New member with questions.
- Thread starter TahoeLT10
- Start date
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z0lt3c
Full Access Member
You may want to rethink using apple TV in your car. I am huge ATV fan, have one in every room, but all the attempts I have made to install them in my car have left me less then satisfied. The problem is that the ATV just doesn't like having it's power turned on and off frequently, as happens in a car environment. This impacts the 1G ATV more then 2G+ ATV, but even with a new ATV it's still a difficult interface to use considering you need to extend the IR remote and keep a screen running to see status.
You may want to instead consider using a iPod touch. Very similar feature set to the ATV, but it works much better in a portable environment like a vehicle. DC power options are readily available, plus it has it's own battery for use when the vehicle engine is not running. Also the fact that the screen and controls are built in are easier to deal with when setting up and using.
Just 2 cents, good luck.
You may want to instead consider using a iPod touch. Very similar feature set to the ATV, but it works much better in a portable environment like a vehicle. DC power options are readily available, plus it has it's own battery for use when the vehicle engine is not running. Also the fact that the screen and controls are built in are easier to deal with when setting up and using.
Just 2 cents, good luck.
What do you mean by it doesn't like to be on/off? Does it damage it, well may be, but how long will it last. Also, iPod touch can't airplay and this is the main reason I want ATV. As of remote, I will use iPhone app since the vehicle will have a WiFi router as well. I guess I could also use hotstop on my phone instead of WiFi router, but then it's extra steps I will take to take. In the worse case, I will add a switch to run ATV on/off so on short trips it will be off and will go back on while on longer voyages. This is all in the planning stage at this point. I will start with quad projectors in Feb. and work from there.
z0lt3c
Full Access Member
The 1G ATV can definitely be damaged, the later version it's more a matter of usability. For example, lets say you setup some movie or audio and it's playing, and you stop to get gas, turn off your car, when you start it back up your ATV basically resets. After boot-up, You have to re-navigate to whatever you were doing and then seek to the last "scene" you saw. When you have young kids who's cartoons just got shut-off it's a disaster.
Not having any local storage is another issue. You would need to have a wireless network in place and have another source to stream from. This can be solved by hacking the ATV and using and external hard drive but it's still less then ideal IMO from a form factor perspective.
The HDMI only output can be tricky unless you have very high end video monitors in your car.
iPod touch 5 generation can now natively airplay. Earlier versions can be hacked to use airplay. But if you are gonna hack it, you wouldn't bother with airplay anymore, much easier to us DLNA based protocols.
Wifi only remote, in my experience, is problematic. You still need the original remote to setup the wifi remote and I don't find it very reliable in practice. When I do use wifi in the car I use it with my Verizon Mifi hotspot, I see the bigger benefit being mobile data access versus in car wifi.
-Thanks for reply. ATV3 draws 1.75Amp, I can wire it to always-hot source it will it take years for it to drain the battery (if I turn off hibernate function). It will not shut off when I stop for gas.
-No need to hack, jailbreak, or anything for local storage. AirStash provides wireless HDD capability and hotstop at the same time. I don't care for this since I only stream from iPhone, iPod and MOST of the time will use it for pandora radio over AirPlay and more rarely for movies.
-"The HDMI only output can be tricky unless you have very high end video monitors in your car." This is solved with the help of HDMI2AV converter and will hook up to LockPick's GMX550 AV-In ports.
All parts are ordered, I did more research and modified my original plan.
-Used GMX550: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171186965453?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
-Hame A15 WiFi router with 3G capability (I won't need this as I don't care much about creating a internet accessible WiFi spot) to connect ATV2 and WiFi remote. Hame also has a11w model which has a simcard slot rather than a USB port for additional MiFi such as from ATT. http://www.ebay.com/itm/190855600833?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
-Step Down AC/DC converter. Will replace ATV2 power supply with this to run of DC. http://www.ebay.com/itm/251266583049?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
-Step Down DC to USB to run WiFi router and HDMI2AV converter. http://www.ebay.com/itm/300894799718?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
-Orei HDMI2AV. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...a=X&ei=Gz6mUqL7EMXlsATuqYHwDA&ved=0CFoQ9QEwAg
-USB Splitter. http://www.ebay.com/itm/190649674771?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
-T-Taps
-Non-Working, usually burned power supply (which I don't need) ATV3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/321268944775?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Finally got the pinout for ATV3 and will proceed with this after winter break. Will update on results.
Edit:
Apple TV3 on 12DC power. Step down power supply almost fits inside ATV and with some shaving will completely fit. I didn't feel like spending extra time as it will be hidden anyways.
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