Install An Xbox/Linux Media System In Your Car

AltGrendel writes "Bored during those rush-hour traffic jams? An enterprising UK geek has installed an Xbox/Linux system in his car. With a mod chip, Freevo, a LogiTech Wingman, and a 40 gig hard drive, he has access to music, video, and games during drive time. Details and pictures are here."

Slashdotted...

[Anonymous Coward]

These pages shows the use of 'off the shelf' components to construct an integrated in-car multimedia and entertainment system. The back end of the system is powered by a Microsoft Xbox which is running a mod-chip and a version of Linux developed by the Xbox-Linux [sourceforge.net] developent team. This is a variant of Debian/GNU [debian.org] Linux but heavily stripped down by myself so that the system boots and loads the interface in a respectable time (<40 seconds from power on). With a 40gb replacement drive, I have multiple albums of music, several films, a few video game emulators (Arcade, NeoGeo [mame.net] and Super Nintendo) and music videos to play along with the music.

The interface used is the excellent Freevo [sourceforge.net] system. All control is via wireless Logitech Wingman game pad; this navigates menus, launches media and also plays the games. No bulky keyboard or mouse required! The Xbox is powered by a 300w 12v-240v invertor which is connected directly to the battery through a 30A fused switch, a remote wire has been attached to the Xbox power on button so that when Trinity dies in Matrix 2 it can be switched on and off from the passenger or driver position.

The car side of things [slashdot.org] is taken care of by a Pioneer AVH-P6400 Multimedia head unit (CD control, DAB, 4x50w, remote control, RDS/EON/PTY, Equaliser, SLA, Hivolt pre-outs etc etc...) running a pair of Infinity Reference component speakers up front through a 2x150wrms amplifier and directly driving a pair of Pioneer 8" 2-way speakers mounted behind the headrestsof the rear seats. CD changing is care of a Pioneer CDX-P630S, controlled by the on-screen menu of the head unit.

Enjoy!

Other links: Car details [slashdot.org], Main site here [slashdot.org], Full sized images here [slashdot.org] and compressed images here [slashdot.org].

here's a mirror

[abhisarda]

I put up a mirror [netfirms.com].

Re:OMG - his wheel is on the wrong side!

[Justin205]

He lives in the UK. They drive on the other side of the road (from places like the US and Canada) and their steering wheels are on the other side of the car (from places again like the US and Canada).

Re:Ideal use for an xbox

[rkz]

for 50£ you can get a barebones system [ebuyer.com], then you can add a VIA 800MHZ processor and some RAM/Hard Drive that you steal from work! for less than £100 a MEDIA server which is much better than the xbox.

Mirrors for predicted /.ing

[nacs]

Here are two mirrors as I'm sure this photo-heavy site will start suffering soon:

Mirror One [netfirms.com]
Mirror Two [hexxxen.net]

Mirror

[AndrewSchaefer]

As it's going to get pounded, here's a mirror [schaefer.nu]

illegal

[Anonymous Coward]

at first i just thought it was another lin geek taking it too far, but it actually looks pretty sweet.
however isn't it illegal to have a screen in the front capable of playing video? i thought that stuff was only allowed in the back due to driver distractions

Re:Slashdotted...

[Anonymous Coward]

And another attempt to smuggle in a Matrix Reloaded spoiler.

Check your local vehicle code

[Pettifogger]

Before anyone tries doing this, check your local vehicle code. This is usually a subset of the statutes handed down from your state legislature. Typically, you can buy the book at a DMV, the AAA, or similar.

In many jurisdictions, it is a violation to have a video display device like this capable of being viewed by the driver. If you get pulled over, the officer IS going to take a look around inside and probably give you a "fix it" ticket to get the multimedia system out of there.

However, I have noticed that the laws haven't exactly stopped a lot of people. Seems like almost every day I'll see someone with a monitor in their sun visor or someplace else. And speaking as one who knows, don't get in an accident while the multimedia system is on. Depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances, that could be seen as some SERIOUS negligence, or possibly even as criminal negligence. And if the plaintiff's attorneys find out... well, your insurance policy probably won't cover what they'll be looking for. Just leave multimedia in your home.

Va

[NitsujTPU]

I don't know about other states, but in Virginia, a media setup where the driver can possibly see a screen that can, by design, show DVDs or television is completely illegal. Even most media systems that could, because of their components, display such media (IE, the cd player in BMW 5 series cars), has to prevent the user from playing video.

Re:Moved the wheel

[falonaj]

In Europe, it is usual custom to buy your car in a different country, as both car prices and taxes vary a lot. Britain and Ireland were the only countries left out, as they keep driving on the wrong side of the road.

Well, this invention might at last lead to more international car business between Britain/Ireland and continental Europe. French people will start buying their cars in London, so they don't need to move the wheel when they install an XBox afterwards.