Carputer / CarPC on X3?

[kostasbmw]

i am wondering if its easy to connect the factory monitor with any source(dvd mp3 player)
i bought mine with no navigation no monitor just a radiocd and now i m thinking about upgrading maybe a carpc.
does anyone know where to look for ideas suggestions ?

[pete_c]

You can - check mp3car.com - do a retrofit of a touch screen in the upper LCD clam shell location. If you were to add a BMW NAV set up it would expensive - Nav Screen, Nav would cost over 1500 USD

I have completed the NAV video portion add of my PC installation. Next connecting my IBUS source. (followed by AUX)

Most likely you are prewired for it it.

[pete_c]

CarPC build is complete -
Next part is the running of an AUX cable to the rear left side trunk area. Not sure of an easy way to do this.

[kostasbmw]

pete
if possible can you give me an idea what is the cost of the retrofit touch screen you used(a photo would be nice) and where did you buy the parts from

thanks in advance
kostas

[buschy]

TRy Drivesoft, if you r interested in it let me know, I am friends with the owner. maybe get you a deal.

[pete_c]

kostasbmw,
I am using stock GPS screen. Just finished PC. It will not fit anywhere except attached to the left hand rear trunk removable panel. So I am purchasing another only to connect and drill to.
Pete

[TerminatorX5]

This is a rather old thread but I was wondering if the following concept would work or not:

Pre-requisites (things I already have)

E53 with factory nav (upgraded to MK-4) and 16:9 monitor
Analog/digital TV Module with AV input

things that I thought could work:

connect a laptop computer (or some other car appropriate computer, I think full size tower would not work) to the monitor via AV input as at the beginning of this thread;

use the RF mouse and portable/compact keyboard and

use a touch pad from this place Touch Screen Panels - Accessories - Car Electronics

to obtain the touchscreen ability.

This is just a rough idea at this moment, so I was wondering what the esteemed members of this forum think - will it work?

Thanks...

PS. Also, has anyone had any experience with the CP600BMW ( Maintronic: CP600BMW) ? Seems that it is a simple and very realistic solution to the MP3 player in place of the factory CD changer.

[J.Belknap]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

This is a rather old thread but I was wondering if the following concept would work or not:

Pre-requisites (things I already have)

E53 with factory nav (upgraded to MK-4) and 16:9 monitor
Analog/digital TV Module with AV input

things that I thought could work:

connect a laptop computer (or some other car appropriate computer, I think full size tower would not work) to the monitor via AV input as at the beginning of this thread;

use the RF mouse and portable/compact keyboard and

use a touch pad from this place Touch Screen Panels - Accessories - Car Electronics

to obtain the touchscreen ability.

This is just a rough idea at this moment, so I was wondering what the esteemed members of this forum think - will it work?

Thanks...

PS. Also, has anyone had any experience with the CP600BMW ( Maintronic: CP600BMW) ? Seems that it is a simple and very realistic solution to the MP3 player in place of the factory CD changer.

I'm your huckleberry....

Hardware

- E53 equipped with Nav (pre-iDrive) TV unit not required
- iPhone 4
- CIS-IBUS adapter (VGA to RGsB)
- carPC that has WiFi, three USB and one VGA port (With this specific unit, swap HD to SSD, Swap WiFi antenna with better unit)
- VAG-COM OBDII to USB interface cable that has the FT232BM/BL chip, then perform the K-line transistor/resistor modifications

Software

- Windows 7
- VMware tools
- VMware view
- GT1/DISv44 for VMware
- VAG-COM drivers (and driver sw mod if chip is FT232RL)
- Wyse pocket cloud pro app

Optional

- Precision sensors and software (i.e. WBO2 from PLX devices)

Control (keyboard/mouse) via iPhone, display via Nav OBM, minimal mucking about in the ibus. Capability to diagnose/monitor/tweak anytime, anywhere while being not invasive to the factory wiring. This is what's in my head.....but, I lack proof of concept.

[pete_c]

My setup is still doing well.

My preference though (X3) is using the mapped radio knobs.

I did see a similiar control as mentioned above with Windows mobile.

You could though as mentioned put a small 7" touch panel in the visor for more granular control details when needed.

Playing with a very small footprint Mimo USB touch screen connected to a Seagate Dockstar running Linux and RDPing to a touchscreen windows session. Works well; very light and compact.

[TerminatorX5]

Guys, I am not sure if this particular subject/topic is appropriate one, so I am going to try to start a new thread with this same message to get more people to brainstorm this idea...

It seems if you are going for the full package of the carPC, then you don't need a separate CIS-IBUS, as it is already included in the package. also, the whole package is priced at 700 euros with 40 euro for delivery - if the seller would take off the VAT, it would be a saving of about 130 euros or so...

Do you know if this carputer has PCMCIA slot for a wireles 3G/4G or WiMAX modem? it would be cool to keep the carputer connected to the internet while on the road.

So, the touch screen introduction to the 16:9 monitor is not a good idea? seems like it is doable.

Also, totally separate from the carputer idea, here is a link to a multimedia box that is supposedly plug-n-play

SBC Multimedia Center BMW

and works with MK1, 2, 3 and 4. It has the video player, MP3 player, it substitutes the regular screen menu with its own, has English interface ( the website is in russian).I have not tried them but thought that it would be useful for the folks at least to take a look at what is avaialble on the market. it runs about 430 euros for the full package + shipping.

I have not dealt with those folks but can tell that given the abundance of BMWs in Russia and out of work PhDs in electronics in Russia, it is no wonder that they hack into the BMW electronics in order to "improve" things...

Oh, here is another thing from Russia: GREN.RU - - i think it is a bit overpriced at 350 euros

It seems that the CarPuter would replace the need for the multimedia center as it should be able to play the video, the audio, bring the GPS functions, monitor the car vitals and lets you play solitaire!!!

To control the carputer, a touchscreen might be an interesting thing as well and the "iDrive" substitute... or, in place of the "iDrive", a mouse pad from an old laptop might be a good idea...