I was wondering if it would be possible and feasable to install a Sega Dreamcast into my Protege. I'd try to mount it in the glovebox or somewhere else in the front passenger area. It would be running to some sort of LCD screen. All I have right now is the Dreamcast itself. Anyone got any ideas on how much this would cost and what sort of components would be needed? I would prefer not to have to replace my head unit.

 

You sure can install it!!

you'll need the video screen, a 12v > 120v power inverter, FM modulator to get audio through the speakers or if you happen to have an AUX input on your HU, use that. RCA cables, wires etc... although a HU with flip out screen would be sweet.

 

Where can I get a good video screen?
How cheaply can I get a decent one?

I'm trying to not replace my stock HU.

 

hehe, i was sooo against pyle stuff, but i saw one of their screens the other day and was pretty surprised. i have an icon-tv in-dash 7" widescreen, and i love it! soon to add the headrests (both 7", but requires hr mods). i'm considering either an xbox or gamecube. but i saw a pic with the dreamcast installed, altho i think for you the glove would be too shallow. as for screens, check these out:
-icon-tv (they also make screens for other companies, incuding alpine)
-pyle
-visonik, ma audio (i think visonik makes ma audio screens...)
all are reasonably priced.

my icon-tv was $800, $500 less than the $1300 ticket alpine was selling with a 6.8" screen.

 

Wow, this mod is gonna be more expesive than I thought.

That in-dash thing looks great, but again, I am trying to not replace my stock unit. And 800 bucks is still a lot, considering the fact that you can get 16 inch LCDs for computers now for about 550.

If you want to put a videogame system in your car, go with Dreamcast. XBOX is WAY too big, and Gamecube is for kids. Dreamcast is also super cheap (50 bucks) and games are super cheap as well (10-20 bucks). Plus it's got a lot of great racing games (Test Drive Lemans, Metropolis Street Racer, Sega GT, Sega Rally, etc.). There's also MP3, VCD, and DivX players for the Dreamcast.

I heard that VGA screens from old laptops can also be used. Anyone know anything about the feasability of that?

 

I went out and got a used Interact MobileMonitor (for PSone, but the ps2 and gamecube ones are the same screen with different packaging). It's got RCA inputs in the back, so you can plug anything into it.

I also got a Tripp-Lite 300w power inverter (with a fan).

The Dreamcast will fit in the glovebox (barely).

The Power inverter was 60 bucks and so was the screen. So the whole mod ended up being less than 150 bucks. I recommend this as opposed to those overpriced in-dash screens. The only problem is I can't get the sound to play through my speakers, but I can live with it this way for a while I guess. Anyone know of any good deals on FM modulators?

I also have to figure out how I'm going to mount the screen itself... I'm trying to put it somewhere on the passenger side of the dash, but I don't want it to get in the way of the airbag or glovebox. Any tips on that?