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It's big, it's heavy, it's wood
Here's the other project I was working on (and managed to finish before we've even settled on a team for the NCAA dynasty project): a new TV computer.
Up to this point the TV's been running on an ancient Dell (which is also doubling as my web server) with a decent if low-def Hauppauge video capture card. Having a high-def TV has spoiled me, so it was finally time for an upgrade, and once I saw this case, I knew what it had to look like.
So here's everything after it all arrived (the case, oddly enough, arrived a day early). Nothing special -- mobo has USB 3.0 and onboard HDMI output, though, and I made sure to get two internal HDs -- one for the system, one for the video files (which can get huge in a hurry -- the Buffalo/KC game yesterday was 20 GB). Opted for a new Hauppauge with dual hybrid tuners -- it can record two shows (in any combination of standard or high definition) simultaneously. Managed to snag a Blu-Ray burner on sale for about as much as most Blu-Ray drives, so that was a steal. I probably went overboard on the CPU, but I figured better err on the side of caution -- and ditto on the power supply, which is gifreakinnormous and came with a neat velvet sack (no, seriously); they were the two priciest parts of the equation.
So here's after about 30 minutes of frantic assembly. Putting this mother together was difficult -- I had to take out the main (only) case fan in the back to get the mobo and power supply in, and once in, the fits were snug -- very little wiggle room for a full-size ATX board. Also spent about 10 minutes trying to get the CPU fan on. God, that's always a sticking point for me. But at least I got one this time and didn't have to wait over a weekend for one with a half-assembled computer on the living room floor.
Also, those are my socks. God, I love white and grey socks.
Another look at about the same point in the installation. Missing here is the wooden shelf upon which the optical and hard drives (with room for four HDs) rest.
Almost done. Note at this point the shelf is in, and the system's booting up properly; I just haven't screwed the top shut yet because I wasn't sure if the front-panel LCD was installed upside-down or not (and, indeed, it took me a few hours to get it working)....
Sherlock fully assembled, with modest TV and PS3 alongside for reference. I'm not sure if I like the PS3 atop the case or not; it just seems to throw off the symmetry and feel of it a bit.
Note that what look like speakers on the front of the computer case are actually vents with a little bit of webbing stapled inside for airflow. I'm amazed by (aside from some opening-day jitters) how quiet and cool this machine is.
Close-up of the front to see the LCD (which didn't come with the case, oddly enough; had to order it separately) and front-panel media inputs -- a whole array of cards accepted, and the usual USB, Firewire and SATA. Am running a nifty little proggie called LCD Smartie that's pulling a wide array of data into the display, from system drive stats to TV recording information and, in this case, NFL scores from a custom RSS feed.
The recorded video quality is...well, the compression on the standard definition video is fine. The high-def files aren't compressed or processed at all; they're the original digital signal, and yes, frickin' huge, but oh so lovely.
And with that, I need to find some time today to watch The Walking Dead.
Up to this point the TV's been running on an ancient Dell (which is also doubling as my web server) with a decent if low-def Hauppauge video capture card. Having a high-def TV has spoiled me, so it was finally time for an upgrade, and once I saw this case, I knew what it had to look like.
So here's everything after it all arrived (the case, oddly enough, arrived a day early). Nothing special -- mobo has USB 3.0 and onboard HDMI output, though, and I made sure to get two internal HDs -- one for the system, one for the video files (which can get huge in a hurry -- the Buffalo/KC game yesterday was 20 GB). Opted for a new Hauppauge with dual hybrid tuners -- it can record two shows (in any combination of standard or high definition) simultaneously. Managed to snag a Blu-Ray burner on sale for about as much as most Blu-Ray drives, so that was a steal. I probably went overboard on the CPU, but I figured better err on the side of caution -- and ditto on the power supply, which is gifreakinnormous and came with a neat velvet sack (no, seriously); they were the two priciest parts of the equation.
So here's after about 30 minutes of frantic assembly. Putting this mother together was difficult -- I had to take out the main (only) case fan in the back to get the mobo and power supply in, and once in, the fits were snug -- very little wiggle room for a full-size ATX board. Also spent about 10 minutes trying to get the CPU fan on. God, that's always a sticking point for me. But at least I got one this time and didn't have to wait over a weekend for one with a half-assembled computer on the living room floor.
Also, those are my socks. God, I love white and grey socks.
Another look at about the same point in the installation. Missing here is the wooden shelf upon which the optical and hard drives (with room for four HDs) rest.
Almost done. Note at this point the shelf is in, and the system's booting up properly; I just haven't screwed the top shut yet because I wasn't sure if the front-panel LCD was installed upside-down or not (and, indeed, it took me a few hours to get it working)....
Sherlock fully assembled, with modest TV and PS3 alongside for reference. I'm not sure if I like the PS3 atop the case or not; it just seems to throw off the symmetry and feel of it a bit.
Note that what look like speakers on the front of the computer case are actually vents with a little bit of webbing stapled inside for airflow. I'm amazed by (aside from some opening-day jitters) how quiet and cool this machine is.
Close-up of the front to see the LCD (which didn't come with the case, oddly enough; had to order it separately) and front-panel media inputs -- a whole array of cards accepted, and the usual USB, Firewire and SATA. Am running a nifty little proggie called LCD Smartie that's pulling a wide array of data into the display, from system drive stats to TV recording information and, in this case, NFL scores from a custom RSS feed.
The recorded video quality is...well, the compression on the standard definition video is fine. The high-def files aren't compressed or processed at all; they're the original digital signal, and yes, frickin' huge, but oh so lovely.
And with that, I need to find some time today to watch The Walking Dead.