Windows XP + M5 = Wireless Beast??? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

1080iAddict · 14th November 2002, 14:04

Having successfully installed NAV-TV, my attention has now turned to the use of the AV "aux. input" afforded by the installation. Thus, turning to channel "AV" allows the use of a single RCA video and audio input. One such application is the installation of a real Windows PC into the M5. Here are my ideas.

The benefits of a real PC in the car are extensive - some while in motion and some while stationary. The applications I envision are MP3 audio playback, DVD video playback, full MS Office support, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc., and most importantly, wireless web surfing (for, i.e., Doppler radar, weather forecasts, access to bmwm5.com) and e-mail.

While a variety of solutions and installation options are possible, here is my idea. I envision a modified laptop - either with or without a docking station installed in the vehicle, probably via a custon bracket at the top of the trunk or near the NAV-TV unit, CD player, etc.

For video: My IBM has s-vid out built into the laptop. A simple s-vid to composite video converter would allow me to convert the s-vid output to composite video, and then feed the composite video into the NAV-TV "AV" input for display on the NAV screen.

For Audio: Simple audio out of the IBM and wired into the RCA Audio in on the NAV-TV "AV" input.

For Power: Should be easy to tap a line from the NAV-TV, CD Components to a DC adaptor to power the PC.

For Wireless: There is a small antenna on the PCMCIA card that operates my wireless internet connection via Verizon. That 'should' suffice by simply extending that antenna in the trunk. If necessary, I will look at the cellular phone antenna installation for the BMW cell phones, and modify that antenna feed into the PCMCIA card. (thoughts?? It's prewired in the M5 - right??)

Now the hard part:

Mouse: I am thinking a touchpad to be installed on the center console where the small storage compartment is located. I am thinking about removing the door that slides up and down, then custom installing a touchpad at that location that pivots up and down. This provides simple unobtrusive mouse operation while your arm is on the center console. A black touchpad would look great at that location, also. (how hard would it be to fish a wire from that location to the trunk??)

Keyboard: I am thinking about a wireless RF keyboard. Store it in the trunk when not in use, because for simple web surfing, e-mail retireval, etc. it is not really needed. Ideas welcome here.

The final circuit needed will be an automatic boot-up and shut down from a 'standby' state tied to 'something'. I notice that, on the NAV DVD player, it seems to boot up whenever a door or the trunk is opened, and then is goes to sleep if there is no activity 5 minutes later. I suppose the intent is to boot up the NAV system in anticipation of use. This can be tied to the PC, i.e., have it standby and then turn on for quick access, either through a lan card or hardwiring the power switch.

Anyway... some food for thought. This does not seem as hard as it looks - I like the mouse location, I like the wireless option, and it would certainly be pretty neat to see a fully functional Windows desktop on demand.

Thoughts?

- Adam

p.s. I know at least one participant here has used some sort of mini-pc for this purpose. But, as I understand it, there is no PCMCIA slot on that devise for the wireless card.

rvacha · 14th November 2002, 15:10

I had been thinking about this as well.... and then mweel posted something cool on the X5 board:

http://www.mini-itx.com/

It is very low power (so it won't get too hot and die in a car application) and has built-in video - just plug it into the nav and your ready to roll

Good luck!

M5XTRM · 14th November 2002, 15:30

I did it 1.5 years ago, but had to take it out due to lack of proper space when using the trunck and also Ricocket going out of business.

I installed the system from G-Tech http://www.gnetcanada.com/index2.htm. I got a 98 setup, but I'm sure they have XP now.

You can customize the hardware anyway you want and the CPU is made for automobiles, you don't have to worry about vibrations or heat. Their power setup is using a $20 Radio Shack converter, but besides that, it works. I paid $1200. I installed microsoft office professional, games, DVD, and of course back then a 40 gig hD for Mp3s. Remeber that the sound is going to be Mono (Nav-TV has not finished the Stereo interface). Wireless comunication was with ricochet, I tried using my cell phone, but it was not possible to establish a good consistent connection in my area.

The navigation is either a long cable for the keyboard and mouse or a wireless system for both.

In my original setup, I put the CPU behind the passenger's floor mat. It took away 4 inches of depth but it worked fine without having to make holes or brackets, but again you loose that much space. I ended up moving it to the trunk- right side (where the fuse box is). The CPU is 3.5"H x 12.5" W and 14" D. The unit comes with a touch pad, I opted for the cordless keyboard with a mouse built in. I also order an extra screen with the idea mounting it in the center console for rear passenger to use.

Sorry, I do not have pictures of the actual installation. I'm thinking of installing the system again, if I do I will take pictures.

cjones · 14th November 2002, 17:33

I had exactly this in my vette.

Here is a pic of the PC.

I had a wireless ethernet adapter and a bluetooth adapter for connecting to my Ericsson T68 phone for internet access (GPRS service at about 56k).

PC has a Celeron-1Ghz, 256mb ram, WinXP, Cobra 3 carpc software, Creative Labs Extigy USB sound card, 30GB HD and had a GPS (sold it since the M5 already has it).

Here is a pic of the keyboard. I also used an IRMan and a regular remote control to control the Cobra 3 software. Basically I had control over MP3 playback, DVD playback and basic navigation of the software with the remote.

I'm planning on sticking that PC in the glovebox so I can turn it on easily without going to the trunk.

Additionally I'm going to run it to the reverse camera input on the NAVTV so that I can connect the audio in stereo via a Blitzsafe adapter (ordered a custom one from them last week). This is necessitating replacement of the factory changer with an Alpine M-bus one.

Here is a pic of how I'm planning to wire the stereo up.

rvacha · 14th November 2002, 18:04

Sweet! I just decided that I'll persue an XP platform of some sort. I like cjone's setup, but I want to add truly robust bluetooth support, either on the motherboard or as a USB plug-in. XP will get native bluetooth support any day now (it's already late). My garage is directly below my office, and I'll be able to hot sync my beast simply by pulling in

mweel · 14th November 2002, 18:16

I am currently working on this as said on the post above.

I have gone with a Mini-itx unit. Witch is low cost, low power consumption and durable. I am also going to have the TV Tuner integrated with the system this way I can pull the entire system out of the M5 and put into the X5 at will and hopefully with ease.

The following are the functional requirements I am developing for my application.

- Infared interface located in the front of a car

- Build a custom application that will take remote control commands from the IR interface and provide the following functionality driven by an application..

View News
MP3
Browse/Play MP3 Artists
Browse/Play MP3 Albums
Browse/Play MP3 Songs
DVD
Play DVD

- The applications UI interface must replicate the current BMW interface which has big letting and multi-step menus.

80211.b lan which will download the latest news, mp3 files waiting to placed to the car, etc.. and then shut down the computer. There will be an application on my home computer to drive what will be synced.

This is the first set of requirements as I see them today. I am sure they will expand like always. Some things I am thinking is voice recognition system this way I could just say play "Warrant" (I'd never say that).

It sounds like we have a few people trying to do the same things. What do you say we all agree on some functionality and do this together. If you guys are interested let me know what your contribution could be and we could start to formulate a project plan going forward.

I've spent a few years doing high-end audio installation in the high school days.

I've been developing software since the age of 9 and currently own a software company.

I'm also fluent with buliding hardware. Not EE

This description was not to be self serving but just to give you an idea of some of things I will be able to contribute.

Cheers!

//MWEELS

cjones · 14th November 2002, 18:40

mweel (and everyone else),

You need to check out http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/.

There are bunch of folks working on software packages. I run Cobra 3 (there is a separate group for it on that site). Cobra 4 is coming out soon (end of the month) and promises to be really slick.

Here is a pick of it running in my C5.

I already took a cutaway pic of a Lemans Blue M5 and made a new background to replace the one in this pic.

cjones · 14th November 2002, 18:47

Also,

Here is the keyboard and mouse I think I'm going to switch to.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/pcsound/375758.html

Here is another idea for those who are thinking of putting a PC in their car.

http://www.wardriving.com/

chazzy · 14th November 2002, 19:26

Pretty cool. I'm thinking about doing an install in my Honda as an experiment just to see what kind of challenges it presents. If it works out, I'll consider helping someone that I know do a custom installation in a competition audio car.

1080iAddict · 14th November 2002, 19:48

Phew - I am glad I am not alone in this endeavor.

I think its a great idea to work on a solution that is universal to all of us, such as bluetooth or 802.11b functionality, to wirelessly dock the beast. I love it.

Believe it or not, I am focusing on aestetics only for the moment, because I know the rest is possible. Driving to an appointment after I posted this morning, I realized that the slickest part of the install, other than the NAV screen itself, will be the mouse. The center console storage area is the perfect size for a touchpad. Forget what I said above about it pivoting. Instead, the touchpad can be mounted immediately inside the storage area such that you can still open and close the sliding cover to the storage area to hide the touchpad!!! Even with the cover open, a truly careful and custom fit would look awesome. Next time you are in the beast, place your arm on the console and fingers where the mouse would be. Tell me that would not be absolutely perfect for mouse navigation. And, you could hard-wire it.

As for a keyboard, I am now thinking infrared. Check this out:

http://www.pocketop.net/index-flash.shtml

It is small and wireless and could fold up into the glovebox when not in use. An IR repeater, widely available on the net (they use it iin home theater applications) would be used to relay the signal from the keyboard to the PC. A small sensor can be hidden in the passenger compartment to pick up the signal.

Can someone tell me how hard it would be to - only - get the antenna for the cell phone installed? Is the wire already there such that you sticky-glass mount the antenna to the exterior and the wire terminates where the electronics go for the phone (near the CD player)? This would be for the wireless adaptor and/or 802.11b

I am now thinking laptop into a docking station as the install. This way, you could 'undock', the battery would always be charged, and if you use PCMCIA as the wireless connections, you could go into someones home when you visit and surf the net, etc.

Looking forward to doing this. I am going to do it.

- Adam