Car PC Hacks
by Damien Stolarz
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Book Reviews of Car PC Hacks
Book Review: in-car computing is the future
Summary: 5 Stars
I wanted to take a moment here to explain why I wrote this book and why you might be interested in it.
Traditionally, car guys don't know computers, and computer guys don't know cars. Car PC Hacks was written to bridge that gap. For computer hackers skilled in all things software and hardware, this book will fill you in on the wiring, power, and connector basics you need to get around a car. For mechanics and auto enthusiasts who can install speakers, amps, and stereos in their sleep but depend on their friends to fix their ailing computers, this book can show you the essential aspects of the computer/car interface in a language you understand. Once you've gotten the basics and realize how simple wiring computers into cars can be, Car PC Hacks shows you how to add sci-fi features to your car that will blow people away.
The time for in-car computing has arrived. There are strong signs in every direction that personal computing technology will soon take over the car. It started with satellite radio, bringing streaming digital audio to the car. Then the iPod captured the digital audio player market and suddenly became a defacto standard car audio component. MP3 players, in-car navigation systems, and touchscreens are now standard in many vehicles-and it won't stop there.
So why do people go through all the trouble of installing computers in their cars?
Choice is one reason. Today, you are locked into the navigation system that came with your car, if it even came with one-and the costs of upgrading to a new one are immense. Why shouldn't you be able to say, "I like the navigation system in the Infiniti, I think I'll get that for my Civic"? With an incar computer, you can choose the implementation that you like the best.
Features are another reason. Once we get used to features (e.g., digital media such as digital video recorders and iPods) in one part of our lives, we want to be able to use them everywhere-including in our cars. Cuttingedge features that would otherwise require expensive hardware upgrades can often be acquired via a simple software download if you have a car PC.
Integration is vitally important as well. When you've got half a dozen different kinds of digital media sitting in the passenger seat of your car (mobile phone, camera, PDA, iPod, portable USB memory stick, CDs), you'd like them to be able to talk to each other. For example, many people stare wistfully at their digital audio devices, wishing that the MP3 audio would somehow leap out of them and into their car radios. Putting a computer in your car will allow all your gadgets to work with your vehicle.
Finally, forward compatibility is a huge problem for which a general-purpose computer is the only solution. A definitive standard for device communication in the car is unlikely to emerge anytime soon, but a PC can serve as a digital hub for all your devices. Consumer electronics and computing are inextricably linked; there are few devices a computer can't talk to in one way or another. An in-car computer can serve as digital glue for features, peripherals, and networks that haven't even been invented yet. With an in-car computer, you won't get left behind-and you won't have to buy a new car to get ahead.
Book Review: Pimp your ride - geek style...
Summary: 5 Stars
I never knew there was so much computerization you could do to your car... Car PC Hacks - Tips & Tools for Geeking Your Ride by Damien Stolarz.
Contents: Car Power Basics; Automotive Audio Entertainment; Automotive Video Entertainment; In-Car Computers; Car PC Interface Options; Wireless Connectivity and in-Car Internet; In-Car Applications; Index
In this Hacks book, you get 75 different ways to "geek your ride". This can range from simple modifications to the stereo system (#13 - Installing a New Head Unit) to installing a full-fledged PC in your car (#41 - Choose an in-Car PC Hardware Platform). While many of the hacks don't have step by step instructions on how to make it all come together, there's enough information to point you in the right direction. In reality, it'd be almost impossible to do detailed instructions, as each car will be different, and your options for mounting and installing hardware can often be limited only by your imagination. Even if you're not all that handy with tools and such, this book will give you a really good idea of what can be done. From there, you can figure out who to befriend in order to get the installation taken care of.
I also appreciated the in-depth coverage of how a car's electrical system works. I'm the type who just turns the key and figures everything starts up. When you start adding in all sorts of new equipment, the demands on the battery change dramatically. In addition, PC equipment doesn't view momentary power drops during start-up very kindly. After reading this material, you'll understand the issues involved as well as how they can all be overcome.
Bottom line, this is a very good book if you're interested in tricking out your car with the latest in custom electronics. The first time you sit in the back seat and start playing the latest XBox game mounted in the headrest, you'll be hooked...
Book Review: Car PC Hacks Review
Summary: 5 Stars
Having contributed to this book, I've not only read through it a few times, I had the unique privilege to see it evolve.
One of the reasons I found this to be a compelling project is that it was being covered by someone who has a very deep understanding of computers and cars. The hacks don't merely glaze over technical details with the assumption that you already know it. The hacks cover everything, making sure you're completely prepared without overwhelming you with too much detail. That fine line is often crossed by other authors where in Car PC Hacks, it was well observed.
Everyone who contributed hacks, notes, tips and tricks are veterans of this new field. Each hack provides a challenge while giving you all of the tools to make it work and come out looking like a champ.
In the next year there will be more books on this same subject. Some will take a 50,000/ft view, some will get down to the IC level. The thing that will continue to keep this book relevant is it's appeal to weekend warriors AND hardcore hackers.
If you only buy one car-computer book this year, make it this one.
Book Review: So Far a great book!
Summary: 4 Stars
My book arrived 2 days earlier than expected.
That night I pretty much scanned it from cover to cover, stopping at the parts that caught my eye.
I bought two books, the other being "How To Build a Car PC". This book far exceeded the other one in knowledge, projects, etc.
My goal is to build the car PC, but I know nothing about car electronics, that's where this book came in, with tips on how to wire it, how to load balance the battery, so the PC doesn't crash on start up, etc.
If you are looking for info on Car PC's and OTHER hacks, this book will stear you in the right direction, if not give you all the info you need.
I loaned it to my neighbor who is a mechanic, and I still haven't gotten it back!!! (Little does he know, he's going to help me now)
Book Review: Never leave the car without it
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are starting out on your first in car PC installation this is a must have book, full of tips, tricks and techniques utilised in any in car PC project. I found it invaluable when planning my first in car PC project, which I am now installing, again with the help of this book.
The important topics when "geeking your ride" were well covered, although the details of some important techniques were understandably missing from such a high level publication, i.e. how to solder wires.
Although the author runs his own in car PC company, I found his comments and advice very fair minded which was very refreshing, this is not just a glorified sales brochure.