Question about mounting an LCD in my Accord

Alright, so I've got this litle A/V/computer project I'm gonna be starting in on. I've already got the computer assembled, now I'm just shopping for the parts necessary to make the whole thing auto-friendly. What I'm wondering is, how and where did you (anyone who's done this) mount an LCD screen in your Accord (in particular a 5th gen) The only real useable/unimportant space for mounting on the 5th gen console is below my HU, directly in front of my shifter (it would end up covering the coin tray and cig plug, which I only use for my radar detector.) I don't have the $ to fabricate a custom console, so I'm unsure as to how I could mount a TV there without it looking kinda messy. The other option would be just a mounting bracket of some-sort (like for cell phones and Discmans) I could then position it anywhere on my dash- but I'm not sure how sturdy something like that would be (of course, it would make it much easier for me to remove and hide when I'm not in the car.) I don't plan to go with anything large- Audiovox makes a pretty affordable 4-inch at just a hair over $100. I could probably work with a 5-inch as well.

This is gonna be pimpin' if I can get it working. Ther only real pricey parts are the LCD and 12v to 120v converter ($40 or $50 at RadioShack.) I've already got a crap load of PC stuff to work with- an older ATI video card with TV out, microphones (to work with the voice command software I found through much web surfing, which I've already test run on my PC) I don't know quite how I want to interface with the PC yet- either one of those x-10 remote things, or just a trackball unit. Oh yes, and (correct me if I'm wrong) I SHOULD be able to just run the audio straight from my soundcard into my stereo via the CD changer RCA's, right? Or will I need some sort of adapter? No biggy. The end result will be worth it! A pretty Winamp interface on my dash, putting me in control of my huge arsenal of mp3's, and a DVD program, so I can watch movies (not while driving, of course :eek7: )

I think this might fit the bill- affordable and dash-mountable, any suggestions?

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=pylplvw56mn&store=&rpc=296&catid=386

A regular hard drive from a desktop comuter cannot withstand bumbs and jars like a laptop hard drive can. You may end up scratching the hard drive and ruining it.

A regular hard drive from a desktop comuter cannot withstand bumbs and jars like a laptop hard drive can. You may end up scratching the hard drive and ruining it.

Yeah, that was my major consideration with the PC. But I've decided to mount it (the HD) vertically, so if I do hit a major bump, the chances of head contact with the platter are minimized. I may even try to design some sort of suspension-like thing for it (think hammock) then mount the HD in a 5 1/4 drive bay, which would give me the room to work with. That's what makes projects like this fun, the whole process of "figuring stuff out" :bigthumb:

I saw/read/heard? that there's a company out there that makes a computer that fits in the pocket below the radio on most hondas. I *think* it was a nytimes.com article.... maybe in the technology section? It was pretty cheap as far as PCs go and would solve the HD problem quick and dirty. There is also a company in bed with that one that makes lcd monitors for the car pc... there were links from the site as I recall. This was last week though.... my memory is not that good.

Cool, thanx for the heads up, Nerox, I'll check that out. I was also considering picking up a VGA to TV adapter, and use my laptop instead, since it is more suited to taking bumps, and IT has a DVD player already installed (I can then just slide the whole thing under my seat.) Unfortunately, according to Sony, the 'CD Changer In' RCA plugs on the back of my cd player will only work with Sony brand changers, not with anyone elses, or any type of external audio device. I don't know if they're just saying that because it's Sony (the email I received back seemed like it was a computer response, there was no name or anything signed at the bottom, and some of the info in the letter was useless info that a flesh and blood tech wouldn't have mentioned) I guess I'll just have to try hooking something up myself (hopefully I don't short anything :rolleyes: )