Need help modding a HTPC

[Rob71]

Don't know if anyone can help with this, but here goes. I'm looking for an old 70's era VCR that I can mod into my new HTPC. Any ideas where I can find one of these? Something similar to this:

vhs_gv21.jpg

[RacerX]

What a great idea. I'd love to see it in action. Just way too funny!
Where to go? Try an electronics repair shop. They might have one in the back room. I'm guessing you've already looked on ebay.

[Rob71]

I made this thread awhile back and the project got put on hold. Well, now I'm thinking of starting the project up again. Anyone have one of these in the basement or bottom of a closet they don't want? Maybe know someone who has one? I looked all over a couple of years ago and never could find one.

[househead]

craigslist. probably curb alert! i wish you luck and will be checking this thread for updates.

[pokefan]

Here's a couple:

Sanyo Beta

Pentax

Check Here

[brettallica]

Holy cow, Rob71! What are you up to? You know this kind of thing is going to drive me nuts until you complete it. I can't wait to see what you do.

Are you planning on actually trying to incorporate the buttons of the old VCR so they work with the HTPC?

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by brettallica

Holy cow, Rob71! What are you up to? You know this kind of thing is going to drive me nuts until you complete it. I can't wait to see what you do.

Are you planning on actually trying to incorporate the buttons of the old VCR so they work with the HTPC?

Thats the plan. I have a friend that works with PLC's and "volunteered" to help with the wiring. I've pretty much settled on the old top-loader design because it will give me plenty of room for components. Plus I get kidded alot for some of my retro components(2600, NES, cassette deck) in my entertainment center, so it will fit right in.

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Thats the plan. I have a friend that works with PLC's and "volunteered" to help with the wiring. I've pretty much settled on the old top-loader design because it will give me plenty of room for components. Plus I get kidded alot for some of my retro components(2600, NES, cassette deck) in my entertainment center, so it will fit right in.

Well that's pretty dang awesome. You'll have to keep me/us in the loop. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

I've been meaning to build my own HTPC from scratch for years, but just haven't gotten around to it. This is "from scratch" and then some!

[jlafrenz]

This is a really cool idea and build. I would hit up some garage sales and pawn shops. Start asking neighbors too. You never know what they have stored away.

[damingraham]

i love mods

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by brettallica

Well that's pretty dang awesome. You'll have to keep me/us in the loop. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

I've been meaning to build my own HTPC from scratch for years, but just haven't gotten around to it. This is "from scratch" and then some!

My neighbor thinks his dad still has his old Sony Beta-max top loader in their attic.

If he does, he's going to visit his parents late in March and will bring it back with him. So now I just have to gather all the components and get them ready. I can't wait to get started on this.

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by Rob71

My neighbor thinks his dad still has his old Sony Beta-max top loader in their attic.

If he does, he's going to visit his parents late in March and will bring it back with him. So now I just have to gather all the components and get them ready. I can't wait to get started on this.

That would be pretty hot. There are so many Betamax units on eBay right now it's pretty ridiculous. I'm sure you could score one really cheaply.

I can't wait to see how you pull this off. Do you have an idea for what you're going to do for the guts of the system?

[OrlandoEastwood]

Maybe Half.com? I don't know if they sell VCRs on there though.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by brettallica

That would be pretty hot. There are so many Betamax units on eBay right now it's pretty ridiculous. I'm sure you could score one really cheaply.

I can't wait to see how you pull this off. Do you have an idea for what you're going to do for the guts of the system?

Not really sure yet. I'm looking online and seeing what everyone has built right now. I'm sure that I'm going to have a Blu-ray drive, but that's the only firm decision so far.

Some of the guys at AVS are really into HTPC building and I've been reading through threads. About the only thing I'm sure of is you could ask 100 people for the best set-up and you'd get 100 different answers. I may just go all out on every component and build a beast so that it can handle whatever I throw at it(Blu-ray, gaming, streaming, music/pic/video storage).

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Not really sure yet. I'm looking online and seeing what everyone has built right now. I'm sure that I'm going to have a Blu-ray drive, but that's the only firm decision so far.

Some of the guys at AVS are really into HTPC building and I've been reading through threads. About the only thing I'm sure of is you could ask 100 people for the best set-up and you'd get 100 different answers. I may just go all out on every component and build a beast so that it can handle whatever I throw at it(Blu-ray, gaming, streaming, music/pic/video storage).

Very cool...well some of those old VCR and Betamax are so big that they are basically like towers themselves, but laying horizontally. You should be able to get some pretty serious components in there, including a monster power supply and probably even a full size mobo, which will be great for handling the video. (I'm sure you already know all that, but you're making me excited)

[CdnBlu]

A VCR would be a good idea. I'm planning to tear apart my original XBOX and turn that into an HTPC. There's a video on the internet somewhere that I'll follow whenever I get time to sitdown and begin. I'll then use the guts from my current tower for the HTPC, and my comp will get a nice upgrade