Semi-Sponsored Carputer Install!

[l33th41]

I was looking to do a carputer install for quite some time and was ready to start building one myself. On my last night of research for my install I happened to stumble upon Portal Media. A few quick e-mails back and forth between the Portal Media’s VP and I was on my way to a heavily discounted pre-built carputer! Unlike most of the other car pc systems you see out there, this unit (the XP71) is an all-in-one - meaning everything is enclosed in one universal double-din chassis! The XP71 is a new product and is not yet available on the Portal Media website.

[l33th41]

The Product Portal Media XP71 Universal 2-DIN All-in-one Car PC

[l33th41]

The Install Being an all-in-one, the physical installation of the XP71 was really no different than installing any other head unit. You’ll be able to use all the preexisting guides and FAQs on NICOclub. I will note a few differences later on in this review.

Additional Hardware:OEM Dash Kit (Manual Controls)2007+ Nissan Wiring Harness2007+ Nissan Antenna AdapterPAC SWI-X (Steering Wheel Controls)USB-UIRT (Send/Receive IR Signal to PC)Bybyte Double Din Trim Ring

Additional Software:Windows XP - My unit did not come with any OS or software as requested by meCentrafuse (Front End Software)Girder (Translate IR signals to keystrokes) - I used an older version of Girder(v4) I already had

Shipping:Everything arrived in mint condition and well packed!



On The test bench post XP/Driver installation:

Everything is wired up and the OEM brackets fit nicely!

You can see where I mounted the PAC SWI-X IR Transmitter

Mounted the USB-UIRT with velcro:

USB Hub located in storage area below computer:(Currently plugged in are a Bluetooth Adapter, Trendnet Wireless Network Adapter, and the UIRT)

The motorized tilt screen did not close all the way because the screen is a little taller than the opening.It was enough to bother me so I decided to bust out a dremel and make the opening a bit taller…

Here is the screen before Trim Ring:(Notice the small gaps on the side of the screen and the uneven cut at the bottom from me)

I've ordered a piece of metal trim that will go on the outside of the screen. It will cover up the small gaps on the side of the screen and the uneven dremel cut under the screen. Will post pictures once installed!

[l33th41]

My thoughts

Pros:All-In-One ChassisEasy InstallationCompatible with PAC SWI-XAudio Quality even with stock speakers has improvedGood heat dissipation

Cons:Need to trim the 2din opening if you want screen to close entirely

Other Thoughts:Not flush with dash so you don’t get the OEM lookHardware could of been better (I’m thinking Atom…) But what it has runs everything I need just fine…

Have not yet tested:Pre-Amp Outs (looking forward to building a system around this unit)Video Out/Ins (not sure if I ever will use these)

Notes:xport must be used in order for gps to function within centrafuse – the only com port I could get to work with centrafuse gps was com 7

girder takes some getting used to – I’ll post a how-to once I take some screenshots

Overall this a great product and I’m a happy owner. However, this unit retails for $1599 (with OS & Software preinstalled) so I know that right there is going to turn off some potential buyers. With that being said, Portal Media was able to further reduce the price of this unit for me by not including any OS/Software and I’m sure they’d be willing to do this for anyone else as well.

Video


Modified by l33th41 at 12:20 AM 8/10/2009

[Colton92]

Wow very nicedo u have it hooked up to the OBD yet?

[l33th41]

Not Yet.. But Will definitely be installing in the near future along with a couple other goodies...

Lookin at the elmscan 5http://www.scantool.net/scan-t....html

[Viper5000]

looks interesting... but pricey

what power supply is it using?

[l33th41]

I'm not 100% positive but Portal Media's Parent company is circuitronics who specialize in that type of stuff so I'd have to assume its produced by them. I didn't open the case to avoid breaking any type of warranty.

What I do know is that its DC to DC and also has an ITPS shutdown controller.

[mrodrig2]

hm. interesting. DIY for this type of project would save you a lot of money except for that screen which is probably the most expensive part of the whole bundle. i would look elsewhere considering you can get a single or dual core 1.6 atom hardware package cheap.

[Viper5000]

After looking at the video... i gotta say that I am not really impressed...

-hopefully you have turned off the beep when you click on something

-are you using hibernation now? if not that is a long boot up man, it was weird too (it took a second to "load" windows but a very long time to sign in.....

also, did you have to press that button to turn it on?

[LongBeachCoupe]

interesting!

[headhunt3r]

At first I thought the idea was really cool, but then when you really think about it, the only cool features of this is that you have a lot of media storage space, and you could connect it to get a lot of readings from your car, including codes and what not, but that's where I think the advantages stop.

I'd like to read a long term review of having a Car-puter and see if you really think it's worth all the hype. Just out of curiosity.

[LongBeachCoupe]

Im with you headhuntr... the add ons and connections are where its at...

That startup time is just long enough to cause me not to use the radio on most trips id think, and the radio tuner seems like its interface was from 1984 lol...

Unique though!Id go into windows and change the boot/welcome screen to a NICO logo or something else!

[Viper5000]

yeah, hopefully his machine is a little quicker to start up from hibernation.... mine starts up in like 10-12 seconds.....

I do have a nissan logo in my centrafuse:

[l33th41]

hm. interesting. DIY for this type of project would save you a lot of money except for that screen which is probably the most expensive part of the whole bundle. i would look elsewhere considering you can get a single or dual core 1.6 atom hardware package cheap.

for the most part you are right, but the selling point for this, at least in my opinion, is that its more of a head unit, that happens to have a PC built-in. you really need no technical knowledge to install this provided you can match colors (nissan wiring harness) and use a screwdriver. I think this unit will catch the attention of those who wouldn't know the first thing about building a pc let alone a carputer.

After looking at the video... i gotta say that I am not really impressed...

-hopefully you have turned off the beep when you click on something

-are you using hibernation now? if not that is a long boot up man, it was weird too (it took a second to "load" windows but a very long time to sign in.....

also, did you have to press that button to turn it on?

Yes, you can turn off the beep in the elo touch settingsYes, with hibernation boot time is about 25 seconds. Still not that great - but was expected with the celeron m cpu.Yes, This unit does not have a startup controller - the manufacturers reason behind this is because it has 4 other inputs so you may not always want the PC on. (I don't agree with that myself)

At first I thought the idea was really cool, but then when you really think about it, the only cool features of this is that you have a lot of media storage space, and you could connect it to get a lot of readings from your car, including codes and what not, but that's where I think the advantages stop.

I'd like to read a long term review of having a Car-puter and see if you really think it's worth all the hype. Just out of curiosity.

I think the greatest feature of any carputer is the ability to connect to the internet either by tethering your cell or via mobile broadband. Instead of paying for satellite radio you could stream music you want from Pandora, passengers could watch television via slingbox, you could monitor your car remotely via webcam, tons of possibilites.......

Im with you headhuntr... the add ons and connections are where its at...

That startup time is just long enough to cause me not to use the radio on most trips id think, and the radio tuner seems like its interface was from 1984 lol...

Unique though!Id go into windows and change the boot/welcome screen to a NICO logo or something else!

the radio tuner is definitely dated LOL... you can definitely pick up a USB tuner and use the centrafuse interface instead!

thats actually the background you saw momentarily. I figured I give them some props since they gave me a huge discount. the centrafuse skins are customizable so I could definitely slips some nico logos in