As mentioned in my previous post, I have an effectively headless Macbook Core Duo 2 2.16 that I plan to use as my Media Center Mac. I've been casting around for case ideas, and returning again and again to two different ones: Fit it all into a Mac Plus case (or two) or use the plastic packing frames that come in Xserve packaging.
Today I decided to go with the latter for three reasons. Adding a secondary LCD to the Mac Plus case will be overkill. The low, wide form factor of the Xserve cases will be less trouble in a tv stand, and no one has ever done it before. I can't find any example anywhere of some case modder using these heavy duty, nice looking plastic parts to make a case.
So for that reason alone, I have to do it.
The picture above shows my current working simple layout. I'm going with the possibly trickier front load DVD slot because it will be much more user friendly than a side slot. This also puts most of the ports on the back, where I want them anyway. This means the case will be bigger than if I arranged the MacBook wide rather than long, but it is really necessary.
Still up for debate: whether to remove the broken LCD and lid entirely. I really want to salvage the mic and iSight, but taking the LCD out would cool things and maybe give me more room. I doubt I'll run out of that, though the case will include at least one USB hub inside it, the EyeTV 250 (the yellow paper is its stand in) the power brick and the HDMI video adapter.
Also uncertain: What to use for a lid when it is all done. I might just attach it to the underside of a shelf in the media cabinet when we get one, effectively making it more of a drawer than a case.
So, nothing too exciting to report about this now, but I expect the project to gather some speed this weekend, when I have some fabrication time and all the parts should be in. I'm currently waiting on a new bigger internal drive and an external IR controller.
Quick update: ABS plastic & Hard Drive install
Two things. Got a new 7200 RPM 320 GB drive from newegg and man, this MacBook is snappy now! It cold boots to the desktop in about 5 seconds!
Also, I noticed a label on the Xserve shells, and they are ABS plastic, at least 3/16ths/5mm thick. This is some heavy duty plastic, though it drills well and can be hot knife cut.
Nice to have spares to use for shims, mount brackets, and test cutting.
Arrivals, Purchases, Plans
Saturday the last part required for putting the Xmacbook in to service arrived, my Manta IR receiver.The tea that spilled on the machine back when it was a macbook corroded or shorted some part of the built in IR, meaning that while the Xmacbook worked fine as a media mac, I had to have a keyboard handy to control it.
More to the point, my wife would have to have one, rather than a remote. Not acceptable.
So now, using twistedmelon.com's Mira software and their Manta remote, we're back in business for $39 with shipping. As an added benefit, the Manta can support IR blasters, so if we decided to hide all the AV equipment, only the Manta will have to peek out.
Also purchased ABS cement and some dremel parts at the local hardware store. Tip #1 for those following me: Read the instructions on the cement before using it. ABS gluing does NOT require a primer as PVC gluing does.
Now if it would just warm up a bit so I can work in the shop.
Hot Knife Cutting
I'm skipping the hot knife cutting technique explained in this instructable because I can't find the tips he suggests for the larger size torch I have. Luckily I have about 8 of these case halves so I have pieces to practice on.
A shame though, because that method looks easy, quick and neat. Maybe I'll change my mind after trying the dremel cut off wheels.
Got my HDTV!
Last night I went to Crutchfield and picked up a very nice and "affordable" Samsung 50" DLP HDTV. Set up was pretty easy, though I still need to fiddle with tuning the picture a bit, I think, and I still have some cables on order. But overall, I'm very impressed with it and think I'll like it more as time goes on. For the price, there's no touching that size and resolution!
Still to come: