Gentoo Linux PC in a Mazda: Amazing Audio & Automobile Control

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A user successfully installed Gentoo Linux in a Mazda, transforming it into a multifunctional car PC. This setup allows for various features including music playback, video streaming, and slideshow presentations. The system integrates with the car's steering wheel controls for audio management and can sniff wireless networks, plotting them with GPS using Google Maps. It provides local weather updates, web browsing through Firefox, and Bluetooth connectivity to a cell phone for internet access via Verizon's EVDO network. A standout feature is the ability to stream DirecTV from home using a MythTV box, enabling channel selection directly from the car's interface. Remote access to the car is also possible through SSH for file transfers. While some functionalities can be replicated on portable devices, the unique capability to stream live TV in the car highlights the advanced nature of this setup. The discussion touches on the practicality of such technology in a vehicle, with humorous remarks about multitasking while driving.
dduardo
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This guy installed a pc with gentoo linux in this mazda:

http://www.timekiller.org/carpc/

Things he could do:

# Listen to music
# Watch videos/movies
# Control audio with steering wheel control. Since the audio is fed into the HU with a P.I.E adapter, the steering wheel is my "master" volume control.
# View Pictures in a slideshow
# Sniff wireless networks and plot them with GPS - I've plotted the APs I've found, and integrated it with Google's Map API, check it out.
# Download and view local Weather info, including 3 day forcast and doplar radar
# Browse the web with Firefox
# Connect to my cell phone with bluetooth, and connect to Verizon's EVDO network
# Stream DirecTV from my house. <- This is my FAVORITE - Basically I am using ssh keys and scripts to connect to my MythTV box at home, change to the channel I want, start vlc, which does on the fly transcoding of the signal, then connects to it from my CarPC. The result is a list of channels in my videos menu, I select the channel I want, and it all happens auto-magically.
# Remote start my car, and connect to it from inside my house. I can SSH in, and transfer files without even getting off my couch :)
 
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I cannot respect a man who pimps out an automatic transmission car. Nevertheless, its pretty cool what he did. The thing is, pretty much all of that can be done on a pocket-PC. I just got an HP IPaq with a bluetooth GPS module. I haven't mounted it yet, but I'm going to soon...
 
Yeah, but can you stream DirecTV to your car? Now that's amazing. All he needs is VOIP.
 
The sweetest thing is that's the kind of car I own! woot!
 
dduardo said:
Yeah, but can you stream DirecTV to your car? Now that's amazing.
I'm not sure I understand exactly how he did that, but my IPaq came with software for streaming video from a PC...
All he needs is VOIP.
Well, since he has the net, he's got the capability, even if he hasn't set it up yet.
 
russ_watters said:
I cannot respect a man who pimps out an automatic transmission car. Nevertheless, its pretty cool what he did. The thing is, pretty much all of that can be done on a pocket-PC. I just got an HP IPaq with a bluetooth GPS module. I haven't mounted it yet, but I'm going to soon...
But with all those gadgets, who has time for shifting gears? :smile: Did he remember to mount the lit warning sign on the roof of his car? "I'm busy surfing the net, watching TV, talking on the phone, and checking the weather report...GET OUT OF MY WAY!" :biggrin:
 
Moonbear said:
But with all those gadgets, who has time for shifting gears? :smile: Did he remember to mount the lit warning sign on the roof of his car? "I'm busy surfing the net, watching TV, talking on the phone, and checking the weather report...GET OUT OF MY WAY!" :biggrin:

You didn't know Linux drives the car for him?
 
dduardo said:
You didn't know Linux drives the car for him?

:smile: It would probably be safer that way anyway. Thank heavens he installed Linux instead of Windows if that's the case! :biggrin:
 

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