Thread: touchscreen dvd players that link with stackers?

You will need a double din unit to get all that in one unit and you wont be able to run your ipaq thru as it doesnt have vga output.

sounds like you really want an in car PC...
a head unit of this class will set you back best part of a grand for a no-name chinese model or potentially much more for something 'branded'.
a miniITX or mATX format PC with top shelf 12 volt power supply and touch screen will cost about the same and do more including GPS, dvd's (rip these onto the hard drive, uses less power), tv, video camera via reversing and/or underbody camera/s and if you are desperate email and internet access when around towns (drive around looking for unsecured wireless access ) with wireless LAN you can also rig it into your home network and upload files from your house into the vehicle remotely.

If you just want to run GPS and music, I'd recommend you use the Ipac's screen itself for GPS and use 4gb memory cards with MP3's loaded onto them and stream these through a normal headunit using either a good quality FM modulator or a docking station for the Ipac... this would be cheap, portable and very shock resistant. Take the PDA with you when you leave the car and it's secure as well!

Thanks guys,
you know that is not what I wanted to hear but you have certainly given me a few things to think about.

My IPAQ is the new hw6965 so it only has minisd slot so the biggest capacity memory card I have been able to get for that is 2 gig. I already have tomtom that came with it and also Ozi CE (which I bought but haven't loaded up yet).

The connectivity between the IPAQ and whatever head unit I get seems to be the first obstacle. Is it possible to do this via bluetooth or does it HAVE to be by vga? Is there any kind of adaptor that you guys have heard of? Any other options?

The carputer idea sounds cool but I wasn't planning to be spending that much money ...

Originally Posted by cameron

... the biggest capacity memory card I have been able to get for that is 2 gig....

currently true, but that's a hell of a lot of MP3's - at least a few days worth of continuous play!

re linking the PDA to a touch screen - there were adapters for Dell Axims that ran VGA out so you could plug your PDA into a projector and do a presentation or whatever, but I don't know about IPaq models having a video out port of any type - that's your first question - does the Ipaq have video output? if not, project over if it does, there are options...

I have a JVC DVD head unit that plays MP3s, CDs, DVDs, FM radio etc etc etc etc dual mode so DVD audio can go to rear speakers/headphones and radio audio to the front speakers - has Din type inputs at the rear and inputs on the front - connects to a seperate screen that I do not have. - like a touch screen.

Unit cost $450 - I have placed all my MP3s on a two dual layer DVDs (9gig each) - have something like 1500 songs on each (could have more if I used more compression) - lasts forever but if I also wanted I can connect a ipod etc either permanently through the rear inputs or on a temporary basis through the front inputs.

I intend to get an 8" touch screen (these are now selling on e-bay from Aust suppliers for about $250) to watch DVDs, - also to provide a visual menu to select which MP3s to play - also will connect the screen to my laptop for GPS navigation.

I could load heaps of DVDs on the laptop harddrive and play through the DVD/radio head unit and have the music menus displayed on the touch screen.

There are heaps of relatively cheap options.

Gazzz

Originally Posted by garrycol

I have a JVC DVD head unit that plays MP3s, CDs, DVDs, FM radio etc etc etc etc dual mode so DVD audio can go to rear speakers/headphones and radio audio to the front speakers - has Din type inputs at the rear and inputs on the front - connects to a seperate screen that I do not have. - like a touch screen.

Unit cost $450 - I have placed all my MP3s on a two dual layer DVDs (9gig each) - have something like 1500 songs on each (could have more if I used more compression) - lasts forever but if I also wanted I can connect a ipod etc either permanently through the rear inputs or on a temporary basis through the front inputs.

I intend to get an 8" touch screen (these are now selling on e-bay from Aust suppliers for about $250) to watch DVDs, - also to provide a visual menu to select which MP3s to play - also will connect the screen to my laptop for GPS navigation.

I could load heaps of DVDs on the laptop harddrive and play through the DVD/radio head unit and have the music menus displayed on the touch screen.

There are heaps of relatively cheap options.

Gazzz

Not really a cheap option and nothing to do with inputting the ipaq(which is not possible) and you still need an lcd screen and as its not a pc you cant run any apps on it like TT or Ozi Ex. Basically if you want a larger screen than the pda you will need a carputer of some description whethers its custom made or just a laptop with external touch screen.

OK thanks guys. Looks like it is a change of plan then ....

My set up is like this:

I have a 12v in car computer which is mounted near the rear of the vehicle. The computer runs windows XP on P4, 256mg RAM, 60Gig HD, Ozi-explorer and holds all the MP3's and has a CD burner/DVD player. It is connected to a Lillyput touchscreen on the dash and to the aux in on the Stereo. Gives me everything I want. A pop out screen incorporated with the stereo would probably be better but you start talking big big bucks for them. I have a mate in the business so I get all my stuff at cost price but retail you would be looking at about this:

12v computer - $1000-1400 (depends what you want in it)
8" touchscreen - $300


If anyone is interested I can PM you his contact details.