GPS Moving Map Project
Submitted: Friday, Mar 28, 2003 at 11:42
ThreadID:
4106
Views:
2784
Replies:
8
FollowUps:
6
This Thread has been Archived
Groove
Hi all,
I am starting a new project and thought I would give it a mention here first both to get ideas and let interested parties know about it.
I wanted a better way to use OziExplorer with my GPS than using the laptop.
My solution is based around a computer motherboard that was reviewed in this month’s Australian Personal Computer magazine (about $350 including CPU). This motherboard is very small, less that 20cm by 20cm. It has on-board audio, video, serial, network, USB, printer and this is the key it also has built in S-video port.
I plan to make a custom case just large enough to fit a laptop size hard drive, DVD drive and the motherboard. It should end up about the size of a foxtel box and fit under a
seat.
The display will be a roof mounted lcd screen (such as those being sold at Strathfield car radio). The keyboard is a one-piece keyboard and mini track ball. This keyboard is very small and is cordless; I picked it up at a computer market for $50.
Because it has a DVD drive the unit will also be able to play DVD movies as
well as MP3 music files. I will also be able to install a few games on it as
well, depending on the size of the hard drive I use.
Audio will be piped through the Car stereo via FM tranmitter (dick smith kit).
There you have it, an in car navigation,
home theatre, juke box, games system.
OK I know a bit of a geeky thing to do, but why not.
Any suggestions?
Groove
Reply By: Groove - Friday, Mar 28, 2003 at 13:02
Friday, Mar 28, 2003 at 13:02
Thanks for the feed back guys.
The mother board is a VIA Model EPIA m9000. CPU is 933 MHZ and I forgot to metion it a an onboard MPEG2 decoder chip so DVD performance is reported to be excellent.
Screen resoultion could be a issue, I am currently looking into the possibility of using an old laptop screen, I have found a site that talks about how this is done. Could be pricey, not the screen but the controller required.
I will probably build a power supply. Shouldnt require much more than a 5 volt and a 12 volt regulator, with a bit of spike protection and filtering.
I would love to see that site you mentioned Ray.
I think this is going to be fun.
AnswerID:
16333
Follow Up By: Ray - Friday, Mar 28, 2003 at 14:28
Friday, Mar 28, 2003 at 14:28
Whats the url of that laptop screen site Groove
I have the url at work Groove, will post later today after I get there
FollowupID:
10039
Follow Up By: Ray M (Vic) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2003 at 13:03
Saturday, Mar 29, 2003 at 13:03
The site is back online nowHooroo
FollowupID:
10065
Reply By: Groove - Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 09:49
Monday, Mar 31, 2003 at 09:49
The resolution of the cheaper video screens is lower than a computer monitor however the beauty of the motherboard I mentioned is that it has an Svideo port on it, this is not standard on most PCs and allow the system to be pluged directly into a TV, VCR etc. You will lose detail using this approach but an afordable comprimise.
As I do more research however I am starting to think that a better approach might be to butcher a laptop, ie separate the display from the rest of the case.
Regarding visability, some laptop displays are better than others. TFT displays seem to work quite
well in
well lit environment, they also have a wider viewing angle.
I have seen the add on GPSs for PDAs and they look great, however I dont get the DVD etc and these setups are quite expensive. The cheaper ons that work with the less expensive palm pilots dont multi task very
well, ie if while recording a track you change mode to vew a different screen the track recording is suspended. The CE base PDAs are nice but expensive and the displays are small.
I went to a local computer market on the weekend and saw pentium II laptops second hand from $400, if I can get one to work with my cordless keyboard this would be great.
The URL for the site that discusses modifying a laptop display for use with a standard PC is
http://www.techwarelabs.com/community/printview.php?=1313&start=0
Cheers
Groove
AnswerID:
16474