Azentek's Atlas CPC-1000 - In-Vehicle PC

Posted by Dan on Jan 11, 2008 @ 12:22 PM

One of things I'd love to upgrade in my Toyota 4Runner when I finish paying it off at the end of the year, is the radio. It's currently got a JBL Radio/Navigation system in it, but I've not been able to find an interface that for the radio which will allow me to connect an mp3 player to it. I could buy an FM modulator, but I really don't want to lose sound quality if possible.

However, I'd really love to get a stereo with native hard drive for mp3s, Sirius support (so I can get rid of my Sportster—which I like, but would prefer not to have to have it on the dash) and I'd like to have handsfree Bluetooth support.

At CES 2008 this week, Azentek appears to be delivering a product that meets all my expectations and more with it's Atlas CPC-1000. The unit features:

    • Intel® 945GM Express Chipset with Core Duo 1.83GHz processor with 667MHz front side bus
    • Hybrid Ready-Drive SATA 120GB hard drive (Upgradeable to 160GB)
    • 1GB DDR2 533/667MHz DIMM Memory (Upgradeable to 2GB)
    • Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
    • DVD-ROM and CD-RW drive
    • Pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows Vista and Azentek custom-designed HMI
    • Internal SiRFstarIII GPS Navigation receiver with External antenna included
    • Bluetooth enabled
    • Internal WiFi 802.11b/g wireless connectivity with (2) external antennas included
    • Dolby Digital 5.1 5-Volt preamp outputs (front, rear, center, sub)
    • 50x4 Internal amplifier
    • AM/FM tuner
    • Satellite Radio (XM/Sirius) and HD Radio ready
    • (1) Video output
    • (1) A/V input
    • (4) USB inputs
    • (2) Front-panel microphones with noise and echo Cancellation technology
    • PC-Card (PCMCIA) slot for optional accessories such as broadband wireless internet card

I'm not exactly sure what benefit built-in WiFi gives you. The only really usefulness I can think of would be for transferring files between your house and car while in the driveway.

The radio looks pretty sweet (screenshot below,) but I do wonder about start/boot times when you turn the car on. That's definitely one of the biggest disadvantages I can see with a PC-based radio system.

Also, I think my preference would have been to see them use a streamlined Linux-based OS that was designed specifically for the task at hand. There are certainly advantages to using Windows as the OS since you have tons of software at your disposal, but I can't see myself wanting to load a bunch of custom software on a car stereo system.

Anyway, this looks like a pretty cool product to keep an eye on.

Categories: Personal, Technology

2 Comments

  • shag's Gravatar
    shag
    in the driveway, detailing the car watching the slingbox. looks like thats what the wifi is for.
  • Adam's Gravatar
    Adam
    i would have to agree with you on the load time but its a computer not a normal h/u. im big into mobile audio and i was thinking of picking this up. i all ready have a eclipse avn5490 (sq is great) but i wish it had the option for sat and bluetooth. i noticed that this unit has 5volt pre outs which is awesome but i am not runniong a 4ch amp nor do i plan on it. has anyone herd what this sounds like with out a 4ch amp and is the 5.1 only through the pre outs or is that also out of the normal speaker outs? as far as the navigation goes is it built in or does it run a nav software for laptops? also i noticed there has been some time between the last post is there anything else comparible to this thats out now or will be coming out soon?

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