Feasibility check: What do you guys think?

BatmanNate

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
12,444
2
81
I was bored at work today, so I began devising an idea for something to entertain me during month end. (The company I work for does statement runs for our Credit Union Clients every month, so I work the grave for a few days a month to run the equipment) So anyhow, our radio there blows goats for 5¢ a herd. And I don't like having to bring my CD's there because I always forget to bring them home again. So here's the idea:

-Take a basic computer, set it up with some old hardware I have laying around, drop in a decent sized HD (60-80GB) and a nic, and set it up as an MP3 server.

-Mount a 6-8" touchscreen LCD to the exterior of the case as the primary interface, making the unit somewhat mobile. Also attach handles to the top so I can carry it between work and home when I'm not using it.

-Cut the side panel to mount a pair of 6.5" car speakers (loud ones preferably, so as to be able to hear over the laser equipment), and fasten a small, low power car amp (<200w) in the bottom of the case. Wire this to take a 12v input from the PSU, thus driving the speakers. (run the line output from the soundcard to the input on the amp)

This would essentially create a high powered MP3 boombox with pretty decent sound capability and a ton of storage, in a fairly portable package. (exactly what I'm looking for)


Now, I'd like to know if anyone has any suggestions for hardware, good places to find this stuff cheap, flaws that may need to be overcome, etc.

The only major thing I could think of would be that the speaker magnets may interfere with the HD if mounted to close, or the interference from the computers electronics could influence the sound quality. Also, perhaps heat would be an issue. What do you guys think?
 

BatmanNate

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
12,444
2
81
OKay, thanks. I wasn't sure about how resistent the HD's are to magnet devices. :D As for shielded speakers, I'm going to attempt and mount them directly into the side panel of the case, so shielded isn't much of an option. ;)
 

Derango

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2002
3,113
1
0
Yea, the hard drive has two huge and very strong magnets inside of it already. The magnets in your speakers won't affect anything :)
 

McCarthy

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,567
0
76
If I might suggest:

Take off your current side panel, measure it, get a piece of 1/2 to 3/4" thick MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). Cut this to the same size, find a way to attach it to the case. A few carefully drilled holes and self tapping screws would do it with minimal harm coming to the case.

Couple reasons. First, I suspect it'll sound a lot better. Mounted right in a flat plane of flexible sheetmetal it's going to be quite, excuse the pun, tinny. Boomy at the same time. Yucky might be the best word. If you do mount them right in the sidepanel and the sound is as I expect, you can try gluing some foam pieces to the back of the panel to try to help.

Second, if you want to revise it you can cut a different piece. You're stuck if you use your sidepanel the first time. Could also mount the LCD in there, heck if you want to get really creative build in a basic keypad so you don't have a keyboard flopping around. Also just easier to work with, especially if you do get creative.

Finally, should help to dampen vibrations a bit. HD's probably the only thing to really worry about in that regard.

As for shielding, you can do this to some degree. If you were to fit a coffee can on the back of the board (probably cut in half or thirds for height) to surround the magnet it'll provide some shielding. Probably better off just mounting the HD as far away from the magnets as you can and putting it in a soft mount if possible...for vibrations, transportation shocks, and clumsy co-workers who tend to knock stuff over.

Sounds fun, good luck!

--Mc
 

BatmanNate

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
12,444
2
81
McCarthy,

Thanks for the insight! That's a good idea, I will definately look into the wood backer and perhaps some foam for the side panel. I don't really even have to use a computer case for this come to think of it, so if anyone has better ideas, I'm all ears. The keyboard I won't need to worry about, because the LCD will be touchscreen. Keep 'em coming!