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A project log for HTPC in DVD Recorder Case

Building a Home Theater PC (Media Centre) in an old Sony RDR-GX3 DVD Recorder

rainingheavyRainingheavy 07/26/2016 at 21:180 Comments

I am already part way through the project, but I decided to log it on here in case it interests anyone, and more importantly, so I can remember how it all goes together...

The project started with an ITX media PC rescued from the bin at work. I realised that the motherboard holes matched u-ATX, and that the case had /just/ enough room to fit a u-ATX PC - I'm the sort of person that has spare PCs lying around... This only worked with a pico-PSU, and with no fan on the low-profile CPU cooler. it worked fine on the old, low dual core, but after upgrading to a quad core it was struggling, and eventually, the PSU died.

Looking for a better, bigger case I realised that I had a DVD recorder that had never been used, and never would. It came second hand from a colleague. Most importantly, it was bigger, taller, and matched the rest of my "stack".

The Sony RDR-GX3 was stripped, and I made a drawing of all the screw-holes in order to make a plate with which to mount the motherboard. (The file will be attached somewhere.) It was then laser-cut out of 2mm Poly-carbonate at work; only a couple of holes needed altering, but it was essentially perfect.

The motherboard was laid in place, and its holes traced, drilled and standoffs inserted.

Next I will look at mounting the drives, starting with the DVD drive - it is to line up with the original DVD drive.

On a side note, the original drive is a standard PC IDE drive. Unfortunately, it encroaches on the motherboard, and so will be replaced with a low profile laptop style drive.

Please note, these photos are staged...

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