learning remote ala the Philips Pronto or something similar available as a add-on. Not found anything so far so suggestions very welcome

I could obviously bite the bullet and have a separate screen to control the PC, but I've always believed less is more, so...

If I'm missing something completely obvious, let me know about it. I've been working on this 'baby' for way to long and it wouldnt surprise me if I'm missing the forrest due to the trees

Thanks v much.

[AHels]

Right..

Been looking into this for some time now, and whilst I have a setup figured out I can't help but thinking there's gotta be a better way.

Basically I'd like a touchscreen in the front where I can control everything from Radio to DVD, Reverse-cam to Navigation. Not a problem, there's several good systems on the market I hear you say, and yes, you'd be correct.

However...

I want the system hooked up to a computer as well (got a couple hundred gigabytes of audio/video here) and be able to use the touchscreen to control the PC. Hence problems.

Now, my current system works like this;

<LI> stand-alone touchscreen connected to PC, acting as vga display and 'mouse'
<LI> Every other piece of AV equipment connected through the PC via a video-switcher
<LI> PC controls all other devices thru IR (http://www.redrat.co.uk)
<LI> Running proprietary .net application to use MS Autoroute (streets/trips in US) through SDK as satnav
<LI> Currently this is only single-zone which isnt ideal for the H2

I could extend it to a dual-zone system, but would require more video-switches and the whole setup would be more cumbersome to use, so... I'm after something like this;

A double-din (or larger) av/nav touchscreen unit with a minimum of two external a/v inputs (1 PC, 1 Xbox). Been looking at the Pioneer Avic D1 which seems ok. A bigger screen would be good, but hey, limited space so what can you do, right.

Anyways, there's no way to control the PC from this unit (unless there are some sort of IPlink interfaces available that I don't know about?) so I guess I'm after a headunit that has a built-in learning remote ala the Philips Pronto or something similar available as a add-on. Not found anything so far so suggestions very welcome

I could obviously bite the bullet and have a separate screen to control the PC, but I've always believed less is more, so...

If I'm missing something completely obvious, let me know about it. I've been working on this 'baby' for way to long and it wouldnt surprise me if I'm missing the forrest due to the trees

Thanks v much.

[Jimages]

You might want to check out http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/ There's lots of good resources there that might help you out!

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Could be difficult unless the right screen is used. We have one We are building for My show Mall Queen. Be glad to visit with You about it. You are far more advanced than Me but, i have a guy helping Me who had solved most of this stuff that i could get You to. PM Me rltazh2
and I'll try to help. I'll be glad to tell You what We are trying. Hoping to get it to an easy plug and play so all the buds can use it that want it. Even trying to get it so they can get an already converted center dash console so they just shift stuff arouns as brackets will be there all ready. Granted it is easier to get to a place when fro scratch rather than adapt what You designs but it can all work.
I'm not highly educated but, as a guy on this forum told me a month or so ago all You have to do is not place limitations on yourself and believe in yourself. I have made that My montra.
TAZ

[MotorsportsAuthority aka Dragon]

you've got a great start. i recommend a few things: one being blue tooth rather than IR where you can. it's definitely a more efficient way of transfering data.