my understanding is that it will only play dvd if you have a pc attached - the dvd signal is a usb connection to the pc - and it sends the video signal back to the screen check out this site for photo's etc http://www.audiopce.com/Products_Review.html
the trouble with the tech is it keeps changing - the DVDs are going blu-ray, so the current DVD will be like cassettes and 8-track in 3 years. in any case the mini-sd cards are heading towards [ and past] 4Gb, so the question is why pay for a in-situ DVD when a USB or SD card slot may well be more use ? all I know is that touch screen with computer VGA and USB connections are a must, paying for an inbuilt CPU which we KNOW is slow right now does not make as much sense [ to me] as getting a good screen and running a P111 1.2mhz dell laptop with XP and 1MB ram [ $500 tops] with a decent power supply from Jaycar - at least it should be upgradable in 3 years time.
I think you've captured it there HP. Having a solid in-dash foundation should be in the for-front for a CarPC. The unit described as an in-dash TV with a built-in PC may be a mistranslation. Nowhere in the description does it say TV tuner, or in fact does it say an am/fm tuner. It may be worth to remember that the DWW6500 does have the am/fm tuner built-in. So in case the PC has to be removed for an upgrade, repair or whatever, your car will not be deprived of tunes or won't have a gaping hole in center dash. Not to mention, one can remote their PC just about anywhere they want in their car (including a laptop). There are even those that don't even opt for a PC case at all. Instead they will mount their MB, Power supply and ancilliary bits within the interior side panels. To best illustrate a very ingenious and quality install, look to a member on mp3car.com. Her name is Jan, (nickname- RedGTiVR6). She's the 2X USACi Intermediate Consumer World Champion ('06 & '05) and Best of Show ('05). She has uniquely integrated a CarPC with quality Car Stereo components to have one of the best SQ rides out there. She uses fairly basic PC components that provide better quality and more versatility than a standard HU. She combined the PC with ultra quality processors, amps and speakers to be the champion for 2 years in a row. The nice thing about all of it is that when you click on her links to her site and see the install, you'll notice that it's not in your face. In other words very stealth and very complimenting to the interior of the car. I'm not saying that is what everyone should strive for and there will be those that will prefer the SPL over SQL and to each his/her own. They can still use an approach like Jan did to achieve optimum results. Here's a random thread that you can find her in; http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=95390 For those that are really not computer geekies (like me..... I'm a computer noob), it may be advantageous to spend a month or two on mp3car.com. One will get all sorts of ideas to make their own PC on a budget and still have a relativelt fast and versatile unit. A good 1.0 to 1.2 mhz MB with Mb RAM and a 60 to 100Gb HDD can be had for less than $200. I've seen those on a budget use a small metal key press (holder) from IKEA for the case. Others have made their own cases out of plexiglass. It's not very expensive to put a few add-ons like WIFI, Bluetooth and GPS. As Henpecked and I mentioned before the built-in PC would not be a very good choice. That attached link shows that Adam is using the same front end as I am - RoadRunner, which unfortunately uses WinAmp as it's mediaplayer. Although RoadRunner is a free / open source software found at mp3car.com, it does give tons of different cover screens to meet almost any car brand name. Finding a GB on the DWW6500 from www.digitalww.com may be a little difficult. Arlen (the shops awner), has to buy these units in groups of 100 (minimum). So he's already selling at a very low price. Those that have done their homework will find that units like Pioneer's AVIC and others from the big HU manufacturers, will find that those units are very expensive and offer a lot little than what can be accomplished with a quality PC based HU and a PC of choice. If someone is keen, I don't see why they don't contact Arlen at www.digitalww.com and ask if he's willing to do a GB. Hell, I might even jump onto that GB and sell my 7" Transflective later. Besides, I think it would be a hell of a lot easier mounting a nice double din unit like that than trying to custom mold the faceplate of a 7" Lilliput, IMO. He's very approachable and I've had direct dealings with him in the past. BTW, there's no kickback happening here.
Query Sent I've just sent an email to Armen (sorry, not Arlen) at www.digitalww.com I indicated to him the interest generated here and to get the scoop on what's available as far as a Group Buy is concerned. Once I get that info as far as costs and shipping I'll pass that info along. If I understand this Forum correctly, it's routine to have items this size/type shipped from the US to a focal person/organiser/funds collector in AU who will recieve the bulk order and who inturn will re-ship the items. Is this fair assumption? Between now and the time I recieve a response from Armen, if anyone would like to step up (henpecked ) and pm me as to their intention to organize a potential GB that would be good. More to follow........
