-The Hardware-
These preliminary images and descriptions will be short, as I would rather work on the Media PC than write about it.
Here are the main parts of my Media PC.
More parts may be added depending on time, and complexity.
The Motherboard, a SOYO K7M Dragon, With onboard Digital IN/OUT soundcard, 10/100NIC, and Extra IDE//RAID ports.
AMD Athlon XP 1600+
More than fast enough for everything we need
ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon
Can output nearly any type of video for future connection to HDTV
Plus TV Tuner, Video In/Out and PCM Digital Audio Out
Sound Blaster Live Value
Used in addition to the onboard sound card, to provide more audio functions.
Will also be used as main mixer for audio output.
Motorola 56K Voice modem
Used to provide answering machine, speakerphone, and caller ID functions.
Has a very nice feature that it can stream the audio over the PCI bus,
making no physical connection necessary.
Pioneer 106S Slot Loading DVD
Very nice, rock solid stable. Plus has a utility to make it run quieter
Dyed black in a previous mod
256MB of Samsung DDR with heatspreader
200-Watt ATX power supply
Has some very nice features, like a pre-wired jumper that provides +5volts standby.
A fan guide, finger guard, and 80mm Fan Directly near the CPU socket.
Acquired used for only $10
A normal OEM heatsink, came with my retail 1800+ (In my main PC)
A Thermaltake fan, VERY fast, and very noisy.
But can move a lot of air, even a lower speeds.
It came with the heatsink I use on my main system, ironic.
Compaq IPAQ 3600, or at least the guts of one.
Will be used for the LCD and user interface, but it needs repair first.
Two 4 Inch RED Cold Cathodes and Dual inverter
D-Link USB FM Radio
(Was already been moded for my main system)
Your eyes are not tricking you, that is a CueCat Neutered of course, works as a normal bar code scanner.
Will be used to barcode new DVD's and CD's. (Don't worry I won't leave the casing intact)
X10 Active home interface
Controls power to everything in my house, Lights, TV, Fan's etc...
X10 Mouse remote
RF remote with Mouse, Controls everything in my house.
TV, VCR, Lights and everything on the Media PC
One of the Superbright LEDs that will be used in this system
There will also be a few Ultra Super bright LEDs too.
Super glue! An often overlook modders tool.
Used to mount the fans.