H2 PC - First Run For Sale

[Sportsdude]

BlownZ06, PM sent.

[Boar-Ral]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BLOWNZO6:
If you are going to use the stock radio with the PC the controls on the stereo will work with the stock radio functions.

If you are going to do standalone. You are pretty much out of luck. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I do wonder what sort of protocol is used for the steering wheel controls, though. A few times, I have considered tapping it to see how difficult it would be to make a homebrew setup that would interpret the steering wheel controls into a series of keystrokes on the PC.

[md_sailor]

Thank you, What does the Scanner option do? What are you scanning?

[BLOWNZO6]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by md_sailor:
What about connecting an Ipod? Will the uspec adapter allow it to function in place of a CD Changer? I cant dump the Ipod contents to the Car Cpu as it is Paired with my Desk top. Can you think of a better option that would allow ipod menu access on the Touch screen? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I took an old head unit I have here and hooked it up to the computer. Of course you can't control it with the computer, but you can listen to it through the PC, I am doing it right now.

So.. yes you can listen to your Ipod through it.
Hope that helps.

[VTSTOMPER]

I know, I know...just trying to make you smile!

I hear that "beta" stuff every day in the Datacom field I work.

I honestly think it looks great. If I was not on a newborn baby budget - I would be all over it like a wet t-shirt.

[md_sailor]

What about connecting an Ipod? Will the uspec adapter allow it to function in place of a CD Changer? I cant dump the Ipod contents to the Car Cpu as it is Paired with my Desk top. Can you think of a better option that would allow ipod menu access on the Touch screen?

[BLOWNZO6]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by YNGMD:
Is the price still $1800 or have we changed it? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Price is still $1879, no changes. To be honest I have had a TON of interest, but have not sold one yet. I am very excited about selling some, none yet.

Let me know if you are interested.

[BLOWNZO6]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MovinH2:
Would someone not very audio/video minded be able to do the install? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The hardest part of installing this will be taking the console out. The rest is very easy. It is just popping some panels out to run wiring, it is very straight forward. There are really less than 15 connections that need to be done. I will do all of the modifications to the video screen, etc.

[NJ H2]

Is is possible to intergrate real time traffic data into the NAV?

[BLOWNZO6]

The software I use is HP Tuners and it is a fully functional scanner for the truck. You can log anything that the computer has. It is also a fully functioning programmer, so you can program anything with the ECU and transmission.

[Boar-Ral]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BLOWNZO6:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by JetEyeNite:
Can you still use the volume up/down from the steering wheel?
what about the band control(FM/AM/CD, etc)? can it be controlled from the steering wheel?
How fast is the start up time? I would imagine that you'd put the system into either sleep mode or hibernation mode when the unit is not powered up. That leads me to another question. How much of bettery power does this unit draw when the vehicle is not running? Can you integrate both XM and Sirrus?
How good is the voice recognition on the Atlas?

thanks in advance </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The buttons on the steering wheel only work to control the ONSTAR, nothing related to the radio.

From boot, I would say it is about a minute. The way the power supply is setup it put the computer into standby and when you come back it just returns from standby, which takes about 3 seconds. I don't know how much amperage it draws when the vehicle is not running. The power supply will no let the battery go dead. If it senses the supply voltage is below 11V, it shuts the computer down. I parked at the airport for about 4 days.. came back, no problem.

I would assume you could use both Sirius and XM is you wanted to, it is compatible with both.

I have not used the voice recognition on the navigation to know how well it works.

Thanks,
Nick </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Depending on what auxiliary input adapter you are using to interface the AutoPC to the factory headunit, the steering wheel controls should still allow you to select between AM/FM/CD/Auxiliary Input. I recently finished testing a new auxiliary input in my H2 for this purpose and it seems to work well. Unfortunately, there is no easy way for the steering wheel controls to control the XM, Sirius, or other functions of the AutoPC, as far as my knowledge goes.

The power supply that I use in my AutoPCs connects to the motherboards using their 'power on' pins, so that when you turn the keys in your vehicle, the AutoPC turns on. Likewise, taking the keys out turns the AutoPC off. (This is all configurable in the power supply.) You can also setup a delay so that once you take the keys out, the AutoPC will remain on for 5 - 45 minutes before turning off. You can also configure the power supply to not turn off the AutoPC, but put it in hibernate mode, again using pins on the motherboard. This is all transparent to the user and results in an illusion of instant on, a big requirement for most users of these systems. With the AutoPC in hibernate mode, there is absolutely no power draw. The power supply cuts itself off until it detects ignition again.

Just my two cents!

[Klaus]

All H2s have OnStar, which uses the roof antenna over the driver's head for GPS and cellular. In 2005 this antenna was modified to also support XM.

If the H2 is also equipped with navigation, it has an additional GPS antenna in the dash.

I junked the OnStar and connected the OnStar's GPS roof antenna to my NAV unit. It has a much better view of the sky.

My suggestion would be to use an aftermarket GPS antenna, unless you are junking OnStar.

[Boar-Ral]

I built and installed my first AutoPC in my second vehicle four years ago and when I bought my next vehicle, I decided to skip the AutoPC and purchase an aftermarket navigation system. (I purchase Pioneer's top-of-the-line at the time, and my original AutoPC is still in storage.) When I bought my H2, I decided to go even further and bypass all of that by purchasing the factory navigation system. Looking back at all three options, I can see that they all have their merits. In my current circumstance, I wouldn't build a new AutoPC for the navigation aspect, since the factory system is more than sufficient. But I still like the idea of having mobile internet, more A/V support, and something to keep passengers happy. Everything for a reason.

[Boar-Ral]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NJ H2:
How is the Delorme Street Atlas 2006? and is this DVD NAV?
Can I hook up my Alpine NAV?
Is there a wireless mouse/keyboard?
Can you get online with your cell phone if no wireless cnnection available?
Can I run the JL Stealth box sub thru this with an amp?
Can I run a CD/DVD player to a aux input?
Is there an output for the NAV and DVD to run other screens?
Where is the DVD rom located?
Does that screen flip up?
Sorry for all the questions? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
There is software available for Canada that includes turn-by-turn directions as well. I imagine it would be easy to get up and running on this system.

If you have an existing navigation system and you are interested in the PC aspects of this system, you would be able to use its composite outputs to add to the navigation system. You would lack your touchscreen capability on the PC, but there are a few nice wireless keyboard and mouse sets that are RF, not IR, meaning you do not need line of sight for the remote. (One of the sets uses a gyroscopic mouse so you use it in the air.)

Using a mobile phone to get online would be quite easy, too, as most new ones have USB cables to connect to the PC to emulate a modem. It would vary from phone to phone, but I imagine it would be a simple procedure.

Since the factory stereo is still handling the audio, you can use whatever speakers and subwoofers you want. You could input your own audio using the inputs on the system. (I have a good idea what platform is being used for this system.)

I realize that it is BLOWNZ06's project, but I have built a lot of these systems for customers over the past four years, so I thought I would offer my two cents.

[atlawson]

What mount are you using for you monitor when you left the factory radio in? I would rather have mine set up this way instead of replacing the radio....would this be an option and how would this effect the price?
Tracy

[Boar-Ral]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BLOWNZO6:
I certainly appreciate it. This is definately more of a hobby thing for me. I have put a few together and had several suggest that I put them for sale. Either way I love mine and the flexibility that comes with it. I am just a gadget nut at heart so sell them or not I will continue to develop and use mine.

Thanks again. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
That is the same way that I found myself in this situation. The first four prototypes were built for myself and a few friends recommended that I start offering to build them for others. If you sell 100 or 10 or none it does not matter, since anything extra is just a bonus. At the very least, you have an AutoPC for yourself.

I have not built one for my H2 yet, since I ordered the navigation system from the factory. I am still considering a new one for the H2 though, as time and money permits. There is a hardware and software combination that I am looking at that allows multiple people to connect to a single Windows XP PC, with their own keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The goal is to allow a monitor in the back of each headrest to display a separate Windows desktop so two people in the second row can be doing their own thing on their own virtual PC. Most of my friends are nerds, so mobile internet for the purposes of chatting is something I want to implement in my own vehicle. So far, mobile internet is something I have only done for others.

[Boar-Ral]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BLOWNZO6:
I went ahead and ordered a board with the wireless slot to see if the wireless PCMCIA card is effective or not. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
If you are using an EPIA board, you should be pleasantly surprised. I have had excellent results using these boards with a Sierra Wireless card in my AutoPCs. Beats the 'old' days where PCMCIA slots were not available, so I had to shell out $250 for PCMCIA slots that connected to the PCI slot.

[BLOWNZO6]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by xAltitude:
What outputs does it have (i.e head rest screens) and is there any slots for a wireless card? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It has one vga and one composite output. You can buy some readily available units to split and boost the VGA signal to go to several monitors or you can get composite video splitters as well. This will not be a problem for you.

The board I have picked do not have a PCMCIA slot. I can use one that does, if you want it that way, I will supply it for no additional charge. You will have to sacrifice the ability to add a PCI card later though. The reason I did not include this is that I have been using a USB dongle with a long cord mounted high up in the vehicle. I don't know how well it would work with the card under the seat. I can supply the unit this way though. It would also have a CF slot with this configuration as well.

[H2_SUT_SC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H2_SUT_SC:
Hey blown - check your e-mail bro </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

^

[BLOWNZO6]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Longhorn:
Damn! This is really cool.

Could it be configured for Sirius?

Does it have an aux RCA sound input? Then I could use my existing Kenwood stand alone sat radio module.

Any remote IR option for control? Something that might be compatible with a Soundgate steering wheel control module? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

1. Yes the front end can use Sirius as well. I could work something out with you if don't want the XM unit. You would be on your own to set it up, there are other skins out there to control the Sirius radio. I don't have one so I cannot tell you how to set it up.

2. You could use the mic input for what you are looking for.

3. I have used a media PC remote on mine, the touch screen is an easier way, but any remote compatible with the computer will work.