carpc in BMW

...ASH... · #1 04-18-2008, 02:02 AM

Hi chaps...
Ok, this is what I want to do..
I have an old laptop knocking around and am going to connect it to my e46, I know about cnnecting it to the i-bus but want to know the following>>>
Where can I pick up a stereo connection in my car (I have read everywhere that it's mono)
I have also read that people have used the tape option on their factory sat nav (I don't have tape, I only have CD)
If it's possable to connect to the AV (I can't see any reason why not), how does the computer know not to scroll through the menu's on carx before I have selected AVI (if that makes sence)
THanks in advance

ASH

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E5M1R · #2 04-20-2008, 02:45 PM

If you want to use carX then you should connect it to the tape or cd in your case, there is no way for you to control pc from you car if you use AV channel.
Read full carx instructions and you will understand how and why

...ASH... · #3 04-20-2008, 05:20 PM

I have a factory screen (with CD built into it) but I want to ideally keep the CD so I can play a CD aswell as install CAR-X..
Is this possable? (I have TV in motion if that makes a diffrence)
Thanks in advance
ASH

E5M1R · #4 04-21-2008, 12:42 AM

Car PC with CarX is connected to the RearviewCamera input, the i-bus command (when swithcing to tape) is going to togle the system to switch to RV Cam imput and you will get CarX Menu on screen. Now when turning the knob you can control CarX.
I am not sure, but it should be possible to hook the CarPC with CarX instead of the CD changer witch i guess that you dont have.

Anyways the answer is NO, if you chouse CarX then CD/Tape got to go or CD Changer.

...ASH... · #5 04-21-2008, 01:32 AM

No, I don't have a CD changer, so that would be perfect..

E5M1R · #6 04-21-2008, 03:15 AM

You wil nead something like this
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=345
or
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=630

so the charger menu is activated and you will get sound trough the adapter.
Then you will have to look for a specific i-bus message when you switch to the charger, so it will give signal to CarX to switch to RV camera input
Theoreticly it is possible, however i dont know of anyone that did it.
Maybe you should try talking to Kiwi he if anyone knows how i-bus works and what the possibility of doing this is

rp-x5 · #7 04-22-2008, 01:55 PM

I got a DICE silverline kit which works with ipods/iphone and it has a AUX in port for my car PC project. You need to get the Ibus interface from Resler then you could control Carx with factory knobs. BUT, I think the location of that scrolling knob is not ideal for controling media when driving. I am going for the iDrive style 3D mouse that will sit nicely inside the cup holder.

...ASH... · #8 04-22-2008, 04:02 PM

I have the resler's interface and it's very clever..

I am looking into this and getting very excited... (can't wait till I get some more money...

jammykam · #9 04-30-2008, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E5M1R

You wil nead something like this
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=345
or
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=630

so the charger menu is activated and you will get sound trough the adapter.
Then you will have to look for a specific i-bus message when you switch to the charger, so it will give signal to CarX to switch to RV camera input
Theoreticly it is possible, however i dont know of anyone that did it.
Maybe you should try talking to Kiwi he if anyone knows how i-bus works and what the possibility of doing this is

I was thinking about doing this a few months back but didn't think I'd get enough use to go through all the hassle in the end.

But anyway, from what I've read it switches over to CarPC mode when you switch to Tape mode on the head unit, correct? So can you not change a setting in CarX to switch when going to Aux mode? You can buy/make your own Aux In cable then and have stereo sound... Get to keep all your current bits and pieces then...

I was in my local electrical store the other day and noticed the Acer L3600. It caught my eye because it was so tiny... not much bigger than a laptop ut fully packed. Pretty good spec plus it had soundcard, tv tuner, fm tuner and vga out all built in and only about £400... thought it would be awesome for a CarPC project... man I'm sad

pete_c · #10 04-30-2008, 07:35 AM

Currently have a CarPC in my 330 (2001). Been working well with CarX. Only thing that I have done with it is upgrade the PS. Still have a tank battery connected though. The PC is connected to a Video module which I purchased a few years ago and using the Ibus interface from Resler. I mapped out the NAV radio controls for AUX and is working well. (haven't played with it in a while). PC is a mini-itx. Plays MP3's and videos (DiVx) with no jitter. I like CarX in that its a no frills basic interface which works well with the ITX board. I can post my INI file if anyone is interested. I have it currently set up to come up with AUX mode. Currently working on a CarPC for my X3. Finished the PC part. Ended up purchasing two. One very small footprint MiniPC (6"X6" size) and a larger setup in a VoomPC2 enclosure. Both of these are higher HP PC's with larger HD's/dual core CPU's. Did the basics on the X3 (already has NAV). Used a 3rd party video module and tapped it into the NAV video. Picture quality is nice. Finished the AUX port installation. My next step is to get the AUX audio to the rear of the vehicle. Thinking of using the CD-Changer cables for this doing a pin for pin from the front of the vehicle to the center console then to the rear of the vehicle. Its only three wires and I don't have to rip the car apart to pass the wires to the rear of the vehicle. Will post a picture of the 330XI setup.

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