haha. stability is deff an issue, esspecially with all the logging on and logging off. As for compatability, this might be a stupid question, but is there a way to make itunes play in lenux? i have a lot of music (my 80 gig ipod is full...and no videos either...) and my itunes library has it all devided up into many many different playlists...i dont want to have to spend weeks making new play lists for the car...And though i havent prodded too much, i dont believe the playlist files in itunes are easy to manipulate to work with a different program.
As i was just driving home from dinner, i was playing with the idea of keeping the stock head unit in the car. obviously, not where it currently is, and not for any real purpose, either, other than an easy way to keep the steering wheel functions for master volume... buying the wires for extending the ones going into the head unit so i can stick it in the trunk makes for much much cheeper controls than the whole, infrared deal. and, this allows me to keep the stock radio, which i currently love the reception i can get in my car.
since I only listen to 4 radio stations anyway (the two rock stations in Orlando, Fl where I go to school, and the two rock stations back home in West Palm Beach, Fl) i can leave them all on presets and just use the steeringwheel controls to switch between radio stations...i just hope no one else wants to change the station...
This weekend I am soldering in a switch and AUX input onto the stock HU, as seen here (
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=35453.0) for my current Ipod set up. When i upgrade to the carpc, I can still use this set up and just run the other end of the audio cable into the computer. Then, using the switch which i plan to place on the switch panel to the left of the driver seat, I can tell the head unit to either play audio from the computer, or from the radio.
Im getting excited! Thank you time killer for the Awsome ideas you have given me for modifying my plans!