Integration of Media and Communications?

[BlackWorksInc]

I was wondering if anyone has managed to find a way to integrate their communications system with their media system? I know Ricers and Modders have been doing this for almost a decade now with little car-puter systems and such. I just don't want a half dozen little remote face plates mounted all over my damn center console with wires and stuff draped around... I mean its 2013... this should not be that difficult! We should be beyond this:

Basically I want to try and get a Head Unit, or build some sort of Car-Puter/Tablet system so I can integrate Media (FM Radio, Sat possibly, CD, AUX, ect), Navigation, and communications through one interface. This way I can mount the CB, HAM, and/or other comms equipment in the rear of the vehicle in a more out of sight place and still have a clean, factory-ish looking set-up in the cabin.

I've been playing with how to do this for a couple years now as I save up money for more external mods to the truck (rear bumper, skid plates, ect) but this has always been a perplexing issue. I thought about using a Switch Board as someone mentioned on T120, but I really wanted to be able to have the type of multi-processing/selection capability that you get in a factory or aftermarket media head unit.

I know the FCC gets bent out of shape when you try to combine/mod units into "All-in-One" so I'm not trying to go for that, rather all the units will be seperate; but the User Interface will be collective. i.e. being able to switch to a "Comms" app/button and use the in-dash display to select parameters and then use either a Bluetooth headset and/or vehicle speakers and a remote mounted mic to communicate.

This thread is meant mostly as a sort of think tank and/or "show me what you got" if anyone has managed to do what I am talking about.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Bump?

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

This may not be exactly what you're looking for, but some people have been custom fitting iPads into their dashboards. Some installs look very clean. Technically that can do music, movies, nav, internet, bluetooth (might need to pay for phone service), etc... jailbreaking is an option too. Might be less intensive to install.

The CD and AUX portion of that is where it gets interesting... If it were me, I'd run the iPad sound through a CD player/head unit with a bunch of extra AUX inputs. It can hide in the glovebox or something. Then hook up the other AUX devices to the head unit, making it kind of like a central hub, or receiver for a home theater.

Might also be a better solution to the bluetooth capability, as that can still be part of the head unit.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I've thought about using a tablet for an indash entertainment system since its mostly already set-up. The only issue is the operating system. I really want to integrate as much as possible through the tablet/screen as I can. I don't know of any way to combine a stand alone HAM or CB radio and use an AUX or App to control it through the tablet.

I think you're idea is a good one and something I have thought of, but I have little experience personally in setting-up complicated in-car entertainment systems which is why I am asking the forum for brainstorming ideas and solutions in the matter. I think its ridiculous for us to have to have seperate head units for a lot of things.

 

[eddiebx]

When you say combine a CB and HAM radio, do you mean like listen to and talk into one speaker and mic? I am just thinking out loud, but the logistics of trying to wire one mic to operate both radios selective sounds like a pain...somethings are just better kept simple, IMO.

What about just feeding all the audio through an aux switcher? Something like this: Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future

Not that one in particular, but I'm sure there's tons of these type of devices out there...if you're handy with a solder iron you could even build your own switching circuits, lol.

But basically you could just flip any standard headunit to aux input and then switch around as you please when listening to the CB and HAM, but keeping separate mics for each one.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Basically I want to be able to hit a button/select an app and switch to say HAM radio. Then I can use the in dash screen to manipulate frequency, volume, other settings. Use a mic of some kind and switch back to music if I want.

The goal is to make using Comms as easy as switching to the NAV setting on your aftermarket Head unit, while complying with the FCC's rules all through one interface screen device instead of having a ton of headunits everywhere if that makes sense?

 

[eddiebx]

Yeah that makes perfect sense. Now I get exactly what you're trying to do, but man....that's going to be tooooooough! Trying to retrofit an existing HAM or CB to do that would probably be a nightmare if you're not a programming/electronic wiz, which is way beyond my scope of knowledge, lol. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Good luck sir!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I found some articles on digital based CB/HAM/UHF/VHF radio systems that are run by computers which is why I am leaning on the "carputer" system. A Tablet should have more than enough power to run that type of system, but I don't think I've ever seen an Android based system like that...

Thanks for the input EddieBX, it just seems not a lot of people on the forum know too much in depth about communications.

 

[eddiebx]

I'm not sure if you are already aware of this forum, but it just popped into my head: the12volt's install bay - Mobile Electronics Forums

There's lots of knowledge guys over there that know car electronics inside out. If you get bored, maybe you can check it out