rccardude04
Member
I'm not a complete n00b to car audio or computers but this is a little different world it seems like. 
I have an '04 Mazda 3 hatch, and the factory system just isn't cutting it any more. I put speakers in the thing and now the head unit/cd player is an obvious limitation. So, I start shopping for double-din Navi/cd/radio units, and I realize I could just about build a car PC for the same amount of money, and have infinitely more g33k value.
I've about got it figured out I think, but I'm still hung up on some stuff.
I've basically picked out a Mo-Co-So 525 dual-core, upgrading to a solid-state drive and the extended wiring harness so I can put the box under my driver's seat. I've also got a 4-channel amp that I'm planning to use for running the speakers. I will probably also add a subwoofer but haven't decided for sure on that one yet.
Anyways, here's my questions/concerns:
1. I'm not entirely sure what to look for to connect the PC to the amp. All the aftermarket PC sound cards have the 3.5mm jacks for "front" and "rear" output, where a car amp has 4 RCA component cables for LF, RF, LR, RR. So I need to turn 2 outputs into 4 inputs. I'm sure there's a cable for it but I just can't find one. I'm sure I just don't know what to look for, but that would be an awesome help!
2. I should probably try harder to find the instruction manual, but the " Directed HD Connect Car Radio" that MCS carries looks like a good solution for an AM/FM radio input. How exactly does this plug in? Do I just use the mic/line-in on the sound card or ... ? Link: http://www.mo-co-so.com/Directed-DMHD-1000-HD-Radio-Receiver-p/mcs-dir-hdr.htm
3. Is it possible to use the factory radio harness to power the PC or should I run bigger wires? I got a radio adapter harness from the local car stereo shop so I am good on the wiring if it's hefty enough. I just don't know how much power the factory wires are capable of pushing or if I should go ahead and run some giant wires to my PC? It's something like a 160w power supply, which should mean a peak load of ~13A. I'm just not sure what the ~14-16ga factory wiring will handle.
4. Steering wheel controls... Anyone used the "Joycon EX Steering Wheel Interface" from MCS with our cars? I'm sure it'll work but am curious about wiring and all that jazz... Is it pretty straightforward? http://www.mo-co-so.com/Joycon-EX-Steering-Wheel-Interface-p/mcs-joy-ex.htm
5. Operating system: Seems like most people just install Windows XP on these computers, but I am thinking about toying around with Linux. I have no idea what's going on with the GPS stuff. That's going to be brand new territory for me. I may just do XP but it would be nice to find some open-source software instead of paying $100 for XP Home and another $120 for Centrafuse; although, from the trial I downloaded, Centrafuse looks rather cool. It may be the way to go but if I can save $220 right now it'd be nice.
I'm sure there's more I need to know, but I can't think of it at the moment. I just am paranoid about getting "everything" and needing another 200-400 bucks worth of crap that would make it not worthwhile for me. Hopefully I didn't ramble too awful badly and someone will know what the heck I'm going on about.
Thanks in advance!!
-Eric
I have an '04 Mazda 3 hatch, and the factory system just isn't cutting it any more. I put speakers in the thing and now the head unit/cd player is an obvious limitation. So, I start shopping for double-din Navi/cd/radio units, and I realize I could just about build a car PC for the same amount of money, and have infinitely more g33k value.
I've about got it figured out I think, but I'm still hung up on some stuff.
I've basically picked out a Mo-Co-So 525 dual-core, upgrading to a solid-state drive and the extended wiring harness so I can put the box under my driver's seat. I've also got a 4-channel amp that I'm planning to use for running the speakers. I will probably also add a subwoofer but haven't decided for sure on that one yet.
Anyways, here's my questions/concerns:
1. I'm not entirely sure what to look for to connect the PC to the amp. All the aftermarket PC sound cards have the 3.5mm jacks for "front" and "rear" output, where a car amp has 4 RCA component cables for LF, RF, LR, RR. So I need to turn 2 outputs into 4 inputs. I'm sure there's a cable for it but I just can't find one. I'm sure I just don't know what to look for, but that would be an awesome help!
2. I should probably try harder to find the instruction manual, but the " Directed HD Connect Car Radio" that MCS carries looks like a good solution for an AM/FM radio input. How exactly does this plug in? Do I just use the mic/line-in on the sound card or ... ? Link: http://www.mo-co-so.com/Directed-DMHD-1000-HD-Radio-Receiver-p/mcs-dir-hdr.htm
3. Is it possible to use the factory radio harness to power the PC or should I run bigger wires? I got a radio adapter harness from the local car stereo shop so I am good on the wiring if it's hefty enough. I just don't know how much power the factory wires are capable of pushing or if I should go ahead and run some giant wires to my PC? It's something like a 160w power supply, which should mean a peak load of ~13A. I'm just not sure what the ~14-16ga factory wiring will handle.
4. Steering wheel controls... Anyone used the "Joycon EX Steering Wheel Interface" from MCS with our cars? I'm sure it'll work but am curious about wiring and all that jazz... Is it pretty straightforward? http://www.mo-co-so.com/Joycon-EX-Steering-Wheel-Interface-p/mcs-joy-ex.htm
5. Operating system: Seems like most people just install Windows XP on these computers, but I am thinking about toying around with Linux. I have no idea what's going on with the GPS stuff. That's going to be brand new territory for me. I may just do XP but it would be nice to find some open-source software instead of paying $100 for XP Home and another $120 for Centrafuse; although, from the trial I downloaded, Centrafuse looks rather cool. It may be the way to go but if I can save $220 right now it'd be nice.
I'm sure there's more I need to know, but I can't think of it at the moment. I just am paranoid about getting "everything" and needing another 200-400 bucks worth of crap that would make it not worthwhile for me. Hopefully I didn't ramble too awful badly and someone will know what the heck I'm going on about.
Thanks in advance!!
-Eric
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