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.

Check this concept out for a touchscreen jukebox from a guy setting up shop locally.

http://i.imgur.com/hvYWGoj.jpg

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thank you open6l but no, i don't like his concept, too big, too bulky

but check here some other designs that i like more :
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=85953.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ4OPoheehI


i want my juke to be small and easyly portable, even if i must use external speakers.
in fact the wooden cover i chose is also problematic : too small to contain everything, i may be forced to built a kind of case below the sewing machine cover, for the atx poxer supply, and/or speakers and/or the amplifier. like mountain did on his project.

other people who read this, if you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to talk

wow so many comments !!!, i can see you are waiting for some news....
or maybe a mad pinball serial hater came across and cut all your fingers so you cant play pin anymore (and no more keyboard typing of course) ?????

here we go !

as i said i needed to make a lower box to fit the general power supply, the amplifier, and some speakers and gadgets

The 2 reinforcements under the top plank will be usefull to screw the computer+screen in place (still missing some holes for air circulation and cable management)


- back side = atx power supply on the middle, and air intake on one side. on the other side there will be the external speakers plugs and some usb plugs as well.



- front side, = hole for the audio amplifier on the center. missing holes for the integrated speakers OR some smal luminglass sound reactive light show. can't make a choice for this.



when finished it should look like this +/-


now the upper part :

the wooden cover is cut for the touch monitor. and i've also cut some pieces of hard steel to support all the electronic-computer+screen block. also made some steel pieces to secure the cover on the loxer case, using the original Singer brass locks (lot of time to clean them correctly.)
.








i will have to make a vent on the back of the cover for air exhaust. 80, 90 ou 120mm, depends on the fan i will chose.

last pic : my starving cat yelling "feed me!"


thats all for now, wait for the next next episode.
.

nice work so far !

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update : :
see photos below,
that moves forward not bad, the main part of the work is done on the top, remains 2 - 3 details as holes for the aeration + fan on the back, cable management, connections (distribution of power supply to the elements and some adjustments and then i will start the long "cosmetic" part.

For the lower part, I found the amplified pc speakers, remains to pierce the facade accordingly and to finish the back face with sound and usb plugs + a small switch selector to chose between integrated speakers or external ones withe the front amplifier.
then i will need to work the esthetics. Not decided how yet.

The dissipator on the last photo of the comment = new problem:
the front amplifier normally uses its pink frame to dissipate heat. i cant use this part inside so i will have to screw a new one with a little fan, just in case...

what do you think ?

Looking good... Those side latches remind me of an old sewing machine

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well actually, it IS a wood cover from an old broken Singer sewing machine
it was the almost the perfect size for this project, so instead of building a case out of wood i simply decided to give it a try. and i am pretty pleased with the result. i thought it would give a nice "retro touch" for a jukebox

hahahahaha.... I knew it

Reminds me of my mom's old Singer sewing machine from the 70s

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