Tiny Integrated Home Theater PC w/Display 120
Mark J. Foster writes "After searching for a solution that would let me control my home theater PC without disturbing the video to the projector, I finally decided to roll my own. I've integrated a Shuttle SS40G, with a Xenarc
700Y RGB-interfaced 800x480 TFT widescreen LCD: The fully-integrated package looks like this. For full details, check out my 'Special Edition' Shuttle 40G." This machine reminds me of the "lunchbox" style of PCs, but this one's got a much smaller footprint. Excellent mod.
Re:How odd. (Score:2)
--Mike
Re:How odd. (Score:1)
Good Luck!
MarkF
Re:How odd. (Score:1)
I think what would be cool is a hinge so that you put it on your desk and adjust the angle for better viewing.
Nice job, you must be entirely neglecting your day job today. :)
t.
Re:How odd. (Score:1)
Interestingly enough, I don't have any glare problems except when I'm trying to take pictures! Since the material is completely flat, and since all my room lights are higher than the machine, there isn't any glare. I can see reflections of the desk, but it hasn't been objectionable. In fact, I didn't even think about it until you asked!
[As far as work goes, I'm fortunate that I have some flexibility. However, I had to write a major report, as well as support the forum, so it wound up being a 20 hour day!]
Cheers!
MarkF
Re:How odd. (Score:1)
Re:How odd. (Score:1, Informative)
Have Fun!
MarkF
Microwave! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Can you imagine... (Score:1, Troll)
Cheers!
MarkF
Settled down in front of my Home Theatre PC... (Score:5, Funny)
I think the guy was about to propose, but I was startled by an almighty BONG and a 3 foot by 1 foot modal dialog box covering most of the screen politely informing me that a newer version of Windows Media Player was available.
Microsoft: Don't do that.
Re:Settled down in front of my Home Theatre PC... (Score:1)
Re:Settled down in front of my Home Theatre PC... (Score:1)
Re:Settled down in front of my Home Theatre PC... (Score:2)
You fire up Media Player, start watching a movie, get a minute or two into it an dBAM:
"There is a newer version of Windows Media Player. Would you like to download it now?"
Re:Settled down in front of my Home Theatre PC... (Score:2)
Wait a second. something happened to the leader. He just wrecked the whole field.
What happened out there Dale? Did you cut a tire?
Nah, just a popup.
Re:Settled down in front of my Home Theatre PC... (Score:1, Funny)
Now i've been startled after an almighty bong, but never by one.....
Re:Settled down in front of my Home Theatre PC... (Score:2, Insightful)
Tiny is the new big. (Score:5, Insightful)
In today's society it's not what you've got, it's what you've not got and not having a 60" plasma TV with surround sound but having a 8" with two tinny speakers is what we're all aiming for.
I applaud you, Sir. Your device looks like a cross between a 1950's kitchen appliance, a miniaturized techno fridge, and a Mac Cube, and would be at home in any quiche eating Pascal programmer or Mac user's home.
Re:Tiny is the new big. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Tiny is the new big. (Score:2)
It echos out to a larger display as well.
Well, this guy outdid me. I was just going to put an LED display in the floppy drive opening on my Shuttle. Darn. Now I have to get competitive.
Re:Tiny is the new big. (Score:2)
See here sir, I do believe you are wrong with this one.. but close... Ya See.. While i find the little shuttle modified box and excellent MOD, & would love to have one/build one as it has a nice form factor..
There is also somthing to be said for a 60" inch flatscreen and nice 6.1 surround sound system with extremely rich sound.
It basically depends on the use.. Sometimes Bigger is Better.. sometimes not...(ok make comments on that one guys)
We can have the best of bothworlds and this MOD shows off the best of the little world for sure.. Still no way i'm gutting apart my ss51 thoe.. i love that thing!
Re:Tiny is the new big. (Score:1, Informative)
It is truly an odd juxtaposition: one screen 7", one screen 122". The asymmetry leads one to occasional flights of fancy: is it possible that our primary preference is neither the small nor the large, but that instead we quest passionately to escape the median, the middle, the mundane?
Whatever that was all about, this is a fun little toy!
Cheers1
MarkF
Re:Tiny is the new big. (Score:1, Flamebait)
Well, that would explain why they still reproduce..
Re:Tiny is the new big. (Score:1)
Warhol . . . (Score:2)
Re:Warhol . . . (Score:2)
Hmmm... Regardless of Warhol's intent, it's easy to come up with a perfectly sensible interpretation of "tiny is the new big". Back before the eighties, big projects ruled: the moon landing, huge buildings, huge bridges. The expression "this is big" is rooted in this kind of mentality. But there seemed to come a time when we ran out of such noticeable big projects, or they became passe, and at about the same time electronics began causing things to shrink. Tiny things became fashionable. Some useful item that had been shrunk significantly was exciting, "big" news. Tiny had become the new big.
If Warhol intended to come up with a ridiculous statement in order to mock fashions, he would have needed to do better than that. But perhaps he was being subtle, or perhaps he was simply ahead of his time, and tiny didn't become the new big until after 1989. I don't really remember.
Why??? (Score:3, Insightful)
For a homemade it's quite ok though.
Re:Why??? (Score:4, Interesting)
You caught me! OK, another major reason I built this was for fun - for stress relief! Having said that, I've found the integrated display so valuable for full-time monitoring of my (remotely located)) home Linux server that I haven't been able to convince myself to move this off the breakfast counter and into the home theater! I guess I'll just have to build another one!
Have Fun!
MarkF
Re:Why??? (Score:2)
As always the limiting factor is the interface. None of the HTPC's I've seen yet have the simplicity of design that most other AV electronics do. And while a HTPC can easily replace most of a home theater setup, trying to make it usable for anyone else seems an insurmountable challenge (and yes, I have a Pronto).
Home theatre mod from MaximumPC (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Home theatre mod from MaximumPC (Score:3, Insightful)
The DVD recorder is in your workstation. The HDD RAID is in a fileserver.
E.g. put a small Via EPICA MB in a box. Put a HDD and DVD reader in there as well. Hook it up to your LAN and store what you want on it. Take it with you to your neighbour and play the movies there. Take it with you to a party and use it as a small MP3/OGG jukebox.
Re:Home theatre mod from MaximumPC (Score:1)
Instead of putting all those things into a glorified VCR I decide to put a network connection in the PVR and then use my other computers for burning or storage.
When it comes to capturing you'll need high speed disks. Most current PVRs solve that by adding hardware encoders instead. That way the demands on the HDD's are much more sane and you don't need to go with RAID and complex solutions like it.
And personally I'd rather see dedicated capture boxes in the basement than having one by each TV. That way the PVRs are still quiet and small, just the way they should be.
Mini-ITX (Score:2)
Re:Mini-ITX (Score:1)
Extended desktop? Re:Mini-ITX (Score:2)
Oh, and just because a card has TV-out, doesn't mean it has extended desktop. Another shot at ATI, for their "feature rich" All-in-wonder card that would only clone, not extend, my desktop).
If anyone knows a cheaper solution to making your own projection system... THEN I'll be listening eagerly.
Would you like to supersize that deathmatch? - phorm
Great (Score:1)
So what? Sometimes I don't care about practicality either - I love it. The thing is simply cool.
Cheers,
Ian
(still awaiting Shuttle's SN40 release...)
Re:Great (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Great (Score:1)
After the great compliment [Thanks!], I'm hesitant to disagree with you, but...
For many folks, aesthetics and appearance are a big issue in their home theater. I don't want a notebook's keyboard sitting in my rack, so this form factor (to me at least), is truly better suited for the mission (with or without the mod!).
As RedX suggests, the ability to add in a PCI-based HDTV card such as the MyHD is crucial, as well, which is why I use the Shuttle to begin with!
Cheers!
MarkF
building appliances (Score:2, Funny)
However, in this case, I would have done the end program on a PDA like a Sony CLIE because the PC box is cumbersome and displaying big arrows can be done on a small 320x320 display as well. The PDA should talk to some device with its IR so the barebone PC could be used for that, but without any display!
After several years of failed tentatives in home integration, I believe these applicances are going to solve the problem. Still, we need Lego to provide a "homestorm" box to build these appliances more easily!
touch (Score:1)
Re:touch (Score:3, Informative)
It's something I considered, but ultimately not to go with the touch screen for several reasons:
1) The Acrylite GP protects the LCD
2) I use a remote control, so I don't need the touchscreen
3) I don't want fingerprints on my screen
4) It looks cooler! When power management kicks in and the display power turns off, the TFT panel essentially disappears under normal room light; it's just a smooth black cube.
Having said all that, a touchscreen version could make a lot of sense!
Best Wishes!
MarkF
Mirror of pictures (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Mirror of pictures (Score:1)
Re:Mirror of pictures (Score:2)
Call me picky but... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Call me picky but... (Score:1)
Wow. (Score:4, Insightful)
The pictures I'm referring to come from ftp://ftp.talix.com/pub/screenshots/shuttle -- Mark J. Foster's FTP site. (Oooo, I'm evil for posting that address... hey, at least I didn't make it a link!)
Mark, that thing is gorgeous!!! I love the idea, I've been thinking about small screens, just not quite like what you've put together. Bravo, well done, extraordinary work!
(Shuttle ought to hire you to build these for them to show off / auction off at trade shows!)
One thing I noticed, though... in ftp://ftp.talix.com/pub/screenshots/shuttle/Shuttl eBack.jpg the pile of power cables (I think there might be a power brick in there for the (external) monitor?), cords, and assorted connectors (don't forget the power strip, too!) is almost half the size of the computer itself!
Ouch.
Next project -- integrate a wireless keyboard & mouse, single-cable connection for the external monitor that includes power, video and audio, and a single power supply that will drive everything. (Yeah, I know, sorta like a Mac with their combined video/USB connection. Hey, I never claimed it was an original idea.)
Re:Wow. (Score:5, Informative)
Thank you very much! The cords indeed do have to go; that's one of the many reasons that this is still a work in progress (I just got the system to this stage this weekend). The power bricks you see are actually for my telephone gear, not for the monitor - the monitor power supply is fully integrated into the system, along with the switches and LEDs from both the motherboard and from the monitor. For what it's worth, the 7 switches along the bottom (from left to right) are: Monitor Power, Monitor Menu, Monitor Select, Monitor Adjust +, Monitor Adjust -, System Reset, and System Power.
Thank you again!
Cheers!
MarkF
Re: Power cords (Score:2)
Mark,
Sorry, didn't mean to imply any of those cords were for the built-in monitor. I saw how you powered that one (very slick!), and read the whole thread (as it existed a couple hours ago) on the Sudhian Forums.
I was referring to your large, stand-alone LCD. I installed an 18" Viewsonic a couple months ago and it was powered through an external inline brick -- I couldn't tell if your large LCD had one or not.
The computers I build are generally a little larger than yours, although I did pair a SS50 with that Viewsonic LCD. With the trend for powering peripherals from a single connection (USB-powered Zip drives, Firewire-recharging iPods), perhaps manufacturers will get their act together and figure out how to drive external LCDs from the main computer's power supply. Add to that audio and USB connections, and all you need is a single cable (likely with several connectors at the computer end). Heck, most panels max out at ~100 watts (or so), easily available from most current full-size power supplies.
Re: Power cords (Score:2)
It runs power, DVI, and usb over one cable to the monitor. The only problem is that the video card has to have a 24v connector on it also (i believe) to power the display. For people who don't have an Apple video card in their mac, or a pc, there are companies that sell an external powersupply that you run DVI + USB to, and then plug the ADC cable on the other side. I guess that is the closest you could get, unless gainward et all start designing video cards with ADC connectors and PSU adapters to power the display.
Re: Power cords (Score:2)
Well, you know, that Mac connector was my inspiration (along with their beautiful cinema displays!) and I hope that connection scheme catches on. I'm not holding my breath, though.
ATI's Radeon 9700 draws so much power it requires a separate power connector. (The Radeon 8500DV has a power connector too, but that's for supplying power to the FireWire port.) I think one of the Voodoo cards did the same thing? At any rate, high power consumption on a video card is nothing new -- why not pass some through to the monitor as well. ATX power supplies have a +12 and a -12 line... there's your 24v potential.
Now that I think about it more, the monitor will come on when the computer is powered up -- another nice, damn easy feature. Yes, modern monitors have a power-save mode, but they still draw quite a bit of current while "saving power."
Re: Power cords (Score:2)
and a DViAtor (i believe is its name) or just search around some mac sites. It does the power and everything seperately, so atleast it would be off the desk. (and who really cares about the clutter behind the computer, its not like i got back there too often, that is what front ports are for).
Re: Mac screens & clutter (Score:2)
The LCD panels are beautiful, the housings... well, I don't like 'em. Apple has implemented a great idea, but I'll be buying my LCD from Viewsonic or IBM.
What's that toilet paper doing there??? (Score:2, Funny)
This gotta beat watching Pr0n on a phone!
Re:What's that toilet paper doing there??? (Score:1)
Re:What's that toilet paper doing there??? (Score:2)
Hey, there's room in this world for people with all different ass sizes. Maybe he needs to use paper towels? CowboyNeal in disguise?
Re:Toliet Paper?!?! (Score:2)
--Mike
Re:Why? (Score:1)
Re:Why? (Score:5, Informative)
Because it's more efficient?
A well designed HTPC can replace a CD changer, a DVD player, a pre-amp, tuner, a TiVo, and a scaler/deinterlacer. And even if you buy the cheapest AV equipment and the most expensive computer equipment you'll come out ahead on the HTPC side.
Not to mention that you have all of that in one box the size of a desktop computer.
The biggest problem remains the interface -- you can do a lot with programmable remote controls, but it's still not as simple or reliable as components. Probably the biggest issue is the feedback component. A pre-amp may have a simple LCD saying "CD" or "Tuner", but HTPC's tend to use Windows interfaces which are more intrusive and nearly impossible to use without some kind of video output.
Of course, you gain a lot of flexibility - you can do anything with the HTPC you can do with a regular computer - but try explaining how to watch TV to a visiting relative (heck, my mom had enough problems with the TiVo when I was on my honeymoon).
As usual, the hardware side of things has been conquered first. Now work has to be done on the usability. And doing things like integrating a small LCD screen onto the system does a lot toward that goal.
Re:Why? (Score:1, Interesting)
You said it. but I get the point, its nice to have one thing to govern everything.
The only problem I can see here is that using a PC for that might hinder the functionality of the computer (to some degree).
Re:Why? (Score:2)
But just think about playing UT2k3 or Doom3 on that same 8 foot screen with full dolby digital surround.
Re:Why? (Score:2)
But a 8' screen with a dolby digital setup can cost under $5000. It won't be top notch and I personally wouldn't settle for it, but it's not an utterly absurd price either.
We're not talking plasma screen here or anything - a used LCD projector can be had for $2-3k (maybe less), a screen is a couple hundred, and you can find cheapo receivers and speaker setups for under a grand.
For about $10k you can get a much better projector and a better sound setup. For about $15k you can get a way better projector (a very nice DLP or DILA setup), and an very good sound setup.
As with all things, it's merely a question of what you want to spend your money on.
Re:Why? (Score:2)
I didn't think about integrating so many different functions into one HTPC, but I guess it can be done. I wouldn't run any analog sound through a PC though, the "SR" type links on the other devices can probably be controlled through the PC.
I did buy a darn nice NEC XGA LCD presentation projector refurbed for $2200. It happens to be pretty bright, I get a 11' diagonal screen and I can still turn on a light if I need to. I think one can get a _very_ nice HT setup for $5000 easy if you stick to the basic in terms of functionality and still keep up quality that is hard to rival.
The hard to rival part is quite true for me as I even know some people that have a TV/VCR combo where the screen was as wide as the VHS slot.
Where? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Where? (Score:2)
Kinda like dual displaying PowerPoint (I'm a windows shop, get over it) on a laptop so the presenter can see what is going on without having to crane his neck round.
Except of course, the idea is that it is incrdibly cool. Reading thru the forums, one thing caught my eye - when the screensaver kicks in and blanks the LCD, you can't tell there's a screen there at all - it just looks like a shiny cube, until you touch the mouse.
Of course, the builder does make laptop prototypes for a living, so YMMV if you try it yourself.
Re:Where? (Score:3, Informative)
For me, the A/V rack is right next to where I sit, and the projector is about 15' behind me.
One thing I do have to say: I'm definitely not a prototype builder! I used to head up several different portable computer engineering teams, but personally I'm pretty much a klutz mechanically. This is actually the first PC I've ever modified!
Thanks for the kudos!
Have Fun!
MarkF
Re:Where? (Score:1)
That thing looks GREAT. I would love to try my hand at one too... but it runs into the same problems as most other projects I would like to start. I have no $ or reason to start.
Modding for the sake of modding sure is cool, but after a while it just gets... well, boring. Plus, once you are done and over the "high" from a successful mod you need to find something else to hack apart and put back together :). (I did this with my i-opened-it. I got it all done and it was like "now what?")
Again tho... beautiful mod. Very well done.
-paul
How about an x session from a handheld or tablet? (Score:1)
I don't know of a way to control playback from a seperate session, but there is probably a simple way to do it.
Re:How about an x session from a handheld or table (Score:1, Informative)
That works, too! I'm also playing with an iPAQ (MS - sorry) and a great package called NetRemote that lets you use that as a remote control via the iPAQ's built-in BlueTooth. If that works out, the display on the HTPC unit will primarily be for information purposes, displaying current song/title/artist/movie, etc.
Cheers!
MarkF
Offtopic (kinda) Shuttle boot on lan (Score:2)
Does anyone know of anyone who made one of there shuttle computers bootonlan?
-Benjamin Meyer
Nice mod, dumb idea. (Score:1)
Re:Nice mod, dumb comment (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:Nice mod, dumb idea. (Score:1)
More to the point, its (as far as I can see) not acting as the remote control for anything at the same time as its DVD player duties. Its basically a hack to get a HTPC that doesn't leave you with an ugly on-screen display and sits nicely under the projector, unlike most HTPCs.
Why use a HTPC? Because a Radeon card playing back through a VGA or digital video out gives at picture quality through his projector that he would need to fork out at least 10 times as much to achieve with a Farjouda line doubler.
Re:Nice mod, dumb idea. (Score:1)
What good is it without a remote? (Score:2)
I've seen the mod on the web, however, and it was a clever hack. Slashdotted now, but the flat pannel monitor had a goofy resolution he worked around with drivers. It would work if you did LAN parties... but I would rather pipe svideo (or a dvi out) to something that gave me a bigger picture for watching movies.
Course, the point of modding is usually because you can (grin)
For your next trick... (Score:2)
For your next trick, replace the LCD screen with an LCD touchpad, put a wireless video solution in place, then mount the touchpad right beside your viewing area. :-)
Time spent (Score:2)
Must be a slashdot record for the highest percentage of posts on a single story...
Big Deal (Score:1)
Re:Big Deal (Score:2)
look at this image insted (Score:1, Interesting)
i can't belive they are proud of it..
The way it should be done (Score:1)
I wonder... (Score:2)
I have a shuttle sv24 [shuttleonline.com] and it's really loud. I started peeking and poking inside, and it turns out it's the internal power supply that makes all the noise.
I wonder how loud the other shuttle models are...
Re:I wonder... (Score:1)
The SS40G/SS50G are quieter than the SV24, and many folks replace the stock fans with Panaflo fans to make them even quieter. It isn't a particularly complex task, but it works quite well to quiet things down. As was shown in the internals shots on the website that I referenced, I've also installed a cheesy looking, but quite effective modification to quiet the Seagate Barracuda IV hard disk (which is also highly recommended - until the Barracuda V ships, this is the quietest hard disk on the market).
That's one of the main reasons why I highly recommend the SS40G. It's quiet out of the box, and with a bit of work, you can make it _really_ quiet! For an ideal HTPC machine, I can't wait for the SN41, which adds a real-time Dolby Digital encoder, thanks to its nForce 2 chipset, yielding full-time 100% digital sound.
Have Fun!
MarkF
TV-Tuner (Score:1)
you could watch a DVD on the big screen, and the news on the little screen and if it comes up with something you like, swap applications DVD plays on little screen while the TV is moved to the big.. hmm
You could call it.. um
-Prozac can heal the mind but friends may mend the soul.
Re:TV-Tuner (Score:1)
Not weird at all! On the AVS Forum, one of the hot topics has always been adding a tuner or video input card to your system. This is particularly useful due to DScaler. This program, developed by users from the AVS Forum, is a freeware digital image processing program that converts a plain-old NTSC signal into an excellent progressive scan image for viewing on high-res displays.
More recently, adding an HDTV tuner card is the "in" thing. If you haven't seen HDTV, you haven't experienced home theater! Even on that tiny little display, you'd get a far more detailed, crisper, and color saturated image than you can see on even high-end NTSC TVs (though the LCD itself would be a limiting factor for color reproduction).
It works, and looks great!
Best Regards!
MarkF
What about using cheaper PDA's screens? (Score:1)
If all I need is the ability to control the HTPC while there is a large screen that outputs the real DVD image, then using a PDA touch screen might be a good idea. Buying a PDA replacement digitizer/screen at GetHighTech [gethightech.com] is 60$ for B/W Palm Vx and 75$ for Color Palm130M (100$ for the 515).
These digitizers are of high quality, and instead of just showing the desktop and pointing with the mouse, one can draw buttons on the display, and touch it!!! In this case, there is no need for other buttons on the computers, just create a program that performs all the actions from the touch screen printed buttons.
This can build the ultimate HTPC, since there is no need for keyboard or mouse. We just have to create programs that control the digitizer, and choose what you want to do (like the interface of the new copy-machines that lets you control everything from different "tabs" on the touchscreen.
It could be a nice OS project, that will give Linux another edge (since nobody will have to know what OS powers the HTPC, the regular MS-Windows interface will not matter!). Serious people that want to build HTPCs will choose Linux.
Is it doable?
Liran.
IPaq PDA screen would be a better choice. (Score:1)
I should have thought about it before sending the first comment, sorry...
Liran.
Last Post! (Score:1)
question.
"Master, does Emacs have the Buddha nature?" the novice asked.
The Chief Priest had been in the temple for many years and could be
relied upon to know these things. He thought for several minutes before
replying.
"I don't see why not. It's got bloody well everything else."
With that, the Chief Priest went to lunch. The novice suddenly
achieved enlightenment, several years later.
Commentary:
His Master is kind,
Answering his FAQ quickly,
With thought and sarcasm.
- this post brought to you by the Automated Last Post Generator...
Re:Old news=Slashdot news? (Score:1)