Speedtoys

God..I cant wait to SEE this...

*drool*

hans14914

We will still have a stand-alone climate replacement option, but it will likely be electronically identical to the full version, just in a factory-friendly enclosure. The guts will then be able to transfer to the console version to provide a future-proof upgrade.

A more demure face/input panel is in the works, and will likely be outfitted to the factory replacement units.

hans14914

A couple updates.

First, I have ordered several different audio output devices for evaluation. I will post my findings, and when I start the new thread and support documentation, they will be summarized there as well. We will be testing several commercially available car audio specific processors, some oem type DSP modules, USB sound cards, and line-drivers with both the standard on-board audio, and also coupled to the various DSP and USB options.

Also, i have been continuing to tweak the touchscreen. It looks like I may be changing control boards again. While HDMI is nice feature, it really is not necessary in this application. The standard VGA connector has a nice mechanical lock (thumbscrews) so wont become jarred even by a very determined pothole. I have a VGA based board available to me that is, smaller, more affordable, and all the connections are broken-out on pin headers, allow me to easily fabricate or commission custom cables with the proper lenght and connectors that would be applicable in this application.

The projected capacitive touchscreen with gesture support will be retained.

I also will be testing the new Alps navigation board I made with the controller over the weekend. Everything looks good, just havnet had the time at the office this week to test anything.

I will post feedback on that as soon as I can.

Thanks
Hans

hans14914

Wow, back-to-back updates. I just got an email that the function boards should be shipping this afternoon. I hope to be able to test the complete interface function early next week: the final version of the touchscreen, magnetic function buttons, and the alps rotary navigation device.

Thanks
Hans

blown 87

No HDMI means no PS3 while driving, so that may be a wonderful thing.

shadowknight

VGA is so old school plus it's a large connector... HDMI I thought would be the way to go.

hans14914

It seems like a step backwards but it really is not. I have both boards here, and wont steer you guys the wrong wrong direction. Its going in my car too, not planning on cutting any corners that shouldnt be.

Thanks
Hans

hans14914

Climate control boards came in today. I will populate one to test tonight. Pictures attached of the boards. This is the main control body. I ordered boards for the rotary faceplates, but Paul is working diligently on a magnetic switch version so we can further streamline the design. the magnetic version will also be perfect for those wanting to do a custom console project or double-din installation as it will only be around 0.3" thick and connect to the main controller by a thin ribbon cable.

Also, I did receive tons of different audio devices for the carputer to sample. I have a couple favorites just from the visual/mechanical evaluation, but will audition them all.

Thanks,
Hans

finally!

nice Hans! Still scratching head to figure out how you are able to find time to do this, window switches, SharkWoofer and the speakers and not only have a life outside this stuff but a full time job to boot!

Tony

You scare me Hans!

jeff spahn

He does it like me, at work

hans14914

I assembled most of the climate control module today. I forgot to order two resistors and a set of trim-pots, so going to check the local supply houses to see if I can get this working tomorrow, or if it will be waiting on a parts delivery next week.

In the meantime, have been looking at the audio side of this project. I have purchased many different devices for testing/evaluation. Of those options, I have distilled it down to three options at this point:

• Linedriver for use with onboard sound (with custom cable for easy integration)
• Pair of MiniDSP 2x4 with the complimenting Advanced 2-way crossover plugin (again with custom input cables)
• Modified version of the ESI Gigaport-HD

I have already ruled out all of my other purchases/samples. The one device being crossed off the list which has lots of promise is the MiniDSP 2x8. This really has lots of potential, it is just way to big to be easily integrated anywhere in the 928.

I have a special OEM linedriver sample from a very well respected car audio company on the way. It is being custom built with several modifications for use in this project. I expect to have it early next week, and will be testing to see if it is a practical to use in conjunction with the on-board sound option included on most of the current generation mini-itx boards. I will post on this option shortly.

The two current stand-out options is the pair of MiniDSP 2x4 modules and the ESI Gigaport. Both will be tweaked here for this specific application.

The advantage of the MiniDSP option, is that it provides a hardware level filtering system (crossover, level matching, eq, time delay). All these parameters can be adjusted by the carputer in realtime via a touchscreen friendly software application. The application works in realtime, but writes the values to the board where they are retained permanently. After the initial tuning, the software may remain dormant on the carputer until a change is required. These can be installed inside the console requiring a run of several RCA interconnects to the amplifier. Alternatively, I am investigating the option of a custom balanced-line-receiver and modular cable system to make connection of the amplifier easier. As an alternative, a digital input board is available for these modules, allowing either a SPDIF or USB signal to be used. I have one of each input board for testing, but would prefer not to use these options because of cost (in reality, both boards should be used for maximum noise rejection... and in that case it is probably more cost effective to use the analog input section instead).

The other very interesting option is the ESI Gigaport-HD. I have taken this device apart, and it is very well made with good quality components. Several upgrades could be made to the output stage (has transistors in the muting circuits and mid-fi grade 4850 opamps and caps) but this is nitpicking as none of this would be audibly improved in a car environment. I would provide a new case for the device with mounting positions for the SharkWoofer enclosure. Also included in the case would be a new power supply and a USB isolation transformer and a USB port for use with any lenght USB cable required by your installation. Advantages to this option would be a single small diameter (USB) cable run to the amplifier, with excellent noise rejection. Disadvantage would be that all additional processing (EQ, crossover... etc) would need to be done either in the carputer or in the amplifier. This soundcard does have full ASIO driver support, so advanced processing can be done in the carputer.

At any rate, there will be at least two very good options for potential customers. Sound quality from the carputer is now a non-issue, as both of these options represent very high quality performance, you will not be disappointed. As another plus, neither breaks the bank. Street price for the pair of MiniDSP 2x4 is $190 and street pricing for the ESI Gigaport-HD is $120. These prices are before custom cables, mounts, and modifications.... but I will work out volume deals to offset some of the costs. As noted earlier and throughout the thread, using the onboard sound will work and maybe perfectly acceptable for most customers. These options will represent the best of what is available (while still remaining cost effective and practical) for the more discerning customer.

Thanks
Hans

blown 87

So cool.

jeff spahn

I used to think LP's sounded good. I think it will be just fine. At my age, and many of ours, we can't really hear the difference anymore anyway.

Champagne

Hello everyone,

here is a little update from my end of things.

This is a new version of the climate control faceplate. This one is more modern, sleek and uses magnetic switches instead of rotary encoders.

No moving parts and basically lifetime of service.

I kept the design simply, easy to gauge at a glance and straight forward to control.

The whole face is illuminated with the same fiber optic panel technology we have been using in the past. All the feedback is done through secondary LEDs which will add color and brilliance to the "on" state, lighting the numbers on the temp scale and the dots on the fan scale.

This will also be available in all the current finishes we have available for the window switches and the consoles, so, a perfect fit.

This panel will also be available as a standalone, to replace the factory AC control.



We might or might not include the red and blue LED on the temp scale. These are designed to let the user know when the limit switches have been triggered, so it could be useful, but it also clutters the display. So I am still on the fence about this one.

I do still have a bit of tweaking to do to it, but we will have a working demo for SITM

Thanks

Paul