Ok, I'll be specific about my questions.

Did you use a sound processor? If so, what kind and how did you attempt at hooking it up?

 

This is going to be an extensive task. Please pack your patience, and be prepared to have your vehicle torn apart if you plan to do the install right. I've been a part of two installs and they were a pain, without removing the head unit. I had GM pinout diagram etc, which I thought was gonna make the job easier

 

I would really like to see this done. I have been tweaking my head unit and there are so many things that are controlled by it that are not music related. Kinda sucks, really.

 

looks like an all day project as well just to get the cd player removed i really wanted to buy my touch screen player

 

I keep waiting for the automotive industry to standardize on some component-based audio/nav/control system. In effect, it would be a bit like customizing a PC. You pick one or more displays, various input and output devices, a central processing unit, and various extra processing modules. Everything would be standards-based, and there would be a couple different operating systems you could use with various software applications that can run.

Displays would vary from LED segment displays all the way up to full color LCDs. Multiple displays would be possible: think HUD, gauges, main display (what we think of as a head unit today), movie screens for rear seat passengers) etc. Multiple input sources would be possible. This includes MP3 players, CD/DVD/Bluray players, backup cameras, and even non-AV sources, like GPS, physical buttons and switches, and data from the various sensors on the car. Output options would also include controlling the various HVAC control valves, heated/cooled seats, and all of the other stuff that is typically physical switchgear on the car. Let's go ahead and recover that space on the center stack too.

The PCM itself would be one of the extra processing units, such that all data available to it is available to the whole system (but it would remain a distinct hardware unit such that the system is never too burdened to run the powertrain in real time). Other extra processing units might be audio equalizers or signal processors, or dataloggers, or any number of other things.

The operating systems would provide basic input/output functionality (like any good OS). It would be up to automakers and the aftermarket to provide applications and make it easy to use.

There are plenty of modern standards that would work great. PCI for processing modules, Firewire and/or USB for data interconnects, HDMI for A/V signals to and from displays. SATA for storage. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless device connectivity. OnStar could offer satellite-based internet service.

Someday, I hope to develop and install something like what I've described here in my own car. I'd be ecstatic if a company with more R&D resources than I have beats me to the punch.

 

Yes I know it's a old thread, but any updates, Camaro_Nut ?