This is all cool, but who wants to be stuck watching things they happen to be carrying around on DVD? This is 2013, the age of streaming media! Immediately, I started pondering how I could bring this system up to date with the current state of ADD-inducing, "always-on" streaming media entertainment!
I. Video in Motion
First thing's first. The Chrysler/GM "MyGig" system has a Lawyer-induced feature of disabling any video from the head unit when you put the vehicle in drive. That's rather annoying! I don't condone watching a movie while you're supposed to be driving, but I'd rather that I dictate to the technology what to do, not the other way around. Thankfully, there are a couple of companies that make products to fool the head-unit into thinking you're never actually in drive. I settled on the NAV-TV Allgig.![NAV-TV AllGig](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONiliaP2BgYDZNHOwvXOSP_9Wnl65T1DIkhB_QltHk2wz4JlEdhMBK1Z6SKlHyOX8jh_muHH7vQnOk0x3n7akNJYv5g9BRhyphenhyphendWmecUzVssPbi-LhrHTEeDr2zX-hYhspQFNsvbyhsdJI/s200/allgig.jpg)
Installing the Allgig only took about 20 minutes, and most of that was spent opening the console up to pull the head unit out so that I could get at the wiring harness. The rest was simply a matter of disconnecting the head unit, connecting the Allgig's included wiring harness between the head-unit and the factory harness, and finding a position behind the dash to secure the Allgig unit itself.
II. Streaming Video
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFQ5vdQ-O_5AsGQ3WK6vuGfhEO3JKvBRDKguK6HX9oDZlGYZQF3xKaNMK3ZH0WQ2spcIvYCFhtWqitZebGahjpTmko4nkxfCsLlfIV9ICMpYZA-30uBF9nTgnBH4zDcI4FOHdnSNGKvo/s200/ZeroDevices.jpg)
A. Data Access
I have WiFi Tethering on my cellular data plan, so I can share my existing cellular data service with this device when I'm in the car by pre-configuring the Mini PC with the same WiFi attributes I use for tethering on the phone. Then I just have to turn on "Mobile WiFi Hotspot" on my phone when I want streaming media in the van.
B. Video Conversion
Thankfully, "there's a device for that" too. Another Amazon search turns up a well reviewed HDMI to composite A/V converter that seems to be low power and work at any input resolution. [Amazon.com product link]
C. Video Apps
I tested the following apps on the device:
- SlingPlayer for Phones
- Netflix
- YouTube
All three worked well over the mobile hotspot with my Verizon data service. SlingPlayer is the "killer app" for this configuration for me, since I have a SlingBox Pro already. It allows me to remotely watch live TV from my home DVR.
III. Putting It All Together
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpkx9bm-lyO3qkT8sl4JV4VW07puhbiAxn7TKZHCYwkZpTEYOS9xS-nBFjyslI1jmzFx6p_fxJHLB83KISd5eVrD5HZM7WvM5RaoOlRwWJ1tUH17-Gpin8XopWf_JvY9_8mLa-SbWKL8/s320/van_tv_01.jpg)
When I tried powering either devices using a 12V -> USB power device instead, I ended up with either an annoying "buzz" or could audibly hear the digital data transfer over the car's speakers. A ground loop isolater would probably work if I only had the audio connections, but I don't know a good way to ground-loop isolate an NTSC composite video connection.
Besides, using the car's built-in AC inverter has an advantage over the 12V power port- there's a switch to turn it on/off in the center console.
IV. Input Device
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PEsdaMMeTXtWEqu2UJ2LTGMyjQZYKwZn_Sol6XPnISjqFXY6f33bVun6R7ax30SdyMF6TWhybToCeqcGuHaddNjqk0KpT6Mv2y4em7_JaS0hAzoaHoB6akbyL5vEheNNa_2wFa3V24w/s200/FAVI+Wireless+Keyboard.jpg)
It worked with the Android 4.0 Mini PC right out of the box.
IV. Demo Shots
The Zero Devices Mini PC boots up when I turn the car on:
Netflix movie playing:
Live TV playing via SlingPlayer
Have fun! And remember: Don't watch TV while you're driving!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete