VCR Computer - w/pics

[deerslayer]

When my VCR died, I decided I wanted to try to fit a computer inside it. Well I finally got to it a few weeks ago. The specs are:

AMD K62 400mhz
DTK Computers PAM-0052V Motherboard
128mb Mushkin pc133
GeForce2 MX400 32mb
Belkin NIC
WD Caviar 1.2gb
Gateway 2000 PSU (taken out of it's case)

I've managed to mount the power switch behind the record button, as well as mounting the LED's behind the display area. They look pretty natural now, because there are three LED spots in the front, and I have them mounted there now

vcr1.jpg
vcr2.jpg
vcr3.jpg
vcr4.jpg
vcr5.jpg
vcr6.jpg
vcr7.jpg
vcr8.jpg
vcr9.jpg
vcr10.jpg
vcr11.jpg
vcr12.jpg
vcr13.jpg
vcr14.jpg

This is my first attempt at a true mod, so be gentle!

 

[boyRacer]

Hey that's pretty cool... nice soldering work...

 

[deerslayer]

What soldering?

 

[filmmaker]

It would have been even better if you were able to get a power supply in the thing and make the tape flap somehow accept floppy and/or Zip disks.

Good work.

 

[BG4533]

Originally posted by: filmmaker
It would have been even better if you were able to get a power supply in the thing and make the tape flap somehow accept floppy and/or Zip disks.

Good work.

The PSU is in it. Look in the back corner. It just doesnt have a case. At least it looks like the PSU to me.

Awesome LyNx. I think i might have to try this myself now. I am guessing you built this more to see if you could rather than for a HTPC?

What are the dimensions of that VCR? And is the PSU regular ATX?

 

[BG4533]

I have some more suggestions as well, but they are just getting difficult and expensive. First, a CD or DVD drive in the tape slot. A slot loading drive might be easiest. Second, somehow fit a functioning LCD where the current display panel is. Third, make the VCR buttons control something. I think my second and third idea could be cool for controlling MP3s somehow. How is heat inside the VCR? I am thinking more and moer I am going to have to try this myself.

Brian

 

[filmmaker]

The PSU is in it. Look in the back corner. It just doesnt have a case. At least it looks like the PSU to me.

You're right. My bad. Thanks for the catch on that.

A slot loading drive would be cool in the tape drive too.

 

[deerslayer]

I thought about putting some sort of optical drive in there where the tape goes in, but the heatsink is in the way. If I could find a slim drive, it might be possible.

The front buttons don't do anything, except for the record button which works as the power button. It was a very tight fit, and only a couple of the buttons under the display area have room to mount things behind them, such as switches.

The power supply is in fact inside the VCR. In the first pictures it was not. Then I took an old psu and took the guts out

This was pretty much just something to occupy my time. The motherboard and processor I put in it was crashing all the time, so I didn't really care if it worked or not. Now it's running fine since i've put different RAM in it

I'm not planning to use it for an HTPC as of right now. If I can get some decent cooling going, I may consider it. I have a couple of those Packard Bell IR Remotes, and I think I could probably fit it in the front where the remote sensor was before

The outside dimensions of the VCR are 3.5" High x 10.5" Deep x 15" Wide

 

[deerslayer]

Double post

 

[MainFramed]

Man that is wicked sweet, awesome job! I think I might try something similar......

Real Nice Job there

 

[Rotax]

That is cool man. But I still must say the NES PC has been the best I've seen yet. Hard to beat something like that tho. hehe Maybe an Atari?

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: Rotax
That is cool man. But I still must say the NES PC has been the best I've seen yet. Hard to beat something like that tho. hehe Maybe an Atari?

Whoa! Now, if I could fit a mATX mobo hard drive, powersupply in my old Atari 2600 a fan or two. That would be fcking awesome! OMG I need money!

 

[BG4533]

Originally posted by: Tabb

Originally posted by: Rotax
That is cool man. But I still must say the NES PC has been the best I've seen yet. Hard to beat something like that tho. hehe Maybe an Atari?

Whoa! Now, if I could fit a mATX mobo hard drive, powersupply in my old Atari 2600 a fan or two. That would be fcking awesome! OMG I need money!

Better watch out, some fanatic out there might kill you for destroying an antique.

Brian

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: BG4533

Originally posted by: Tabb

Originally posted by: Rotax
That is cool man. But I still must say the NES PC has been the best I've seen yet. Hard to beat something like that tho. hehe Maybe an Atari?

Whoa! Now, if I could fit a mATX mobo hard drive, powersupply in my old Atari 2600 a fan or two. That would be fcking awesome! OMG I need money!

Better watch out, some fanatic out there might kill you for destroying an antique.

Brian

Heh, its already dead. Anyway, could possibly be able to do it. I would just have to figure out how to get everything in their. We need miniature powersupplies!

 

[deerslayer]

I shouldn't have thrown my Atari away!

 

[0roo0roo]

wow, now i know what to do with my old vcr

 

[AMD2003]

Pretty clever, nice work!

 

[Tab]

Now how would I fit a Powersupply, Hard Drive and Mobo into a Atari 2600 case....

 

[deerslayer]

Originally posted by: Tabb
Now how would I fit a Powersupply, Hard Drive and Mobo into a Atari 2600 case....

I have no idea. I had a hard time with the VCR!

 

[BG4533]

You can buy miny PSUs. You can get them at MPJA and Allelectronics I think. MJPA had them for like $3 a few months ago.

 

[Vonkhan]

schweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

 

[compudog]

Yeah! Awesome job LyNx01! Glad you got the PSU worked out. I'm going to have to try something like this. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[propellerhead]

That's cool. Good job!

I plan on building a new system for my spousal unit. She's still using the OC'ed Celeron from a long long time ago. I'll have to get a mobo with everything onboard.

 

[deerslayer]

It would have been much easier if the motherboard had everything onboard!

 

[Rotax]

laptop parts is the key i believe. cdrom drive and hd from a lt would save LOTS of space.