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  1. #1
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    Apr 2005
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    32

    Default Announcement: V1 USB Adapter - Connect the V1 to a Carputer

    This posting was approved by Radar Roy (thanks Roy!)

    ------------------------

    Greetings,

    We have an exciting opportunity for Valentine One users who are using computers in the automotive environment. After months and months of effort to build the hardware to connect the Valentine One to a PC via USB, we are finally ready to produce a small run of test units.

    What is it?
    The V1 USB Adapter allows users to connect the Valentine One radar detector directly to a PC via USB. Combined with the V1 Virtual Display software, users are able to use a PC as a remote display for the radar detector. This enables a clean integration of the Valentine One, providing the ability to centralize radar alerts directly into your PC display. V1 Virtual Display software is a flexible solution, enabling users to "skin" the look and feel of the software as best fits their needs. Audio “themes” allow the user to customize the sound of alerts, or make some alerts only visible, while others play at full volume.

    Participating in the Pilot
    Since this is a pilot, we are looking for individuals who are willing to participate in evaluating the V1 USB Adapter. We will be selecting 25 individuals to participate in the pilot. This number will help evaluate the effectiveness of the V1 USB Adapter, make any necessary modifications and incorporate any potential suggestions participants may have. We ask those participating in the pilot provide feedback about the operation and performance of the V1 USB Adapter and accompanying software. Occasional feedback will be requested of those participating in the Pilot.

    Costs?
    There is a small cost associated with participation. These costs are simply covering actual production of these first 25 units. In an effort to encourage participation, we have tried to ensure the cost of participation is as low as possible. If you are interested submit a request for participation.

    How to Request Participation:
    E-mail dolphin@exitzer0.com and include the following information in your e-mail:

    1. Car Year, Make and Model
    2. Car Audio equipment and config
    3. PC equipment and config including:

    a. CPU
    b. RAM
    c. Hard drives, dvd drives, CF drives, etc.
    d. Monitor, including aspect ratio and resolutions that are used regularly as well as connection (VGA, SVIDEO, etc.)
    e. USB devices used regularly
    f. Operating system
    g. Commonly used applications, including media players, gps software, front ends or other applications that will commonly be running at the same time as the V1 Virtual display
    h. Startup/shutdown controller/method. How is your computer started and shutdown, and is hibernate an/or standby used regularly
    i. What kind of input devices do you use (touchscreen, mouse, etc.)

    4. Valentine One software version
    5. How your Valentine One is connected (e.g. hardwired, cigarette lighter adapter, etc.)
    6. What other devices you have attached to your Valentine One (remote display, audio adapter, etc)
    7. Approximate length of wires between each Valentine One hardware piece, including and estimate of the length of the wires to connect the V1 USB Adapter
    8. Modifications to the vehicle (engine, electrical systems…)[/list]

    As a sign of appreciation for helping to refine this product, all those participating in the Pilot and providing the requested feedback will be given a generous discount toward a final product unit if the pilot is a success.

    Hardware Requirements:
    Valentine 1 compatible with the Valentine One Concealed Display
    Windows 98, 2000, XP with USB and .Net Framework

    Download the Software:
    You will need the Virtual V1 software which you can download for free at http://www.ExitZer0.com. The software can be used to view skins and playback previously recorded log files, without a V1 USB adapter connected.

    Thanks for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!

    Kind Regards

    ps
    We will be looking at expanding to other brands (i.e. Passport X50) when feasible, but for now we are focusing on the V1 due to the architecture of it's build in driving a remote display.

  2. #2
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    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    13

    Default

    Can't you already just use a serial cable and software one?

  3. #3
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Austin, TX
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    Default

    Software one is a similar piece of software and can perform a lot of the same functions. A lot of people who have tried to make their own cables seem to have a lot of difficulty getting them to work. Also, serial ports on PCs are becoming harder and harder to come by.

    There are some products out there that can do some of what you need (ttl2usb) but even those still need some hacking to work properly, and don't support muting from the software.

    This device is made specifically for the V1 and supports all of that and comes is a pretty case. I plan to keep the software free, for anyone who wants to build their own, but keep the price reasonable enough so they wont have to.

  4. #4
    Advanced Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    7,509

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by smashr
    Can't you already just use a serial cable and software one?
    Yeah, you can :wink:

    But I encourage people to support the V1 Virtual Display project too, these guys have put a lot of work into their stuff. I know that zPilott has been working on his software for a long while, and they have also recently put a great deal of work into the hardware too. I especially recommend it for those running carputers.

    I have had a lot going on so I haven't been able to update Software One as often as I would like to, but I expect to get back to it one of these days.

    Jim

  5. #5
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    Jul 2005
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    Austin, TX
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    Default

    Thanks for the vote jim!

  6. #6
    Professional
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    May 2005
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    928

    Default

    I guess I do not understand what the purpose of this software is for?

    What exactly do you do with this and what kind of info will it provide?

    Thanks!

  7. #7
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    Jul 2005
    Location
    Austin, TX
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    Default

    It is mainly for people who have computers mounted in their cars (like me ) The original idea came because I had my concealed display mounted right where I installed the touchscreen.

    At its most basic, you can have the V1 Concealed Display on the computer screen, and you can click on it with the mouse to "press" the mute button. You can also choose for some alerts to be only visible and not audible if they tend to be false alarms in your area.

    Right now you can also change the look and feel of the interface, and also the sound of the audible alerts. It also automatically hides when there is no active alerts. You can also log alerts and playback the log.

    The logging right now is more useful for me for debugging purposes, but I plan to add some more features later, for helping to filter out false positives, auto-muting based on speed, and some more advanced programming features.

    Now while I wouldn't go out and install a PC in my car just for this, having a V1 and the CarPC, it is great.

  8. #8
    Professional
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    928

    Default

    Now that I understand what it is for and what it does I have 1 word...SWEET!!

    Do you have any pictures of a typical install with the computer and working in a vehicle?

    Thank you for explaining it to me!

  9. #9
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Austin, TX
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    Default

    there is a cheesy video I made on my home computer of an earlier version here, but I dont have any realy pics of my install. The box installs like the regular concealed display, but it has an output plug (so you can plug in the regular one also) and a USB plug.

    I haven't taken any pictures of my install lately, but here is an old pic before the V1 integration:

    http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/atta...achmentid=4846

    (not sure if the site will allow the link, but my install is something kinda like this one: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=55247 )

  10. #10
    Professional
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    928

    Default

    Thank for the picture links that is exactly what I wanted to see.

    So how much comunicaton can you send or receive from the detector.
    Can you access any of the chips or memory to change any kind of settings or even upgrade the firm ware?

    tweak it so to speak :wink:

 

 

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