I'm looking at doing something simular, but with Mini-ITX components for space reasons (almost bought a MoBo, CPU, and case off here, but it sold before I jumped on it). Have you checked out Carpc.com for Displays and Power Supplies? They are ahead of the game when it comes to Car PC's...
I planned on having my Car PC replace my audio DSP processing, too (no small feat - I run a Sony XDP-4000x DSP unit; $1200 retail
). But this will certainly eat up LOTS of precious CPU power (linear-phase EQ's and Filters are resource hogs!). I will use an 8 channel soundcard (like my RME Multiface, or maybe a M-Audio Firewire 410) and have each output channel feed a discrete amplifier channel (just like my system now). 2 channels to the subs, 2 channes to the Mid Bass 8.75" drivers, 2 channels to the Mids, and 2 channels to the Tweets (all active - no passive L/C networks. YES!!!). I'll have the PC do all EQ, Filtering (crossovers) and delay-line compensations.
I also wanted to add GPS (I still get lost in my hometown of 31 years
), and of course, a Single-DIN 7" retractable LCD Touchscreen - and stash a compact keyboard under my seat for the rare need for a keyboard.
I was looking at a retractable 7" LCD Touchscreen that had AM/FM and a TV Tuner built in! This would be PERFECT to allow AM/FM+TV reception w/o adding other expensive USB stuff to the PC (just run a pair of RCA's from the LCD to the PC's Soundcard input, and there is your AM/FM+TV Audio!)
DVD's would be a plus, but probably NEVER get utilized in my system (I'm an audio FREAK - I could care less about Video).
I'm still researching, but this WILL happen at some point. I just need to make SURE that any PC I choose will have enough power to run all of my audio DSP along with DVD-Navigation and Music Jukebox software w/o choking.
Awaiting more pics
