has anyone attempted to install a Nexus 7 tablet in the dash of a 90-96?

will it fit?

If it fits I have some ideas

I guess I would ask why?

Sure seems possible as evidenced by other cars:

http://hackaday.com/2013/01/29/adapti ... in-car-dashboard-opening/

http://www.newtiburon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220409

http://www.mp3car.com/general-hardwar ... drives-auto-on-sleep.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-co ... d-vette-build-thread.html

If you could replace the climate controls and the DIC... which would mean some form of interface to the car.

It would be really cool if it could be done.

There is a new little computer out there, it's not very big, but it runs a real OS, like LINUX. It has video and USB ports. The thing is, it could be used to interface with the car, or even a USB controller of some sort. Think of the climate controls. If those could be externally controlled through a computer like this, what else is controllable?

And yes, anything can be done... How much cutting do you want to do?

Why, I can get more features. To work much cleaner then with my App Radio. I did cut an extra bezel I have. It will fit I think but it will be tight. Having android with HD radio my ALDLDROID app all in one spot would be so cool.

I need to try the newer android app on my android pc in the car but there are still potential connection issues.. I figured for about. $250 I could have it setup assuming the Nexus 7 fits

then move the climate controls up to above to the DIC area... use the ALDL to monitor in real time...

that would be cool.

So the Nexus is a bit long, It would fit, but I need to get really good at making a bezel. I am still considering this,

I have a couple ideas but need to look at it some more

you need a 3D printer...

Either that, or mock it up the old fashioned way... balsa wood, then make a mold.

yeah I need to take the panel and radio out of the car to see if it will fit in the space there.

I know there is room behind the bezel, just need to see if it will all fit together. I will have to borrow my son's tablet to mock up and see if the space is there

I think it might work..

bezel is going to need some more work to it though

So I am going to give it a shot..

I ordered a Nexus 7 (2012) even thought the kids and wife have them (I have the Nexus 7 2013)

Equipment list:
- Nexus 7 with Timur's USB ROM (http://mehrvarz.github.io/nexus-7-usbrom/)
- Behringer UCA202 or UCA222 USB DAC
- Directed DMHD1000i HD/FM tuner
- OTG USB cable
- Power supply (TBD)
- USB Hub
- USB Flash drive for Music

The hub will handle the connections to everything, I can add my USB OBD cable too and have on-board OBD with the ALDLDroid app.

There is a USB to serial cable to control the Directed Tuner, and the USB DAC will work with the above ROM.

if I need internet access for navigation or Pandora I can Hot-spot my other tablet or my phone


As seen in the earlier post, the tablet should fit behind the bezel, it just needs to warm up so I can take the bezel out of the car and figure out a mounting solution

Ordered the UCA-202, ordered the cable for the DMHD1000

Received the DMHD today

need to settle on a PS

Tested the Tuner. It is AM/FM/HD, works great.. Note to self don't use a switch mode power supply to test the tuner. It does not work to well

That's why I like Rivergate...

Several years ago, CompUSA was going outta bizness... in the local store here, they had a shelf of as is junk at 70% off already discounted prices.

On the shelf was a 30 amp Cadence fully regulated DC power supply, for like $30... not knowing if the price was already cut, I grabbed it... in line, someone asked me what it was, and I told them, that it is REALLY a Rivergate, and they retail for about $175. I ended up getting mine for - get this - $9 and change, including tax. It does work, as far as I know, because NelsonV has it...

Nice, I ended up trying it On my repurposed ADX supply and it cleared right up. Need to make another for the bench. I got the directed HD Tuner complete for $10 shipped. Just need the serial to USB cable for Android, which I have on order

WOW It actually fits pretty well.. I have to trim the bezel to get to the home bar on the bottom of the screen, but I think if I groove above the radio near the A/c controller i might gain enough room.

I am also working on a mount but will need to get it all fit up before committing to the mount.

I am quite pleased with the results so far

Let the fun begin:

Today I received:

Nexus 7 (2012)
Behringer UCA 202
Communication cable for my Directed Tuner
couple USB Hubs

if time allows, I will unlock/root/ROM the Nexus

and start setting up the apps I want on it for the car

I need to fit it and get the mounting fit and adjusted then tackle the bezel.. looking forward to this install

UPDATES:

some if the equipment..

Behringer USB DAC used for Audio


Directed DMHD1000 Tuner


Classic Phoenix Gold Line Driver (boosts the Rca level output)


Here are some random screen shots.. Trying to decide how to set it up









testing my mount:




I do need a 90 degree USB for the connection and I should have enough space.

very cool.

Got the cable, hoping to have time Saturday to start installing things

I am tempted to buy a second HD tuner.. that thing is nice

that is so damned cool Jeff... makes my install look boring!

then again... It sounds nice. And I have a surprise in store of my own here. heh heh heh...

I plan on working on it this weekend.

Quote:

It is.. BUT

Volume Control is an issue... sort of.. there is volume on the tablet, but it will not control that on the Tuner. I have Level controller I am planning on using, but then I have no treble or bass control on the tuner

this lead me to potentially install the Clarion EQS746, seems to be a popular and decent piece.. But not really any room for it..

another thought (might actually try this one) utilize the OEM Head unit, pipe the audio though it to the CDM then to the amps (I recall reading where the CDM is mostly flat) and I know I can connect it to my amps with no whine. Now sound output may not be up to par, but I think it might be okay. if it works, it would give me Speed Controlled Volume/Bass/Treble controls and a nice remote turn on for the amps (All in one) I would still use a manual switch for the antenna.

if it works I can move the knob controls to where I want, and not be upset about hacking up a radio

oooh... good points... shame you can't integrate the hardware better.

I suspect the Clarion will fix your problem with the least amount of hassle... using the OEM head seems like a pain.

Quote:

Yes it would.. BUT

no room for it, the Clarion had a remote face it would work.

I could just use the a Level control and be done, but on a FM/HD station I will have no treble/bass adjustment the audio from that feeds into the USB-DAC but loop out the output.

another potential way is bluetooth (bluetooth transmitter on the HD radio output, but I would prefer to avoid wireless for the audio if possible..

It factory solution would be nice as I can hack the radio (meaning move controls) without caring too much, whereas the Clarion EQ I would not want to cut it up..

Now I could hide the Clarion in the Glovebox, but then I still don't have easy access to the volume controls

My mount:
(Left side in picture is the bottom)

looks really nice!

I will have to put brain power to the tuner problem...

Another option is the level control but then also have an EQ (then it would not NEED to have the Volume on the EQ and the EQ could be hidden, so if I go THAT route, I have an older Kenwood EQ I can use.. KGC-9042:

Not my Pic


THAT I could put in the glove box and then have the remote volume control on the bezel..

THAT would work, I just cannot see using the Clarion and having 2 volume controls

check this out:

http://www.cadencesound.com/products/CEQ783.html

That is cool, but it still poses the issue of where to install it...

I was thinking of putting the EQ in the area below the tablet (the dead space of the bezel.

the problem is there is no room behind it due to the dash structure and ABS Accelerometer. I am not going to cut the structure to fit it.. The KGC-9042 I have works I can use that with the Level control and Get some frequency adjustments, I also can use it as a balance control...

The Clarion is nice as well, if it would fit.

I can stick the kenwood in the glovebox (I think) then not worry about it once it is set as I will have a remote level control for volume.

The Cassette deck I have does not have SCV, just the CD/Cassette, which I have one I don't want to tear apart, but it would be nice to see if I could get that to work.. there are 2 cables going from the Cassette Deck to the control board in the radio.. one set is 3 wires that is Audio, the other set is unknown.. mostly whitish wires and one red, I am guessing the red is power and the others are control wires maybe. I wish I knew which is which as I am guessing one of those control the main unit to know when the cassette is selected.

going with OEM and SCV I lose the balance and I don't need a fader, I need balance left to right

If I use the Line driver, I get no balance or audio controls ( treble mid bass) but I get the most power out. I can find a Stereo 10K Taper pot, but not a Stereo 25K linear yet, if I find that I can build a balance/level controller

what I was thinking is you need a good old fashioned pre-amp. Just like on a high end home audio system.

The problem? No one makes such a beast.

It should take in all inputs, then consolidate them out to an amp or amps.

Also, think of this as a small scale mixing board.

This sounds like a product whose time as come... with the advent of pads and pods and such, the conventional head unit isn't enough anymore.

Try this... reach out to a guy named BK Butler. He makes amps and such... great stuff, but he is a small firm and this might be the type of idea that you two could find happy ground with... he may even have a solution for you already.

http://www.butleraudio.com/

Yeah I may reach out to him, but at this point I need to watch my $$$ spent to do this.

I almost cooked my EQ.. apparently the Level Attenuator was makred wrong, I was shorting the EQ output when at MAX Attenuation, I also found out the controller is a Linear pot not Logarithmic.. I ordered some parts and will fix it myself, I need to get a second level attenuator though, I will use the knob off of it for a balance circuit plus I need to Attenuate the output of the HD Tuner to match the tablet. I think if I do a Volume/Bal circuit on the dash it would be good (Assuming I use nothing after that)

if I use the EQ, I connect to the front Left and Right rear, then I can use the fader as a balance control.

I found a bit more from the right sounds better from the driver seat. I hope I did not kill the output of the EQ, if so I will keep it out of the mix for now.

I tested it all last night in the car.. damn I had to turn the amps gains WAY DOWN, not even at a 1/3 form min now, they were over 1/2 maybe 2/3 before with the pioneer

Quite happy with most of it, I need a delay circuit for the amp turn on and need to wire it all in the car and see how it sounds and if it makes any extra noises.

I have also thought of just using the HD tuner controller separate from the Tablet for the Radio, since it really is separate, not quite sure yet, the display does match the dash and it will give me more presets..

Dunno..

ah the confusion of being a trail blazer!

Quote:

LOL

I am going to see where I could mount the HD Tuner controller. but in the end the Tablet essentially replaces the controller head so I may not worry too much about it.

I do have a plan, I hope I get some time tomorrow to work on it

Quote:

Just realized that this was not the case.. the Leval Attenuator was on the INPUT of the EQ..

maybe there is too much voltage going through the EQ..

But the fact of the matter is the Level Atten was wrong, so I will correct that..

this reminds me of the guys on CF that were doing the car PC installs a few years back... how did they overcome these problems?

DUnno, but they were using Windows machines essentially with a bit more functionality then android

I think I am going to try a Bluetooth Transmitter to connect the HDTuner to the tablet.. the USB-DAC will work in monitor mode with no tablet control of volume.. if I send it VIA bluetooth, then the tablet now controls all volume..

Then I would not need the Vol control on the bezel, I would still maybe need balance, but with an EQ I can accomplish that (if I even NEED Balance adjust)

Man this project is fun

car audio replaced by network engineering...

Bluetooth should work that that close a range without any noticeable loss in fidelity.

yeah I figured the bluetooth would work.. I am just a fan of, if I can wire it direct, the less potential headaches for me.

only negative to the bluetooth transmitter is remembering to turn it on when I get in the car.. Or I wire it to always be one

I got some work done today

installed the Noise filter:


the USB-DAC, HDTuner, and Power supply


I just need to wire power to those items and a second power supply for the Bluetooth transmitter I have yet to order

Found the EQ will just NOT fit.. so I need to try the bluetooth solution for the HDTuner.

Also waiting on the Potentiometers for my Vol/Bal if I go that route of a physical knob

can you install the EQ in the center console?

Maybe.. need to look

I thought of that too, just have not looked..

the Clarion is 4" deep, the Kenwood is 5-1/2"

I think the Clarion would fit in the glove box..

Wish thy made an EQ with a remote face.. or such

the slot might be big enough...

Quote:

Nope not without hacking it up..

I honestly rather not cut that up


I ordered the Bluetooth Transmitter to try.. I am also waiting for the Audi Taper pot to show so I can build my Volume/Balance control.. then to find a convenient spot for it

Bluetooth did not work..

I bought a Preamp kit Volume, Balance, Treble and Bass.. built it and tested it to verify it works.. I also modified the knobs for it..






So to mount this I could remote wire the Volume and the rest and mount all 4 on the bezel below the unit.. (toot he right of the Power key spot in this picture below:



Another thing I looked into is the Clarion EQS746 (it is about 4" deep and would potentially fit in the glove box. My Kenwood is deeper.. then I got lucky and found the schematic for the Clarion, the volume control is a dual gang Potentiometer right on the input.. so I could use it int he glove box, set the volume to MAX and run an external Pot for volume and then just have one extra knob somewhere accessible. There are a few off brand that seem identical to the Clarion for a few less $$ in case I want to remove the volume control and make it remote, then looking at the Clarion Prints I think I could remove the whole front panel and make it remote.

So options are:

1) use the preamp and drill 4 holes for the 4 controls
2) Buy the EQ and see if it fits, if so, use it with an external level control (either mod the EQ or a separate control)

Thoughts?

I am also going to take the Kenwood apart and see if I can make the face a remote panel then I could bury the guts and had the controller where ever I want..

cool!!!

Using the preamp.. Drilled holes tonight

Modified the Preamp PCB.. all the potentiometers are 'remote' located.. added a connector to them and power..

Mounted the PCB in a box, added a bracket tot he box and I hope to get that installed later this week.



The preamp will also have the Amp turn on through a PAC TR-4. so it is getting closer to being complete.


I also ran a new power lead for everything, it will handle the Constant 12 and the switch 12 (with a relay) .

UPDATES:

I did something to my HD tuner.. it does not work correctly, I did find a ground wire was sparking against the 12v input to the Tuner.. I can't think of it being anything else ( although I go the the tuner used for under $10)

So I bought another HD Tuner and I also bought a USB DVB-T tuner with FM ability, I will connect both and see how they do

My pre-amp whines terribly, If time allows tonight I may tinker with the pre-amp a bit more I can use the HD Tuner filtered DC input to see if that eliminates the whine. IF so, I will order a log pot for the volume control and swap it for better range then go back to the the pre-amp instead if the below solution..

I created a volume and Balance control set.. worth the wait for the Log Taper pot.. volume works as it should (another flaw with the pre-amp, it needs a Log pot for Volume) This is the plan unless I eliminate whine from the pre-amp

I also found out an issue with losing the DAC connection when a flash drive is plugged in. POWER, I have the devices connected to a hub that was connected to the OTG cable and got power, apparently this meant the tablet was supplying power as if I shut the tablet off, all device shut off, now if I shut the tablet off they stay on (while the car is on)

I bought a cheap 7 port hub I converted to External power and it runs power to the DAC, Tuner adapter, USB Drive and anything else, now everything stays powered.


Couple pictures:

Volume/Balance controls



remote button controls for the tablet, with the power/vol buttons being hidden this will all access.. ( I bought a spare flex pcb for this mod)

MORE UPDATES...

to start.. no go on that Preamp. Too much snap, crackle pop. with the connection. never got to running the car.

I did however break a clip on my console (that is almost always broken but wasn't on my car until tonight.. anyway

I also HAD to mod the tablet tonight, I had to move the USB port as it was jammed to the side. I also installed my remote switches:

Switches (on a connector and easy to swap out, if need to)




usb moved, the PCB is on a flex and it was able to pop through the speaker slot, oh yeah, I removed the speaker to make this work.


Finally I mounted it to see how it fits.. I need to remove it for the USB tuner still, but it looks good..



Hopefully this video link works

[url]https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5WZBOc_LAb4MEFWOWdEeXE4TEU/edit?usp=sharing[/url]

that is most cool.

I am planning on working on my system this weekend.

I give you credit for an amazing amount of talent, work, creativity, and dedication. Hopefully you can get all of the issues ironed out.