Curtis Mathes VCR HTPC

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by Maniaman, 26 Jul 2005.

  1. Maniaman

    Maniaman What's a Dremel?

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    After looking at a couple mods where people converted old vcr's and cd players into HTPC's, I decided I would try to make my own. I (well technically my dad) had this old VCR sitting on the entertainment center, taking up space. It wasn't hooked up, and had not been used in years. The only part of it that actually did work was the tuner, which was extremely old and ghetto. I decided I would try to mod it into an HTPC.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
    ​
    Sorry for the not so great picture quality. The lighting is crap where I am working, and the flash does more harm than good to the images.

    I removed pretty much every component inside of it.
    [​IMG]
    Except for this:
    [​IMG]
    I am told that this is how channels were programmed into the tuner. I would like to incorporate this into the HTPC somehow.

    The front of the VCR with the cover off
    [​IMG]
    The front of this thing has 15 green LEDs. They originally told what channel it was tuned to. I plan to mod these into a LED meter. Under each of these LEDs, there it a button. I am not sure yet if I will make use of them or not.


    Any idea where I can find some small power supplies? There is no way I can fit the one I have into this thing.
     
    Maniaman, 26 Jul 2005
    #1
  2. Stuntman

    Stuntman Minimodder

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    ooo, looks cool! You could always try to nab a Shuttle powersupply, im sure it would fit in there...
     
    Stuntman, 26 Jul 2005
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  3. star882

    star882 What's a Dremel?

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    You can open the PSU and use the PCB inside it. Rackmount server PSUs and thin client PSUs work great if you can find one. Or even a normal ATX PSU that has been heavily modded. (Move the heatsinks and the semiconductors attached to them.)
    I have done something similar. (I used a 120w thin client PSU, BTW.)
    http://forums.shareaza.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40594
     
    star882, 26 Jul 2005
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  4. monkeyville

    monkeyville Evilish Monkey ++;

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    Nice Chassis to play with:thumb:

    I am also building a VHS mod and my power supply is a small 90w thing i found in the for sale forums. I would recommend looking for some shuttle psu's on ebay though as i think i may have some issues when it comes to powering all my extras.

    Will be keeping an eye on this one however may i recommend if the lighting is poor just move your stuff outside and get some proper photos every few updates so people have more of an idea what to expect.

    EDIT: Star i've asked you before i think but have you got a full project log with more details and pics of your VHS mod?
     
    monkeyville, 26 Jul 2005
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