Windows - Well its good enough for
running MS Word or playing games on but its not ideal for using in a mobile
entertainment environment. One way or another the Explorer interface had to go.
I then joined up a bulletin
board on the
MP3car.com site and found the
The Open Source Car Computer
Project
( Or Media Engine ). It did everything I wanted, MP3, GPS ( with an external app
), video and more as well as being touch screen compatible and customisable. I
then progressed on to the latest kid on the block
Roadrunner.
Gunio
the writer has been very committed and since the
beginning of 2005 has developed and all singing and all dancing application. You
can find out about it and more of the applications on this page of you you want
even more detail why not visit
Cartft.com
and have a look at my comprehensive reviews on the
Dockingstation.
For v5 I have decided to move it
up a notch and chose a new front end that I have been watching since it started
out a few years back in the deepest depths of Mp3car.....
Centrafuse 2.x. The very
fact that I have spent money on a front end rather than download and as before
carry on using a free one should show you the quality of the product and what I
believe unlike some other 'pay for' Front Ends and should be supported and around
for some time.
Old Details For v4 Here
My Own
Software Setup For v5
Centrafuse For Front End & GPS
As I
said I bought
Centrafuse 2.x this time out which does help
minimise the amount of 'extras' I need installing as
a result due to so many plugins available. Lets look
at the application its self first though.
Providing
a front end for MP3s and video the graphics are
basic animated layers rather than the flash
interface of such programmes like FreeICE. This has
the added advantage of not over doing the CPU just
to provide some eye candy although it is some thing
I would like to see improved. The music system
accesses the files through a data base of ID3
information ( MP3 file tags ) and also the option of
a folder view. This combination does allow quick
access to what you need how ever you do need to have
the tags sorted out correctly for this to work
right. One unique feature of
Centrafuse is multiple play lists which means
you can have up to 10 loaded at any time meaning
when car sharing each person can still keep their
own play list on the go with out it been changed.
As
well as a fully featured Bluetooth phone ( actually
its Phonecontrol which is merged ) there is a radio
which is compatible with my Silabs FM stick, a DVD
player and OBDII. The OBDII system works with my
Elm327 adaptor giving me live and direct access to
my cars data as I am driving.
Centrafuse
does also include a GPS system based on the
Destinator 7 navigation engine which I quite like
having been a long time user of Freedrive and as
such is very familiar although direct safety camera
alerts are not available. I say direct as in on
screen and voice indication of a near by camera
based on the road your on and not a radius.
Currently you can have a POI warning with one sound
file set to alert you with in a set radius and to
support this there is an import feature for camera
locations. The Centrafuse FE also adds a couple of
extra features to this such as a one touch
navigation button to certain POI types but it also
provides the GPS data to the rest of the programme
and any other plugins.
I have several
plugins currently installed to complete jobs that I
normally had other programmes for.... the first one
I would suggest should be the only one you install
when building a fresh system and its Zorros Plugin
Browser. With an Internet connection you can view
all the latest plugins available and in most cases
even install them just though the Centrafuse
interface with out even having to go to Windows.
This has the added advantage that if Centrafuse is
running as a shell you do not have to mess around to
get the plugin installed and configured.
Logodashboard is one
of the best I have installed though - this allows me
to show loads of key information on the main screen
such as my next route manoeuvre or eta or even OBDII
data. In fact the only limit is on the information
passed around Centrafuse its self.
The second plugin I
would advise you to install once you are using
Zorros Plugin browser is his Skin Browser because
for the same reasons above you can install any of
the latest skins that are out to customise your
CarPCs look. Other plugins I have ( but not all in
use ) is the Bluetooth browser ( does not seem to be
compatible with the Microsoft stack ), a automatic
volume control based on my current driving speed and
POI Warner for some more advanced safety camera
warnings.
On the whole I am
very happy with the front end its self how ever I do
think improvements in the skinning features need to
be looked at and in fact that is what the
development team have said they will be doing at
some point. Finally I am waiting for the UK TMC (
TMC Pro ) system to be supported through Trafficsam
though standard TMC is now supported so areas like
mainland EU should be able to use over the air
traffic information.
To
make Centrafuse more in tune with my car
I have started
working in Visual Designer 2 by Zorro which although
currenlty is exclusivly used for Centrafuse skins
can in fact be used for just about any thing from
Roadrunner to Frodoplayer. Based on the skining
system fro Zorros phone control it gives you a
WISIWIG eviroment for creating the xml skins by
allowing 'templates' to be created and then updating
each 'screen' to be updated based on those settings.
I use this with a combination of Photoshop to
acheive what I want and although its very daungting
at first once you have the hang of it your away. One
bit of advice I would give you is to read the howtos
in the programe directory which include a special
one just for Centrafuse exporting. How ever if you
want to spend half an hour and watch a video all
about it to get going quickly then surf to
http://visualdesigner2.com/Movies/New Features.htm
which have been prepared by Zorro his self to show
any new user the ropes.
The Skin Screen Shots ( v5 ) ( Vx Day & Vx Night )
Currently I am still building the skins and
converting them to work with Centrafuse 2 how ever
below you can see some preveiw screen shots ( bound
to change ) and how they compare to the OEM screen
built in to my car. I'm awaiting for a Canbus device
to become available to allow Centrafuse to change
the skin depending on whether my lights are on or
not. Currently this can only be done on a time basis
although I have requested the feature to be added so
it may at least be a manual opertation.
Safety Cameras
The
final and most useful addition you need is speed
camera data. Centrafuse has been designed to work
with the single file CSV from
PocketGPS.co.uk
-although the POI Warner plugin also uses this
infomation. In the UK this function is legal because
it is GPS based but I believe you should not use
this for speeding. In fact the reason I use it is
because so many of these cameras are hidden and so
many roads are badly marked up its easy to be caught
out - the best course of action is don't speed.
These can be
downloaded at
PocketGPS.co.uk
POI
Edit
POI Edit
is mainly used with PDAs how ever has the ability to
save the POI files locally. You first set up what
you want to download and then you can either set it
to automatically update or what I recommend
manually. This way you can do it at home via WIFI
rather than GPRS so it will cost you less. The POIs
that are actually available are wide and varied and
include POIs from McDonalds to Safety Cameras so
hope over to there web site and have a look for what
you need.
You can
find it it at
http://www.poiedit.com/
My Web Traffic Interface For Travel Info Via GPRS &
More
I have a web site
that I have built which matches my in car skin.
Using the a web browser on the move allows me to
access it and as I have also created buttons to work
it the system is totally integrated with the car. On
this site I have direct and controllable access to
many traffic or general information sites so I can
access free information when ever I need to. The
best part is that I have free internet with my
current contract and that I can add / remove or
modify any services I want with out having to do a
new install on the car its self. Here you can see it
in use within the MC2 skin and Roadrunner although
any thing with a browser will do the job.
More information can be
found at
http://www.letscommunicate.co.uk/carpc/traffic/
GPSGate
You
can use GpsGate Client to send your GPS position to
your
GpsGate.com account
or any other GpsGate Server. In my case I use it to
upload to the GpsGate.com server so I can check on
where I have been and if like when I was on holiday
I find some thing interesting I have no idea how I
found look back at where I have been. With the
Google maps integration it is even possible to look
at the Satellite view of that area as well.
One
ideal feature of this gateway is that it allows the
sharing of position data ( live in the case of
having a GPRS connection ) with specific people,
groups or even on your own web page if you set it
up. This has the added advantage that if you share
the data live and then place a traffic overlay on
the Google map those looking could take account of
current conditions to have a better idea of your
journey time. The client could be run as a service
which is ideal if you run Centrafuse as the shell
how ever at this point there is no plugin to control
it.
Here
is a more detailed feature list for GpsGate client:
Connect your GPS to GpsGate.com and other tracking
services
Share one GPS among several applications
Track Recorder with offline caching ( read more )
Connect a GPS to Google Earth
Send GPS data over HTTP
Use Garmin USB GPS receivers with standard GPS
applications
Use standard GPS receivers with Garmin applications
(nRoute)
Automatically add GPS data in web forms with "GPS in
Browser" feature
Stabilize the GPS connection. In particular to
Bluetooth GPS receivers
Share a GPS over Bluetooth, over ActiveSync, or even
over a network
GPS simulation and logging
Multiplex and split NMEA streams
Developer API for application integration
and more...
More
information can be found at
http://www.gpsgate.com/
Girder
Girder originally
started life as a freeware application doing what no
other application did. Then because of its success
Promixis integrated it in to their portfolio and
further started charging for it. This is no bad
thing though because Girder now has corporate
support it should not be going any where for a long
time as well as getting further developed. So what
can it do ? It basically allows control from any
input device to any output but because it uses
scripts to do this it is not limited to one key
press but can perform a whole series of commands. I
have constricted my own Girder file to control
Roadrunners main features when in view but also to
control Phonecontol. This means I can have a
passenger make and answer calls as well as select
their own music - and been RF there are are no
problems where in the car that person is.
More
information can be found at
http://www.promixis.com/
Ashampoo Magic
Defrag
-
Defragments the hard disk automatically and
"invisibly" in the background.
Pauses defragmentation automatically as soon as
other programs require processor capacity or
access the hard disk.
Switching to Pause mode only takes around one
second.
Support for defragmenting compressed files.
No analysis needed - defragmentation starts
immediately! The advanced defragmentation
algorithm eliminates the need for a
time-consuming analysis phase. This means that
the program is genuinely productive whenever
it's running, even if it's just for a few
seconds.
Install & Forget: Once the program is installed
it runs in the background as a service and keeps
the hard disk defragmented automatically.
Statistic functions for monitoring
defragmentation.
Multi-user support: Once the administrator has
installed the program it keeps running, even on
restricted user accounts without administrator
rights.
Also defragments the hard disk when no user is
logged in.
Can be controlled and monitored via a local
network.
More
information can be found at
http://www.ashampoo.com/
nLite
Want to
install Explorer,
Outlook Express, MSN Explorer, Messenger... or how
about not even to install them with Windows ?
nLite is a tool for pre-installation Windows
configuration and component removal at your choice.
Optional bootable image ready for burning on media
or testing in virtual machines. With nLite you will
be able to have Windows installation which on
install does not include, or even contain on media,
the unwanted components.
Features
Service Pack Integration
Component Removal
Unattended Setup
Driver Integration *
Hotfixes Integration **
Tweaks
Services Configuration
Patches ***
I used
it my self to speed up the rebuild process and
include such support as the drivers for my board, XP
SP3, Directx and more. This gave me the added
advantage of very minimal overhead in terms of
configuring the final setup. This final installable
ISO is simply booted up on the PC and installed like
any other Windows setup but with out loads of
questions, finally the extra cab files including the
extras you require are installed. Unfortunately
Centrafuse does not have a silent install feature
how ever that is not to say an
Autoit script could
not be written to follow it through.Bootable
ISO
More
information can be found at
http://www.nliteos.com/
The OS or Operating
System
What
follows if the manual process of what I did using Nlite. First of all
you need to format your PC's drive ( I did this build on my desktop
where I could ). To the right you will see a
diagram of how I
did it how ever you can change it how ever you want. My advice though is
that this is the best configuration you can have. Partition 1 is the
system drive and if done right should not change much so its easy to
restore should it ever need to.... I'll come to that bit at the end.
Partition 2 is for all your music and videos'. I have separated this
because it the main area that changes a lot, this area can become very
'fragmented' so keeping it separate has two advantages. The first been
that the main system ( Partition 1 ) works the quickest it can because
of the lack of fragmentation. The second ( again I will cover this at
the end of the article ) is that you can restore just the data if need
or just the system disk ( Partition 1 ). Eventually I chose the OS
Windows XP. The reason for is that it
is a modern OS with some great features and media support how ever it is
a little slow, lastly its very compatible with Media Engine which I will
be basing most of my system around.
Drivers:-
Next was to install all the drivers I
required for the Mother Board and other devices. The mother board under
Windows XP required only some support drivers some of which could only
be down when the hardware was installed fully. The best way of
installing drivers is to get the latest you can of the web site for your
own particular device and operating system.
Service
Packs
Service packs for the OS were next. I
installed the drivers first so they could be updated if need by these,
and in-fact Microsoft recommend any changes that are applied no matter
how small the SP should be applied. Note that I have not upgraded MS
Internet Explorer as its not needed by my self.
Applications
These take the most time as
you have to integrate and test each one with the right settings but once
don you will get your integrated OEM look.
Scan
Disking, Defraging And Imaging The 'Build'
So we have our 'Build'. I now want to back this up
for a number of reasons ( apart from knowing what can happen ) so to
make sure this is working at its optimum I ran scan disk twice then the
defrag tool three times. This may sound over the top but it the disk is
too fragmented it will slow the start-up of your system. Here comes the
cleaver bit. I have took an image using 'Drive
Image 5' ( how ever that are others
such as Ghost about ) and saved this to the back up area on my disk
along with all the drivers I may ever need. The idea behind this if I
ever change the build and don't like it or it becomes corrupt, with one
CD I can do a restore even when away from home of an optimised system. I
also recommend that you restore your image and time you want to make any
major changes to the system partition ( such as a new GPS app etc ) then
re take an image after a defrag etc. This way you are always working
with a good fast system. Always keep this one safe some where on CD etc
- that way you can always go back. I won't going to imaging and builds
too much as its such a complicated topic but there are plenty of places
with information about best practices etc on the net including the
software houses them selves..
The Data
Lastly to test I put a
couple of small music videos and mp3's on to the data drive..... the
results were worth the effort. I am currently converting all my LP/CD
music to MP3 which is taking some time but looking at the amount of
space I am using up to this point its going to take a while to fill -
and I say this as a former DJ. Currently I am using Magix's application
set and so far I have found it to be the best for cleaning the tracks up
as well as recording them.
Conclusion
It takes time but do the
build once or twice for using it as an image - this way you know exactly
which options you want with which drivers etc plus you have already
tested it so your system works to the optimum. Make sure you have a
backup and if needs be ( like my self ) document the process and keep
and files needed so it can easily be repeated should the worst happen.
CarPC Front End Software - A Quick Glance At Some Of The Best From Around The
World
Name |
Web Site |
Cost |
Skinable |
MP3 |
GPS
|
GPS Support |
DVD / Video |
FM Radio |
Bluetooth Phone |
TV |
Ext App |
Web |
Weather |
Overall Score |
Centrafuse 2.x |
a |
Purchase |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
9 out of 10 |
Roadrunner |
a |
Free |
a |
a |
x |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
8 out of 10 |
FreeICE |
a |
Free |
a |
a |
x |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
9 out of 10 |
Media Engine |
a |
Free |
a |
a |
x |
a |
a |
a |
x |
x |
a |
x |
x |
8 out of 10 ( Version 2 ) |
Carbox |
a |
Free |
a |
a |
x |
a |
a |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
7 out of 10 ( Version 0.4 ) |
iCT |
a |
Free |
a |
a |
x |
a |
a |
a |
a |
|
a |
x |
x |
7 out 10 |
Street Deck |
a |
Purchase |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
XM |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
Untested |
CNS Maestro |
a |
Depends |
On request |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
a |
x |
x |
x |
7 out 10 ( Version 2 ) |
Centrafuse
Roadrunner
|
|
|
|
-
Audio Engine ( MP3s )
-
Video
-
DVD
-
Mixer
-
External GPS (Map
Monkey, FreeDrive etc)
-
Launch Applications
-
SDK Support
-
Girder Control
-
ID3 Support
-
TV/Camera support
-
Radio (Radiator, WinTV,
Cinergy)
-
MapPoint
-
Phone Control
-
XM Radio Support
-
SIRIUS Radio Support
-
Weather Support
-
Picture Viewer
-
External LCD
-
iPod Support
-
Internet Browsing
-
16:9
support
A truly impressive
application that came from the demise of MediaCar. It does just about
every thing in the book and with Guino listing to the community its
constantly been updated and added to - he's even made the source code
available.
This is my chosen app and
since I first used and reviewed it Roadrunner has defintly become number
one. Further more some extra tool sets have been created by other users
and include an
automatic updater in a simular format
to the Windows Update function and a couple of
skinning apps to make the job easier.
http://guino.home.insightbb.com/roadrunner.html
or
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=72 or
http://www.rrdownloads.net/ |
FreeICE
Media
Engine
|
|
|
|
MediaEngine is a program that creates user-friendly environment to play
different kinds of multimedia on your PC while driving. This application can
play MP3s, DVDs, MPEGs and almost any other file based media, database your
music collection and allow searching, launch external applications, display
on screen Visualizations, and even shut down your computer. MediaEngine can
also be used as a manager for all of the media in your home stereo system.
By interfacing with a touch screen and remote control, it allows the user to
perform complex tasks normally requiring a couple of programs and much mouse
movement very easily. By the way if you get a strange message 'First Time
Use : Select Display Properties.' Just go to the MP3 Player and select any
track. It will be fine after that.
http://www.mediaengine.org/ |
CarBox
|
|
|
|
- Support for
Windows Media Player 9.0 (for Music and Video)
- Support for
Destinator 2.0 (for GPS Navigation)
- Fully resumes play
after hibernate/restart (Windows must be configured)
- Select a directory
subtree to replace, or add to current play list. Allows for queuing
up as much music as you need for your journey!
- Search facility,
to find individual songs/movies, or full albums.
- Fully skinnable.
- Scalable skins, so
you can view them at any screen resolution.
- Run-time
switchable skins, for example day/night skins.
- Option to embed
GPS application in Visualisation screen. Small, but handy.
- Option to start-up
GPS application when CarBox starts.
- Integrated clock.
Very small and
very quick. It was one of the first carpc apps to fully support the
Destinator
GPS software. The playlist selection is a little complicated how ever
once you have got through that it is very good at its job. The
skining option is so flexible its hard to decide what to do but the
newly released skinning app will help you with that. Currently it
still has some rouge edges how ever it is very stable and does
exactly what it says on the tin.
No longer been
supported or updated
http://www.stuffandting.com/carbox/ |
iCT
( In Car Terminal )
|
|
|
|
-
Search feature for
media files
mobile phone support via PhoneControl.NET (Download)
FM radio support via Radiator [e.g. Hauppauge USB TV/FM RDS]
CarPC Desktop optimized for Touchscreen-Usage
multilingual
Skinable (Free Skin-Editor available above)
Day/Night Mode (manual or automatic)
Navigation software like Travelbook, NaviPC, Navigon,... can be
attached to the Touchscreen Desktop (2 different quickbars possible)
Integrated On Screen-Keyboard
Image Viewer with slideshow-functionality
Auto-Resume for Music
Easy to control playlist functions
Integrated DVD-Player Interface
From the familiar
home of
Cartft.com this stable bit of kit
is home grown. For the price you get a simple value for money front
end which is also supported so you know if you do have problems
there is always help on hand. There is a full skinning app available
with some skins already in the community area and best of all it
supports Phonecontrol.net very nicely too. Try the free trial which
is downloadable to see what you think.
No
longer been supported or updated
http://www.cartft.com/ |
Frodoplayer
|
|
|
|
-
Audio Engine ( MP3s )
-
Video
-
DVD
-
External GPS (Map
Monkey, FreeDrive etc)
-
Launch Applications
-
TV/Camera support ( Via
Frodocam )
-
FM Radio ( Dlink )
-
Phone Control
-
XM Radio Support
-
Picture Viewer
-
16:9
support
A very nice app with loads of skins* to
support it. The skin function allows you to place any button for any
function any where which means you can be very creative. Checkout
Frodo's site as he has many other supporting applications such as
Frodocom and Frodocam.
No longer
been supported or updated
http://www.frodoplayer.com/ or
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=47
*Skins
shown from
MP3car.com |
MediaCar
|
|
|
|
-
Support
for Winamp
-
GPS
Using Mappoint 2002
-
Support
for Destinator 2.0 (for GPS Navigation) - Full Support To Come
-
Fully
Customisable Startup e.g. last used, GPS, Mp3's etc
-
Fully
skinnable
-
Scalable
skins, so you can view them at any screen resolution including
real 16:9 support
-
Day /
Night Mode
-
Skin
switch on the fly
-
Visualisation screen
-
Integrated clock
-
Fully
active equaliser
-
FM Radio
-
DVD &
DIVX Support
-
External
Application Launch Support
No longer
been supported or updated it defintly set the bar in its hayday - if you
still like the look and feel of this application have a look at
Roadrunner as it was made to be compatible with the Mediacar skins at
that time.
http://www.mediacar.org/
or
http://www.media-car.fr.st/ |
Street Deck
|
|
|
|
-
Touch Screen Control
Navigation & Mapping
Bluetooth Phone Integration
Satellite Radio
Vehicle Diagnostics
Rear-view Camera Support
CD player/MP3 Extraction
MP3 Player
FM Radio
DVD/Video Player
Picture Viewer
WiFi Sync Support
-
Partners which such companies like
Intel
I've not tested this app as its not made
it way over to Europe yet how ever this is a massively stable
application and is MP3cars first commercial venture. Its not cheap and
can be bought stand-a-lone instead of with their specific hardware for
which it was designed how ever the fact that its supposed to be an 'off
the shelf' solution for the masses means support and stability must be
there.... heck even Intel to name but one company are really pushing
Street Desk too. This is the first commercial CarPC solution ( hardware
/ software ) that is really available and has the experience behind it.
http://www.streetdeck.com/ |
Carrera EX - The Opel /
Vauxhall OEM ( Factory Fitted ) CarPC / Carputer - Yep It Exists
Car Navigation
Systems Inc
www.carnavsys.com
Currently they have a
contract with the major Opel market player in Bulgaria. They are
negotiating with Opel's headquarter in Germany to approve and include
this technology not just on local and EE level, but worldwide as well.
Their goal is to provide people on the go with computing functions and
Internet access identical to being in the office or home. With this they
can save a lot of time and money and be much more productive and really
mobile. Of course they'd like to entertain the people during trips as
well which is why they have developed a flexible and full-featured
multimedia part of their own software.
What have they done so far? They have developed a system, called Carrera
EX. Basically it consist from 3 parts - specially developed anti-shock
Pentium 4 PC w/ DVD, usually mounted in the vehicle's trunk,
dash-mounted Touch Screen LCD (at least one) and entirely developed by
Carnavsys in-car software for usage
during drive time. Of course thet offer installation and maintenance to
their customers and partners as well. Currently they are working on a
24x7 support centre and help desk, so they might stay more close to the
audience and they hope to announce it later this month ( Sept 2003 ). In
fact here there are lots of "hidden" to the normal eye details like
special audio and power supply filters, vehicle safe and security
features, special microcontroller integration board (that connects the
consumer electronics of the car with the pc. For instance - there is a
connection between the front lights and the pc. With that the customer
gets an automatic switch between day and night mode of the software. All
he needs to do is just to turn on the vehicle's lights...)etc
Concerning the new models of Opel - they are starting to install CarreraEX
in the new Vectra, Signum, Zafira and Combo. In fact these models have
great LCD place - what they need to do is just to de-install the audio
equipment that comes with your Vectra.
Below you can see some screenshots from their in-car software called
Maestro that was made especially for Opel, Opel fans and dealers
worldwide.
If you decide to use their in-car software solution, you'll need the above
mentioned integration board in order to get all the features
working fine (such as intelligent power management, day and night auto
switch, vehicle's integrated audio intelligent control etc). If you want
to have a play then CNS currently have v2 available for a free download
from their web site and its fully functional - you just have to apply
for a free licence via an email.
For more information please contact :-
Alexander Ivanov
Commercial Director
Car Navigation Systems Inc
Sofia, 1784
Bulgaria
Frontdesk: +359 2 9768198
Fax: +359 2 9768199
Visit us on
www.cns.bg /
www.carnavsys.com
Old Details For v4 Here
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