Eonon E1062 Enhanced I.C.E

I've had my Eonon for almost a month now and while it is much better than the OEM deck it could use some work. Mainly on the interface. So I kind of took care of that. I had a G4 Mac Mini eagerly awaiting a purpose and figured...why not? I already had most of the hardware anyways. Here's what was required to get this working:

1.5GHz G4 Mac Mini running Leopard
150W power inverter (Mini's PSU is rated at 85W)
DVI-Video adapter
Ground loop isolator
3.5mm to RCA adapter
Mouse (USB or Bluetooth will work)
iPhone (to control the Mini wirelessly or some other input device)
...and of course the Eonon or any screen really

The software being used is as follows:

Air Mouse
Gives full mouse and keyboard control along with media/internet shortcuts and customizeable keys.

Remote
Controls iTunes and allows browsing through the music just like using the iPod feature of the iPhone/iPod Touch. Also displays album art on the iPhone/iPod Touch.

Rowmote
Acts as an Apple Remote to control iTunes Front Row and others. Not sure how often I'll use it since Front Row isn't the main app.

iPhoneModem
Used to easily create an ad hoc network upon boot. Doesn't have to be used with an iPhone but will also let you tether to give the Mini internet access.

USB Overdrive
Allows the use of almost any USB controller or device and can customize the buttons/axis.

Finally aside from Leopard a custom Automator script/application to start iPhoneModem initiate the ad hoc connect start iTunes begin playing (songs set to shuffle) and display the iTunes visualizer full screen. That way I don't have to whip my iPhone out right away and it'll start playing with no input from me.

I have installed some console emulators but need to pick up a controller and set it all up. The setup and install is actually VERY easy. I ran a set of RCAs from the Eonon through the back of the glovebox to hook to the DVI-Video adapter and 3.5mm to RCA adapter for audio. I have a ground loop isolator between the 3.5mm adapter and the Mini just incase. I've read issues with system 'whine' without one. You do need to at least have a mouse or keyboard connected so you don't get a warning message at boot. I have a generic HP optical USB mouse connected. In a pinch I can use that to operate the Mini. Also the red light it gives off sorta goes with the interior when you open the glove box. The power inverter is in the center console's cigarette lighter and the plan is to run the power wire through the center console and through the back of the glove box. I want to test it for a day or two and make sure I don't have to adjust anything before I run the power. Quite stealthy and easy to remove if needed. I'm sure some will question the heat durring summer. Supposedly the heat in the glovebox isn't too horrid and the Mini's max operating environment temp is 95 degrees F but I plan to install tempurature monitoring software that can shut it down if it gets too hot so I know. I don't really see that being an issue though since there are many others that use Mini's without issue.

I chose to go with the cigarette power inverter since I already had one and it works quite good. So far I've been reaching into the glove box to power on the Mini but have read about a few others just shutting the car off with the Mini set to repower after an outtage so that it comes back on when the car starts. One person in particular has been doing that for almost 2 years so I may go that route. The other power option is to get a CarNetix CNX-P1900 for $100 and the matching Mac Mini power cable for $30. You can get both HERE at mp3car.com as well. I might look into that down the line.


Now to the function of it all. It works almost flawlessly the way it is setup now. It'll start up and begin playing music so I don't have to touch it if I don't want to. Otherwise I pull out my iPhone and start the Air Mouse or Remote app to navigate tracks. For those concerned about keeping your eyes on the road you can use the Rowmote app to control it as if you were holding an Apple Remote so you don't really have to look at it or the deck. If you've got a passenger or are stopped you can use the Remote app to browse your songs as if you were using the iPod app. Using Air Mouse you can use the rest of the system like a normal computer. I'm running at 800x480 resolution and I can actually read what's on the screen even though the Eonon only displays 480x234. The iTunes visuals look great and there's something to solve the 'clock' problem I've had...run a screensaver with a clock!!!!!!! Haha. Yeah I'm a geek. Anyways here's some pictures I took really quick with my iPhone.

Thats ace - as if you get itunes on it.....nice work

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Emma Thats ace - as if you get itunes on it.....nice work

just watch out running it on an inverter .. the power supplies dont like square wave mains .. i had that problem with my setup .. i put an isolation transformer in line with the inverter and it cured the problem ...