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I think the reason it's taking off is that it's a pain to retrofit.  I'm not going to rip all the wires out of my house, and replace all the switches and outlets with new ones that cost much, much more and rely on a computer in the basement or a closet to run just so I can talk to my light fixtures.

If I were building a new home, I'd be more inclined to do it.  But there's something to be said about the simplicity of a light switch compared to a computer.

I think that if the costs come down to where it's reasonable to do it with a new house we might see it take hold.  But every thing you connect will cost more.  We're talking the refrigerator, the AC, the ceiling fan, the toaster, everything will need to be compliant (and more expensive). 

And imagine the day when your house gets h4X0r3d, and all your food rots in the fridge and the doors are locked, and when you say "lights" it turns on the sprinklers.   

why aren't they more common....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I enjoy my PowerBook....

Click here

It actually quite easy to do, if you have a reasonibly powerful CPU.. I'd say 900Mhz or above.

Inexpensive too, compared to buying a whole new set up.

My video card has Svideo & DVI out (TV & 2nd monitor)
SPDIF digital out SB card & Creative labs speakers offer great DVD viewing.

I got a video capture/ FM radio card, Avermedia, with an  RF remote control.

PowerVCR lets me set times to record shows, with lots of compression options,  onto one of my HD's, or watch live TV and pause the action. My Stand alone DVD player is hacked (the Apex model) so I can record DVD's if I feel the need.

There's als a 6 disk CD player connected via SCSI card.

The downside is there are quite a few wires to hide, and it's not the type of set up you can just sit down and use easily, you need to know the software. Having it all wireless with a nifty interface would be nice... but I'm working on that. Ratshack has a neat set up that'll beam TV signals through the house & there's a Linux app I read about that uses an RF remote and easy user interface.

But it all effectively acts as a digital hub.. playing BF1942 on the bigscreen TV is an experience.  The total cost was $99 for the video card (ATI 128DDR 8500) and about the same for the Avermedia capture card. The various wires and splitters were about $30, the software came bundles with the hardware.

I also have an AMD K62-500 chopped up acting as an MP3 player in my car that I can access wirelessly, but that's a work in progress.

I found many "how to's" on the net that helped a lot for ideas & concepts.

i'm in planning stages of installing my iPod remote through an M-type steering wheel on my M3, which i should be getting in the next few months.  Since the on-wheel controls won't work with a 95 model, i'll put up the 250 for a new wheel, wire the remote in to the pre-existing steering-wheel mounted controls, run it into the second reciever bay where my iPod will sit, and voila, instant iPod-Mobile.  I'll post pictures when i get underway.

I was thinking of getting an older iMac and taking the actual computer out of the CRT housing and mounting it in my trunk, then running that up to a small LCD with touchscreen stuff in the dash.  The only problems I'm having is trying to find an LCD and touchscreen with OS X drivers for a reasonable price.  This is my DREAM.  CyberGreg, you're Tiburon is pretty bad @$$.  Thanks for the pics.  How much was the 12.1" and the touchscreen?

I find it hard to believe that people have neglected to say that it's against Federal law to have a television, display or screen mounted within the viewing angle of the driver.

Otherwise the 1400 (in pieces) would've already been mounted where my clock/stereo is supposed to go in my '68 Cougar.

Then please explain the built in GPS navigation systems and countless aftermarket DVD players available?

Although I should mention that on the nav system in my friend's Lexus RX300 you must come to a stop before you enter an address in, but you can use the stereo and other features while moving.

Aftermarket DVD/video players, on the other hand, can be used even while driving.

Thanks for the article, I didn't know the laws


LOL:

Rap singer Kaleidaskope says removing the air bag to install a TV in the steering wheel of his Mercedes-Benz CL 55 "was all for show" and that he rarely drives the car outside his Long Island neighborhood. "It makes a statement. It says you're either a ballplayer, a rapper or making some serious cheddar (money)."

I wish I made as much cheddar as him, yo

Removing the airbag seems like a particularly stupid idea, unless its a show car. I think monitors in the headrests and visors are good places (esp since you can flip the visor up). I went to an import show, Hot Import Nights, and there were some crazy installs there. Some even had monitors under the hood and where the licence plate should be...those seem really pointless to me, even for show cars.

Removing the airbag seems like a particularly stupid idea....

I dunno. I've seen a lot of accidents where people were better off without air bags. My mom's arm, for example, was shot through the windshield during an airbag disengage. Otherwise, she would've been more than okay.

I agree with you on sticking it in the steering wheel, though. Distracting. I'd rather have a mini projection on the windshield, that way my eyes remotely stay on the road.

Removing the airbag seems like a particularly stupid idea, unless its a show car. I think monitors in the headrests and visors are good places (esp since you can flip the visor up). I went to an import show, Hot Import Nights, and there were some crazy installs there. Some even had monitors under the hood and where the licence plate should be...those seem really pointless to me, even for show cars.

I go to some shows regularly as well, although I try to stay away from HIN... I'm more of a Euro fan. Anyway, I've seen some ridiculous setups in some show cars, as well as in some cars that are hooked up but not considered "show cars." And in some of these cars, airbags have been removed for various reasons. I saw a VW Beetle with the passenger airbag removed for a Playstation and a CD changer... you can see a photo of this car here. Now that is freakin dumb if you ask me. It's one thing to take chances with your own life, but a completely different story to put your passenger at risk. Not to mention it's illegal to remove airbags or any other factory installed safety equipment.