Introduction

This series of pages chronicles the work into what began as an in-car GPS, and became fairly much more. My drive comes from not wanting to spend $2500 or more on an in-car GPS and DVD player. Why pay so much for something we see on our desktops every day: a Personal Computer. If it is possible to get GPS, DVD playback, and touchscreen to work on a PC, why would it not work in a car. This turned out to be more complicated than originally expected.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Where to begin? Decisions on particular items make the difference. The biggest decision is hardware, but then how does one choose hardware for a car? There were a few requirements from my perspective:

• Touchscreen control - A must for any type of computer for use in a vehicle
• Play DVDs - To compete with the existing GPS/DVD systems
• Use Car's Audio system - Reduces cost, but importantly, keeps system simpler and more stock
• GPS Navigation - Obviously, or what's the point
• Easy to use - Cannot distract a busy driver
• Fast On-Time - less than 30 seconds is OK, quicker is better
• Fast off-time - Ability to survive power loss

But there were a few additional requirements to make the project a little more interesting:

• MP3 playback - GPS System should have music as well
• CD Ripping - to feed the MP3 player
• Updateable - to keep the GPS updated
• Internet/WiFi Access Point - To allow passengers access to media, to get access to internet
• DVD Ripping - To not have to carry the discs, and risk damage
• Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound - Why not?

So with these new requirements, more decisions about hardware needed to be made. What about the processor, what about the peripherals, and most importantly, what about the software?