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      11-24-2008, 02:31 PM   #1
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Z4 carputer

I was wondering, has anyone here installed a normal computer in a Zed? The navigation screen looks very decent for a computer and given the far out-dated functionality of the nav system and otherwise lack of robust entertainment, a computer can be a sweet addition!
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      11-24-2008, 09:23 PM   #2
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How would one go about such a mod and how practical would its uses be while moving down the road?
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      11-25-2008, 01:57 AM   #3
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It would be good if we could tap into the screen.
You could use it play dvds, hook up parking cameras, display engine read out info.

I dont know if it has any video in connections that we can plug a carputer/other devices into.
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      11-25-2008, 06:53 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The__J__Factor View Post
It would be good if we could tap into the screen.
You could use it play dvds, hook up parking cameras, display engine read out info.

I dont know if it has any video in connections that we can plug a carputer/other devices into.
You can with an auxiliary module, and somewhat without one as well as far as I know.
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      11-25-2008, 08:44 AM   #5
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There are ways to tap into the factory screen. I did alot of research on this last year, but gave up cause I could not find a screen. There is a lot of cool stuff you can do with a carputer especially in a BMW with ibus, as everything is run of codes (IIRC it is HEX or something). If you want to do this, do alot of research. www.mp3car.com is a good way to find information on this. You can run GPS, MP3, movies, Bluetooth phone all off the carputer.

This guy took a Z4 Screen and a carputer and put it in his 540i.

http://web.mac.com/jlitko/iWeb/BMW%2...5E0706921.html

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/work...-part-2-a.html

http://web.mac.com/jlitko/iWeb/BMW%2...0Part%202.html

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/142176
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      11-25-2008, 12:30 PM   #6
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hmm. I spy russian writing in your avatar.
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      11-25-2008, 02:33 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JHastings0826 View Post
How would one go about such a mod and how practical would its uses be while moving down the road?

Basically what J Factor and Nate96 said: you will have access to a whole array of entertainment options, internet, a good GPS, etc. I retrofitted the factory nav a few months ago and the lack of fuctionality is just pathetic! A sub-$100 GPS does much more than what this system does.
As for HOW, I was thinking either through a video module (i.e. you add a video module to the nav system and connect the computer via A/V input) or even the more elaborate way of tapping directly into the IBUS as Nate96 mentioned. There's this guy who also makes an IBUS to USB module:

http://www.reslers.de/IBUS/

and here's an example of what can be accomplished with it:

http://web.comhem.se/bengt-olof.swing/CarPCProject.htm
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      11-25-2008, 02:55 PM   #8
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Or you could go this route...

What you would need is an Mini-ITX Computer.

The whole computer is siting to the right of the CD case.

More info here.
http://damnsmalllinux.org/store/Mini..._Small_Machine

You can buy a starter bundle here.
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=44
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      11-25-2008, 03:03 PM   #9
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You do not need to go with after market. If you search around (I think on the link I provided) is a way to connect to the factory. But with an after market you would get a better screen, touch screen if you wanted. The possibilities are endless, depending on how inclined you are.

On ebay you can find some carputers that just require installation.
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