A Brief Introduction to Car PCs

What is a Car PC?

A car PC is a personal computing system that you can install and use inside of your car or other vehicle. A car PC mirrors the functionality of your home computer and provides an easy way to play music, movies and games as well as access any programs you might normally use on a regular computer. You can install an operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Linux, just like your home computer, and use any and all of the same applications you use at home. Having a car PC will help you to consolidate all the functions of various peripheral devices including your cell phone, GPS and so on.

A Car PC system is built with the same basic elements as any home computer:
1) The system: motherboard, memory, processor, storage device, optical drive(CD/DVD), etc.
2) Human Interface Devices: Wireless Keyboard/Mouse, Touch-screen controls
3) Display: LCD Touch-screen monitors, LCD monitors

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Examples of some Car PC Applications

Music + MP3 Playback

• Access your entire iTunes library, Zune library, etc.
• Install Winamp, use Windows Media Player, VLC media player, etc.
• Store music on a USB thumb drive and play directly from the thumb drive.
• Play any audio CD or audio/video DVD.

Movie + DVD Playback

• Install PowerDVD, Interactive DVD player, etc.
• Watch your DVD movies at full quality
• Watch DivX encoded movies, AVIs, MPEGs, MOV, RM, etc.
• Store movies on a USB thumb drive or external hard drive and play directly from the drive.

Bluetooth, Hands-free Devices

• Use any USB Bluetooth adapter and use your phone hands-free inside your car (requires phone and software support).
• Sync your smart phone with your car system.

Video Camera applications

• Use any computer video camera (e.g., webcam) to monitor and even record events in realtime.
• Save or back-up images and movies from your handheld camera/camcorder while on the road.
• Use as a back-up camera for navigating tight parking spaces (most monitors now support auto source-switching for back-up cams).

Wireless Internet

• Use any wireless hotspots to access the net, e.g., coffee shops, books stores, libraries.
• Use a 3G or 4G modem for continuous coverage.
• Park near your house to access the internet via WIFI (requires a WIFI router and appropriate range).

Mobile GPS

• Use a USB GPS receiver paired with GPS software for real-time navigation.
• Monitor real-time traffic (requires software support).

Mobile Gaming

• Install emulators and play all your backed-up games away from home.
• Use any USB-compatible gaming controllers.

Car Diagnostics

• Display real-time information on your car with diagnostics hardware + software.

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Car PC Installation Tips

Audio connections
If you have an existing audio system (factory of aftermarket), you can:

• ...plug your car PC's audio-out into the AUX-in.
• ...use a cassette tape adapter connected to the audio out of the car PC.
• ...use an FM-transmitter connected to the audio-out of the Car PC.
• ...use a CD-changer to AUX-in adapter (available as an option for most cars).
• ...use stereo interconnect cables (RCA) direct to the receiver (generally only available on aftermarket equipment).

• ...install a multi-channel Car audio amplifier and speakers and connect the Car PC's audio-out directly to the amp's input.
• ...use non-powered desktop/laptop computer speakers (not ideal; low volume and quality).
• ...install powered desktop computer speakers using an AC inverter.

Power connections
On/Off & Switching:

• Although you can use a switch to turn your car PC on and off, there is no need for an on/off switch. Mobile ATX power supplies are designed with auto-on/off functionality. Please consult the power supply manual for information on adjusting auto on/off settings.

• Red: 12V+
  Black: 12V- (ground)
  White: Ignition (switched 12V+)
• Tip: Connect your 12V+ directly to the battery or other power line capable of providing enough current for your system. Do not use a "cigarette lighter" adapter to power the Car PC.
• Tip: Colors noted here are standard for our Car PC systems; please use as a reference only and always check your voltages w/ the proper equipment during installation.

Display options
The easiest solution is to use a dedicated Car PC monitor for your Car PC. There are dash-mountable, windscreen-mountable, in-dash and roof-mount monitors available on the market. Using a monitor with touchscreen functionality will eliminate the need for any additional human interface devices (such as a keyboard or mouse).

Existing, Factory-equipped monitor:

• In most cases, direct integration is not possible with a factory-equipped monitor. At best, you could use these as a display device, though the limited display resolution of contemporary factory-equipped monitors may result in less that favorable video output quality.
• For certain models/makes, 3rd party hardware adapters have been developed to simply the integration of a factory-equipped monitor with a Car PC. Please check enthusiast forums for information and support.

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Front-End Software

While driving, you will want to be able to access your music and other files with a touch of a button. You'll want large buttons and an easyway of accessing what you need. This is where front-end software comes to play.

Front-end software provides a simple visual interface that conforms to the exact size of your monitor and provides easy operation of all of the essential functions of your Car PC, including: GPS, music playlists, video, Bluetooth and more.

Most front-end software allows for customization, both graphical and functional, and provides a great way to differentiate and personalize your own Car PC to your satisfaction.

Popular Front-end software, Paid:

• Centrafuse Auto: Automotive Infotainment
• StreetDeck

• Ride Runner (originally: Road Runner)
• MediaEngine

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