Project: VCR PC v2.0

[ss8286]

I've decided to start another VCR mod and this time I'm going to go all out :D

Upgrades:
-4 line VFD display (compared to only a 2 line in v1.0)
-Top mounted window with interior case lighting
-Optical drive lighting with window
-DVD burner (compared to only a DVD player in v1.0)
-Larger fan so it is quiter (v1.0 had (5) very loud 40mm fans)

I'm still going stealth out the optical drive and will put in "ground effects". Hopefully I'll be able to reuse all the vcr's original switches to control the dvd drive and computer's functions (like vcr pc v1.0 had).

I'm starting of with a newer top of the line sony vcr that i got from my local vcr repair shop for 10 bucks.
http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/before_small.jpg


Last year's mod...Project: VCR PC v1.0 (http://yoshi.us/forums/index.php?showtopic=2621):
http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc/cutout.jpg

[SLAY3R]

I can't wait until we see some pictures in action :)

[ss8286]

I just found the perfect adapter for this mod...a flexible pci riser.

With this adapter I can easily place a tv tuner card so it will fit in the cramped space. The ebay store listed below also sells right angle pci/agp risers.

http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/07/db/ab_1_b.JPG

eBay store for risers (http://stores.ebay.com/IPC-DEPOT)

[\/1ndicated]

What mobo and stuff u usin flex atx micro regular and what u use the comp for media or just a comp

[ss8286]

I'm gonna use a micro-atx motherboard...not sure of which one though

The computer will be used to hook up directly to a tv and will act as a media center pc. It'll play dvds and have a video capture card for dvr.

[ss8286]

Here's the display i'll be using in the case. It's a 20 characters x 4 lines VFD
http://www.matrixorbital.temp.wehostwebsites.com/pix/v204-frag-blue-200.gif

I've had great luck with Matrix Orbital Displays (http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/product_view.asp?CatID=2&ProductID=6) in the past (i used it on Project File Server and VCR PC v1.0).

[\/1ndicated]

First of all are you goin to use windows on this comp or linux(if linux plz tell me what distro and programs u use for video capturin)

you do know u can go to crystalfontz and get cheaper lcds they bout same quality and cheaper like 50 bucks or so for same one (i think they same one dont feel like lookin at both there specs so)

[ss8286]

The last vcr pc had winxp pro...i think w/this one i'll dual boot xp and linux (most likely debian or mandrake).

Kevin suggested a program for linux called Freevo that allowed the machine to act as a free Tivo (hence freevo). I tried it before and didn't have much luck...probably because i don't know how to install programs in linux :P

Here's a link to Freevo (http://freevo.sourceforge.net/)

[ss8286]

u can go to crystalfontz and get cheaper lcds
Just checked their site (http://www.crystalfontz.com/) out and your right...the only problem is they don't have VFD displays.

VFD displays have a higher intensity and look just like the ones that come with vcrs and other home theater equip.

I've had great luck w/matrix orbital displays and they are great to deal with. I blew up a display because i was stupid :wacko: and reversed the polarity and they didn't hassle me about fixing it. Their shipping is also quick..they overnight orders due to customs in canada (where they are located).

[\/1ndicated]

Yea i have had my problems with installin programs on linux 2 i always mess up somewhere (install guides are always missin that one little thign and it never installs right) i like windows cause it supports anything basically but rly dont feel like spendin more money to get another copy of XP (DAmn greddy ppl cant just let end consumer use there product more than once) but i will try freevo when i get my vid cap card still need to order it (THe dell im usin in my mod is a piece of shit that doesnt work well with other stuff so i have to either deal with the stuff runnin bad or get a new setup for it).

Yea i didnt rly check out crystalfonts site just herd alot of good things about them and they are like 50 percent cheaper (or 25 %) than matrix orbital.

[ss8286]

Here are some new pictures...

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/mockup.jpg
Mocking up the parts

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/chassis_hdd.jpg
Chassis w/HDD installed

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/back.jpg
Back Panel Before

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/front_usb.jpg
Modding front panel w/usb port

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/front_face.jpg
Front Panel

[ss8286]

I've tapped into most of the front panel controls. This way you can press the original vcr buttons and have it control the computer. Here are some pictures...:D

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/control.jpg
Circuit board controls

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/pcb.jpg
Back of the PCB, had to remove traces so the buttons would work w/pc

[ss8286]

Just got my motherboard risers today along with some jumper wires for the front panel headers...woo hoo!!! :D

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/tray.JPG

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/riser_moboback.JPG

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/riser_mobofront.JPG

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/riser.jpg

[ss8286]

Here's the optical drive i'm gonna get...its a dvd/cdrw combo drive. I'd like to get a dvd burner but none of them have controls to play a cd or go to the next track. Its seems that few do lately..but it comes in handy when you wanna reuse the vcrs controls.

http://us.st7.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/directron_1800_10638563.jpg

[ss8286]

Just decided on the new specs...all in all it doesn't break the budget coming in at under $350

Motherboard: MSI K7N2GM-L (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241100) Micro-atx (Integrated geforce4 vid w/tv out_spdif audio out)
CPU: Athlon XP 2000+ (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80161-R)
MEM: Corsair 512MB PC3200 DDR (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-6)
Mini-Display: Matrix Orbital VFD2041 (http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/product_view.asp?CatID=2&ProductID=6)

[\/1ndicated]

u could truthfully shave like 10 bucks off all around(not much unless u dont have a job) if u go through pricewatch u can get cpu for 48 bucks a different mobo(unless the one u want is special) for like 10 bucks cheaper etc but i dont think u will save an arm and a leg just a couple bucks. If u plan on using linux i found a program that is specifically for media called myth tv it looks awsome cant wait to get my comp all together to use it it is tivo on a computer(i looked at freevo and it looks nice but kinda half ass but both are widely used)

MythTv (http://www.mythtv.org/modules.php?name=MythFeatures)

[ss8286]

I probably could get it for less..but some of those online shops are pretty shady <_< . ZipZoomFly.com (formerly googlegear) is real good to deal with and they have free 2nd day shipping on most items.

Here are some updated pictures. I replaced the old power led with two high intesity ones. Green for power, red for HDD access.

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/leds.JPG

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/vcrvspc.JPG
VCR Before vs VCR PC Now

http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/vcr_top.JPG
VCR Before Top View

More to come... :D

[ss8286]

I've got an idea on how to mount the dvd drive..here's a drawing
http://users.adelphia.net/~ss8286/images/vcrpc2/drivebracket.jpg

[\/1ndicated]

BE carful with settin things up like that hds make some heat so puttin a cdrom right above it will create a bareer and heat will build up just some words of caution

[4b5eN+EE]

put a fan on the end inside the comp and bigo...cheap instant heat sucking away mechanism :blink:

[\/1ndicated]

I dont know u may have alrdy answered this but what vid capture card u gona use or are u not going to i remember u sayin it will be a pvr. I was lookin at a write up on myth tv for linux and it talks about a hardware encoder is better takes less load on the comp only cards i found with a hardware encoder is haupage pvr cards but dont feel like spendin 140 bucks. I was lookin at this kworld card for 40 bucks The card (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=15-100-103&depa=0). Just wonderin if this card has the encoder the info on it is slim so i dont know. Dont know if u know bout this but maybe someone who reads this does.

[ss8286]

Not sure yet...but i know i'm gonna use some type of pci capture card. I need something that is compatible with linux and freevo.

That card looks like a good deal...it seems like it has hardware 'on-the-fly' encoding.

I still have no clue what i'm doing w/linux. Tried SuSE 9.1 personal and liked it..but couldn't compile programs so im gonna install mandrake 10.

[dworld]

well here is what i would do if there is room between the cdrom and the hard drive put some anti vibration stuff because i think the vibrations from cdroms can be hard on hard drives

[\/1ndicated]

THanks shark i didnt c that card yet its pretty nice has some awsome features and i think it is a hardware encoder because the requirments for it are nothing compared to other cards

[\/1ndicated]

I was just doin some research on the winfast 2000 expert and it seems to be a great card for windows but when looking up a driver or whatnot for linux alot of ppl are having troubles. What os u running(my guess is windows) i can put 98 or somthin on the comp but myth tv is an awsome tv program that i wanted to try for linux. I like all the features but if i doesnt work for linux i can jsut go with the kworld card or the leadtek 2000 deluxe i know both of those can be used on linux.

[\/1ndicated]

I ordered the expert i found a page that has the driver for it and i read somewhre that some linux distros have auto rec for it so if that is true i will be saved. I orded parts to finish all my projects my newe gamin comp my server and my pvr.

[ss8286]

http://images10.newegg.com/ProductImageCompressAll125/14-122-180-02.JPG

Looks like a good card landshark..best of all it looks like it has a small formfactor..unsure of exact dimensions though.

I've just about given up on freevo and linux. I tried to different distros, mandrake 10 and suse 9.1 personal..both were great but freevo was a pain. Way to many dependancies. I got it to work once but i updated and messed up two days worth of work :angry: !!!!

Think i'll try myth tv if that doesn't work i'll just use windows xp pro.

[\/1ndicated]

YEa myth tv looks pretty easy to install it has rpms which are alot easier 2 install im going to try mandrake 10 with it although suse has auto rec for some vid cap cards dont know have 2 wait till all my stuff comes in so i can switch everything and install linux on my comp.

[ss8286]

Just bid on new 300w power supply. Only 25 bucks.

Wish me luck...just don't outbid me :D
http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30060526/Images/SFX-L%20DIMENSION.JPG

[\/1ndicated]

I like that ps im gona go bid u out
ah im jk i wont OR will I hMmm

[ss8286]

PLenty more where that came from :P

My new dvd burner came today..gonna start modding it

[\/1ndicated]

u gona mod the drive or the case. If the drive what u gona do put window or stealth it or what.

[ss8286]

I think i'm just gonna put a window in the top of the case. I originally wanted to put in a window in the dvd drive but i think it won't be worth the work.

The dvd burner will get stealthed by using the vhs tape flap (that door that you have to push to insert the vcr tape).

[tylerchvz]

Keep up the good work!!! :)

[\/!Nd!cATeD]

DONT get the expert card for linux the card is awseom for windows has cool stuff but will not work with linux the sound will not work. If you are going to dual boot with linux i think best to get is either the 125$ pvr series for hauppage or the winfast2000 xp deluxe 45$ but not best in world.

If you need any help with freevo or myth just ask i have websites that give insturctions on how to install.

[minusnight]

Hey - Just cam across this forum today. Love the project.
I know what you mean about the difficulty in installing Freevo and MythTV. I have gotten both to work in RedHat9, FC1, FC2, Debian, and Mandrake 10.
All of them have been a chore in one way or another, but it was a nice learning experience either way.
Now saying that... you HAVE to download and try this!

http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html

You will not be sorry! After messing with MythTV and taking several days to get everything going, I was pleasantly surprised when I came across this. Download the ISO, you'll have MythTV up and running within 30 minutes. No kidding!

The good thing is that since I already installed and got Myth going the "hard way", it really helps when something doesn't work if you do it the easy way.

Another hint*** DVD's will not play right after the install. I think it's a legal thing. I believe I have to install libdvdread. See this thread:

http://mysettopbox.tv/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1676

Give it a try, you'll be amazed in the simplicity!

-Good Luck! -

MINUSNIGHT