The Challenge
In the Summer of 2004, we created the first "Geek My Ride" car. Simply put, Geek My Ride was a Tech Superpowers challenge to our own team: to create, in one week, the ultimate Mac Concept Car for Macworld. Thanks to the guys at Brenthaven, we ended up with a last-minute booth at Macworld Boston 2004. One catch: we had two weeks and no exhibit - so our Mac Concept Car was to be the showcase.
Everyone's seen iPod integration, Powerbooks galore, in-dash screens, and racks of gear in a van. But we wanted to see something more. We wanted to show Auto-Mac integration that didn't sacrifice performance for portability, had an actual real-world use, and could put any Mac-mobile built thus far to shame.
We set ourselves two goals: 30 fps @ 140 mph.
30 fps is 30 frames per second - HD video, that is. Our concept revolved around the idea of the ultimate mobile video production studio. And we're not talking Powerbook G4s here. We wanted "the works" - full 30 fps High Definition capability, DV, analog and SDI Digital video in and out, tons of storage (Terabytes), and Final Cut Pro 4.5 HD with realtime effects.
140 mph is about the speed. We wanted this Mac-mobile to be truly mobile. We didn't want to have our video production studio on wheels have to be housed in a Hummer H2 - we wanted to be able to have our video crew beat the competition to the story every time - in style.
The Specs
Apple Xserve Dual 2GHz G5 1U server with Fibre Channel
Apple Xserve RAID 3.5 TB Drive Capacity, RAID 50 configuration
AJA IO capable of Analog and Digital capture of video in a variety of formats
Netgear 16-port Gigabit Ethernet switch, with integrated jacks in-dash
Apple Airport Base Station dome light
Dual Samsung MP151 15-inch Displays
Philips 42-inch Plasma Screen
Custom iPod in-dash integration
Bose QuietComfort Noise-Canceling Headphones
Contour Shuttle Pro controller
Sony Playstation 2 (w/network option)
Mackie 1602 Audio Mixer
3000 Watt Power Inverter
All completely self-contained
Built on a Lexus IS300
3.0-liter, twin-cam, 24-valve in-line 6 engine
Certified Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV)
215 hp @ 5,800 rpm, 218 lb-ft torque @ 3,800 rpm
Top speed of 143 mph
17 x 7.0-in graphite-polished alloy wheels with 215/45ZR17
Valentine One Radar Locator
Garmin GPS Unit with Keyspan USB Serial adapter
Related topics include: Geek My Ride 2004 Pictures, Geek My Ride 2004 Final Cut Pro "Edit on the Fly" Competition, Geek My Ride 2005.
