Universal Video Containment Device

[TLHarrell]

So, I took AmEv up on the offer for a freebie computer case. This hot little number really caught my eye as a good start for a home theater PC. It may be old, but it's definitely well built!

The box arrived today in good shape. Contents: Compaq ProLinea 4/33, partially stripped.

Current Plans: Home Theater PC
I don't have any specific components yet in mind. Need to do more research, and need to get the case dimensions into CAD so I can start digitally fabricating.

Mini ITX motherboard
Mini PSU
Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Drive
As many HDs as will fit
Cold Cathode lighting
Air cooled, quiet fans

Software loadout will likely be some form of Linux with HTPC software like XBMC or something. Due to the severely limited space, I'm not sure if I can get a discrete video card into here. Will certainly try to find something small enough. It just needs to push 1080p video and 5.1 audio. It needs to be able to have files pushed to it over the network. And it needs good mass storage. Separate drives is fine. RAID1 would be ok too.

The Theme:
Industrial/Worn Out/Fallout-ish
Steampunk

Not sure which way I'll go yet. Leaning toward Steampunk as I want to do a lot more of that style.

The Case:
Exterior, a little banged up but in overall good shape.
http://ubuntuone.com/2f23XrkHgGQVJ23wbblFAl

The interior, and I'm already looking at component placement.
http://ubuntuone.com/0gQSwVfNqjqttFQlT2kTl3

Found a really cool spot to stick a cold cathode. It fits perfectly inside the frame.
http://ubuntuone.com/7mu7gKbllAqnVLcNdSzZwL

The front panel, stripped down and washed. Ready for planning. That CD drive opening does not fit a currently available drive. I'm not entirely sure what the slot with the button opening is for. Pretty sure video doesn't come in that format. And that power switch opening needs something big to fill it.
http://ubuntuone.com/5TUjMLrgiHSFZbnbscPj66

The case is going to need some cutting. Needs more air intakes. Needs more fans. It's a good platform to start from though. I'll give it :up: one thumb up to start with.

Thanks to AmEv for supplying this case for review and gutting.

[AmEv]

I'm not entirely sure what the slot with the button opening is for.
http://ubuntuone.com/5TUjMLrgiHSFZbnbscPj66


That would be a floppy drive bay... -_^

[SXRguyinMA]

+sub :)

[TLHarrell]

That would be a floppy drive bay... -_^

Not for long it isn't. Probably will end up being a hard drive bay. Although I sorted out how the floppy used to mount to the metal plate. Was pretty cool. Now it's out on my workbench with the rest of the guts. Didn't have much time tonight, but there's already been some carnage.

[AmEv]

Already starting to like where this is headed, though.


What do you think of the HDD bay, though? Definitely could put rubber grommets in the holes.

[TLHarrell]

Waves drill around.... "What HDD bay?"

Oh, that stuff in the corner assuming room temperature...? If I go with a Mini-ITX board, I can cram at least three hard drives in the thing... but the mounts will need to be fabricated from scratch. Same goes for the optical. Old style don't fit. Gone. Might reassemble part of it to beef up the structure of the front right corner of the case.

And I gotta think about some airflow. I'm thinking of thicker feet and bringing air in from underneath the front 1/3 of the case. Might be able to build an interior baffle and mount 3-4 80mm fans.

[AmEv]

Well, not HDD bay, per se. The original hard drive was mounted on that plate that was to the left of the floppy bay.

Would a "vandal" type switch be big enough to fill the hole?

[TLHarrell]

I'll probably drag the front panel with me this weekend and drive by my favorite surplus store to see if they have something sweet that is big enough. If not, I may custom fabricate something with a micro switch and some LEDs behind it. Maybe a double switch that does both power and reset...

[AmEv]

Aw MAN! I just remembered, I still have the original keyboard, mouse, and monitor somewhere in the garage!

Not that you'd want the shipping of a CRT...<_< >_>

[Fuganater]

I'll be watching

[TLHarrell]

Original keyboard and mouse would be of no use. Is the KB even PS2? Or older? Going to go with a wireless solution for navigation. Will likely add a USB gamepad inside as well for some simple front navigation/playback controls.

Since the entire case is itself basically a large Faraday cage, I'll have to be tricky with placement of wireless bits.

I'm thinking of stealing the AMD processor from my wife's old system. I'll have to see exactly what proc it is, and see if there's a Mini-ITX board that fits it that has decent onboard video output. 90% of the time, I'll be pushing lower end video. Occasionally I'll borrow/rent a Blu-Ray and will want that playback capability. Even an older desktop proc should be more than capable.

Got a slick idea for the metalwork. Once I've got the laser back up and running, I'll start on this idea. Gotta sort out a good way to do it with the tools I have. Might have to fabricate a jig, or rig up something sneaky.

[AmEv]

PS/2 KB and mouse.


I'd get a USB wireless card, with an extension cable.

[Fuganater]

You can pick up a super cheap GPU for that if the mobo can't handle it. I've seen a GTX250 for about $30 and GTX450 for about $50

[TLHarrell]

Nice. Question is, how tall are those cards? This case is so short that I cannot stand a hard drive on edge and close the case. Going to remove the existing motherboard standoffs to gain a tiny bit more room. That's my main concern here. Any card is going to be a PITA to install. The back of the case has three card slots that are horizontal. Dropping a mobo in it and sealing up the back isn't a big deal. Trying to install a card, any card, will require more metal work and lots of planning and careful measurement. I have no budget, so I can't buy a card and have it not work.

Fuganater: If you've got either one of those cards, can I get an exact measurement of their height when plugged into a board? Like from the top surface of the motherboard to the top edge of the card in decimal inches?

Found a couple on the 'Bay for fairly cheap... with HDMI:
GeForce® GTS 250 Green 1GB(1024MB GDDR3) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/GeForce-GTS-250-Green-1GB-1024MB-GDDR3-Palit-/140734609303?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item20c46fb797#ht_500wt_1156)
Galaxy NVidia GeForce 250 GTS PCI-E 512 MB DDR3 DVI native HDMI OUT (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Galaxy-NVidia-GeForce-250-GTS-PCI-E-512-MB-DDR3-DVI-native-HDMI-OUT-/200738230329?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item2ebcee5039#ht_991wt_1139)

Although, this card looks like a much easier fit in the case:
SPARKLE SXS250512D3L-NM GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPARKLE-SXS250512D3L-NM-GeForce-GTS-250-512MB-256-bit-GDDR3-PCI-Express-2-0-/290688381930?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item43ae60b3ea#ht_3047wt_1239)

I'm actually wondering if I can heat up the socket on a motherboard and tilt it slightly. Hmmm....

AmEv: There are places on the case that are actually plastic. Antennae can be placed in these locations easily enough. I'll probably put a dedicated USB port into the front panel so a cheapo USB wifi module can be installed. Since it's going to reside right next to my DSL modem and wifi router, I'll probably not use wifi, but will account for it in the design. Same will go for the keyboard/mouse dongle. Dedicated USB port inside the plastic right up front. The case is really well suited to this setup. I'm a pro at being sneaky with wiring.

[AmEv]

This definitely would be a low-profile case. About the height of one.


Just remember, if you're not doing a complete re-model of the back panel, there are the PCIe extension cables. Because it's not a gaming card, you shouldn't notice too much of timing issues.

Such as this (http://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs/532086652-PCIe-Express-x16-Riser-Card-Flexible-Extender-Cable-wholesalers.html).

[TLHarrell]

Interesting. I had no idea those existed, for the very reason you explained... longer pathway = delays. I may have to look into this. I could use a normal card. And not have to chop up the entire back end.

Got the laser back up and running. Gonna spend the rest of the night goofing off with this case.

[SXRguyinMA]

Yea that sparkle one would work fine, it comes with a low profile bracket. Or a PCI-E flex riser like AmEv said.

Something like this one: http://www.logicsupply.com/products/pelx16j1_c10

[TLHarrell]

Realized tonight that it would be a good idea for me to have some templates for various fan sizes. Well, I called up my favorite fabricator and they delivered a couple templates about 10 minutes later!

http://ubuntuone.com/2FXUt9inxbm5ijrE1oUbEu

I normally would paint fill the text, but I went with a Sharpie just to make it quicker. Lines filled great. Text not so much. But I now have templates for 80mm and 120mm fans.

[TLHarrell]

Getting the interior layed out. Interior baffle for the fans completed. Air will be drawn in through vents in the front half of the case, and will blow out the back half. Got fans ordered from EBay.

http://ubuntuone.com/5iOCwVQGbdd7qeWUESypi0

My first design for the top front intake grille. I like the overall layout, but I think the size needs some work. This grille will go on top of the case exterior. Below that will be mesh, then a piece for the screws to grab into.

http://ubuntuone.com/57W2iCOMcV7rK1GM30vOHc

[nevermind1534]

That case looks like an old Compaq that I have.

[TLHarrell]

Compaq ProLinea 4/33 I got from AmEv. Sturdy little beast.

[AmEv]

So, what case DO you have, NM?

[TLHarrell]

Got the fans in from EBay. They'll need some rewiring to have on a single harness instead of all the wires running to the PSU. But they're now painted.

http://ubuntuone.com/593rmFN6PNnrMtO7C3pKPM

[SXRguyinMA]

looks sweet. looks like they came right out of the titanic or something lol

[AmEv]

*bump*
:D


Can't wait to see how well you do with this baby.

[TLHarrell]

Gonna be a while. No money for hardware. We'll see how things go once I get the current mod finished and sold.

And I got shafted out of a $40 rebate. Fry's sells me this case with a $40 rebate, but the proper UPC barcodes are not on the box. I'm gonna kick somebody's backside.

[Kayin]

What kind of hardware are you looking for? I've got a system here that needs a new home...

[TLHarrell]

Not much room in the case. I need something with a mITX board with decent video onboard (HDMI out), decent 5.1 sound capable, and a small-ish power supply.

[Airbozo]

Gonna be a while. No money for hardware. We'll see how things go once I get the current mod finished and sold.

And I got shafted out of a $40 rebate. Fry's sells me this case with a $40 rebate, but the proper UPC barcodes are not on the box. I'm gonna kick somebody's backside.


What kind of hardware are you looking for? I've got a system here that needs a new home...

I can offer some gear too. Let me know what you need. I have some memory and procs gathering dust as well as other bits and pieces you may need. Plus you are close by.

I assume your olfactory system is being assaulted by garlic the last few weeks. I can smell it as soon as I hit the top of HWY 9 and Skyline...

[Kayin]

S775 G43ITX system, 4 GB DDR2-800, and I've got waterblocks for the whole setup (CPU, chipset, and RAM.) CPU is a C2D E6550, works just fine. It's just gathering dust, as it wasn't powerful enough for my application.

[TLHarrell]

@Kayin- Water blocks, eh? That might make for a very interesting setup. I think there's enough room in the case for some tubing and a res. Shoot me a pic and send me a couple dimensions and I'll see if it will fit in. (This is an old case, so it's an oddball size)

@Airbozo- I get different smells depending on which way the wind is blowing. South of me is garlic. North of me is a huge mushroom farm. I love the garlic smell. Mushroom, not so much. I am definitely up for seeing what you have available. Also, if you're interested, tonight in downtown Morgan Hill is the Thursday night street dance... my favorite local blues/rock band is playing 7pm-9pm.

[Airbozo]

@Kayin- Water blocks, eh? That might make for a very interesting setup. I think there's enough room in the case for some tubing and a res. Shoot me a pic and send me a couple dimensions and I'll see if it will fit in. (This is an old case, so it's an oddball size)

@Airbozo- I get different smells depending on which way the wind is blowing. South of me is garlic. North of me is a huge mushroom farm. I love the garlic smell. Mushroom, not so much. I am definitely up for seeing what you have available. Also, if you're interested, tonight in downtown Morgan Hill is the Thursday night street dance... my favorite local blues/rock band is playing 7pm-9pm.

Lol! Forgot the mushrooms. Once a year we usually head to one of those places and get free mushroom compost. Works wonders for the garden.

What is the name of the band? My co-worker lives in Morgan Hill and is in 2 different bands, The One's and Epoch (plus he sits in with several other bands from time to time).

BTW: My brother in law owns the Morgan Hill Theater (and others in the bay area). I did the POS install and the other servers and camera's there when they first remodeled.

[TLHarrell]

The band is called Blue Dog.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/217870_4151137504081_893688207_n.jpg

Mushroom compost is awesome, and free. Best kind.

He owns the theater?? I remember the old theater, before they remodeled. It was absolutely crap-tastic before. I moved out here from San Jose/Saratoga area back in 2000.

[Airbozo]

The band is called Blue Dog.


Mushroom compost is awesome, and free. Best kind.

He owns the theater?? I remember the old theater, before they remodeled. It was absolutely crap-tastic before. I moved out here from San Jose/Saratoga area back in 2000.

I'll have to check them out when I can. Tonight is out, too many things going on at the homestead...

My brother in law owns Cinelux (http://www.cineluxtheatres.com/index.asp). His dad started the company back in 1962 and it has been a family run business since. They own the Morgan Hill Theater, Almaden 6, the one on Winchester called The Plaza, Scotts Valley, 41st Ave in Watsonville and a couple of others. I admire that they do everything in their power to keep the prices lower than other theaters while still keeping up with the latest technology. During some of the cheap matinee's they actually lose money on the ticket sales but they feel it is worth it because people come back to the regular shows.

I've done various work for him including tile work, camera work and computer work.

[TLHarrell]

Good news! A box has arrived at my house! This build is going to continue now that there is hardware for it. Pictures to come soon as I start fitting things into the case.

[SXRguyinMA]

:pics: