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Case Mod - In Progress Computersphere - moding a JVC Videosphere into a computer - September 2012

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by thydzik, 30 Oct 2007.

  1. thydzik

    thydzik What's a Dremel?

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    I have had this idea for a while now, most of the parts, have just been too lazy. By starting a thread and posting it should get me motivated.

    This project involves modding a JVC Videosphere into a working computer . I shall name it the ComputerSphere.

    It will consist of two parts:

    First part

    Restoration of a Videosphere into its brand new condition, this will mostly include cleaning and buffing the plastic. I plan to use a 8.4" colour TV to replace the existing black and white TV. However, all existing knobs and switches will remain and be operational. I have a feeling there is going to be some custom fancy circuitry to convert the analogue dials to digital.

    Second part
    Once the Videosphere looks and functions brand new, I will insert a VIA EPIA M from a previous modding project. This should be fairly straight forward as there is plenty of room. DVD rom drive in the base, red neons in the base and the top, as there are already ventilation holes.

    Picture of the JVC Videosphere
    [​IMG]



    Onto the modding...

    First pictures of my videosphere (yes, it is already gutted, I was too eager to take it apart)

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Now lets look inside
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Very dirty inside. I keep everything except for the tube.

    Next I plan to sand any deep scratches and buff the plastic shell.
     
    Last edited: 13 Sep 2012
  2. Hazardous

    Hazardous What's a Dremel?

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    Looks very promising indeed, this :cooldude:

    I'll be keeping an eye on your progress, and good luck with everything meantime :thumb:
     
  3. 500mph

    500mph The Right man in the Wrong place

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    this looks like it will be veeeery interesting. cant wait for the next update.
     
  4. widmod

    widmod Minimodder

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    cool an ITX mod :thumb:
    i will follow this log
     
  5. Guest-23315

    Guest-23315 Guest

    I love the idea...

    subsribed/
     
  6. lost_modder

    lost_modder What's a Dremel?

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    the chain handle is unique. you should build an Okama GameSphere (like on South Park) to go with it!
     
  7. Breach

    Breach Modding in Exile

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    Even as a TV it is the coolest thing ever :D cant wait to see progress
     
  8. GrendelPrime

    GrendelPrime What's a Dremel?

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    Actually I get a 'Kenny' vibe at first glance, heh.

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    Looking forward to seeing this mod progress, I have a soft spot for retro mods anyways, so I can't resist.
     
  9. thydzik

    thydzik What's a Dremel?

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    Thanks for all the kind words :)

    I should mention prices, and note it will all be in Australian dollars.

    I picked up the Videosphere about 3 years ago of eBay for about $200.

    I will also mention, I am going to try and include everything, even the mundane stuff. So with that said.
    Here are some pictures of me washing it. Basically I removed everything that could be removed and scrubbed it with a bit of detergent and brush. The condition is actually quite good, few scratches but nothing major.

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    This is the colour LCD TV I purchased of eBay about a year ago for $150. I spent a while looking for one that could fit the nicest in the existing hole. I hope it does, havn't tried it yet. The actual tube is specified as 9".

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I started also picked up a few sheets of various grade wet and dry for $1.30 each.


    [​IMG]
     
  10. Nexxo

    Nexxo * Prefab Sprout – The King of Rock 'n' Roll

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    Wow! A design classic! That is going to look excellent... :rock:
     
  11. 12modderz

    12modderz L33T еÐ3!

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    That has to be the coolest looking TV I've seen. Great Mod!:clap::rock::jawdrop:
     
  12. thydzik

    thydzik What's a Dremel?

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    Polishing and TV tuners

    Progress with the cleaning of the Videosphere is as follows:
    Have purchased some buffing/polishing compound that is supposed to be very good for plastics, it is called Polac (but also goes by the name Vonax).
    Purchased from abrasiflex for $24.20. It can be purchased cheaper from ferrofin but are in the eastern states. Whilst this is fairly expensive, it was a very large bar.

    [​IMG]

    I already owned a cloth polishing disc 3.5” disc which I attached to an electric drill, and then secured to a bench vice.

    [​IMG]

    This has become my makeshift polishing wheel.

    [​IMG]

    After much experimenting and much wasting of time, I have come to method that produces satisfactory polishing results.

    1. sand with wet & dry 320/400 grade paper any deep scratches.
    2. Move to 600 grade wet & dry all over the plastic
    3. Move to 1200 grade wet & dry all over
    4. Finally finish by buffing with Polac all over. Abasifles recommended dry buffing.

    Pictures of one half using this procedure below, I will buff it more later.

    [​IMG]

    I have started looking at how the tuning was achieved on the Videosphere, I have realised it is impossible for me to use the existing tuners. Below are pictures of the VHF and UHF tuners. It was quite intriguing looking at technology that was over 30 years old.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  13. airchie

    airchie What's a Dremel?

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    I did something similar with an old TV for my GF.
    I couldn't really use any of the original tech.
    Just the shell and the original power button (with the internal workings removed).

    Still, finished product was great. :)
     
  14. Rocket733

    Rocket733 Austerity - It's the only way

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    Perfect for a retro mod! Can't wait to see it finished.
     
  15. Ryu_ookami

    Ryu_ookami I write therefore I suffer.

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    /Ryu goes looking for a videosphere on Ebay :)
     
  16. airchie

    airchie What's a Dremel?

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    Anyone seen American Gangster in the cinema?
    If so, when Bumpy dies in the electronics store, there's one of these over his shoulder behind him! :D
     
  17. The_Gnu

    The_Gnu 8-bit addict

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    wee.. pure retro. whats the resolution of that screen? will it bee enough..looks like the regular 640x480 to me.
    Good luck

    /GNU
     
  18. thydzik

    thydzik What's a Dremel?

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    Here is the last update for the year, going on holidays and won't be back till mid January.

    I have started to try to mount the LCD TV into the Videosphere. Firstly removed the LCD from the plastic housing
    [​IMG]

    This is a photo of the back of the LCD
    [​IMG]

    First fit test. You would not believe how close this panel is to not fitting. When choosing the TV I only was concerned about the LCD size fitting the hole, I did not think about the housing. Being a cheap quality LCD the housing protrudes a fair bit. You can observe that the housing isn't quite flush and this is for two reasons, the LCD is slightly too big, and the hole is actually curved due to the curved screen of the original CRT.
    [​IMG]

    The way I solved the LCD size problem was grinding the corners down. This was fairly dangerous as it was easy to damage the LCD, I still haven’t tested the LCD to see if it still works. Before grinding I disassembled the metal housing, this was so that I could see where the glass was as you do not want to be grinding that.
    [​IMG]

    Here is a photo of the ground corners of the metal housing; I will explain what the cardboard is for next.
    [​IMG]

    This now solved the LCD not fitting problem. The next problem was the gaps caused by the curved hole. This was solved by using car body filler. First I made a cardboard template with the exact same size hole as the Videosphere.
    You can observe the LCD metal housing on top of the cardboard below.
    [​IMG]

    It was secured to the Videosphere with some tape.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Car body filler was applied liberally over the cardboard.
    [​IMG]

    And the sanding process began.
    [​IMG]

    I decided to buy myself an early Christmas present to speed things up. $125 from Bunnings, includes the Flex Shaft and 55 accessories.
    [​IMG]

    This was the finished results after another layer of car body filler. It took me a while to get used to the Dremel as I was taking too much out of some areas and leaving indents.
    [​IMG]

    I am quite happy with the results so far. This will be painted black making any imperfections harder to see. Below is a photo of the LCD metal housing over the hole. The hole is slightly uneven and small and that will be fixed up next year.
    [​IMG]
     
  19. lworbey

    lworbey What's a Dremel?

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    Excellent work, I'm still getting used to my Dremel type tool, I take too much off before I know it!
     
  20. KayinBlack

    KayinBlack Unrepentant Savage

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    Dremels take a light touch. Practice and patience does it...
     
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