H2 PC - NOW FOR SALE!!

[BLOWNZO6]

I have decided to make my first rounds of these.

I have put up a thread in the for sale section.

http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/t...1/m/7921084341

Thought I would share what I have been working on over the past few months.

This is a stand alone PC, using the factory BOSE speakers and sound system. Has full mp3/cd capability, XM radio, Navigation, DVD, wireless network, etc. etc.

I would say it is about 90% right now. I have included some shots of the screen installed in place of the factory radio, this is a complete bolt in installation, no cutting the factory faceplate, etc. It is really a slick setup.

7" Touchscreen






Here are a few pics of the frontends I have been working on as well.





Enjoy for now...

[BLOWNZO6]

I have decided to make my first rounds of these.

I have put up a thread in the for sale section.

http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/t...1/m/7921084341

Thought I would share what I have been working on over the past few months.

This is a stand alone PC, using the factory BOSE speakers and sound system. Has full mp3/cd capability, XM radio, Navigation, DVD, wireless network, etc. etc.

I would say it is about 90% right now. I have included some shots of the screen installed in place of the factory radio, this is a complete bolt in installation, no cutting the factory faceplate, etc. It is really a slick setup.

7" Touchscreen






Here are a few pics of the frontends I have been working on as well.





Enjoy for now...

[NJ H2]

Real nice!!
Got any pictures of when your on the internet?

[VTSTOMPER]

Holy drool baby! I would love to have one of those in my truck!

[VTSTOMPER]

don't forget the forum discount for us. Also - where does the disc go?

[HGW]

Very Slick. I am looking for a set up like yours.

[4churchill]

looks clean....can't wait to see more of it in action....does it have basic computer functions too? wireless keyboard? mouse??

[rodster]

DeLorme maps and Firefox in a Hummer . . . very sweet. Great workmanship.

802.11x, GSM/GPRS or something else for the web?

[rodster]

Where's the CPU?

[alldunn]

f(_)ck yea that is hella cool....I would love to have a little more info on this. Parts used, etc., etc.

[BLOWNZO6]

I will try to answer all of the questions.. I am glad to see this is being received as well as I thought it would be.

1. Internet Picture: Using Firefox embedded into the front end.


2. Intention to package and sell them?
** Yes the intention is to package and sell these. It is pretty straight forward to install and hook up. If you can hook up a home computer, you can hook this up. The issue is still the software and how well everything meshes together. There is some configuration that the end user has to do. I am working as much of this out of the package as possible.

3. Where does the disc go?
** The PC and XM unit are mounted under the back seat on the drivers side. A drive can pretty much be put anywhere you could possible fit one. This is something that will be worked out as well. Right now you just put it in the DVD drive in the PC. BTW the seat is FULLY FUCTIONAL. I have my up and down all of the time, this was a MAJOR design concern of the system. I have attached a picture of it installed here.


4. Are basic computer functions still active? Wireless keyboard or mouse?
** This is a fully functioning PC, while I have it setup so that the front end boots directly, you can launch explorer or ANY program from the launch part of the frontend. You can use any USB keyboard, wireless, remote, etc. I have a mouse in the car that I used for setup, etc. With the touchscreen you can use the on screen keyboard to type in URL's, etc.

5. Wireless connection?
** Right now I have just have an 802.11g USB dongle on the computer, but again.. ANY type of wireless you could use on a laptop, etc. you can use on this as it is a fully functioning PC.

I don't have any pricing, when they will be available, etc. but am working with a forum member and vendor to bring these to you guys. No price is determined yet, but this project started to have something SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than what is currently available on the market.

There is one significant drawback.. right now there is no good FM solution. I have about 6,500 mp3's on it right now and with XM as well it has not been a problem for me.

I forgot to mention, the Onstar is still fully functional with this as well.

[BLOWNZO6]

I will not be that cheap, but the quality of the video is beyond that of the AVIC-D1 with respect to resolution, brightness, etc.

This is not just limited to what they have built into that unit, this is a full functioning PC... the retail on that unit you have is about $1,800. I would expect this to be somewhere in that range. This is with me making them, selling them to a reseller and then him selling them to you. Right now the available systems on the market are in the $2,500 range. The goal is to make enough to make it worth my while, but also sell a good product. The screens I am using are currently I believe the best and brightest available.

Hope that helps.

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BLOWNZO6:
The issue is still the software and how well everything meshes together. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

IMO, that's the real value here. Building a carputer is easy and cheap enough but getting it to intergrate with existing onboard systems? That's a fine bit of engineering.

[BLOWNZO6]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BLOWNZO6:
The issue is still the software and how well everything meshes together. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

IMO, that's the real value here. Building a carputer is easy and cheap enough but getting it to intergrate with existing onboard systems? That's a fine bit of engineering. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It is already to the point where someone that knows computers decently could use it without issue, if I was not intending to market this at all and just was going to post a list of things I bought to put it together, it would be good enough. But I want to make sure that was people are getting is worth it.

I have also bought some gadgets today that will run things, really anything external to the computer.. I bought a 4 relay system to start with, not sure what I am going to run, but the possibilities are endless.

You are right, the integration of it all is where the value is.

The DVD player is not quite where I want it either. It is cool though to watch a movie in surround in the truck.

I have chosen components that are easy to buy and high quality. This helps us all with respect to cost. I really don't expect to get rich from this at all, I have really enjoyed the project.

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Blown, You and I should have been talking. Blown We are trying a FM that I may be able to help You with once We run it and try it out. We also have a AM/FM but, We have to see how much buzz We get from electronics on the AM dial. I have been focusing on the HUD with You and did not think about the carputer. I did not realize You were working on one to market. I will have mine finished in a few weeks with a 12" touchscreen in the dash which i do not recommend for the regular owner. I have moved My onstar to review mirror and AC to the bottom with an equalizer under it. The traction controls are on each side of the AC control, We think. Not a setup I would recommend for the average guy but, for a techie it is great toy to install. Will be able to burn Cd's and put in DVD or Cd without moving to reach the drive. It will be closer than the shifter not installed in the PC but remote. We will have it so the owner can make changes to keep drive remote with just a screwdriver and no not the drink DRTY, although after You work on installing some of this stuff You feel like it sometimes. We CNC'd a bezel to go around the slot that says HUMMER across the top and on one side lower H2. Blown has gone the way for self install with a 7" touch screen but, We are going to do a 10" touch screen with center dash premade with a all brackets for You to move exsisting equip. to and no wire lenghtening etc. If You have not bought the center dash itself it is quite expensive and then the time to convert it to 10". You will trade out the center dash console for core in exchange for the one We send You. if it is and older model H2 We have the ability to get you the argent color to match your dash after We cut and have to recolor center peice. We had the 7" in line already knowing We just had to have computer and 7" is a much easier install but, the 10" is WOW not counting the 12". A 12" will cost allot. The screen is near $900. You will not have a head unit in dash with 10" just like the 7" will not. The Pc will have everything in it for DVD,CD, MP3, etc. really anything You want including wireless internet or PCMCIA slot for card to run a cingular connect card if You want to dial up on cell. it will come satelite TV ready so You have to get subscription and ant. which We will be able to sell those also. It will have touch screen control and a screen keyboard on 7" or 10" as well as wireless keyboard and mouse and We will have verbal command that is note voice trained not to far down the line. It recognizes letter sounds and You can have anyone give it commands. Have a guy from Ratheon working on that and it is already working in cell phones like the Motorola V710 with bluetooth. You will not get one for $1000. 10" touchscreen cost close to $700 and computer we'll this is for people who really are into the geek stuff like Me and do not mind spending the money. I have dealership with all the suppliers for the equip. to make any PC format You want and it just will be high dollar. We are looking into Macintosh also down the road. Blown I wish We had mentioned To each other this. I will have mine on website and also a 4 12" sub with overhead 2 amp rack in rear of H2 that a full rear bench will fit between. The 4 12" subs fit in a replacement wheel well housing for the factory so You can bolt it in and send us the core wheel well housing back for credit. I will have Infinity subs and amps with a 12" flip down screen made into the amp rack between the amps. If You want different subs and amps We can do it b ut the enclosures will have to be specails made as none of the cmpanies deminsions are very close to each other on purpose. that is why you see most enclosures hand made to the sub. It is placed where 3rd row have a screen to watch as well as headrest for middle and in my rig the 12" for front. Man this is a bummer I would liked to have worked with you in this. My DVD/CDRW burner will be mounted in the lid of the center console in a slot format that will eject and receive just like the factory. This way You can copy all the music and movies You want to a 60 gig hard drive or bigger with a big processor. We will have XM and Onstar working through it all as well as phone along with GPs and NAV. Man this is just a bummer. We both are doing some things that would have made it easier for Us both. Well if nothing else I want to look at Yours and I'll market it at shows if You can get the 7" down in price versus mine. Mine will be more on the 10" and 12" but, Yours sounds like it will cover most needs and sound like a good idea and can be priced good. Guys if He can get this to You for $1500 to $2000 You will be lucky and need to get it if that, if it is what You need. That number will not even cover the subs the amps the encosures and 12' flipdown. Not close. Then depending on what PC You want. We will have an alacarte menu on the website to pick what you want as some may not want the NAV or what evedr and the price will be their and You can build to Your expensice account allows. If You want this monster I have a computer genius working for Me that We designed for people to buy that want to say in their world no one has anything like this. We are using dual GPS sources to get all the info We want to collect at one time. I know Blown does quality work do not be afraid to get His setup at all. I would look closer to $2000. If I sold My complete setup with sub and enclosures and amps with the 12", PC Man I cannot even think yet what it will be. We are going to adapt the subs to one on each side if that is what You want with one amp. Blown I need to talk to You about the sub enclosures which is what Dragon and I said last week that We need You in this for the skill You are an engineer at. I'll give You a call when will be a good time? Hope it goes really good. My design is intially for show and then We are down sizing it for retail from the shop or website. Mostly to use in the conversion We do.
Blown let Me know if I can help You. It would have been great to do this along with the HUD with You. H2 should be out of paint after this week I hope and I will have test for You on HUD. We had Our first annual show and shine this past weekend and slowed allot down. But, We are basicly stripping all the clear and painting ghost flames and going back with 3 to 5 coats of clear on the whole rig. I have hood down with HUMMERcustoms in the center of the hood in ghost color so that it is hard to see until You tilt hood about 45 degrees for show to show the engine bling and then they see it well. The flames will be hard to see until you get about 15 to 20 feet from the rig.
Blown let me know when will be a good time to call you.
Guys I just have to hope Your prepared to understand the work Blown is putting into this and the cost is big. Call West Coast or Unique and ask them for a computer as described by Blown and see what you get quoted.

Blown if You get it where You can beat My 7" job I will market Yours instead of building one myself abd put Yours on Our website and and take it to all the shows i go to. So you will not hurt for buyers You will have to find time to build them so it is worth Your time just like You said.
TAZ

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BLOWNZO6:
It is already to the point where someone that knows computers decently could use it without issue, if I was not intending to market this at all and just was going to post a list of things I bought to put it together, it would be good enough. But I want to make sure that was people are getting is worth it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well you know, if you need a geek-in-a-Hummer beta tester...

I agree with your focus on making the system accessible to the (my words) non-geek consumer. Most folks just want to turn it on and go, I imagine.

Thinking out loud here: What happens if the user has a drive failure? Does the front end and existing component integration reside in firmware? Will you ship a customized version of Windows so catastrophic failures are fixable and hardware upgrades are possible? No response requested unless you feel like it.

Surround sound in a truck?

If you can get this in front of the dealer network I bet you'll sell loads of product.

And who's to say the H2 is your only market? There are many other barely useful NAV/radio systems in the world today. The world is ready for an easy-to-own carputer.

[BLOWNZO6]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ:
Blown, You and I should have been talking. Blown We are trying a FM that I may be able to help You with once We run it and try it out. We also have a AM/FM but, We have to see how much buzz We get from electronics on the AM dial. I have been focusing on the HUD with You and did not think about the carputer. I did not realize You were working on one to market. I will have mine finished in a few weeks with a 12" touchscreen in the dash which i do not recommend for the regular owner. I have moved My onstar to review mirror and AC to the bottom with an equalizer under it. The traction controls are on each side of the AC control, We think. Not a setup I would recommend for the average guy but, for a techie it is great toy to install. Will be able to burn Cd's and put in DVD or Cd without moving to reach the drive. It will be closer than the shifter not installed in the PC but remote. We will have it so the owner can make changes to keep drive remote with just a screwdriver and no not the drink DRTY, although after You work on installing some of this stuff You feel like it sometimes. We CNC'd a bezel to go around the slot that says HUMMER across the top and on one side lower H2. Blown has gone the way for self install with a 7" touch screen but, We are going to do a 10" touch screen with center dash premade with a all brackets for You to move exsisting equip. to and no wire lenghtening etc. If You have not bought the center dash itself it is quite expensive and then the time to convert it to 10". You will trade out the center dash console for core in exchange for the one We send You. if it is and older model H2 We have the ability to get you the argent color to match your dash after We cut and have to recolor center peice. We had the 7" in line already knowing We just had to have computer and 7" is a much easier install but, the 10" is WOW not counting the 12". A 12" will cost allot. The screen is near $900. You will not have a head unit in dash with 10" just like the 7" will not. The Pc will have everything in it for DVD,CD, MP3, etc. really anything You want including wireless internet or PCMCIA slot for card to run a cingular connect card if You want to dial up on cell. it will come satelite TV ready so You have to get subscription and ant. which We will be able to sell those also. It will have touch screen control and a screen keyboard on 7" or 10" as well as wireless keyboard and mouse and We will have verbal command that is note voice trained not to far down the line. It recognizes letter sounds and You can have anyone give it commands. Have a guy from Ratheon working on that and it is already working in cell phones like the Motorola V710 with bluetooth. You will not get one for $1000. 10" touchscreen cost close to $700 and computer we'll this is for people who really are into the geek stuff like Me and do not mind spending the money. I have dealership with all the suppliers for the equip. to make any PC format You want and it just will be high dollar. We are looking into Macintosh also down the road. Blown I wish We had mentioned To each other this. I will have mine on website and also a 4 12" sub with overhead 2 amp rack in rear of H2 that a full rear bench will fit between. The 4 12" subs fit in a replacement wheel well housing for the factory so You can bolt it in and send us the core wheel well housing back for credit. I will have Infinity subs and amps with a 12" flip down screen made into the amp rack between the amps. If You want different subs and amps We can do it b ut the enclosures will have to be specails made as none of the cmpanies deminsions are very close to each other on purpose. that is why you see most enclosures hand made to the sub. It is placed where 3rd row have a screen to watch as well as headrest for middle and in my rig the 12" for front. Man this is a bummer I would liked to have worked with you in this. My DVD/CDRW burner will be mounted in the lid of the center console in a slot format that will eject and receive just like the factory. This way You can copy all the music and movies You want to a 60 gig hard drive or bigger with a big processor. We will have XM and Onstar working through it all as well as phone along with GPs and NAV. Man this is just a bummer. We both are doing some things that would have made it easier for Us both. Well if nothing else I want to look at Yours and I'll market it at shows if You can get the 7" down in price versus mine. Mine will be more on the 10" and 12" but, Yours sounds like it will cover most needs and sound like a good idea and can be priced good. Guys if He can get this to You for $1500 to $2000 You will be lucky and need to get it if that, if it is what You need. That number will not even cover the subs the amps the encosures and 12' flipdown. Not close. Then depending on what PC You want. We will have an alacarte menu on the website to pick what you want as some may not want the NAV or what evedr and the price will be their and You can build to Your expensice account allows. If You want this monster I have a computer genius working for Me that We designed for people to buy that want to say in their world no one has anything like this. We are using dual GPS sources to get all the info We want to collect at one time. I know Blown does quality work do not be afraid to get His setup at all. I would look closer to $2000. If I sold My complete setup with sub and enclosures and amps with the 12", PC Man I cannot even think yet what it will be. We are going to adapt the subs to one on each side if that is what You want with one amp. Blown I need to talk to You about the sub enclosures which is what Dragon and I said last week that We need You in this for the skill You are an engineer at. I'll give You a call when will be a good time? Hope it goes really good. My design is intially for show and then We are down sizing it for retail from the shop or website. Mostly to use in the conversion We do.
Blown let Me know if I can help You. It would have been great to do this along with the HUD with You. H2 should be out of paint after this week I hope and I will have test for You on HUD. We had Our first annual show and shine this past weekend and slowed allot down. But, We are basicly stripping all the clear and painting ghost flames and going back with 3 to 5 coats of clear on the whole rig. I have hood down with HUMMERcustoms in the center of the hood in ghost color so that it is hard to see until You tilt hood about 45 degrees for show to show the engine bling and then they see it well. The flames will be hard to see until you get about 15 to 20 feet from the rig.
Blown let me know when will be a good time to call you.
Guys I just have to hope Your prepared to understand the work Blown is putting into this and the cost is big. Call West Coast or Unique and ask them for a computer as described by Blown and see what you get quoted.

Blown if You get it where You can beat My 7" job I will market Yours instead of building one myself abd put Yours on Our website and and take it to all the shows i go to. So you will not hurt for buyers You will have to find time to build them so it is worth Your time just like You said.
TAZ </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

WHOOOOAH RICK... LOL

I was just posting up some pictures to gage interest.. NO intent of stepping on your toes. We have discussed this many times and I am still on the same page as you.. as I said, just postin up some pictures and kind of at the feedback stage, seeing what people think.

There were a few goals of mine that are very differnent from yours.
1. As little modification as possible
2. Use the stock amps, bose speakers, etc.
3. Find a good system for a basic install, not a full blown custom install like you have, with amps subs, etc.