Car in-dash video / carputer

[Brian the Automator]

So, I should be getting a new car within the week. Being a nerd, my thoughts are immediately turning into "how can I get a computer in the car". I currently have a netbook which works well for car-puting, but the cheap netbook stand I bought (attaches to the passenger side seat bolt) is nicer in theory than in practice.

 

I see some people have done a real nice job at mounting an LCD touchscreen in the place where the stock radio lives. I, however, am a clod when it comes to all things electric and all things that require a dremel. I know that you can get in-dash DVD players installed that have touchscreens, and I would feel far more comfortable with that than with a DIY LCD job. However, do the in-dash DVD players have any kind of input (I think I could do VGA to RCA, since the resolution on my netbook is already just 1000x600)?

 

In an ideal world, I would get the LCD monitor that's in the thread I linked to, but that's like $500, and I'm sure someone would want at least that amount to do the mounting.

 

Ideas?

[nate82]

Yes check this Clarion DVD indash unit out. What you want to look for is an av input.

 

How big of a screen do you want? You can get 7" screens for about $300. A 7" screen from Clarion.

 

You could mount that where the deck is but it would mean you would have to customize your dash to be able to get it to fit in there I'm guessing.

[Brian the Automator]

Whoof... that Clarion DVD indash unit is a grand before install.

 

I think a 7" screen would suffice... If I got a motorized screen (that flips out), I could probably just replace the deck... but for anything else, I'd have to replace the deck and then the little storage area beneath it (and I'm fine with that).

[Teatoe993]

If you live in Milwaukee, this would be the last kinda thing you'd wanna be putting in your car. I've had so many friends who live there that have had their cars broken into and/or stolen, it isn't funny. I'm kinda spoiled living somewhere I can leave the keys in the ignition. I'm kinda refusing to move to Milwaukee despite my fiancé's wishes just because I know I won't be able to have anything nice without some thug assuming ownership of it. If I had to move down there I'd probably just sell my cars and pick up the ugliest beater I could find.

Sorry for the rant. just don't want you to spend a ton of cash on something like that and have it get ripped off. Because I doubt your insurance will cover something like that.

As for ideas, I have none. Maybe watch a few episodes of "Pimp My Ride". They're always installing stuff that makes perfect sense, like 3 flat screen TVs in your trunk.

[Brian the Automator]

I live in Waukesha in a very safe area... I do have concerns about instances where I'd have to park somewhere in Milwaukee, though. Are alarms enough of a deterrent?

[Teatoe993]

Alarms are more of an annoyance than a deterrent. Be prepared for unexpected no-start conditions for no reason whatsoever, and dead batteries. Unless you hate your neighbors and don't mind waking up in the middle of the night to shut the thing off, I'd skip it. Working in the auto repair business, I've seen way more problems caused by an alarm than it's worth. Besides, the dude is gonna take what he wants regardless. They know the tricks.