I have made a lot of work on the project, with great help from Doru Ignat(idorel@gmail.com) and now the complete list of features is:
- latest Raspberry PI firmware(which supports new models and has fixes for analog sound - no pops any more, you can use the analog out of RPI)
- linux kernel 3.10.30 with various touch screens support and also lirc
- reworked XBMC CarPC skin
- XBMC 13 Gotham beta3(1080p video support, any music and picture format, support playing from archives and more)
- reworked XBMC touch screen calibration algorithm
- XBMC calibration plugin for touch screens(eGalax and others)
- reworked FM Radio plugin
- latest Navit build from source
- fixed Navit to alllow using espeak for speech guidance
- support for WIFI(Airplay, XBMC remotes)
The latest image can be downloaded from the right side of this blog, from the Downloads page.
Cost of the needed hardware parts: 193$
- Raspberry PI model B: 45$
- 7 inch display with touch screen for car reverse: 80$
- HDMI male to HDMI male golden plated cable: 5$
- 8GB SDHC card: 6$
- 5V(2A) micro USB charger: 3$
- Columbus V800 GPS module(or any other): 37$
- SI4703 FM Radio breakout board: 13$
- 2 rotary encoders: 4$
After installing the image on an sd card, you have to configure the system for your needs.
Calibrate the touch screen
The touch screen calibration involves two steps and you need a keyboard connected:
1. Calibrating the touch screen for X11 applications(like Navit). Open the terminal from Desktop and type xinput_calibrator and follow the indications. After the calibration is completed you have to put the output in a file to make this permanent:
sudo nano /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/01-input.conf
Put here the output of xinput_calibrator. It will be something like:
Section "InputClass"
Identifier "calibration"
MatchProduct "eGalax Inc. USB TouchController"
Option "Calibration" "121 1917 317 1741"
Option "SwapAxes" "1"
EndSection
2. Calibrating the touch screen for XBMC. In XBMC use the keyboard to go to Programs/Touch Screen Calibration and follow the informations on screen.
Note, that in order to make a better calibration you can move the finger on screen towards the point, before pressing enter(as can be seen on minute 0:52 in the video).
Touch each point and then press enter to go to the next one. At the end, you have to unplug the touch from usb and then plug it back(works on XBMC Gotham).
After this, he calibration is stored permanently in the file /home/pi/touchscreen_axes_calib. You can edit this file to fine tune the position of the cursor if the calibration isn't perfect.
calib_x_d and calib_y_d - control the cursor displacement up/down/left/right
calib_x_fact and calib_y_fact - some factors obtained in the calibration process(don't edit them)
click_confines - defines the area that will be used for click(if the touch moves outside of this area then a drag action will occur) - this area is measured from the first touched point
touch_mouse - if you want to use a mouse you have to set this to 0, but some touch screens behave as mouses and you have to set this to 1 in order for them to work(with single click). For the most of the touches this can be 0 if you want to also use a mouse, but if you don't want to use a mouse it doesn't mater, let it be 1.
Change the resolution
[XBMC] Using ssh you have to edit the file /home/pi/.xbmc/userdata/advancedsettings.xml and set your resolution. After this restart the whole system and XBMC should run with your new resolution.
[LXDE] Connect with ssh and type
tvservice -mDMT && tvservice -mCEA
and get the desired resolution mode
Edit /boot/config.txt and modify according to your preference, for example:
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=27
CEA group is 1 and DMT 2.
Add a new map for Navit
1. Go to Navit Planet Extractor and download a .bin file for your area.
2. Copy the .bin file in your RPI card in /home/pi/.navit/ folder
3. Edit the file /home/pi/navit_src/build/navit/navit.xml and search for the entry:
<mapset enabled="yes">
<map type="binfile" enabled="yes" data="/home/pi/.navit/Romania.bin"/>
</mapset>
4. Add your map name here like this:
<mapset enabled="yes">
<map type="binfile" enabled="yes" data="/home/pi/.navit/Romania.bin"/>
<map type="binfile" enabled="yes" data="/home/pi/.navit/new_map.bin"/>
</mapset>
Setup the GPS receiver
1. For USB devices. After plugging the device into the usb port type dmesg and you should see somewhere that a new device was mapped on /dev/tty... Most probably the file name would be /dev/ttyACM0.
2. For Serial(UART) modules. The device will have the file name as /dev/ttyAMA0.
You can test that the device is connected to a file name by calling cat/dev/ttyAMA0, for example and you should see some NMEA output.
Now, copy this file name and put it in the file /home/pi/StartCarPC in the section:
# Start gpsd
# /dev/ttyAMA0 - RPI serial port
# /dev/ttyACM0 - usb port
sudo killall gpsd
gpsd /dev/ttyAMA0
Voice configuration for Navit
Each time a road indication has to be made, Navit will execute the file /home/pi/.navit/speech.sh with the indication text. This file will play a sound and the speak the indication, through speakers.
aplay -r 44100 /home/pi/.navit/notification3.wav & sleep 0.7 && espeak -ven+f4 -s150 -a 150 -p 50 "$1" --stdout | aplay
/home/pi/.navit/notification3.wav - the sound that will be played each time before an indication
-ven+f4 - female voice number 4
-s150 - speed 150 words per minute
-a150 - amplitude
-p50 - pitch
You can find more settings in the espeak manual
If you don't want the voice guidance you can press the speaker button in Navit and it will be turned off.
Configure the Controller
The controller can be easily used with Steering wheel controls or other physical controls in your car. To enable this controller, you have to edit the file /home/pi/StartCarPC and search for the entry:
# Start the GPIO Remote
#sudo opencarpc-controller /home/pi/gpio_description &
You have to change it to:
# Start the GPIO Remote
sudo opencarpc-controller /home/pi/gpio_description &
Now, you can set the configuration file like in this post
Change the car logo in the Home screen
If you want to put another car logo you have to edit the file /home/pi/.xmc/addons/skin.CarPC-touch/16x9/Home.xml and find the entry:
<posx>580</posx>
<posy>205</posy>
<width>550</width>
<height>550</height>
<texture>bmw_logo.png</texture>
Here, you can set your new image instead of bmw_logo.png you can put a complete path of the new image.
Set up a WIFI connection
If you want to have internet connection, or airplay or control the whole system using the XBMC remotes, you have to setup a wifi hotspot with your phone and then use an USB WIFI dongle(I am using EDIMAX EW-7811UN dongle).
The system is configured to automatically connect to a wifi hotspot with the following settings:
wpa-ssid "opencarpc"
wpa-psk "opencarpc123"
You can find these settings in the file /etc/network/interfaces.
Some pictures with my setup:
Supeeeer !!!
ReplyDeleteWorks great, Andrei.
Thank you :)
Great!!!!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Andrei,
ReplyDeleteYou are nÂș1 !! i will test it later
Many thanks for you Master work !!
Hi Andrei, ( Sorry I have posted this on one of the other sites too )
ReplyDeleteI have to say I'm really interested in this build, I'm just awaiting for my GPS module to arrive I have ordered this GPS GY-NEO6MV2 Flight Controller GPS Module For Arduino EEPROM MWC APM 2.5(:DEFAULT) from here: http://www.buyincoins.com/item/35774.html, I believe that it will work. I also need to ask a question regarding actual BMW steering controls, I have found a few details regarding I-BUS it's a interpreter for using the steering controls, but it works through serial port and if GPS is using Serial i'm not sure how to go ahead, are there any way to incorporate this within your project, like this chap here http://aidilj.com/category/carputer/ he's using a normal PC but Raspberry will be easier. So I wonder what your feeling is regarding this.
Thanks for a great project..
Hi!
DeletePlease buy an USB GPS receiver if you want to use the Serial port for other stuff.
As an alternative, you can use my gpio_controller to hook it directly to steering wheel buttons.
I love your work. Only problem i had was touchscreen calibration was offset. Fixed with a little trial and error. Also im getting a humming noise. I read it could be a ground loop but the pi is powered straight through a usb adapter for the cigarette lighter. The sound is coming from the 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm/rca adapter to the rca cords to my amp then car speakers. I do have a few splitters to cover all the channells of the amp. Music does play fine but the humming needs to stop. It even does it with no power to the pi. Any help would be greatly appreciated
DeleteHi Aron,
DeleteThanks a lot for your feedback. I am sorry I don't have much experience with electronics, but maybe you can try a ground loop isolator. Can you please send me some pictures with your car setup?
I would love to have a collection of different setups with this system.
Hi Master,
ReplyDeleteIve some problems.
Ive to reset the xbmc resolution to 1280x1024 because i cant see all the screen, then on your touch screen calib program i cant get all spots to press and for last when pressing Navigation i get a black screen and the back button.
Please help me solving this.
Many thanks for you excellent ward work
same here.. also black navi screen and return button...
Deletewow.. wunderfulll... I got all components, but I'm really having a weird problem. If I burn the image on a memory card it boots (only XBMC does boot without CarPC skin and at a far too large screen, but that's all solvable). When I try to boot from USB HD (I know the trick, so no help needed here), it only boots if I replace the kernel.img by kernel3.10.img, it boots. When I use kernel.img and boot from mmblck01p2, no problem. Kernel 3.10 doesn't have touchscreen support I guess... I rebooted a zillion times in the meantime to narrow the cause, but I can't find it.....
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I see when booting from USB disk, it the raspberry logo on the top left of the screen.
If I use the previous version, there was no problem. Could this be firmware related or kernel???
sorry.. typo.. I mean mmcblk0p2 , not mmcblk01p2 which doesn't exist.
ReplyDeleteanother strange problem: calibration at desktop works perfect, entries in usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/01-input.xxx (forgot ext) but when I calibrate in XBMC I only get a small calibration window instead of fullscreen (XBMC i running at correct resolution and screen size). In your video, I see that the calibration window has also to be full-screen, If I press the '/', the scaling of XBMC is wrong (too big), but the calibration window is correct. Guess I'm doing something wrong, but what.. (my native xbmc screen resolution is 800x600. As a result, I can't calibrate the touchscreen correctly when running xbmc.)
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteIve the same problem, what a did was pressing on the limits of the lcd ignoring the calb window
Hi,
DeleteXBMC now runs in window mode and the default resolution is 1280x720. I had to run it in window because of the black screen behind XBMC which wouldn't allow to see Navit.
Please set your resolution using the files:
~/.xbmc/userdata/advancedsettings.xml
~/.xbmc/userdata/guisettings.xml
If you press /'key the Navigation window won't be visible any more and you have to set fullscreen to false in guisettings.xml and restart the whole system.
Finally the calibration succeeded. Maybe a tip for others: in the home directory, a file called touchscreen_calibration_log is automatically saved. When using ssh, you can also see the key presses during the calibration process in XBMC. This logfile contains also the settings of touchscreen_axes_calib. The separate touchscreen_axes_calib file is also generated in the home directory. I had to manually copy it to /usr/share/eGalaxCalibration/ (this was the reason I didn't see the differences between the calibration efforts, it was using the old file every time. After it, I had to manually correct the calib_x_d and calib_y_d to fine-tune and now it's perfect.
ReplyDeleteI still have to boot problem: if I try to boot form the USB drive, it's a no-go. If I use other kernels, it boots, but then I've other problems (no touch support or even a non-responsive desktop environment, not even a mouse move, while I still can ssh to the RPi). I checked if it was an USB3 problem (my 2.5HD is USB3), but a USB2 disk didn't change a thing. So.. there is something weird in the kernel OR firmware or a combination, but until now I've no clue.
Did anybody manage to boot from the USB HD with the april_2014 image? feb_2014 does boot.
For now i cant solve the black navi screen
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteRyan, I did tried some time ago this approach, but the screen was not calibrated properly in XBMC and also clicking was not working, you had to double click to select something. There are some hacks to make click act as double click but then you can't drag bars, volume, etc. I did the calibration stuff which also contains this fix for touch screens click.
I have solved the black screen issue by using a window mode for XBMC.
Camolas, my latest build runs in a window, with size of 1280X720. This is set by hand in ~/.xbmc/userdata/advancedsettings.xml and in ~/.xbmc/userdata/guisettings.xml I have set the fullscreen to false.
Please set them back if they are modified and then restart the system. I saw that there is an issue, if you have different resolution than 1280X720 the height in plugins goes out of the screen, even if the read resolution is corect(buttons and arrows in calibration plugin are placed using the screen's resolution). If you can manage to set your screen to 1280x720 this will work perfecty, with the calibration.
I am loking into this issue with one 10 inch screen but I don't have much time lately.
Hi Andrei, I have 2 issues with the latest image -
ReplyDelete1. I'm not able to start X server to do the first step of calibration
2. The xbmc calibratyion doesnt save the calib file - It says the network server cannot be found.
Can you please help? Thanks.
Kirthi
Hi Kirthi,
DeleteX server is the first one who starts, after this Navit and XBMC are starting. In order to do the first step of calibration please stop xbmc(sudo killall -9 xbmc) and then use a keyboard and open a terminal window and enter xinput-calibrator.
Please ignore the message with "network server cannot be found". The xbmc calibration file is /home/pi/touchscreen_axes_calib. If you have issues please send me the file /home/pi/touchscreen_axes_calib_log to have a look.
Andrei, Thanks so much. It worked like a charm!!!
DeleteKirthi
Thanks Andrei. I'll try stopping XBMC and do the first step. Although, I did notice that the touchscreen_axes_calib and the log files were not getting updated when I did xbmc calibration. I thought it had something to do with the network server error. I'll try the calibration again and let you know how it goes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome work - and also for taking time to upgrade to the new firmware. This is truly great.
Thanks Andrei. I love your work. I'm pretty sure this isnt because of your setup but maybe someone can help me anyways. I am having alot of static and squeeling with the new build. Even with no power to the pi. Sound works fine and drowns out the static but it is annoying while booting or paused. My sound is setup from the 3.5mm jack>3.5mm to rca l/r cord>rca cord>rca splitters>amp>car speakers. I've read a little about ground loop but I dont think thats it because the pi is powered from a usb adapter in the cigarette lighter(no powered hub). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also my ST-22 gps isnt working right. Do I have to manually free up the UART(RXD and TXD) like in previous posts or is that already done in the new image?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the GPS receiver, you can first test if it is working by calling cat/dev/ttyAMA0. You should see some NMEA text. If this is outputting something then you can start gpsd with this device: gpsd /dev/ttyAMA0. After this you can use cgps -s to see the state of the gps device.
DeleteIf cat /dev/ttyAMA0 does not output text check your gps connection again(TX of gps to RX of RPI and RX of gps to TX of RPI).
jynxbone6986 - I have the same setup (Pi powered from Cigarette lighter) and i too have the static issue. Were you able to find a fix for that? I'm trying to add a voltage regulator to get 5v 1a power to add to Pi (to eliminate if the power supply from cigarette lighter causes the issue)
DeleteAndrei - Sorry I posted twice didnt realize. I tried those commands and this is what I got
Deletepi@raspberry pi - $ cat /dev/ttyAMA0
cat: /dev/ttyAMA0: Device or resource busy
pi@raspberry pi - $ gpsd /dev/ttyAMA0
pi@raspberry pi - $ cgps -s
(then the page popped up with all N/A for readings for a couple seconds)
cgps: GPS timeout
I did notice your setup went to the other ground so i tried that with no difference. Is there something i have to configure in navit? My map shows up and is active but the picture shows i'm in Romania. It should still work in US right? I'm still waiting on a rotary encoder so i'll wait to take pics till its all done.
Kirthi - I havent had time to find a better ground. I guess its hard to find a good one on a unibody. I do have a pihub hooked up now with a 12v to 5v3a converter but it didnt take out the noise. And I really dont want to use a groundloop isolator because it takes the highs out of the music too. I'll post again when I figure it out. Till then I have my ipod hooked up to the 3.5 jack which sounds clear as long as i dont charge it ha
Hi!
DeleteThe message "cat: /dev/ttyAMA0: Device or resource busy" is because the serial port was previously opened from the file /home/pi/StartCarPC with gpsd /dev/ttyAMA0. You have to stop gpsd to have access to this port: sudo killall -9 gpsd.
Navit should work in any part of the world. It is showing you in Romania because that is the last point it remember, since you have a problem with gps connection, but after you will fix this it would be no issue.
Hi Andrei, great work.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning a board for Sound-Control via i2c like TDA7318. It has 4 Stereo Inputs, Selectable Input gain for optimal adaptation to different Sources. 4 Independent Speaker Control.The TDA7560 as Amplifier. Programming by Linux is not my thing, as I would count on your support. I would create the board and send you to program for your own use. What do you think of the idea?
Sorry my English is not really Good.
Hi Stefan,
DeleteYou have a great idea, but unfortunately I don't have much time for new work for this project because I am involved in other. Please keep me up to date with this :)
Hey. Thanks for the great work. I already flashed your latest image and it looks really great. My only problem is the wifi connection. I have a Belkin F7D1101, the stick bases on the Realtek RTL8188SU chipset. Its visible under lsusb, but no wlan0 is created. Could it be a firmware problem?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hi,
DeleteI think there are some modules missing in the kernel. Please try to build the kernel and add some modules that are in the default Raspbian build(you can compare one .config file from a stock Raspbian with the .config file in your kernel build)
Hi Andrei,
ReplyDeletenice work. I have to compile some driver for my RTL Wlan-Stick.
Can you upload the kernel-archive for the kernel 3.13.7, that is included in your last image?
Thank you
Christoph
Hi,
DeleteThis is where I got the kernel source:
wget https://github.com/raspberrypi/linux/archive/rpi-3.13.y.tar.gz
Then, you can use the tutorial from a previous post: http://engineering-diy.blogspot.ro/2013/01/adding-7inch-display-with-touchscreen.html
Andrei, Could you please share the module.symvers file for the kernel 3.13.7? I'm trying to compile MT7601 module for the wifi; and keep getting symvers mismatch error :(
Deleteplease tell me how did you compilled and what error s do you have, because i don't find module symvers. Don't know what it is exactly.
DeleteHey!
ReplyDeleteI installed TVHeadend Server and want to activate the LiveTV in RaspBMC, but When i activate it, the complete System
hangs and nothing happens. Anyone an idea?
Thank you!
Hey Andrei
ReplyDeleteFirst i really like your work.
I use your older update from 2013 too.
Now i found your new update :)
But... how can i remove the Radio FM? I dont use it and so the button is useless.
Thank you
I forgot one question.
DeleteIf i change the BMW Logo.
Does this also change the Logo in the intro?
Hey Andrei
DeleteI ordered the ST22 GPS receiver as you did.
I checked the cmdline.txt and the inittab as the tutorial told.
But when I try to connect with the ST22 nothing happens.
I bought 2 pieces, both of them won't work.
When i try cat /dev/ttyAMA0 nothing happens too.
When i put on the 3,3V and Rx and Tx is connected some strange letters appear.
Hope you can help me.
Hello, Peter, for the radio button you can edit home.xml and change the text, icon and target. You can set for exempel pictures button. If you need more help with skin send me email : idorel@gmail.com
DeleteIf you change the logo in skin this not change the logo in movie. You have to edit the movie.
Great job Andrei. Thank you! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152122441548660
ReplyDeleteAlthought I tried to accomplish the same based on your hints last year - this time it went smoothly.
Hello Pawel, please change the line 278 in Home.xml like here icon_refresh_w.png . This will change the restart icon in white.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteHey Andrei,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thank you so much for this blog and all the install files and images.
I'm building a similar system, but not with a touchscreen. That's why I need to see the mouse pointer. Do you know how I can enable it? Or is it a blank image for the pointer or something?
Also, any reason my left mouse click is not working?
Thanks in advance!
Hi,
DeleteTo enable the mouse you have to remove xml comments from the file
/home/pi/.xbmc/addons/skin.CarPC-touch/16x9/Pointer.xml
For mouse issue, set touch_mouse=0 in /home/pi/touchscreen_axes_calib
DeleteStefan Althoff,
ReplyDeleteyou must connect Pin 5 (Backup) to VCC 3,3V then it works! I had the same problem.
Regards Stefan
Hey
DeleteThis worked for me.
Thank you.
Did anyone resolve static noise issue? I get the static noise when I use anything that is powered from the car (Pi, phone, iPod... anything). This is really annoying. Any help, suggestions. pointers is very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteVery cool project.
But is there a way to change the resolution of your xbmc plugins?
My screen has only 800x600 when I change the resolution in advancedsettings.xml and guisettings.xml the resolution of your plugins is still 1280x720.
Thanks in advance!
ok managed it
Deletein /home/pi/.xbmc/addons/plugin.program.navigation
I edited the addon.py and change the lines: self.w = self.getWidth() and self.h = self.getHight() to self.w = 1280 and self.h = 720. now the back button is back in the right corner
I have one more question :P
ReplyDeleteIs there a way to enable in your plugin or xbmc a tap and move funktion? Like the mouse is pressed and I move around with it. Navit have this feature to move around the map but with your navigation plugin this wont work.
Maybe you can help me
Thanks for your great work!!
Has anyone else try to activate Live-TV? My System crashes when i want to activate it. I have TVheadend installed.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hi Andrei,
ReplyDeleteFirstly, awesome work you've done here. Before I go for the full car installation I was going to try and re-skin your xbmc version. I'd like to make a low light 'night mode' theme which activates when the car headlights are turned on. Is there a chance you could add the components of the Textures.xbt file (before you've run it through TexturePacker), to your downloads page?
Regards
FRAZ
Hi FRAZ,
DeleteThe skin I am using is based on the reTouched skin. You can extract the images using Notepad++ plugin(search google for notepad++ xbmc plugin).
Wow, that's a pretty handy plugin!
DeleteAndrei, is there a chance of getting some info on how you interfaced this build into your car? I plan on taking the radio 12V supply and splitting it between the LCD media board and a USB hub to power everything else. Talking about the media board, it didn't come with a power supply, can you recommend one, assuming you bought one separately...
FRAZ
That is exactly what I did: split the radio 12V supply into radio + display + RPI + usb hub. For powering the PI and usb hub I have used one car micro usb charger with 2A.
DeleteHi Andrei,
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog here today. I have never worked with a rasberry pi before, but I would like to have something like this in my van. I was wondering if this set up will work in any type of vehicle? I currently have an older van right now (82 dodge b250), but I'm hoping to buy a 95 GMC Vandura. It would be wicked cool to get something like this in it, but before I spent the money, I was wondering if it would work for a vehicle like that?
Thanks!
Charles
Hi Charles,
DeleteThe Car PC project is generic so it can be used in any type of car. You just need + 12V power supply and audio amplifier. Everything else is in the 193$ list at the top of this post.
Hey Andrei,
DeleteThat is great to hear! Thanks for the quick reply! I am going to be ordering the parts soon! It seems to be like a pretty straight-forward build with the directions you have given :). I also would like to get a back-up camera set up so when I back up, I can see how close I am to different things behind me. Since a van has low visibility in the rear, I figured it would be a good idea. Would it be easy to add on a back up camera in this?
Thanks so much!
Charles
The camera integration is pretty easy, just buy an s-video camera and hook it up to the display controller. You can also hook one wire from the car's reverse light to the ACC pin in the display controller so the video input will switch to the camera input(svideo2 or how is it in your display controller) automatically when you put the car in reverse.
DeleteRegards,
Andrei
Ahhh okay well that's great to know that it is an easy integration, but, not having any of the stuff yet, what you just said kind of confused me. I'll buy the stuff soon and attempt to put it together and make it work :p
DeleteThanks!
Charles
I would love to see some implementation of something like this:
ReplyDeletehttp://factorykiosk.com/product/bluetooth-car-diagnostic-elm327-wireless-scanning-interface-adapter-obd2-android-torque/
in the interface. like a "Diagnostics" button on XBMC which displays all the stats and gauges. should be easy to get bluetooth working with it, but the interface would have to be written for it.
also would love to see the reverse camera reimplemented.
oh nevermind. the camera is still in there. but yeah. diagnostics. would be awesome. especially if you could input the current gas price as well, and get stats like miles per gallon or something. but just the gauges would be great.
DeleteHey Andrei!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great work. Im close to bring your setup in my corsa. :)
I want to change the BMW-Logo, my problem is, that i dont know how the new picture
has to be. Is it a transparent background? Does someboda have an example?
I can´t find the BMW logo, maybe that would help me. Where can i find it?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Basti,
DeleteThe car logo is being set in the file /home/pi/.xbmc/addons/skin.CarPC-touch/16x9/Home.xml. Search for the line bmw_logo.png. This png is packet in the file Textures.xbt. If you want to change it you can create your own png image and put it wherever you like and provide the full path instead of bmw_logo.png. The image size is 550x550, but you can change it.
Hey! I accidantly renamed a file with v....xml in this directory: /home/pi/.xbmc/addons/skin.CarPC-touch/16x9
ReplyDeletecan somebody check and give me the name? These xml files i have:
VisualisationPresetList.xml
ViewsMetaData.xml
ViewsCommon.xml
ViewsAddonBrowser.xml
VideoOverlay.xml
VideoOSDSettings.xml
VideoOSDBookmarks.xml
VideoOSD.xml
VideoFullScreen.xml
THANKS!
The file names looks good.
DeleteYou can view or download the latest skin from here:
https://drive.google.com/?tab=wo&authuser=0#folders/0B__Rs5JF53-kanQxTk40V0p3Ums
Hey!
ReplyDeleteThanks, it worked. I found a Raspberry picture with a transparent Background.
I have a problem with Navit. I can load a map from the internal navit folder, but i want
to use a usb-stick. I already changed the mapset folder etc., but it didn´t work.
Any idea? I already changed the rights to 750 for the map folder, but nothing changed.
Hey
ReplyDeletehow can i implate the livetv button instead of radio?
Hi,
DeletePlease have a look at the file Home.xml in /home/pi/.xbmc/addons/skin.CarPC-touch/16x9
You can replace there the radio button.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteCan you make the latest raspi image public?
The new image is ready now.
DeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great research on this and related articles! (sorry for the extra post on the 2013/08-update...)
I am going to use your directives to replace our defective peugeot 307 board computer setup by 2 networked raspi's; A) as a 2-din radio/central console where normally the radio is and B) on top of the dashboard for pure navigational aid.
Has anyone info on the following?
I'd like to use Raspi A to control destiniation and routing options so that Raspi B is instructed to display route info, perhaps with additional info like clock + temperature info permanently visable?,
Is it possible to use a navit-instance or other GPS/address-selecting tool on Raspi A to instruct raspi B to start navigating to a coordinate. I was reading on dbus-send, but I'm not sure if that will work between 2 raspi's. I also am vaguely aware of possibilities like a shared harddisk and filesystem over a small network.
Perhaps otherwise something with RPC?
Another option to start with would be a rotary gpio switch with push button to scroll through the alphabet when inputing the address directly on raspy B; any tips on how to achieve text input like that to navit?
Thanks for any pointers, will keep following your progress and share when I have a viable solution!
Hey!
ReplyDeleteIs there a command for the rotary encoder to select something in the main menu? I can choose music titles
etc. but i don´t find a command for switching between music, video etc. in the main window.
Thanks!
Hi, great job so far! I tried out the latest image an i'm pretty impressed with the boot-animation. Could you explain how this was done?
ReplyDelete- is this just a video playing?
- which software did you use to create this? I assume Adobe After Effects?
Thanks in advance and keep up the good work ;)
Hi,
DeleteThe movie was created by idorel@gmail.com. You can contact him for more details :-)
Thank you!
i can't calibrate xbmc because there are no botton down left and down right :( how can i change this?
ReplyDeleteplease help
What resolution does your screen has? What is your display size? What is the output of
Deletetvservice -mDMT && tvservice -mCEA
Please contact me on IM(google talk, yahoo messenger or skype)
Hey. Is it a good idea to do a "apt-get upgrade"? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, you can do this without any issue.
DeleteIf you paln to upgrade the firmware also please don't forget to skip kernel(as I have a custom kernel). The latest kernel for this project can be found in my downloads page.
sudo SKIP_KERNEL=1 rpi-update
Thanks Andrei for all your work. I am almost done with my install in a 2003 350z, car did not come with navigation but the 7 inch touchscreen fits perfectly in the space. I will send pictures when done.
ReplyDeleteIn one of your earlier videos you have the player controls at the bottom of the navit screen. I have found the files to move the existing navit objects and have added the includes to show the player controls on navit. But I can not figure out how to change the overlay so that it will send the touch input to xbmc not navit for the bottom of the screen. I can see the controls and they update with song change etc but when I touch them the navit menu comes up. Thanks for any help.
I am designing and testing an automatic / programmable shutdown controller that uses the car ACC to power up the RPi and then shutdown the RPi after the key is off. But I use a cron script with 2 GPIO pins to sense when the key is off or on and then open a relay after some delay. I want 20-30 minute delay before the RPi shuts down. That way if I make a quick stop somewhare I do not have to wait for the RPi to reboot. But it shuts down automatically when I get home or to work. The delay is set in the RPi script. Will post more as I finalize the design and code.
David
HI Dave. Which shutdown controller are you using? I would like to implement a similar set up but not sure were to begin. I found this ( https://mausberry-circuits.myshopify.com/collections/car-power-supply-switches ) which is specifically meant for the RPi. However it doesn't feed 12v for say a touch monitor. I have an m2atx ( http://www.mini-box.com/M2-ATX-160w-Intelligent-Automotive-DC-DC-Power-Supply ) which would give 3.3v, 5v, and 12v filtered, but I'm not sure how to implement the start/ shutdown to the RPi. Thoughts?
DeleteThanks Andrei for you great work and documentation. Today I finally got my Rasperian PI working with an own build of the latest OpenELEC. Touchscreen is working and configurable. Without this great blog I would have failed.
ReplyDeleteI've modified your calibration addon to get it work. I adjusted file paths and changed the broken action key comparism - theres and action object passed now - at least in context of open elec. If anyone have interests in the modified plugin, I can share it.
Thanks again!
David
Spectacular work, Andrei! Thank you very much for the effort!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to calibrate my touchscreen. But I am unable to get at the x desktop. I've tried select "Exit." in XMBC. But then I get a black screen. If I then type ctrl+alt+backspace, I get a logon screen. But this is as far as I've gotten. I tried "root" and "openelec" and "pi" & "pi." So I'm not sure if I just need the default credentials. Or if I'm going about getting to the desktop incorrectly.
Is that the correct way to do it? (other than the wrong passwords) Or is there a preferred method?
I've made changes to the sd card by using a linux laptop. (Mostly Navit). But I obviously need to get to the desktop and terminal. So any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Also, how do I enable SSH?
Thank you very much!
I apologize, I forgot to mention: I'm using the current SD image from your downloads section.
DeleteYou don't need to do the X calibration if you did the XBMC calibration(use the XBMC calibration plugin).
DeleteThe username is "pi" and password is "a" for ssh login. Ssh is enabled in that image.
Thank you for the appreciation!
I came across this setup today while looking for an inexpensive CarPC setup. Awesome job so far ! I have a few questions for you if you don't mind:
ReplyDelete1) How exactly are you handling shutdowns? Do you have some sort of shutdown procedure or does the whole system simply shut off when there is no power? I have one of these ( http://www.mini-box.com/M2-ATX-160w-Intelligent-Automotive-DC-DC-Power-Supply ) lying around that I was thinking about using. It has a pretty cool feature which allows for a clean shutdown after the ignition is turned off. I know its a bit much power, but I was planing on powering all my devices from it so that once the car is off, nothing would be draining the battery.
Normally you would connect this PSU to the power button on a PC motherboard which would then send a signal pules to the PC once the ignition is turned off. I was wondering if there is a way to connect it to the raspberry pi to achieve similar results?
2) I would really like to add Pandora functionality to the system via Bluetooth connection on my cell phone. Is there an easy way to achieve this? Once I connect my phone to the RPi would I have to do anything special to make sure that Pandora uses the connected phone as its data source?
3) How does this setup handle GPS turn by turn speech while listening to music or a movie? Does the Nav app auto silence the sound playing or do they merge/ mash together?
4) I would really like to remove my radio tuner from the car So I was going to add an external 4 channel amp. I was thinking on getting something similar to this ( http://www.aliexpress.com/item/TDA7850-ACC-Control-4-Channel-Car-Amplifier-DC-12V-Digital-AMP-BA3121-Denoiser-with-Heatsink-110008/1952294856.html ). It would allow a direct connection from both the FM Radio board and the RPi. I don't see a decibel range for the outputs though. What are your thoughts?
Thanks again for all your hard work !
Thanks alot for your appreciation!
Delete1) I have one shutdown button in the home page, so when I want to leave my car for a long time I press shutdown and the pi shuts down safely. I also have one switch and when I want to start it I have to use the switch. I think these switches are very good, but I didn't got time to buy one and install it.
2) I am sorry but I don't know what is Pandora and have no experience with it.
3) the sounds mash together at this moment. It is possible to make Navit speach to mute XBMC, but this isn't implemented(although it is very simple to add)
4) I think this setup will work without issues. You can see more informations about this device if you search for TDA7850 datasheet
Good luck and please keep me up to date with your progress.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi, you might want to check out the ignition-based solution here for shutdown:
Deletehttp://www.mausberrycircuits.com/collections/car-power-supply-switches
Hi Andrei,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say this is an awesome piece of work! Well done and thank you very much.
I bought my first RPi last weekend, didnt even know Linux. I have followed your guide above, and helped by some of the comments too. The calibration was tricky, I could see only one crosshair but ended up editing the calib file directly. GPS is now working and Navit is reading the data. I have added local maps and it displays my current position. I have a couple of questions with this build.
1. I have tried getting UK Postcodes to work using Korrosa's page here (http://goo.gl/F5ULBu) but I can't get it working. Do you know how to do this?
2. How do you enter an address? I go to Actions > Town > Street > House Number, but I cannot find out how to "Navigate". I cannot find a backspace on the on-screen keyboard either.
3. After I first installed your build my boot time was about 45 seconds. A few days later is now about 75 seconds. The video finished before and now I see the LXDE for a few seconds before Navit loads then XBMC. Do you know why this is?
Thanks again mate, excellent job and keep up the great work.
Chris Lambourne (Swindon, UK)
Hi Chris,
DeleteThanks a lot for your support!
1. I don't know how to use scripts with Navit, sorry.
2. After you select the street(or street number) you can either click set as destination or view on map. There is a lot work to be done for the Navit configuration, but haven't got time yet.
3. Well, I think you either installed something which is delaying the boot process, or you have something plugged in usb which causes a log delay to initialize. You can disable the boot video and inspect the messages coming on the screen to see where the delay is. The easiest way to disable loading video is to change it's name in /home/pi/loading_video.mp4
I am very curious about your setup with 15.6 inch display, can you please send me some pictures?
Best Regards,
Andrei
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThanks for the information Andrei.
ReplyDelete1. No problem.
2. I found out why I couldn't navigate, it was because the Country "Flag" was set to Romania still :) Now, I have set it to United Kingdom and it provides all the possible towns and streets. BUT - I cannot change "Show Locale" from LANG=en_RO(1=1 2=2), I have tried configuring navit.xml. I have tried adding Language="en_GB" to the config line as suggested by the Navit wiki but no change. I want to change it to LANG=en_GB. I don't think this is set in the navit.xml but somewhere else. Do you know?? I want to change this so I can get miles instead of kms.
3. I ran a sudo apt-get update, then upgrade and then rpi-update and it is now booting in less than a minute again.
I am putting the display and pi in to my campervan this weekend. I will send you some photos.
Happy days and thanks again mate.
Chris.
Don't worry, I found out that I was editing the wrong navit.xml file. I was editing /home/pi/.navit/navit.xml. But I need to edit /home/pi/navit_src/build/navit/navit.xml. It is now working fine :)
DeletePanic over ... now to start on the Radio :))
Hello I have been trying to get my 7 in. touch screen to work for quite a while. I have down loaded your openelec, and car pc images and none of them have booted correctly. car pc had a kernel panic and openelec wouldnt even show up. I wonder if I am installing it wrong. I have lubuntu(ubuntu) 14.04. I have been using : sudo dd bs=4M if=/the/image/location.img of=/dev/sdb
ReplyDeletethank you for any tips!
Hi,
ReplyDeletevery nice project. Can you tell me how did you make the switching between the XBMC and Navit work? They are both running full screen, and I cant find a way how to minimize XBMC so I am able to see Navit..
Any help would be most appreciated :)
Thanks, bye
Hi, if you are using Andrei's image (Raspbian, Xbmc & Navit) like me, and with the "CarPC-touch" skin loaded, I just press "Navigation" button on the home screen of Xbmc. This minimises Xbmc and displays Navit in fullscreen. To return to Xbmc, I press the back arrow button down in the bottom right corner of the Navit screen. This puts Xbmc back in focus.
DeleteCheers
Chris.
Hi Chris,
Deletethanks for reply. Well I am not using his image file. I am working on a similar software for my car. I included rear camera (which is the Rpi-Camera triggered by the reverse signal from gearbox) and some sensors (e.g. ultrasonic sensors for distance, temp. sensors for inside/outside temperature). Now I have neat applications running, but I dont know how to minimize XBMC so I am able to see other full screen applications running.
I wonder how Andrei solved this.. i have tried many ways, but I cant get it minimized :)
Any idea?
Hi,
DeleteIn my builds xbmc has a little modification for showing transparent areas(which means showing what is behind i.e.LXDE applications). You can see the patch at my Drive folder in the top right corner of this blog(Paches->XBMC13.1->RenderSystemGLES.cpp). Also I have some patches for exposing getMousePosition to python api.
The Navigation page is an xbmc page which has a huge transparent button(used for clicking) and the back button. When the user press the huge button the function xbmcgui.getMousePosition is called and with the coordinates got from it I am calling xdotool which is responsible for executing a click in the X11 space. You can use my last build and see how it is done by closing the Navit application(actions->quit).
Now, for your requirements, you can add another page, like navit is and you can show your camera behing xbmc. Please contact me via gtalk or ymessenger for more info.
Hi Andrei, great work,well done. Just one problem for me, Ihave no mouse pointer on xbmc! I have tried to edit the Pointer.xml file as suggested earlier in the post but still to no avail!! Do i need to delete the whole file or am i missing the point? Any help would be aprreciated beacause apart from that this is perfect for my use. Thansk again for all your hard work.<:)>
ReplyDeleteHi Simon,
DeletePlease reload the skin after removing "" sequences.
You can reload the skin in settings->appearance: select another skin, and then yours back, or ou can restart the whole system :-)
Hi Andrei, sorry to be a pain. I have removed what I believe are the right items but im a hopeless when it comes to coding!! Could you be more specific in what i need to change/remove. My Pointer.xml file now only contains the functions now and still no pointer!! Thank you so much for your help.
DeleteHi Simon,
DeletePlease look at my uploaded file(with pointer enabled):
https://drive.google.com/?tab=wo&authuser=0#folders/0B__Rs5JF53-kRThlSmJZNWVJWGs
You can compare with yours to see the differences(line 8 and line 41).
Sorry for the previous comment, Blogger cut out the characters and let only quotes.
DeleteThey should be < ! - - and - - >
Hi, I have problem. When starting the engine, voltage drops and resets raspberrypi. How to fix this ?
ReplyDeleteHi Rizyl,
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you are supplying 5v to your Pi but to prevent voltage drops I use this:
http://goo.gl/Hn7h2Z
I chopped a spare micro usb lead, connected the red/white wires to the red/yellow wires on the 5v side. Keeps a steady 5v whatever I am doing. For under £7 delivered its a bargain.
Chris.
I think you will find the ACC stereo feed gos away when cranking the engine this is to reduce the load on the battery, if you notice your standard stereo will blink when turning the key and wipers will stop etc.
DeleteI use an attiny to shut down the pi then use a relay to disconnect the pi from the permanent feed supplied by a 5AMP BEC from model aircraft from hobyking and it works great. the code in the attiny85 waits for a few seconds of the ACC line dropping before initiating the shut down sequence to avoid the above problem.
hope this helps
will this image work with raspberry pi b+?
ReplyDeletethanks
Yes, I am using a Raspberry B+ and iy worked without a problem.
DeleteHi Andrei, can you share how you managed to construct the bracket and mount the LCD on it? I have no idea how to make the LCD screen stay in place! Thanks a million!
ReplyDeleteHi Thanks so much for your hard work on this.
ReplyDeleteI have a 2000 Prius, with some changes to your software I'm using the original touch screen LCD display at 640 * 480 not ideal but it is original and built into the dash. I also have a attiny85 handling the power and shut-down via a python script polling a gpio pin on the pi connected to the attiny.
anyway I have a small problem, I have the gps working with full UK maps but when I'm playing mp3s and have navit displayed the music stutters as if the pi is not fast enough if I return to xbmc the stuttering stops (the music is normal) and the navigation works speaking over the music but I can't view the maps in real time. Can you help me figure out why this is, I should say at this point I have full UK maps some 500MB could this be too much for navit to parse though should I reduce the map down.
sorry if I'm asking a dumb question
Thanks
Hi,
DeletePlease look in /home/pi/.xbmc/addons/ something with carpc manager and in addon.py -> remove everything inside this file and restart the system.
Hi Andrei,
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your support so far.
I have now added PVR IPTV Simple addon and enabled Live TV in Confluence skin. How do I get the Live TV available in CarPC Touch skin?
I am also trying to display my 2 webcams in XBMC for parking cameras, which is why I added the IPTV addon. The webcams are streamed using MJPG-Streamer. They work well with very low CPU usage, quality and frame rate is very good. I can view them via web browser on any other PC (local network or via internet). I have created a M3U playlist with the streams in it, but they don't want to work in XBMC. The M3U file I created contains this:
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:-1,[COLOR white]Rear Cam/COLOR]
http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:xxxx/?action=stream
I am not sure if you have implemented your reversing camera yet. I am wondering if you have any ideas?
Thanks Andrei, keep up the great work.
Chris.
Hello and congratulations on this fantastic project.
ReplyDeleteBefore finding this I thought I could never finish my car pc project, now I know is possible.
But I have problem , I wrote the image to my sd card using Win32DiskImager, put the card on my Model B+(new version) Pi, the Pi bots up nicely (greta job in the animations), the system boots to xbmc standart screen and after a few seconds hangs and never recover, I had made several reboots but no sucess the result is always the same. Can Anyone help me, please.
Had this problem, too. For me it was the keyboard (Logitech Illuminated) that was connected to the RPi. I think it takes to much Power from the USB-Port (Backlight etc), because the whole system was freezed (even ssh). But it was es 50/50 chance, sometimes it worked with keyboard, sometimes not.
DeleteThanks a lot for the tip. For me it was the wifi usb dongle conected one of the pi usb ports. Now it boots up but angs after about five minutes or so, I think my usb hub is not getting enough power from the grid.
DeleteI have new issue now, fm plugin don't seam to find my fm usb dongle. The dongle is usable in xterminal of raspian if I 'sudo apt-get install radio' Can I install the radio plugin in a standard xbmc intallation?
Thank you
Hi,
DeleteThe radio plugin works at this moment only with this Car PC image. It gets commands from a udp server. The udp server can receive commands either from xbmc radio addon or from opencarpc-controller application, which handles the buttons/rotary encoders. I am working on an improved version. The latest radio files can be obtained from the update at: https://drive.google.com/?tab=wo&authuser=0#folders/0B__Rs5JF53-kOHhDODJENVFkNmM
Some loading video:
ReplyDelete- Bmw
- Skoda
- Vw
- Toyota
- Land Rouver
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_pdsOc8n4l8UXdvdzFGN1N5VWs&usp=sharing
Have Fun ! :)
Toyota downloaded many thanks :O)
Deletedoes anyone else have the mp3 stuttering / slowdown problem when viewing maps in navit or is it something I have done wrong?
DeleteThanks
Hi,
DeletePlease look in /home/pi/.xbmc/addons/ something with carpc manager and in addon.py -> remove everything inside this file and restart the system.
Hi Andrei and thanks for your response
Deletei don't have addon.py in /.xbmc/addons/service.xbmc.carpcmanager
pi@raspberrypi ~/.xbmc/addons/service.xbmc.carpcmanager $ ls
LICENSE.txt addon.xml changelog.txt icon.png service.py
only in
pi@raspberrypi ~/.xbmc/addons $ find . -type f -name addon.py
./plugin.program.navigation/addon.py
./plugin.program.radioFM/addon.py
./plugin.program.touchCalibration/addon.py
Hi,
DeleteI am sorry, I typed wrong. Please remove everything in service.py, in the same location.
Any chance for a Nissan or 350z version of the start-up movie.
DeleteThanks for your contribution to the cause!
someone made all car brand (i need Mazdaaaaa) ^^ thx a lot
DeleteHey Andrei thanks for your work, tried to figure out how to get raspbmc working with my touchscreen but i failed ;) but thats how i found your image ;)..
ReplyDeleteso after booting up i tried to calibrate my touchscreen in xmbc but after the 4 points it says "reverse the cable coming from the screen to usb controller" so i did that, tried it again but it keeps saying the same....
the mousepointer is always located in the right bottom corner and it keeps snapping back there
any guesses what iam doing wrong / or whats wrong with my touchscreen?
thanks for your help :)
If i reverse the cable the Cursor is stuck in the opposite Corner (top left) but almost doesnt reacts to any touches... crap ;)
DeleteCan i use a [url=https://www.tindie.com/products/ozzmaker/piscreen-35-tft-with-touch-for-the-raspberry-pi/]Piscreen[/url]
ReplyDeleteor do i need to use a screen with usb interface?
(can't fit a 7" screen in my car)
I think you can use it. The problem would be that gpio pins i am using for radio and physical controls are hide or maybe occupied by the display controller. There are some 3.5' and 6 inch tft monitors on ebay you can try if 7 inch can't fit
DeleteHi Andrei,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this project. I am now troubleshooting the FM radio. Can you tell me in which startup script have you put the codes to start the FM radio server?
Hi,
DeleteThe startup script is /home/pi/StartCarPC. Please get the new radio files from https://drive.google.com/?tab=wo&authuser=0#folders/0B__Rs5JF53-kOHhDODJENVFkNmM
Thanks Andrei. Works beautifully now. Congratulations on the good work. I think you have a lot of people all over the world running your Car PC codes now.
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the project, I am pleased to use your image but I got some problems and wondering if you got it to.
Error loading journal
Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block (179,2)
random: nonblocking pool is initialized
Is it any configuration I have to do or what could the problem be?
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am glad after read your post. This is a very informative and helpful for lots of people.
Thanks for sharing
Buy Nissan Floor carpets
Just translates some lines to Dutch (http://scrapzz.eu/xbmc/vertalingen/NL/Dutch.rar)
ReplyDeletebut could not translate the home screen some way to do that?
Hi,
DeleteI don't know anything about translating xbmc and I don't have time to look at this. I am sorry. I think this is because the home screen uses hardcoded texts and not taken from a settings file. The easiest way for you would be to edit the home page screen and replace the names you like. Go to /home/pi/.xbmc/addons/skin.carpc-touch/16x9/Home.xml and find and edit the main texts.
I have the radio connected to the pi, and it seems to find radio stations fine, but I get no sound. Is there something that needs to be done to turn the radio's volume up?
ReplyDeleteAlso, how does one reset the bookmarked stations?
DeleteBy default the radio is muted on mine when it's starts up. If volume up doesn't work, check your audio output settings in xbmc, select either analogue or hdmi accordingly.
DeleteI have audio output from XBMC working fine over analog, I can hear the system sounds and music from other plugins, and the volume for XBMC isn't muted, its just the radio that gives me nothing from either the XBMC output or the radio 3.5mm jack. This is using the SI4704 breakout interfaced through the GPIO pins on the pi.
DeleteHello,
DeleteThe initial volume for radio is set to 0. In order to change it you have 2 possibilities:
- either you use one rotary encoder, or one button mapped in opencarpc-controller config file(/home/pi/gpio-manager/gpio_description)
- or, you can use terminal ssh to send this command: python /home/pi/gpio-manager/gpio-manager-client.py radio volume 15 to set it to maximum volume
The radio audio out is on the radio 3.5mm jack. So there are 2 separated outputs rpi analog out and radio 3.5mm jack. In order to hear them both at the same time you need a small mixer between these 2 outputs(do not use an Y splitter as one of the audio outputs will burn). You can use the last mixer froim here: http://www.rane.com/pdf/ranenotes/Why_Not_Wye.pdf.
I am currently working on an improved radio and there will be no need to put an external mixer and also you will have RDS.
Ah, great that's what I needed to know. I've got a couple rotary encoders on the way in the mail now, so I'll wait and see after those come in. Thanks for all your hard work, this is a great project.
DeleteAny news with the RDS? :)
DeleteEdit the stations.xml file in the .xbmc/addons/radio plugin folder, or whatever it's called. Sorry can't be more precise as i am on holiday without my pi ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, that's what I needed :)
DeleteHi,
DeleteYou can change the stations presets from XBMC also. Go to radio plugin and press once set/tune button. This will change the mode of radio to set. Now, if you press any preset button the current station will be stored in that preset. If you want to go back to tuning mode, you can press set/tune button again.
Hi Andrei, thanks for sharing this exciting project. The latest build CarPC_jun_2014 doesn't boot on the newest Pi B+ board, only showing a blank screen. I am pretty sure my microSD is working fine as it boots up NOOB without any issues. Please kindly advise whether I should replace the bootloader files or recompile a newer kernel for the B+ ?
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteI have just got my B+ and have an updated image with xbmc 13.2 and latest firmware and kernel. I will sonn post it, but I have been quite busy lately so I didn't got time for it yet.
Thanks Andrei. I will wait for your latest build for the B+.
DeleteHi Andrei,
ReplyDeletei have a strange issue. I have an old Pi type b and a b+.
I understand that the new pi dont work fine with the image, but i have the same issue with the old too.
The Image boot normally and i get the xbmc screen. But when i scroll through the categories, a second after, it jumps back to weather category and the mouse dont work anymore. it dont work with a usb mouse and, of youre the touchscreen.... when i try to get to another category of xbmc the screen freezes and then i only can cut the power.
Im not sure what i can do. maybe its a problem with the mousepointer, that it is not at the right shown position, like the problem with the axis of the touchscreen.
Maybe you know that issure and can help.
Greetings
My XBMC freezes when I have too many USB devices plugged into the Pi. Try removing a couple of devices you don't need and see if it still freezes on you often.
DeleteHi Andrei,
ReplyDeleteI am now trying to combine the audio output from the pi and the audio output from the SI4703. You mentioned that the ground connection of the SI4703 also functions as an antenna. Can you tell me more about how this connection is done?
Thanks a million!
Check the diagram of the breakout, its pretty simple, the antenna pin on the chip is tied to the ground connection for the headphone jack: https://dlnmh9ip6v2uc.cloudfront.net/datasheets/BreakoutBoards/Si470x-Eval-v12.pdf
Deletehi andrei, love your skin. very good work. but do you think its possible to add a button for liveTV??
ReplyDeletebest regards ralf
Awesome work Andrei !!
ReplyDeleteTake a look to this https://github.com/Pbartek/pyobd-pi
Could be a start point for OBD
Great job, Andrei. I look forward to the new image of B+ model. Old image works on b+, but if i use usb mouse or eGalax touchscreen, i have frezzes and i can only power off or reset. With keyboard works great.
ReplyDeleteChange touch_mouse setting from 1 to 0 in /home/pi/touchscreen_axes_calib.
DeleteHi Alexander, are you using the current June image on the B+? I've flashed it using Win32 Disk Image but only showing a blank screen while booting up. Can you advise any additional steps on preparing the microSD to boot on the B+? Thanks!
DeleteHi Vincent,
DeleteI am using the same 'June' image on both my Raspberry Pi models (B and B+). The build process is identical. There is no difference in preparing the micro SD card. I used SDFormatter and then Win32DiskImager.
However, I did get several under-voltage related issues due to the new way in which the B+ regulates its voltage. Despite being more efficient, it is a lot more susceptible to under-voltage issues. Whereas my model B could happily handle voltages down to 4.5v, my model B+ suffered random issues (including blank screens, crashes and freezes) if the voltage drops below 4.80v. Early signs of this is shown with the latest RasPi update and the 'rainbow square' in the top-right of the screen.
To resolve/reduce under-voltage issues my advice to anyone suffering crashes, freezes or blanking on the new model B+ would be to try the following:
1. Improve the PSU to the Pi. Mine delivers 5.1v, 2.1a. I use a 12v > 5v Car Power Converter (http://goo.gl/Hn7h2Z) and the Pi Supply (http://goo.gl/B1gV7d) which offers excellent power and great customer support.
2. Improve the Micro USB cable delivering power to the device. I use PortaPow Fast Charge Micro USB Cable (http://goo.gl/hb690n). The quality and gauge cable does play a major part when using a B+.
3. Reduce the length of the Micro USB cable as much as possible. I gained 0.20v by reducing my cable from 1.5m to 0.2m. This is what gave me the biggest improvement when addressing my 'under-voltage' issues.
4. Run as many of your peripheral USB devices off a self-powered USB hub as possible. Yes, the model B+ now has 4 USB ports, but I only have have the A-to-B cable connected to my 7 Port USB Hub from PiHut.
I hope this helps someone.
Cheers
Chris.
Hello Andrei, thank you for sharing your project.
ReplyDeleteI have a few questions sory in avance but i´m new to linux and the raspberry world.
1- I have a instant Fm music by ADS usb dongle
http://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11182&p=313149
Will this work whit your radio fm plugin?
2- My wifi usb dongle is not detected by you image but is detectec by the raspbian standart image
is a TP-LINK TL-WN727N is this normal?
3- How can I update the XBMC to version 14?
4 - The horizontal axes of my touch screen are reversed any idea how do I correct this?
Thank for you time
I think the Radio FM plugin in Andrei's build is configured for GPIO and not USB. I have mine working fine using the SI4703 board via GPIO.
DeleteThe easiest way to sort out the swapped axes issue is to physically swap the wires on the touchscreen.
Hope this helps.
Hi Vincent.
ReplyDeleteI also used SdFormatter first. And then win32 disk image. I used 64gb microSd class 10.
Hi Alexander,
DeleteI tried again using the same method to prepare the June image (SDFormat first and then Win32) and a visible 5xMB boot partition plus a 4.xGB hidden partition were created. However, the B+ turned on with a blank screen and the red led flashed occasionally. Did I miss any crucial steps to prepare the June image? My microSD (Sandisk 8GB Ultra) should be fine as I can boot Noob without any problems.
Vincent,
DeleteI doubt that this hasn't anything to do with your SD card.
If your red PWR LED is not solid, i.e. it is flashing / flickering, it means your B+ is suffering from undervoltage. , This is simply due to the brownout detector detecting multiple undervoltage conditions (<4.75 v).
The LED blinking is not a software issue, it is hardware performing its intended purpose. To let you know you are not providing enough power to the B+.
If you have any USB devices connected (WiFi dongles, etc), remove them, test and see if this cures the problem. Either way, 90% of fixes to this problem is to ensure you are using a proper PSU delivering 5V 2.1A.
See my post above regarding several ways to prevent this.
Chris.
Hi Chris,
DeleteThanks again for your suggestions. I have replaced my PSU with a better adapter (genuine IPAD 2.1A) and now the red LED is on a steady solid. However, my B+ still doesn't boot up even if I pulled out ALL USB devices (mouse and keyboard). The green LED doesn't blink at all and the screen stays blank on HDMI and RCA. My microSD should not be the issue as I have booted up with NOOBS multiple times for testing purpose.
Andrei mentioned about the compatibility between the old image and the new B+. Is this probably the key issue for not booting up?
I have had no problems with my B+ and Andrei's image and booting up (after I addressed the flickering red led issue).
DeleteHave you tried copying the config.txt from Noobs across to Andrei's build?
When booting with Noobs, is that using the same MicroUSB card as you used for Andrei's build? Or was it a different card?
Hi Chris,
DeleteThank you for your suggestion. I moved the config.txt from Noobs onto my microSD and also removed some unrelated directories (e.g. .Trash, .xxx etc) and voila, it booted successfully on my Pi B+.
I cant find the config.txt on my noob img i have two folders which are defaults and os then i have the files bootcode.bin, build-data, instructions readme.txt, recovery.cmdline, recovery.elf, recovery.img, recovery.rfs, recovery_files, and riscos-boot.bin
DeleteHi Joshua,
DeleteYou'll need to run the setup of Noobs first on the Pi and after completion, you should see a /boot folder on your microSD. Then you may copy the config.txt out onto Andrei's June image. Also, not really related or not, you may also remove the hidden .xxxx folders from the boot folder.
Hi, loving it at the moment. However im unable to connect to internet via my pihut usb dongle or ethernet. am i missing something? it doesnt seem to have the driver for the USB
ReplyDeleteIt should work with ethernet out of the box. I just connected an RJ45 cable from my router to the pi and I was connected. Have you locked down your router at all, e.g. set it to only accept known mac addresses?
DeleteWifi is a bit more tricky. Some dongles work, some don't. Even when they do work, you will need to set your etc/network/interfaces file up with your SSID and password to get it connected.
I did try and was able to edit the SSID and passcode in that file to what i needed but nothing. no lights flicker or anything. when i boot on a different SD card with just Raspbmc, the wifi is flashing away and is connected.
DeleteSorry, I have re-read your post. I thought you were connecting a wifi dongle to a "PiHut USB Hub".
DeleteI also bought PiHut USB wifi dongle from Amazon because it was thought it is designed to work out of the box. It didn't. I spent hours googling and trying updates. Couldn't get it working on Andrei's build. Yet I plugged it in to Rasbmc and it works fine. Not great reviews on it either (http://goo.gl/Ii0WEW).
I ended up going up buying a TP-LINK TL-WN823N from Asda for £12 round the corner from me. Worked instantly, and is better than the PiHut too, with a one-button security setup. You can get them for £9 on Amazon (http://goo.gl/qXM1FT).
Thank you, I will have a look at that.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone! I could definitely use a little guidance (as I'm mainly a mechanical guy)...
ReplyDeleteI was using the old image which I built myself from Andrei's instructions a while back. I played around with the code a few times and was having some fun but ultimately I decided to start over once he released the recent update... and I'm having some problems now:
I cleared my SD card and imaged it with the CarPC_jun_2014 image
I then downloaded the update: rpiCarPC-update-2014-08-20 and put the zipped file on my SD card in /home/pi
I then booted my pi and exited out of XBMC... I pulled up the terminal and unpacked the update folder and ran:
bash /home/pi/rpiCarPC-update/update.sh
I then got the following errors:
cp: cannot stat 'opencarpc.controller': no such file or directory
cp: cannot stat 'update_radio/gpio-manager/*': no such file or directory
cp: cannot stat 'update_radio/.xbmc/': no such file or directory
cp: 'StartCarPC' and '/home/pi/StartCarPC' are the same file
Any help on this would be great. Did I run this in the wrong location or am I supposed to run some other patch/tool installations first? It looks like the controller and radio files are in the original image but maybe there was an update I missed?
Thanks!
Hi Brandon,
DeleteThe update script didn't work for me either. The script just copies the remaining contents of the compressed file (rpiCarPC-update) to the relevant folders on your pi. See below.
sudo cp opencarpc-controller /usr/bin/
cp update_radio/gpio-manager/* ~/gpio-manager
cp -R update_radio/.xbmc/ ~
cp StartCarPC ~
So I just performed this manually and it worked fine.
Hope this helps.
Chris.
Incidently, for copying, editing, moving files on you pi, I found it a lot easier to map the Pi as network drive on my Windows 7 PC using "Samba". Takes minutes to connect, and then you can navigate your Raspberry Pi in Windows Explorer :)
Deletehttp://www.maketecheasier.com/turn-raspberry-pi-into-file-server/
Hi Chris,
DeleteThanks for the info. Last night I opened the update.sh file and realized it was just that so I ended up doing a good old copy-paste and there we go :)
My last goal to make this an ultimate setup is to stream music from my android phone (pandora or spotify) to the CarPC. I've tried to get airplay working using AirAudio from the google play store but am having trouble establishing a connection. Ultimately it would be awesome to get bluetooth support!!! Maybe I will start looking into this unless someone has already playing with the idea.
Glad it worked.
ReplyDeleteI tried streaming from my phone, using the phone's internet connection but I wasn't happy with the speed. I bought a TP-Link 3G MiFi now, can't recommend it enough. Constantly connected and fast speeds too. I now stream tv, music and radio on demand in the car - with no buffering issues whilst hurtling down the motorway :)
http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=M5350
Bluetooth is proving challenging for me too. I want to be able to pick up / end calls too. I have done it on my Win7 CarPC running XBMC using vb.net but now trying in xml and python on the Pi.
Good luck.
Cheers
Chris
Thanks for the info. Its kind of a pain workaround but I'm actually going to attempt using this while I see if I can get some bluetooh integrated into XBMC:
Deletehttp://www.bestbuy.com/site/agptek-bluetooth-3-0-audio-music-streaming-receiver-adapter-for-ipad-macbook-ipod-ipad-tablet-black-black/1305634938.p?id=mp1305634938&skuId=1305634938&st=agptek%20bluetooh&cp=1&lp=12#tab=buyingOptions
Hi, i got now everything to work exept the GPS Module. i Bought the gpio gps module and i used cat/dev/ttyAMA0 to test it and i see some gps text scrolling over the screen. But when im in navit i become no signal.
ReplyDeleteI edited the Carpc file like in th einstruction to:
# Start gpsd
# /dev/ttyAMA0 - RPI serial port
# /dev/ttyACM0 - usb port
sudo killall gpsd
gpsd /dev/ttyAMA0
It doesnt worked -.-
any help?
I wonder if anyone can comment on the following questions:
ReplyDelete1. Why did Andrei move from the CarPC skin to modified reTouched?
2. I tried his skin at home on my Pi but I did not see album art on the modified reTouched he mentioned, why is that?
I'm basically looking for a skin (or a skin to modify) with sufficiently large icons for controls, album art larger than Confluence currently has, and etc. Basically a better viewable/touchable skin for the 7" 1280x800 LCD I have coming soon.
Probably won't need the FM tuner or GPS, just existing functionality for in-care use for music & movies.
Any suggestions in that case?
Side notes: I'll probably be automating pausing the XBMC and turning on/off the LCD display via the car's ignition using hardware I'm adding for those purposes, in case anyone is interested.
Thanks!
Hello,
Deletecan you post a print screen wit xbmc-home?
Hello Dorel. Are you replying to my post? I only had general questions...
DeleteThanks.
i am so confused about the gps module.
ReplyDeletewhen i use cgps -s
i become this output:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii303/JumpingBit/cgps_zpseb12aea8.jpg
did i got a broken gps module from mr lee?
please help. im at the end of the line
no gps data, only a date in the past (year2006)
what do i wrong?
For connecting gps to raspi :
Deletehttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_pdsOc8n4l8a3hLZGhlNzBkT1k/edit?usp=sharing
And you have to uncomment this line in Carpc file: # /dev/ttyAMA0 - RPI serial port
Like in png , you have to connect pins 4 and 5.
In case you have same gps as Andrei,
Hi Philip,
ReplyDeleteSerial GPS via GPIO is more tricky than USB GPS.
Backup and then edit your Raspberry Pi’s /boot/cmdline.txt and remove the following:
console=ttyAMA0,115200 kgdboc=ttyAMA0,115200
Make sure its wired correctly.
Raspberry Pi GPS
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
5V (GPIO Pin 2) VCC
GND (GPIO Pin 6) GND
RXD (GPIO Pin 10) TXD
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I noticed that you didn't include the baud rate in your command line, e.g. 4800 or 9600. If you want to test whether it's working, install the "screen" or "minicom" terminal programs, and then test it as follows: (example below using "screen"):
screen /dev/ttyAMA0 9600
The above info and more is available here: http://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29078&p=337637
I don't have the GPIO GPS module. I bought a USB GPS off ebay, connected it and started up immediately following these instructions: http://www.pridopia.co.uk/rs-pi-set-usb-gps.html
If you can't get GPIO working, USB is a breeze.
Hope this helps.
Chris
Hi Philipp,
ReplyDeleteconnect Pin 5 (Backup) from the GPS-Moddul to VCC 3,3V then it works!
Power the GPS-Module with 3,3V not 5V !!!!
Hi all,
ReplyDeletethanks for the great help.
i correct my wiring a little and installed screen.
The block at the cmdline.txt was already deleted, because its the last image from Andrei.
Screen works well, i see gps data running over my monitor.
So i was motivated again and started the service "gpsd" for the connection to navit.
Nothing happen... screen dont work then (i thing the device is busy with gpsd) and the command "cgps -s" dont show any data. Navit itself dont find any satelite :(
What do i think now? The GPS Module works, it must work, because it put data into the ttyAMA0. The Problem is at the service gpsd? maybe?
Yes i use the same gps module like andrei in his last posts.
Greetings
Philipp
This is the data i get from screen...
Deletehttp://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii303/JumpingBit/gpsdata_screen_zpsb5ff3dd2.jpg
Navit cannot show the street names with non-English characters, only showing square blocks for Chinese. I suspected it was related to the default font (Liberation) which may not be display unicode correctly. After modifying navit.xml for quite a while and trying to change the font type for all layouts (change to Arial), the Chinese characters are still not showing up correctly. I have already installed many asian font types on my Pi but didn't make any differences. Does anyone have any experience on Navit with non-English POIs ?
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get this working with my b+ i read that if you copy the config.txt from noobs it might work but i can't seem to find config.txt on my copy of noobs i know it has to be there somewhere but i don't see it. i have a few other imgs for the raspberry pi and it shows up on them but no joy on the noobs what am i missing? will the config.txt from another image work or is it just the noobs one that will do the trick?
ReplyDeleteCopy and paste the following into Notepad and save it as "config.txt".
Delete# uncomment if you get no picture on HDMI for a default "safe" mode
#hdmi_safe=1
# uncomment this if your display has a black border of unused pixels visible
# and your display can output without overscan
#disable_overscan=1
# uncomment the following to adjust overscan. Use positive numbers if console
# goes off screen, and negative if there is too much border
#overscan_left=16
#overscan_right=16
#overscan_top=16
#overscan_bottom=16
# uncomment to force a console size. By default it will be display's size minus
# overscan.
#framebuffer_width=1280
#framebuffer_height=720
# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
#hdmi_force_hotplug=1
# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (this will force VGA)
#hdmi_group=1
#hdmi_mode=1
# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
#hdmi_drive=2
# uncomment to increase signal to HDMI, if you have interference, blanking, or
# no display
#config_hdmi_boost=4
# uncomment for composite PAL
#sdtv_mode=2
#uncomment to overclock the arm. 700 MHz is the default.
#arm_freq=800
# for more options see http://elinux.org/RPi_config.txt
has anyone else had an issue with the screen being displayed to the left? Not sure what config file that needs to be edited to adjust it correctly. thoughts?
ReplyDeleteHave you tried running "tvservice -d edid" from the command line? It should provide your best screen mode, put that in the config.txt.
DeleteCheck more here: http://goo.gl/c4Q3zs
Recently I am trying to move the root partition onto a USB flash drive (Sandisk USB 3.0) to gain extra performance. I have followed the widely available procedures to prepare the rootfs on the /dev/sda2 and modified the cmdline.txt to redirect to /dev/sda2. However, my Pi B+ booted and hang at the line:
ReplyDelete[ 3.468162] scsi 0:0:0:0: Direct-Access SanDisk Ultra Fit 1.00 PQ: 0 ANSI: 6
If I revert cmdline.txt to boot from microSD, the "sd" messages will appear really quickly following the scsi:
[ 4.211650] sd 0:0:0:0: [sda] 62566488 512-byte logical blocks: (32.0 GB/29.8 GiB)
[ 4.237496] sd 0:0:0:0: [sda] Write Protect is off
Is the current kernel of latest June image supporting boot from USB flash? Or am I missing any steps preparing the USB? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks !
Hello all!
ReplyDelete1- i can't calibrate xbmc because there are no botton down left and down right. i reduced resolution in
~/.xbmc/userdata/advancedsettings.xml .XBMC becames smaller but again i cant see 2 spots...
2-after calibration without 2 spots new settings do not apply, nothing changes.. if i unplug touchscreen USB and plug it back the touchscreen do not works... until i reboot rpi..
3-has anyone manage to work this ISO image with 7inch lcd, cam you help me with setup?
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI had this problem. I fixed it by editing the advancedguisettings.xml in .xbmc\userdata folder.
Delete(advancedsettings)
(loglevel hide="false")3(loglevel)
(splash)false(splash)
(fullscreen)false(fullscreen)
(window)
(width)1360(width) <---------------------------- change
(height)768(height) <--------------------------- change
(window)
(advancedsettings)