building a car mp3 player

[deltaf508]

Well, It may be different for everyone depending on how in depth you want to go. I'm an extremist. If I'm gonna take time to build it - it better be good! But honestly I don't know how you would cut corners on a project like this - there is just so much involved if you want to do a good job. You could always do one without the LCD screen (that would cut a tremendous amount of time off your project), and still have remote access to change songs. With an LCD it's just nice to be able to see what the machine is doing.

Since I've put two of these together now, I've thought about setting up a step-by-step web page on how to do it. I've just never got around to it.

Good Luck whatever you decide, I love my unit and I'm so glad I took the time to put it together. It impresses the ladies too, they'll think your a genius.

Gary

[LittleKing]

The step-by-step would make a great How-to document for TechIMO. If that gives you any motivation to write one up.

LK

[Chiguy]

Originally posted by LittleKing
The step-by-step would make a great How-to document for TechIMO. If that gives you any motivation to write one up.

LK

That would be cool.

[deltaf508]

I'll see what I can do. Next time I take it down from the entertainment center I'll get some better detailed pictures of it and make a web page out of it. Sounds like this is a pretty popular project......

Gary

[Agent_Embryo]

You betcha. I want to make one too. Not sure about the LCD display tho, might be overkill for me. But I do have a display from my old cellphone...I wonder if that could work...

Because it might be in the plan soon.

BTW How do ppl power the box in the car? Cars have like 12V right? Computer psu's need 230V (EU) right???

[JayMan]

Here is a link which gives ya a guide on how to modify a PSU to run off your car's 12v battery

http://members.optushome.com.au/magn...dware_psu.html

JayMan

[DutchMaster]

And if thats not enough, go here:
http://www.mp3projects.com/projects.html

Loads of info also pure hardware projects.

okay so you want to build a mp3 player for your car? sounds cool, but i have some questions. how would you look up your speakers to the sound card? where would you put this box at? you will have to have a mouse and keyboard wouldn't you? if so how would you change the songs? so half of your front seat floor will be a computer?


sounds much easier just to but an mp3 player


JaYsin

[Agent_Embryo]

JaYsin, check out those adresses. You control the player via IR remote, or some other way. I saw one guy who used just a keypad.

Yeh, of course it's easier to buy a portable mp3 player. But where's the fun in that!? Building the thing is half the experience.

I think...

[deltaf508]

How do ppl power the box in the car? Cars have like 12V right? Computer psu's need 230V (EU) right???

I've heard a lot of people just buy one of those 12V power coverters that plug into your ciggarete lighter. A good one that can handle 300W or more.

As for where it goes, you have to get creative. Some put them in the trunk, etc. Plugging in the sound card to the Stereo is simple. Just go to radio shack and buy and "mini jack" to "RCA jack" converter cable. most cars nowdays have RCA jacks for the stereo. Then just run the cable. Radio shack is a Mod lovers Paradise.

You don't need a keyboard and mouse. All you need is the IR software I mentioned above and a winamp plugin that will work with this software like Lorty (above) has. Your Keyboard and mouse is now the remote control unit. You do have to disable "all keyboard errors" in the Bios and when windows boots for the first time without a mouse you have to tell. "Don't ask me again" about the No mouse atached error. Thats it.

As for going out and buying a regular MP3 player. I haven't found one yet that will hold 60GB worth of Music.

Gary