Introduction
This series of pages chronicles the work
into what began as an in-car GPS, and became fairly much more.
My drive comes from not wanting to spend $2500 or more on an
in-car GPS and DVD player. Why pay so much for something we
see on our desktops every day: a Personal Computer. If it is
possible to get GPS, DVD playback, and touchscreen to work on a PC, why
would it not work in a car. This turned out to be more
complicated than originally expected.
Decisions, decisions, decisions
Where to begin? Decisions on particular items make the
difference. The biggest decision is hardware, but then how
does one choose hardware for a car? There were a few
requirements from my perspective:
- Touchscreen control - A must for any type of computer for
use in a vehicle
- Play DVDs - To compete with the existing GPS/DVD systems
- Use Car's Audio system - Reduces cost, but importantly,
keeps system simpler and more stock
- GPS Navigation - Obviously, or what's the point
- Easy to use
- Fast On-Time
But there were a few additional requirements to make the project a
little more interesting:
- MP3 playback - GPS System should have music as well
- CD Ripping - to feed the MP3 player
- Updateable - to keep the GPS updated
- Internet/WiFi Access Point - To allow passengers access to
media, to get access to internet
- DVD Ripping - To not have to carry the discs, and risk
damage
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound - Why not?
So with these new requirements, more decisions about hardware needed to
be made. What about the processor, what about the
peripherals, and most importantly, what about the software?