Xbmc For Your Car, development of xbmc for easy use in car Options

[apextek]

I have recently created an xbox set up w/ 160 gb drive modded w/ an old alladin chip running xbmc. I have a number of movies games and a lot of music. I created an enclosure where I can safely set up the Xbox in the rear cargo of my Honda Passport in under a couple of minutes. (same time to take out). Im controlling XBMC with an RF controller as the infared remote is not likely to control a an xbox located in cargo/trunk.
If I run it to play a play list this is great for listening to my music while driving, however navigating through music while driving is more than a little dangerous.
How complicated would it be to edit xbmc to be more oriented to an automotive environment where the driver could navigate music without killing himself or anyone else on the road.

This is an ongoing project I will have posted on my website in the next few weeks.
I just got past the problem of powering a car xbox (that is quickly removable for play at friends, girlfriends ect.) remotely. While keeping the portability and removability and not sacrificing aesthetics.

All contributions to this project are greatly appreciated.

[beastiekid]

i probaly dont know what im talking about but u could edit the config.xml or just go in to settings and it also depends on what skin ur using make sure it says auto play next item in settings my music ok im running the xbox 360 skin by beast 96 when ur playing music to change the song u press start left left then a so i guess just get ur music playing before u start driving or remember exactly where everything is the just go by memory but im sure some one is going to come up with a cvs or build of xbmc thats CAR FRIENDLY

[j_guzzler]

I have my xbox run in my Pathfinder, for navigation I bought a few LCD screens. Mine is also set up for portablilty. I have audio from my stereo and video from the lcd to a side compartment in the back (moutned the audio video cables right in the plastic mold so all i do is plug the xbox in). I also bought a power inverter which is hidden in my under floor mat compartment in the back (with my sub amp) and ran a power cable up to the side compartment with the audio/video (separated by a sheild to reduce distortion) and have a plug wired into the plastic part as well...so all i do is open the side compartment and plug it in like i would at home. The xbox then sits on top of my sub box. For controlling, i just use the wireless gamepad.

I know you might be thinking that LCD's are expensive for the vehicle....but no, I got mine off of ebay for cheap, and its awesome...

XBMC+XBOX+vehicle makes for some really enjoyable road trips, even if I am the one who drives and gets to listen to all the movies....but i must say, playing ghost recon 2 with the sub on your back is pretty sweet....hehe.

[snowbound]

I am asuming this runs off the car battery? Doesnt this drain it? I have a crappy 86 Honda, so would need to know this detail before I ventured with it. Great idea though.

This post has been edited by snowbound: Jul 28 2005, 04:27 AM

[j_guzzler]

Yes it runs off your car battery. The sad thing is that you need to convert it from DC to AC then the xbox power supply converts the AC back to DC, stupid but the cheapest way to do it without changing out the xbox power supply with a DC to DC transformer. Just go to any place like walmart and buy a minimum 150W power inverter. The xbox power supply is rated for I think 100W, but my inverter has a watt meter and it never puls more than 45 Watts. So I believe that even your little 4 banger will have an alternator strong enough for this. Not sure really how long your battery will last while its not running as I have never tried it really, but it wouldnt be too hard to figure out. As for the LCD screen, well thats less than 5W, 10W maybe if it has cab lighting. If you need any other help just let me know.

[MrFish]

The sad thing is that you need to convert it from DC to AC then the xbox power supply converts the AC back to DC, stupid but the cheapest way to do it without changing out the xbox power supply with a DC to DC transformer. 

This thing ( http://mini-itx.com/store/?c=10#p1818 ) looks like it might work? It's ATX, so it would need a few diodes to drop the supply standby power for a 1.5 or less XBox, but other than that is seems to do the job. Additional bonus, it would seem to be capable of switching the XBox on after you start the engine, and off when you leave the car switched off, automagically. Because the ATX cable plugs into it, you wouldn't need to mangle the power supply itself.

It would also appear that you could fit this inside the XBox case, keeping the XBox looking tidy, and still usable in the home (albeit with a 12v power adaptor).


To customise XBMC for the car, the place I'd start would be keymap.xml, rebinding the gamepad to behave more like the remote, unmapping less-used things in favour of adding shortcuts to music/videos, skip track, stop, etc.

Possibly the best control method might be a remote control rather than a pad, maybe combining an XBox remote and dongle to create a USB remote: put the IR diode on a long lead and hot-glue it to the IR receiver, then use a Zener diode or voltage regulator instead of batteries to power the remote. Hook up a USB port in your dash, near the LCD screen. If appropriate, rewire the buttons. More advanced version: use a USB PIC to emulate the XBox remote, and a custom keypad.

[Mr. Electric Wizard]

I have my xbox run in my Pathfinder, for navigation I bought a few LCD screens.  Mine is also set up for portablilty.

What size screen are you using? Is the font on XBMC pretty legible?
I never thought of doing this, very interesting idea...

[j_guzzler]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt...bayphotohosting

I bought the screen from here, I think mine is 11.4" tft, it shows up great, movies are pretty crisp as well, installation was easy.....delivery from these guys was like 3 days, unbelievable....


They have a whole range of screens as well, from drop down to indash, to head rest etc.

http://stores.ebay.ca/Hi-Tech-Electronics-...storeviewQQtZkm

[MrQRamos]

If I recall, there are lcd touch screens available which a finger press emulates a mouse click. Since XBMC supports mice, I'd say your best best would be something along these lines. Of course, you might need to make (or modify) a skin to make navigation easier, but I certainly think its possible.

[beastiekid]

if u do what he says u should get this skin http://www.xbox-skins.net/forums/index.php?download=4535

[Tranman]

I'm running an Xbox in my car with XBMC as the dash. It works remarkably well and I just had to do a bit of tweaking to the font sizes so it would show up well on 7" LCD screens. I am currently using wireless controllers to control the setup, but am going to wire up a IR sensor so I can use the Xbox remote in the front.

As far as a power supply, I used a M1-ATX 90 watt power supply and used an Apache converter to convert the harness for use with the Xbox mobo. It works fantastically...plus I can crank the car on and it won't reset the Xbox. The problem with using an inverter to convert DC to AC and then the Xbox converts AC back to DC is the amount of power lost in heat...so much inefficiency...powering it the DC-DC way is the best way to go IMO....

however, this way of powering the Xbox with a 12V source isn't good if you plan on taking out the Xbox for home use (unless you have a 12V power supply). This would strictly stay in a 12V environment...and that's why I have my Halo2 Blue Xbox with a 400GB drive at home

This post has been edited by Tranman: Jul 28 2005, 05:14 PM

[j_guzzler]

beastiekid: why would we use a mediaportalx skin for an XBMC application?

Tranman: Yes DC to DC was the way I was going to go, but found out it really takes away from the portability. There are definatley cool things that could be done if you were to have the xbox permantley installed in the car, dont even have the actuall box, but take out all the guts and ount them behind your dash, then have a wireless game adapter or access point and you could drive your car into your garage and download new movies/music from your network.....you could do soo many things...XBMC makes things soo mcuh more fun.

[matt11601]

One of you (or all of you) guys should post screenshots. I'd love to see what it looks like. Maybe even a video or tutorial page.

-Matt

[beastiekid]

no it is a xbmc read on the skin and it is easy to navigate

This post has been edited by beastiekid: Jul 29 2005, 12:46 AM

[MrFish]

Tranman: Yes DC to DC was the way I was going to go, but found out it really takes away from the portability. 

Could you not put the DC/DC inside the XBox and then use a power brick to give it 12v when it's not in the car?