Quote:
|
I would like to install linux on it, but the only thing I am worried about is it not being able to play WMA files with it. It really isn't that big of a deal, because I only have a few WMAs here and there, but I would still like to be able to play them.
|
Just use XMMS for linux and install the WMA plugin. Very simple.
As for the carpc goes, read on.
My friend John and I put one in his BMW M3. We are about to do the same for my 525i.
For eyecandy, follow the links below.
BMW M3:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=16568 (finished product)
For build photos, goto
http://www.blurbco.com/~gork/carpc/
Things you can't see in the photos:
1) The computer is interfaced to the BMW I-Bus so it can send/receive all kinds of events from the car. For instance, the computer can read from the I-Bus what doors/trunk/etc are open, what lights are on (headlamps/interior,etc.), if the car is moving, steering wheel button presses, etc. There is really tons of information available. If you have a CarPC in your BMW and it's not talking to the I-Bus you're missing out on a ton of great things!
2) The GPS receiver is mounted on the rear decklid behind the headrest. The TV antenna adheres to the rear windshield.
3) I removed the factory head unit entirely, but kept the stock amplifiers and speakers from the Harmon/Kardon system. It was really pretty simple to interface to this, and left me a little more flexibility with the PC controlling everything.
4) The XM-PCR receiver is also attached to the back windshield.
Upcoming work includes:
1) USB Audio. There is a lot of noise on the stock setup.
2) Temp.-based fan speed control. It gets hot here so I want to have the fans going in my Mini-ITX case; however, they are really noisy and I can hear them a little bit. If it's cool, I dont' want them to be running. I'm still searching for a SMALL temp.-based fan controller. I have only found these huge pyramid shaped jobbers with tons of LED's in them.. NO GOOD!
3) My own software. I have started working on my own version of in-car software. It will likely be based on the WMP9 or various lower-level directx audio/video components and use Macromedia Flash for the UI. It'll be pretty tailored to my setup initially, but I'll probably attempt to start extending it so that other folks can use it.
4) ODB-II or K-Bus interface for Engine stats/logging/etc. - I'll either build or buy some ODB-II stuff or build another interface to talk to BMW's K-Bus (From which you can read similar engine data) at some point. Is there any ODB-II software that lets you recycle some ActiveX components into your own applicaiton by chance? Or ODBII software with a good API accessible from VB? I could easily crank out some keen looking gauges in Flash...
5) LCD Inverter dimmer based on Illumination wire input and a photocell. This is somewhat on hold since I have figured out how to get headlight status, ambient light readings, and dash dimmer settings over I-Bus and can control the video gamma from this info, but I'd still like to design a PWM auto-dimmer circuit at some point.