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Laptop car audio questions?
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:35 pm
by ROCKMUTT
Guys im planning on setting up a laptop in my truck in the next few months will be running a seperate touch screen on the dash and using Ozi explorer for gps
What i want to know tho is it possible to use my media player on the laptop full of music and connect it to a head deck via usb connection and play my music through my car stereo ?? is it possible do i need some sort of program to do this? and can i do this while running Ozi on my touch screeen at the same time?
cheers shane
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 5:51 pm
by KaMo
Do you already have a head unit with USB capabilities do you?
A lot of head units have means for an AUX input in the back. You may need an adapter to go from the head units particular plug too a left and right rca plug. And then you just get a cable that has two rca plugs to a headphone jack plug. Headphone jack into your computer...rca plugs to head unit/headunit-rca adapter...set head unit to 'aux' and wala.
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:13 pm
by smileysmoke
headphone jack being 3.5mm if you are looking at dicksmith.. i would do that personally.
an mp3 deck would be a lot easier and wouldnt require having your laptop running all the time.. plus laptop hdds can take a beating but i doubt it will last too long with prolonged bumping round whilst reading and writing..
just a thought.
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:35 pm
by ROCKMUTT
i havent got a usb head deck yet but might be getting one soon
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 7:49 pm
by ausyota
It would be a great idea for watching DVDs on the lappy.
Plumb the audio though the stereo with subs etc
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:58 pm
by striker99
Another option is to get a hold of a connection for laptop audio output that outputs a FM raido frequency so you can tune it in on your radio to get the audio.
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:31 pm
by ROCKMUTT
can you get these connections striker?
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:59 pm
by CairnsZook
ausyota wrote:It would be a great idea for watching DVDs on the lappy.
Plumb the audio though the stereo with subs etc
Just like being at the drive in....
Not many around these days.
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:21 am
by BundyRumandCoke
You could use an MP3 transmitter for the same purpose. Instead of into the headphone jack of the MP3, it would be into the jack of the laptop.
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:42 am
by Shorti
CairnsZook wrote:ausyota wrote:It would be a great idea for watching DVDs on the lappy.
Plumb the audio though the stereo with subs etc
Just like being at the drive in....
Not many around these days.
Only one in Perth and i live 2km away from it
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 1:09 am
by smileysmoke
theres a drivein over here? for real where?!
Re: Laptop car audio questions?
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:26 am
by Dak Dak
Shane, another option to throw into the mix: Replace your car stereo with an amp. Run an audio jack - RCA lead from your laptop to the amp and power your speakers this way. Can do away with the head unit (leaves a nice space for extra mounting gauges or UHF radio) and you can crank things up a little with the amp. Only thing is you don't have radio....
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:19 am
by Mowie
ausyota wrote:It would be a great idea for watching DVDs on the lappy.
Plumb the audio though the stereo with subs etc
Even better being able to watch all that pr0n that ya have downloaded from the net
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:11 am
by ROCKMUTT
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:58 pm
by nicbeer
smileysmoke wrote:theres a drivein over here? for real where?!
Near my place
kingsley
Nic
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:05 pm
by HotFourOk
Can anyone comment on the sound quality when using FM transmitters such as the units available for iPods and the eBay link above??
If it is normal radio quality, I would hate it....
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:14 pm
by Shorti
HotFourOk wrote:Can anyone comment on the sound quality when using FM transmitters such as the units available for iPods and the eBay link above??
If it is normal radio quality, I would hate it....
I think it is average. You really notice it when you turn up the volume a bit.
Personally if I were to do this setup id use a small laptop or even better a 12v computer from Bitdistribution.com.au and also an 8 inch touch screen. You could run the output from the sound card to an aux input on the audio deck. You could also run tomtom and oziexplorer, watch dvds etc.. Corugations and hdd is something to worry about though.
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:16 pm
by Trusa
HotFourOk wrote:Can anyone comment on the sound quality when using FM transmitters such as the units available for iPods and the eBay link above??
If it is normal radio quality, I would hate it....
It is like normal radio quality. There is no comparison between using a cable link (any cable link) and an FM modulator. Especially if using at high volume and wanting clarity, it's just not possible using FM. However, they do serve a purpose well.
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:19 pm
by Shorti
Trusa wrote:HotFourOk wrote:Can anyone comment on the sound quality when using FM transmitters such as the units available for iPods and the eBay link above??
If it is normal radio quality, I would hate it....
It is like normal radio quality. There is no comparison between using a cable link (any cable link) and an FM modulator. Especially if using at high volume and wanting clarity, it's just not possible using FM. However, they do serve a purpose well.
I think they are sub radio quality ... but that may have been the one i had (which is gathering dust in a cupboard somewhere now).
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:01 pm
by striker99
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BELKIN-TuneCast- ... dZViewItem
Thats almost same as one I have except mine is different colours
works great.
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:14 pm
by KiwiBacon
Shorti wrote:
I think they are sub radio quality ... but that may have been the one i had (which is gathering dust in a cupboard somewhere now).
The one I bought was absolute crap. Picked up a steady tick, tick, tick from somewhere and put it straight through your speakers.
Serves me right for paying $15 (incl postage) and expecting something useful.
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:07 pm
by Rb25sil80
ROCKMUTT wrote:can you get these connections striker?
You can buy them for an ipod so I dont see why not!
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:17 pm
by Dooley
Shorti wrote:HotFourOk wrote:Can anyone comment on the sound quality when using FM transmitters such as the units available for iPods and the eBay link above??
If it is normal radio quality, I would hate it....
I think it is average. You really notice it when you turn up the volume a bit.
Personally if I were to do this setup id use a small laptop or even better a 12v computer from Bitdistribution.com.au and also an 8 inch touch screen. You could run the output from the sound card to an aux input on the audio deck. You could also run tomtom and oziexplorer, watch dvds etc.. Corugations and hdd is something to worry about though.
Hookup a laptop HDD, they're better for vibration and shock.
To the OP, thought about a DAC... ?
I've got one right here that goes from USB to 2 x RCA, this one is DIY but you can buy them. May be a bit expensive though...
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:24 pm
by muckute
FM transmitters have reasonable quality but if you want clear sound straight off your computer then you will need a head unit or amp with an aux line that will run direct from the laptop.
The USB input in most head units will only read USB flash drives they won't allow you to connect the laptop direct to the head unit.
I run a laptop when touring for GPS duties also but for the music i have a head unit that will read USB/SD cards and have 2x2Gb memory sticks that i use for music. If i get sick of what's on the stick (not often since they hold about 40 cd's worth) then i just use the computer to load more tunes
The sound quality is great and cos its not on CD theres no skipping or scratched disks