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Topic: TV, Computer, Stereo, GPS, Bluray, Satellite, integrating it all.  (Read 756 times) previous topic - next topic

TV, Computer, Stereo, GPS, Bluray, Satellite, integrating it all.

Got my upper cabinets resized for a center installation of a 40" Samsung and finally was able to clean up the absoute rats nest of legacy wiring, cables, coax, that had been hiding in the TV cabinet.  Removed all the old electronics of course and am now ready to start putting it all together.  It looks like the stereo speakers are going to be somewhat of a compromise but I'll build a pair using some smaller but high end mid drivers, probably Vifa with either silk dome tweeters or ribbon tweets that will mount below the shortened cabinets to each side of TV.  The area behind the TV will house a custom subwoofer cabinet.  That said, it's decision time on how to tie it all together and would like any suggestions of how best to implement. 

For a computer, I'll use an Intel Atom with an add on graphics card.  These little boards have been bulletproof and the entire unit is smaller than cigar box.  They are very low power consumption, and can run off a 12 volt supply.  I will use a gps puck and something.....Streets and Trips, Delorme perhaps for mapping software with the TV for a display I can see without reading glasses.  Having no experience with this software I don't know if it will make a viable real time alternative to a dedicated gps.

Internet will be the millenicom bug, plugged into a not yet selected router to make a local net.  I would also like to tie a Engenius amplified antenna mounted on the batwing for hotspot access, also tied into router.  Any suggestions for which broadband router?  Undecided on installing amp behind router, but will definitely use an external antenna.

Here's what I'm really having a hard time figuring out.  For tunes, I'm trying to decide if it's feasible to just use a standard automotive headunit feeding a four channel plus sub auto type amp.  This would greatly simplify things, but is it possible to get clean low noise amplification out of a setup like this?  Or, should I just go ahead and install a home style preamp/amp?

Next is, how to tie it all together?  Do you think it would be worthwhile to investigate using a home media type software and control all in/outs through the computer?  It would be very nice to whittle it down to a single remote.  Smooth integration is the goal.  Is there another, better, simpler way of switching the many inputs (GPS, BluRay, CD jukebox, Ipod, Kindle, Satellite and who know what else to come).  It could be that a good preamp would handle switching duties also but I'd prefer to not install one. 

Naturally, there will be a separate monitor for photo editing and such, will use a two port video card for this and hdmi cables.  The Samsung TV in itself has some switching capabilities also but haven't looked real close at that option. 

Confusion reins, too many alternatives and not enough knowledge.  Any suggestions?
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: TV, Computer, Stereo, GPS, Bluray, Satellite, integrating it all.

Reply #1 –
For speakers, consider Monsoon flat panels. Hard to find but they do come up on ebay. Read any review for Monsoon MM-2000. They mount anywhere without sticking out or drawing attention to themselves. Plus, they sound great.

The Atom 270/280 is too slow. I have a couple of netbook Hackintoshes  with Atoms that work great for a lot of the internet and music but without a dedicated video card and limited RAM they are becoming increasingly limited in what they can do. Using VM Ware or Parallels, you can run your favorite windows GPS software on the MacBook Air. I use a Holux m1000 GPS receiver. Bluetooth, tiny and will run 16 hours on a charge with excellent reception. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dell Mini 9 and 10V. At less than $200, they are super for email and a lot of music. I can loose or drop one and not feel too much of a loss.

Apple is about to come out with a new MacBook Air. Will have the Ivy Bridge processors. Available in a couple of sizes.  I just bought a new Apple TV 3. Outstanding and only $99! You can send your music, photos, mirror your netbook/laptop display or even your iPhone display on a huge HDTV and all without wires. Ripping all your CDs to Apple Lossless makes MP3s sound like 8 tracks. While you are still thinking, check the new iPad model. Will also do an incredible number of tasks including wireless to the Apple TV. Has built in GPS and can use any of the GPS apps like TomTom, Navigon, Garmin, etc. Will also work as a phone with the optional model and can Skype too. Retina display is outstanding.

Using iTunes along with the sound processor application called "Hear" will let you tailor your sound to your coaches interior.

Good automotive audio equipment can sound as good as home AC audio. You will still need at least the inverter for the TV, Apple TV.

So, you could run your internet, audio, photos from anywhere in your coach without wires.

Suggest you stop in at your local Apple store to see the incredible advances made in the last couple of years. There are also some good videos at the Apple internet site.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: TV, Computer, Stereo, GPS, Bluray, Satellite, integrating it all.

Reply #2 –
I've become a huge Apple believer over the years so agree with Pierce in going that router wherever you can.  The Apple Extreme router is not exactly cheap, but I almost never have to reboot it and I have a 2 TB drive hooked into it backing up every Mac on the network hourly.
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: TV, Computer, Stereo, GPS, Bluray, Satellite, integrating it all.

Reply #3 –
Went through the whole litany last winter. All new video systems, Blu-Ray, 7.1 surround, all new radios ( including CB ) and antenna systems. Now I am starting a whole new program. Putting in a quad band mobile HAM set and the attendant antenna (s). Where in the world am I going to find the space? I think this is a Foretravel owner's disease. The BIG toy must have all the coolest little toys. It never stops!!!!
Route 66_End to End....someday

  1986 36' Grand Villa
    2015 Jeep Patriot
        K1SLD Steve
        K9NIK Nikki

Re: TV, Computer, Stereo, GPS, Bluray, Satellite, integrating it all.

Reply #4 –
Pierce, Benjie, thanks for the ideas.  However....I'm too invested in win OS to change at this point.  Kind of a special case, but my CAD/CAM stuff is pretty central for me, I dink around with it daily and generally end up with a number of designs conjured up during the course of a trip to put to the CNC machinery.  Its truly win only, won't run on an emulator....
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: TV, Computer, Stereo, GPS, Bluray, Satellite, integrating it all.

Reply #5 –
Chuck,

If you run Fusion or Parallels on a Mac, it's the true OS. There is nothing it shouldn't run. Even if it had an issue, u can boot a Mac natively with Windows. Dual OS through Bootcamp.

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...
 

Re: TV, Computer, Stereo, GPS, Bluray, Satellite, integrating it all.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Benjie Zeller –
Chuck,

If you run Fusion or Parallels on a Mac, it's the true OS. There is nothing it shouldn't run. Even if it had an issue, u can boot a Mac natively with Windows. Dual OS through Bootcamp.

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

OK, I guess it's time to get down to the core reason.  Discussing Mac/Win is fraught with the same perils as debating religion or politics, so I generally avoid it.  In the sense that my Dad was right when he said, "Son, if you had a brain you'd take it out and play with it",  if I was going to learn a new os it would be Linux, not Mac.  I don't like to own anything I cant tinker with, and Apple  is too proprietary and locked down for me.  Granted, it would be far more straightforward and predictable to go to the Apple store, plunk down the (substantial amount of) cash and achieve quality, predictable results.  Too easy, I need the agony. 

Now, back to converting this new Leece Neville alternator to DUVAC.  Thanks again for the suggestions.

Chuck
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS