I finally got my xbox modding closer to where I want it, so my xbox is what it should be- portable entertainment to the extreme. DVDs, mp3s, video (avi, divx, xvid, etc), pictures, games. I'm thinking about putting it in my car now, because with a screen and an fm modulator i could have a really nice setup. Using a wireless remote (I have) I could actually use it as a carputer, depending on placement of the monitor (not getting headunit monitor, either headrests, flip down, or potentially visor).

The xbox is running xecuter3 modchip and early x3 bios (which i think have fallen out of style in favor of the x2), evox dash (with hddloader to backup games, no cd's needed in car), xbmc (xbox media center, best program ever) for movies/music/pics, and an upgraded 140gig hdd i got at bestbuy for $30 on thanksgiving!

Anyone have any experience with using an xbox like this? Not as far as simply using it, I can do that, but I want to be able to be flexible with its use. If not as a carputer that I can run, at least one that someone in the car (lets say passenger) can control because they aren't driving. Is an underseat mount the best idea? I won't need to access it often, except to take it inside if I play it.

Is it possible to easily switch between an fm modulator (for anything everyone can listen to) but switch to send audio to the monitor (assuming flip down) to send to IR headphones, or will that involve getting under the seat and fiddling with wires?

Thanks in advance, I look forward to hearing input!


BTW- this is the monitor I'm leaning toward http://www.xenarcdirect.com/store/pr...cat=255&page=1

 

did you mod the xbox yourself? i want to mod mine, mainly so I can put games on the hard drive so I don't need to carry them.

 

wow, that is pretty extreme wayne! Modded xboxes are rediculous. At least you can say, hey lets go play some xbox in my box. That monitor is only 210 bucks, i dunno if it's going to have any quality whatsoever at that price. Good luck with the mounting and wiring with that thing, I'd say fit the xbox in the glove compartment, (i dunno if thats the size, i haven't seen one for a while) then run the wires up the a pillar through the headliner and to the overhead screen. That would be a crazy set up dude!

 

yeah, i did the xbox myself. i have a v1.0 so it required some soldering, but the newer ones have a drop in chip that you can use that you don't have to solder.

I think xbox, unless i take it out of the case, isn't fitting in the glovebox. It's big. That, combined with me not really needing direct access to it, makes me lean towards underseat.

That monitor is actually one recommended in the thread "Best Monitors?". I found a 10" for a little over $300 (but its usually an $800 monitor, so that seems a little iffy). That $210 is from the mfg. website, so it comes with warranty... nothing wrong with that!

Violent, check out xbox-scene.org for modding advice, and i got my chip at modchipman.com. I got xecuter3, but xecuter 2 seems to be more popular. PM me if you need a hand with it.

Anyone have an practical experience with what is feasable as far as all this goes? Is splitting the auido outputs from xbox so they do both IR headphones (monitor) and FM mod. doable/wise? What about the monitor? Any other opinions on it?

 

so am i basically on my own for this? fun times

evan when i get the final green light on it from my parents you can come help if you want. shouldn't be any soldering or painting, just figuring out how the screen goes into the headliner, cutting out a border, and running a lot of wires. I'm trying to think of a secure way to mount my xbox so it can't just be stolen, but it can be unlocked and removed. maybe a little bar across it hinged to the seat would do the job.

 

Okay well first off, awesome idea, I'm planning on doing the same in my tC, and like you, I am debating on placement of the xbox. under the seat would be nice, but it might be a tight fit if you ever need to get it out. I'd say from a cosmetic standpoint that would look the best. BTW for anyone looking to mod an xbox, the executor2 lite solderless is probably the best chip out right now. it took me longer to take the screws out of the bottom of the box then to actually mount the chip. Any way, the other thing you might want to consider down the line, since the xbox has become really cheap (like 129$ refurb) is actually mounting 2, with another monitor on at least one of the headrests, It would make for a hell of a system link if you pulled it off. Then all you'd need is a crossover cable and a switch w/ power inverter. but for the system you have now, it will be sweet. Not so sure about being able to make it a "carputer" Evox is actually a linux based program, so it may be difficult to find compatible software. Lastly, when mounting, you'll have to consider what type of controllers you want to use. either you'll have cables sticking out from under the seat, or you can go wireless. If you do, make sure you label your controllers, otherwise you can get the signals crossed, and whatever you do, don't buy the official microsoft wireless controllers... even though they're logitech, they are way overpriced. Madcatz has a good set and its 2 controllers for 35$. Keep me posted how you make out...I hope at least a little bit of this was helpful.

 

i have xbox in my box and we have it hooked up behind the headunit! the xbox is under the drivers side seat and the wires are run from the 14.1" overhead to the head unit so that not only can i have picture when i want it but all the wound scomes through the car speakers!!! sounds and looks nice!!! email me if you have any questions or take a look at my car domain and see the tv... i think its there... if not ill send you some!!!

 

my xbox (the main guts) is firmly mounted in the dash under the drivers dash speaker, the cd tray is relocated under the flip open pocket in the center dash and the on/off and eject button, along wiht the dvd eye is above the drop in pocket above the glove box. I am using 2 mad catz wireless controllers. audio/video will be going into my JVC flipout monitor then out to the headrest monitors and IR headphones. only few have seen the work in progress, with much more work to come.

 

what kind of power inverter did you use/reccomend?

 

scion xb guy, im assuming you have an aftermarket headunit? the stock pioneer has no inputs, so i would have to go with an fm mod. i might actually just split the wires and have it always running to IR and FM, so i can just tune in the fm if i wanna hear whats on the box.

when i said carputer i more meant a computer capable of handling the ICE then any performance stuff. i'm gonna go test fit the little box in the big box and see what happens from there. i'm def not taking it apart, even though that would solve the space issue.

As for the logitech controllers, already have 1. My friend has the mad catz and they keep buggin out on him, but my 'techs have a 1 year warranty and have had no issues whatsoever so far, and ive had em 6 mos or so. Really nice, smooth, responsive controllers. I also look forward to having karaoke revolution in my car HAHAHAHAHA...


well im actually going up to try to talk the parental units into letting me get that monitor, and we'll go from there!!!

 

yeah dude, you need help with that i'm all over it. By the way, the strut bar install went over well except for the minor stripping of one of the tough strut screws. The bar is amazing, the suspension feels like my dads camry now, which is very nice. Tommorow arrives the injen short ram, and i have a pretty great idea on how it installs looking at the k&n instructions (injen has no online instructions). So that should go off nicely too and i'll have a new decal on the car.

gimme a call if you need some scion company and or xbox help.

 

think it's gonna happen!!!

 

I'm using a Install Bay MPI-800power inverter. I tried the MPI-200 and MPI-400 but both gave me a buzzing sound through the IR headphones. the MPI-800 has no noise. I also used the Monster Cable power inverter before, I can't remember the number, but it was a small one and it worked fine.

the only problem with the xbox is you have to keep the inverter on all the time to keep from resetting the time/date each time you shut off the car. most inverters have cooling fans so if you left the inverter on you will kill your battery in a short time. I rewired the fan to come on only with the key so not to drain any more current then necessisary.(god I hate spelling that word)

 

i dont mind the time date reset, and i know that my bios isnt messed up by it. other ones i've seen can be. i will probably just let it never have the right time/date and not worry about the funky wiring.

 

how do you tell if the bios is being messed up by removing power all the time? since the power supply I am using draws a little more current than others I used I'm thinking of not running the inverter all the time. I just want to make sure nothing happens to the xbox.

 

it only happens to boxes with modchips and only if the power source is completely removed (ie not plugged in at all). Unplug your xbox, turn it on in 10 mins or so, see if the date/time resets. If not, leave it unplugged longer. I heard 4 hours somewhere. Maybe just do it overnight. From there, if your bios runs on a reset date, you shouldn't have any issues except being able to see the date/time.

 

If you're using evox, the date and time resetting shouldn't really matter, because it boots the xbox right past the date/time screen. The only real reason to reset it is if you need to see a clock, and I doubt you'll need it. So I wouldn't worry too much about leaving the inverter on.