| Awesome Media Center Install in SUV, someone please try it on the MDX Navi screen!!
- Click HERE for Original Thread
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| kentrogers1234 |
| Unbelievable.... Talk about total convergance :2: |
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| renov8r |
...correct if I missed something, but by putting a "Windows Media Center" PC into his car this guy has basically made his car into the "ultimate loser geek basement that you drive anywhere"....
In other words, there is nothing about this that has anything useful for, uh , DRIVING...
I mean uber-dork did show us StarWars (thank-you Triumph the insult dog...) but he has no Nav or even cell phone integration.
He doesn't even have antenae hooked up for the TV tuner card so "I get now is static"...
I mean, really, wait 'til the project is at least mostly finished before putting the file on server unless you LIKE being criticized |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by renov8r
...correct if I missed something, but by putting a "Windows Media Center" PC into his car this guy has basically made his car into the "ultimate loser geek basement that you drive anywhere"....
In other words, there is nothing about this that has anything useful for, uh , DRIVING...
I mean uber-dork did show us StarWars (thank-you Triumph the insult dog...) but he has no Nav or even cell phone integration.
He doesn't even have antenae hooked up for the TV tuner card so "I get now is static"...
I mean, really, wait 'til the project is at least mostly finished before putting the file on server unless you LIKE being criticized
I think he did say it was work in progress. But I think it's the "innovative" thought that counts. I personally think all cars will go that direction, with built-in Hard Drives to store everything, movies, mp3s, GPS locations, etc. (most of it not related to Driving at all but aren't most of the posts on Audio and Electronics about the experience above and beyond driving...). Years ago only the few had GPS, MP3, DVD, backup camera, phone integration capability, but has made it into mainstream auto world as standard fare. I think the same applies here...
I think if someone had a GPS system 7 or 8 years ago, people would say, "why can't they just read a map, what a geek and waste of money..." |
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| HARDROCK |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
PC envy
:21: |
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| renov8r |
Maybe I'm being too harsh, but the kid's system does NOT have backup camera, or GPS , or cell phone or even a way to use the very expensive all-in-wonder card in his peecee to put broadacst TV on his screen. He has to tune his figgin' radio with a huge honking remote control, so it is less convenient than even a factory Corolla with steering wheel controls.
I have played with Windows Media Center and it does make some sense -- for instance you could use it for some TiVo like time shifting, which is kinda handy if you have 'regaulr' cable r broadcast TV that you don't have time to watch. Medai Center has huge icons so you can see stuff from across the room on a TV. It works pretty well for MSFT...
I have been to car audio competitions where people put enough A/V equipment into a vehicle to fill a 12 bedroom mansion, and I watch "Pimp My Ride" whenver I click onto it -- it's not like I don't appreciate the CONCEPT, its just that this weenie is not very skilled and has NOT done anything innovative.
About 4 years ago MSFT tried to make a big push into "telematics" and they talked up the whole 'connected car' concept. It has gone nowhere...
I don't think the flop is becuase people don't want it or think it is a waste of money, it is becuase people don't trust MSFT.
I am not a "Linux bigot" -- I use Windows based servers and workstations ALL DAY AND MANY MANY MANY nights. Mostly they are OK becuase myself and the other technical people I work with tweak the crap out of the images that get loaded onto 'em.We have several production Win2K servers at work that have uptimes exceeding 400 days. (We have a few Unix serves that have never experienced an unplanned outage in 5 years, but that is another thread..) Still, every once in a while something 'unexpected' happens and POOF --- BSOD! Happened to me last Thursady night at about 3AM while I was on the VPN from home updating some systems back in the data center. No big deal other than I added another 10-15 minutes to my already long night, I just rebooted & reconnected to finish up.
On the highway I have no option to "reboot" -- if my whole whole car "BSODs" on me while I'm cruisng at 70 MPH in the middle of nowhere I am not going to be happy that I have to try and coast to the shoulder!
I agree that having all my music on a HD would be great, but first you have to figure out a DRM that won't make the record companies try and hunt you down. Similarly if somebody can convice the cellualr companies to night charge ridiculous data fees, we may see even more applications that make sense for BT integration, satellite radio & Nav data, like realtime traffic, weather, "On-Star Conceierge" et cetera. Of course, there WILL have to be MUCH BETTER, SAFER , SIMPLIER, interfaces.
In summary, I don't think this kid is partcularly innovative or skilled. His work is about on par with your average Best Buy installer (ugly toggle switches, lots of extra wires, things that are not integrated) . Having to haul around all the overhead/baggage of Windows OS just to watch a DVD is nuts. If this were a project from about 1995 I might be less critical...
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtrous
I think he did say it was work in progress. But I think it's the "innovative" thought that counts. I personally think all cars will go that direction, with built-in Hard Drives to store everything, movies, mp3s, GPS locations, etc. (most of it not related to Driving at all but aren't most of the posts on Audio and Electronics about the experience above and beyond driving...). Years ago only the few had GPS, MP3, DVD, backup camera, phone integration capability, but has made it into mainstream auto world as standard fare. I think the same applies here...
I think if someone had a GPS system 7 or 8 years ago, people would say, "why can't they just read a map, what a geek and waste of money..."
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| cycler15 |
This is actually not all that new. There is a growing community of people who add computers (laptops) to run their entertainment system in their cars. And with the debut of the mac mini, it will probably become even more popular now that size isn't really an issue anymore.
You can add a mac mini, touch LCD screen, and GPS unit for under $1700. And this would play DVDs and MP3 CDs.
For the cost, you can't beat it. |
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| MDXtrous |
| I know some have installed Car PCs before, and I do understand the MSFT "unable to deliver reliable products" concern, but as a recent owner of a Media Center PC 2005, I think they have done an excellent job. To see it accessible through a touchscreen in a car, I can just see the possibilities, if someone can do it right to incorporate GPS, Phone, etc.... It took them this 3rd version of Media Center to get it right, and I think sooner or later MSFT will invade the Telematics space more successfully. |
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