CarPC - updates

It has been a while since I've wrote about my CarPC setup, up to now, it still not functioning 100% as what I wanted. Anyway, updates on what I've done so far:

1. Failed HD, for some reason, my HD failed on me, its pretty new HD, manufactured in March 2010. So, I've replaced the WD 250GB HD with Hitachi 320GB HD. The Hitachi should be faster since it is running on 7200rpm compared to WD's 3600rpm. I've sent the WD to Singapore and hopefully I'll get a replacement.

2. Added Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 to the setup. I don't have the photo right now, but it is epoxyed to the rearview mirror. Quality wise, not as good as expected, probably because I'm using xvid/mp4 format to save some space. Example of video captured during one of my drive around:

3. Not really a CarPC related but I've modified the EBY701 TFT monitor to do auto-switching for my rearview camera. The mod works as expected but the camera is a bit grainy .. probably because it uses CMOS technology but what do you expect from the camera bought from China in EBay :)

4. My DAB+ module just arrived, along with the DAB/FM antenna. I haven't fix this inside the car but during my test on my desktop PC, I found 15 channels are available but only five that have active broadcast. The FM part seems to be useless when tested on bench but I don't know will it be different when installed in the car. I need to fix the GTI like antenna on the roof first, bought the wrong one, a passive DAB but active FM antenna .. grr.. what to do.. will update with photos when installed.

5. My CarPC setup interferes with my ham rig especially on APRS frequency. I need to move my ham rig to the back of my pickup truck (behind rear passenger's bench/seat). This will hopefully helps reduce the interference and I could have APRS POI back on my Nuvi 350. I still couldn't get PC based APRS to work with the Malaysian map. Will try to make this thing working..

That's all for now.

TM HSBB/UNIFI & TM's D-Link DIR-615

NOTE: If you're looking for a total replacement for the DIR-615, klseet might be able to help you out.. head out to his website found here.

I met 9W2DAD today at MARES monthly radio flea market and first thing he asked, how to get the router that comes with UNIFI to work with his setup. Frankly speaking, I've half-ly ditch the router the day I got my UNIFI and as of last week, I've ditch it totally from my setup. TM doesn't know much about the router that it supplies to UNIFI subscribers and D-Link doesn't want to know either because it contains a non-standard firmware in there. Up to now, I've only come across few routers that are capable of VLAN tagging and remote access but D-Link isn't in the list that is available publicly. Most probably TM has contracted a company to come up with VLAN capable firmware for the D-Link hardware.

Anyway, what can we do if we still want to use our own router with D-Link as supplied by TM? Easiest is, to make it as a network bridge between the UNIFI supplied BTU and your router. This has been detailed in rizvanrp/rizzy's website found here. The way to configure the D-Link as network/VLAN bridge can be found here. Just follow exactly as what written there and you'll be good.

But how about if you don't want the D-Link to be in the equation there, you've two choices:

1. Get yourself with a WIFI router which is supported by DD-WRT and follow rizvanrp's guide on how to directly connect your WIFI router with the BTU which can be found here. This will make your iptv useless because you won't be able to direct iptv traffic to the setup box. You can check if your router is DD-WRT ready by checking this website.

2. Get yourself a switch which supports VLAN tagging and VLAN port assignment, the cheapest way is to get a Microtik RB250GS. Thanks to klseet from Lowyat Forum who managed the first and last bulk buy for this unit from Singapore. The local Microtik dealer won't entertain us with the RB250GS but you can always buy it direct from the Singapore supplier, check the post in Lowyat forum on how to order yours directly here. Oh, sure, you need help in configuring the RB250GS? Well, rizvanrp to the rescue once more and the guide can be found here.

Now with the last option, you can find where you throw your D-Link box, put everything back there, and store it somewhere. Just in case you need to return in back to TM/UNIFI.

Anyway, as an update, up to now, I've one big problem once just before Eid when suddenly all my download were corrupted (big download of over 10MB size). I switched off everything and when I tried to switch them back on, my BTU just couldn't sync with the back end server. Since I wasn't around during the Eid, my UNIFI was down for the whole week but back again after the TM techie came and reset everything. I was told that somehow my BTU was configured wrongly, now, my suspect is that it was compromised either intentionally by the techie staff from the backend after I reported slower speed or probably some punks who wanted to have some fun after knowing that all BTU are left open with default user/password on UNIFI network. Well, I don't know and I don't want to accuse anyone.. I'm happy as long as my UNIFI works.

Here is my latest setup:

Sorry, a bit grainy, taken from my iPhone .. yes, I'm back to my trusty Linksys WRT-54GS (been running this router for 5 years already), it is now running latest DD-WRT firmware. The white box to right is the MicroTik RB250GS and underneath it is the Huawei's BTU. 

Update: Some of you might be looking for the default user/password for your TM's D-Link DIR-615, there are two user levels set by TM:

1. Username: admin / Password: either left blank (no password) or "telekom" (w/o quotes) or your UNIFI userid spelled backward.

2. Username: operator / Password: "telekom" (w/o quotes) or your UNIFI userid spelled backward. 

Please do check rizzy's website on securing your DIR-615 which can be found here.