My HTPC prototype!

[kuk]

So I've been playing around in a 3d modelling app, and decided to design a Home-Theatre PC. The reason why I joined AT was because of a case design idea thread (which I think Czar started way back in 2000), but I couldn't put my ideas in to words. Well, finally I've completed the design and put up some images.

Pictures: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

It is similar to Shuttle system in size, but differs in how it interacts with the user. The large touch-sensitive LCD would interact with the OS, displaying from the current Winamp song to Boot-up troubleshooting information. In the future, it would be possible to read your email directly from it, without the need to boot up into an OS. All the top connectors provide the functionality of an All-In-Wonder, 3D Sound Card and media card reader (no floppies here). Finally, the black and gold finish is supposed to go with those expensive HT components.

What do you guys think?

Kuk

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

There needs to be component outs/ins if you want a true HTPC

Nice design though

 

[kuk]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
There needs to be component outs/ins if you want a true HTPC

Nice design though

Those would in the back, which I haven't designed yet.
It would look strange if these were permenantly connected to the front of the PC.

 

[Hender]

That's some good rendering, and a pretty good design.

One question, though: I see an eject button, but where's the optical drive? I didn't see room for a tray, or even a slot to load DVDs.

 

[MichaelD]

Nice work, kuk. Bump for the coolest thread in GH in a long time!

 

[Pariah]

The design has too many connectors on the front of the case. Most of those no one would ever use. If you look at highend component gear they don't have that many connectors in the front, maybe one set of inputs and that's about it. You can lose 3 of the USB ports, 1 firewire port, the line-out, and the video output ports. There's no reason to have a touch sensitive LCD on the front of the case either. You will never see something like that on any HT gear and the reason is pretty simple. No one is going to get up out of their seat and press buttons on the front of something every time they need to do something. For this reason, the ideal HTPC has as much wireless gear as possible, and is another reason why you would never need 4 USB ports on the front side of the PC. The most important part of any typical HT hub is the remote you use. The remote is where the touchscreen LCD's are found. If you have ever used higher end HT gear you'll find that without the remote, you are pretty much screwed, because more than 50% of typical functions can not be achieved by pressing buttons on the front of the component itself.

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
There needs to be component outs/ins if you want a true HTPC

Nice design though

Component connections would be pretty worthless. What would you connect them to inside the computer? Anything component capable would already (ATI adapter) have the connectors on it. Any "true HTPC" would be connecting to a TV/projector with a VGA or DVI input.

One question, though: I see an eject button, but where's the optical drive? I didn't see room for a tray, or even a slot to load DVDs.

There's a slot below the touch screen that is difficult to see.

 

[wfbberzerker]

its way too easy to understand. you need to have plugs that all look the same with no labels, so people go insane trying to use it.

 

[MichaelD]

It's still a whole lot better than anything else I've seen from a "beginner start up new guy" lately! It's a nice box!! No, it doesn't have the 1,350-foot-thru-lead-lined-walls wireless remote that also makes breakfast tacos. What does YOUR remote do? Riiiiiiight. You don't have one that YOU designed either.

But still, what's been said so far can and should be taken as constructive criticism, b/c in the real world, best intentions don't sell; features do. Still a great job, kuk.

 

[Pariah]

No, it doesn't have the 1,350-foot-thru-lead-lined-walls wireless remote that also makes breakfast tacos. What does YOUR remote do? Riiiiiiight. You don't have one that YOU designed either.

I don't recall saying anywhere that he should design a remote. If I did, please quote it. Including a remote with the case wouldn't make any sense anyway as there would be no guarantee it would interface with the hardware inside the case. There are plenty of very good universal remotes out there for all prices ranges, so why would I need to design one? What someone needs to do is design some sort of universal wireless port and software standard for PC's that will allow universal remotes to interface with computers. There are projects out there that are designing software frontends for HTPC's. But they are still limited to a mouse and KB which is less than ideal for HT operation.

 

[bigshooter]

It may be good as a standalone device for someone that is using it as a primary computer as well, but when I get my media remote in, and build myself a winxp media center pc, i'm going to use the plainest case I can find. On avs forums, there are threads about HTPC cases, and there are some pretty neat ones out there. I'll probalby go more of an anodized aluminum finish (I think that's the right word for it) but if i can find a black case that matches more of my components I'll buy that. An lcd on the front of a HTPC would be too distracting, unless it turned off automatically. I could probably go for an LED display that has limited info, like a receiver or DVD player, something that tells me whta file is being played or some other status info (I've seen one like that before, it was pretty cool, had a motorized flip down face some guy made too). I might put two USB ports on teh front, in case I want to use a gamepad or some other input device, but everything else should be on the back. You're most likely going to plug everything into a receiver or some type of processor anyways, might as well keep the cables in a convenient out of the way spot. I like the design you had though, it looked cool, but it has too much stuff on it for my taste, plus that tilted media reader stuff on the top would be a pain if you put it in a rack.

 

[LikeLinus]

Eh I mean the 3D model is cool and all, but the actual design doesn't work very good. Having all those ports on the front is a waste and useless. I can see sticking 2 USB ports and the headphone/input 1/8" jack somewhere on the front of the actual computer, but nothing else.


Guys, I'm pretty sure the slot at the bottom is a slot loaded DVD drive. I'm surprised no one else figured that out.

 

[kuk]

Thanks for the replies!

I understand the comments pertaining to the excess of connectors, amd maybe it's becaused I gave the HTPC title to it. I think of it as a convergence between a desktop PC and a home appliance, a step up from Shuttle's system in terms of features, and a step "down" from your average VHS in terms of simplicity. It IS meant for the computer enthusiast, but making things simpler than more complex.

Regarding the connectors, some could really be moved to the back, especially those for speakers and composite out.

The idea for a touchscreen LCD came after I saw a recent AT article from IDF, where there were prototypes that would allow the user to read emails and access the net without booting into the OS. What I had in mind was to allow a full range of capabilites for the LCD. For instance, you would be able to read a CF card from your digicam and transfer all files to the HD with the touch of a "button", while everything is properly organised and labeled. It's a PITA to have to boot, access the software, select folder and then transfer everything, when all you needed was to unload your flash memory card. There are lot of possibilities, such as direct printing, media playing, diagnosis, and so on.

But I liked all input so far ... thanks guys. I'll be designing v2 soon ...

Kuk

 

[Adul]

nice rendering job there, and also nice design. So when will it be for sale

 

[Baronz]

Thats pretty cool...

But, if i were designing something like that i'd make it be stackable with other HT components, and instead of the LCD have one of those new wireless monitors go with it and use winXP

Nice to see people trying to innovate.

 

[IPLaw]

Wow! That's the coolest multimedia microwave I've seen yet!


Kidding! Looks great!

 

[astroview]

I think its pretty cool, but I have to agree that there are too many component inputs on the front. Also, from a design perspective wouldn't you want the top to be flat so you could lie other components on it?

 

[kuk]

Originally posted by: IPLaw
Wow! That's the coolest multimedia microwave I've seen yet!


Kidding! Looks great!

Damnit, you're the third person I've shown this to that called it a microwave!