ok i don't know if it is the kind of side project expected here, but this is my current project. it is a work in progress so it can take some time before i add new things and pictures to show the evolution.
i have always wanted to centralise all my music in one spot, and being able to launch any soundtrack when i want, just with the tip of my finger.
i thought during some months about how to do it, and started to collect parts to built this jukebox. it will use :
- a 15" elo touchscreen (the kind you find in supermarkets) with serial link to the pc, and external 12v power supply = no need ! i will power the lcd with the atx power supply.
-an amd dualcore3ghz, 1goddr2, onboard vga (no need for an external pcie card here.), onboard soundchip ( will play mp3 so no need for pci hq card)
to keep it small, i have mounted the motherboard and HDD directly on the back of the lcd; using the 4 vesa holes to screw an atx plate cut from a standard atx pc case.
then i will have to figure out how to mount the pc+screen block in the case. should be easy with the 2 mounting screws on the sides of the lcd.
you can see it on temporary stand on the pictures :



for the sound part, i think i will go "hybrid" . some pc speakers in the case to make it portable and easy, AND a small 60w amplifier, to connect real external speakers when i need big sound. this kind of amplifier from dealextreme should do and the 12v power can be taken on the pc power supply :


but until recently i had no idea about how to build the casing of the jukebox. and last week i found the last missing item . and guess what ? it is a wooden cover from an old SINGER sewing machine. quite the best size for this project, with a nice "retro touch"


if you want to see how it will look like, here is a preview :

well that's all fo now, there is still a lot of work to do before it is finished. i will post here when it evolves.