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#238592 - 22/10/2004 02:18 Move Rio display and IR sensor?!
sphengali
journeyman

Registered: 22/10/2002
Posts: 82
Loc: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Well, I sold my truck - but I kept the empeg, sub, amp, and speakers! My Install Now I'm buying a 2002 BMW X5 with the Navigation system, and there's nooo room up front for the empeg - much as I want to put it there, I can't - so I was thinking:

Can I remove the IR sensor, install the empeg in the back by the factory 6-pack CD player, put the IR on a 15-25 wire, running it all the way up to the front of the car where I can still at least control it? What about the display, would it be possible to run it on an cable extension so that I can mount it up front somewhere? I've searched the forums, and didn't find anything - perhaps my searching wasn't so good - any info greatly appreciated!

OK - found the FAQ re: moving the display - but then I found a forum regarding a working solution, but no activity on there for some time...

Next thought - there is a TVonNAV solution available for the BMW, with an RCA video-in that would be visible on the display.. Q is how to output the Rio 'video' to the video in - short of using a computer and a VNC solution? I would need a pretty small computer to be able to stash it in the back factory 'pockets'.

Still haven't found anything re: moving the IR sensor..


Edited by sphengali (22/10/2004 03:18)
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#238593 - 22/10/2004 06:01 Re: Move Rio display and IR sensor?! [Re: sphengali]
mtempsch
pooh-bah

Registered: 02/06/2000
Posts: 1996
Loc: Gothenburg, Sweden
Quote:
Can I remove the IR sensor, install the empeg in the back by the factory 6-pack CD player, put the IR on a 15-25 wire, running it all the way up to the front of the car where I can still at least control it?


The IR control part is the trivial thing to solve: Instead of extracting the IR-sensor, get/make an IR-extender with a new detector that you mount up front, and mount the new "sender" end in front of the empeg. The signal from the remote is picked up by teh new sensor, sent across wire to the new sender that again emits IR that is then picked up by the empeg.

Quote:
What about the display, would it be possible to run it on an cable extension so that I can mount it up front somewhere? I've searched the forums, and didn't find anything - perhaps my searching wasn't so good - any info greatly appreciated!

OK - found the FAQ re: moving the display - but then I found a forum regarding a working solution, but no activity on there for some time...


As you found, it has been done - but requires skill (or some decent money to have someone else design/implement it) as you need buffering electronics.

Quote:
Next thought - there is a TVonNAV solution available for the BMW, with an RCA video-in that would be visible on the display.. Q is how to output the Rio 'video' to the video in - short of using a computer and a VNC solution? I would need a pretty small computer to be able to stash it in the back factory 'pockets'.


Patrick, (aka God, or pca here on the BBS) did create (for some serious cash) a TV-out for the empeg (limits the player to one drive as it operates over one of the IDE channels). IIRC, the design isn't available for other clients, even if you were willing to pay for having the boards made, components (if still available) and assembly. I think he said something about having 3 ideas about the project originally: quick and dirty, reasonably nice way and "the proper way", with increasing cost. The client went for the "proper way". Maybe you could explore one of the other ways with him. Don't know if he's interested, has the time etc etc. Probably still cost you a fair amount. Best bet/easiest solution is probably a small computer in the trunk or glove compartment and VNC. Or maybe a PDA w WiFi up front and a WiFi bridge in the trunk, and run VNC over that?
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/Michael

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#238594 - 22/10/2004 12:34 Re: Move Rio display and IR sensor?! [Re: sphengali]
mlord
carpal tunnel

Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14493
Loc: Canada
Tiny video (spy) cameras are really cheap these days.. by far the easiest way to "remote" the empeg display.

-ml

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#238595 - 22/10/2004 15:05 Re: Move Rio display and IR sensor?! [Re: mlord]
Skunk
Master Boot Logo(er)

Registered: 26/08/2003
Posts: 525
Loc: California
Tony, you really need to come out with a version of empegface for the pocket PC.
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#238596 - 22/10/2004 15:26 Re: Move Rio display and IR sensor?! [Re: Skunk]
tfabris
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31597
Loc: Seattle, WA
Quote:
Tony, you really need to come out with a version of empegface for the pocket PC.


I don't have a PocketPC or any development tools to do that project. But somone with those resources should be able to do it in no time. An untrained monkey with dyslexia could make a version of EmpegFace for the PocketPC if they had the tools.

All EmpegFace does is keep grabbing the Hijack screen capture image from the hijack web interface on a looped timer. And when you click on one of the buttons, it sends the appropriate HTTP commands to the hijack web interface.

That's literally all it does. Everything else is window dressing.

So don't whine at me, whine at some of the people in this forum who are bragging about those shiny new PocketPCs they bought.
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Tony Fabris

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#238597 - 22/10/2004 15:46 Re: Move Rio display and IR sensor?! [Re: tfabris]
Skunk
Master Boot Logo(er)

Registered: 26/08/2003
Posts: 525
Loc: California
Quote:
An untrained monkey with dyslexia could make a version of EmpegFace for the PocketPC if they had the tools.


Anybody? ........Anyone?
I would take on the job but lack the time and the tools.
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PayPal Contributions for Custom Boot Logos are gladly accepted. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
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#238598 - 23/10/2004 01:49 Re: Move Rio display and IR sensor?! [Re: mtempsch]
FireFox31
pooh-bah

Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
I wonder if Palantir/Empire and the remote could provide simple functionality until the display is remounted. At least you could play/stop/prev/next, volume, and choose songs.
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FireFox31
110gig MKIIa (30+80), Eutronix lights, 32 meg stacked RAM, Filener orange gel lens, Greenlights Lit Buttons green set

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#238599 - 23/10/2004 03:52 Re: Move Rio display and IR sensor?! [Re: mlord]
sphengali
journeyman

Registered: 22/10/2002
Posts: 82
Loc: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Was thinking about that -(using a mini camera to zoom in on the Rio display) problem is, it's quite a small area that everything is sqeezed into, and when the flap is closed, there's no light - I don't know how well infrared would look, either.. what really cheeses me is that I STILL have to buy the TVonNAV solution, which is itself almost $1000 US - Guess they figure if you can afford a BMD'ubya, you can shell out some more $$$ - crazy... I don't want to loose my empeg!

I have been thinking (shock, horror!) of another solution - has anyone played/listened to a Phatbox?

The really nice thing is that it integrates into the BMW headunit so the one set of controls does everthing.. I know, I know - it's sooo not an Empeg, not even close - but it's a MP3 solution until my next vehicle? Thoughts?
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#238600 - 23/10/2004 12:09 Re: Move Rio display and IR sensor?! [Re: sphengali]
mlord
carpal tunnel

Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14493
Loc: Canada
The Empeg display generates it's own light -- so the camera trick works just fine even in total blackness.

Cheers

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#238601 - 23/10/2004 13:20 Re: Move Rio display and IR sensor?! [Re: FireFox31]
cushman
veteran

Registered: 21/01/2002
Posts: 1380
Loc: Erie, CO
For Palantir you would have to use an IrDA extender, a different beast than an IR extender.
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Mark Cushman

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