Ongoing Project HTPC (10 Viewers)

[HTPCSourcer]

Very well,

so have you taken a decision about the internal setup? Both Lehmden and myself voiced some concern over the HDD being put under the mainboard. ONe would need to build a test case - that could basically be any format - and run a HDD this way under a functional mainboard that is also dissipating some heat. SMART temperature reading of the HDD would quickly tell if such a setup is technically feasible without further active venting, which would IMHO require additional internal air channels to ensure that air flows between HDD and mainboard.

Don't take me wrong, I very much like your initial idea but the discussion has lost some focus and turned into a brainstorming session. Again you may want to give some structure to the discussion by breaking the project down into categories:

1. Internal setup
1.1 Mainboard Format
- mini, micro, NUC
1.2 Power supply
- internal
- external
1.3 Discs
- SDD
- HDD
- Mounting decision
1.4 Optical disc (if any - they tend to be no longer necessary)
- Slim line BR (R or RW)
1.5 IR Receiver
1.6 Front Display
- VFD
- LCD
2. External (case)
2.1 Height
- will depend if one wants to use (low-profile) PCIe cards (in the end this is supposed to be a HTPC)
- will certainly depend on the HDD position.
2.2 Thermal properties
- Passive/active cooling
- Fan(s)?

You started the discussion by concentrating on point 2 - and there is nothing bad about it. However, the SDD/HDD fixing will have a major impact on the internal design, hence you/we may want to spend some thought on this.

Thanks,
HTPC_Sourcer

 

[Roumec]

Totally agree with you I'm going to sleep now, we will continue tomorrow

 

[2.0]

Im thinking about another options, keep front panel tatally clear and put power button in to back. Also as you were saying there could be light below maybe controllable in colour of case. And what do you think about laser engraving some name of this case on front panel. Do you have some idea of name? For example "Casey" [DOUBLEPOST=1390936617][/DOUBLEPOST]Maybe If the LED will be connected to fan connector. It could be controlled by software for fan controlle, or I could let some of my friends studying IT make that software

A power button in the back is not such a good idea. Imagine this case being put into a narrow cabinet and having to reach back there to hit the button. That would be quite uncomfortable. I understand that you want to keep the front of the case as sleek and elegant as possible but I think that a power button on the front would look good if it is done in a tasteful way. Think of the power button on the XBOX 360; It has a nice design which fits in well and a red ring light around it to let you know when it breaks . But at least it looks good when it happens. Ah, Microsoft...
As for the vents, the most important thing is to get enough fresh air to the critical components inside the case. Since you're the one designing this thing, only you can decide how it will work. I just don't like the idea of vents on the top. I can imagine someone putting a cup of coffee on top of this thing...
If you're looking for a way to control LEDs, check out LEDSdriver: http://slicksolutions.eu/ledsdriver.shtml It can control up to 3 LEDs connected to the COM port. I'm using a similar program called LEDcontroller to control the lights on my own system.
One last thought on the lights. What about giving the user a way to hook up and program the lights himself? All you would need is a set of mounting holes for the LEDs, maybe hidden behind a strip of black plastic, and let the user do what he wants with this. This might be better than trying to find one solution to please everybody.

 

[HTPCSourcer]

If you're looking for a way to control LEDs, check out LEDSdriver: http://slicksolutions.eu/ledsdriver.shtml It can control up to 3 LEDs connected to the COM port.

Do current mainboards still have COM ports? Quite outdated technology.

 

[Quarter]

@Roumec like this.

If you want wood, why not make the whole thing wood? I could make you an all wood one, I work with wood every day which I guess is why I don't like wooden HTPC cases.

 

[Roumec]

Oook so when I´ll come home from work, I will definitely choose design and then I will start making technical drawings so we could have a prototype in 1 - 2 weeks.

to @HTPC_Sourcer :

1. Internal setup
1.1 Mainboard Format
- Mini - ITX
1.2 Power supply - external

1.3 Discs
- 2 x 2,5"
- Under the MB, I´ll do measurement on my pc with prototype, and we will see

1.4 Optical disc - No

1.5 IR Receiver - maybe - Im looking to proper one which I could connect to onboard USB

1.6 Front Display - I want to made a high manufacturing quality case and display would double the price, I want to keep it under 50 dollars

2. External (case)

2.1 Height - about 8 cm (PCI wouldn´t be probably accesible but we will see )

2.2 Thermal properties
- Only CPU cooler, after measurement we will see..

to @Quarter :

I like that combination and possibility of choosing wood colour and anodyzed alloy colour


AAAAAAnd thanks everyone, now this is most replied topic in HTPC threads!!!!!!!! And traffic is about 500 people (yesterday) THAAAANK YOOOOU and keep watching [DOUBLEPOST=1390994035][/DOUBLEPOST]Shit, I just saw that one topic has 109 replies but we would have more till tomorrow

 

[Kui]

1.5 IR Receiver - maybe - Im looking to proper one which I could connect to onboard USB

Search this on Ebay: "USB Internal Infrared (IR) Receiver with Cable and Custom Mounting Bracket"


That is which I have and it's working like a clock. It's also small so it would fit on your specifications well..

Unless you are going to put some VFD or some small screen, some of those has IR receiver already.


Kui

 

[Roumec]

Thank you ;-)

 

[Roumec]

Today I bought a wattmeter and it was really nice suprise

62,7 W while running furmark, so buying a 200W pico ITX PSU wasn´t necessary. I also bought a sample power button

 

[emphatic]

What diameter is the power button installation hole?

Emph