Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 18:26:54 -0500 From: Drew Baxter <netmonger@genesis.ispace.com> To: Mark Kobussen <skjellyfetti@iname.com> Cc: chat@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Car Mp3 Player Message-ID: <4.1.19990112182143.00c9e470@genesis.ispace.com> In-Reply-To: <369BCFF9.D6821FE0@iname.com> References: <4.1.19990111182426.00a9ac60@genesis.ispace.com>
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At 04:43 PM 1/12/99 -0600, Mark Kobussen wrote: >> Later looks revealed www.empeg.com > >A wonderful site. I used to visit it almost daily - I'm using some of >his power-supply designs in my car. > >> Has anyone seen this? I think it's downright amazing.. Unfortunately >> they're on the linux bandwagon.. > >Not as amazing as you might think. A lot of car manufacturers are adding >embedded systems into their 2000 models. Cadillac has integrated Thermal >Imaging (Yes, like the FLIR in modern attack aircraft). > >I'm throwing an embedded PC together for my car. I'm using FreeBSD >(obviously) and plan to order an embedded Pentium board from either >Advantech, VersaLogic, or Axiom Technologies. > >Display: No ASCII non-sense here! I'm using a 6" TFT LCD (for only $99!) >which fits in my double-height DIN slots in my car (where the stock >stereo was). Most of the stuff has to be wired together (including the >inverters and power-supply for the LCD). It's got a nice 640x320 >display resolution, and it's in full color. Unfortunately, it only >takes NTSC signals, so I need to convert the VGA from the PC. > >I was talking to another FreeBSD fellow about this (Doug Russell), and >we're planning on starting up soime pages and possibly even a project to >integrate FreeBSD with embedded PC's for automotive applications. > >What else? Probably a lot of other issues I'm running over. Right now, >I'm working on developing a GUI system for the car. I really don't want >to use X11, as I want all the space dedicated to MP3's and the software >which controls the car (through the built-in diagnostics port). I was >thinking SVGALib, but I have exactly NULL experience programming any >kind of graphical software, but I figure it's about time to learn. > >Oh, and input. I was thinking a 6 or 8 key pad on the driver's side >door, and possibly something like a Sony Playstation or Gravis-type >controller for the passenger (which resides in the glove-box). uhm wow.. A touch screen LCD wouldn't be too bad of an idea. I like the EMpeg unit because it's pretty much self-supporting.. I aim to be bizarre.. Probably why I'm nearly 18 years old and feel the urge to carry a Motorola Advisor Gold and a palmtop. Something that could be interfaced with a car would be cool, definitely. Although a touchscreen LCD in the 'oversize' compartment would probably work.. Namely the place where they put the stock stereo, and the little compartment below it (Although some vehicles lack that). They aren't really cheap though. Surprised you can get a Color LCD for 99 bucks. --- Drew "Droobie" Baxter Network Admin/Professional Computer Nerd(TM) OneEX: The OneNetwork Exchange, Bangor Maine USA http://www.droo.orland.me.us PGP ID: 409A1F7D To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-chat" in the body of the message
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