Projects

Media Player

OVERVIEW

In this project I wanted to create a Media Player for the living room. It will be used only for playback of the content.

Key Highlights:

- a smaller form factor case

- configuration based on a mobile CPU for lower heat emission

- Mini-ITX motherboard COMMELL LV-677 with PCI-Express slot

- additional PCI-E video card with underscan and DVI/HDMI output

- 2.5” hard drive to further eliminate noise. HDD enclosure is also an option.

- potentially added external USB TV tuner later

- motherboard audio with SPDIF output with 5.1 channels

HARDWARE

Summary

Case:	A-Tech Fabrication Mini-Client 2500
Motherboard:	COMMELL LV-677 Intel Core Duo Mini-ITX express www.commell.com.tw/Product/SBC/LV-677.HTM   Chipset: Intel 945 GM and ICH7-M. VGA Interface: Intel 945 GM integrated GMA 950 Technology. LVDS Interface: 18-bit dual channel LVDS interface. Supports up to WUXGA panel resolution. TV out: HDTV built-in. LAN Interface: Intel 82537L PCIE Giga LAN PCI Enhanced IDE: UltraATA100 IDE up to 2 ATAPI . Serial ATA: Integrated Serial ATA controller with 2 ports. Audio: Intel ICH7-M integrated with Realtek ALC880 High Definition Audio. I/O Ports: 1 x RS232 and 1 x RS232/422/485 Serial Ports, 1 x Parallel port, 6 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x DB15 VGA port, 1 x IEEE1394, 1 x PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports. Extended Interface: One PCI Express x 16 bus add-in card connector, 2 x Mini-PCI socket. SSD: IDE1 supports DOM & 1 x CompactFlash socket. GPIO Interface: Onboard programmable 8-bit Digital I/O interface.
CPU:	Intel Core Solo T1300 1.6 GHz
RAM:	1 GB (CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667)
Video Card:	VGA ASUS EN7600GT/HTDI/256M
Audio Card:	onboard 5.1 audio
HDTV Tuner:	Hauppage WinTV-HVR-950
TV Tuner:	no
Card Reader:	no
Hard Drive:	2.5” - need to research
Optical Drive:	need to research
Keyboard, Mouse:	Gyration keyboard and mouse
CPU Cooler:	fanless case solution with heatpipes
GPU Cooler	heatpipes
Case fan:	no
Remote:	existing Microsoft Remote
Power Supply:	DC 12V
Network:	onboard Gigabit LAN
Acoustic Mat:	optional
PCI-E Raiser	PCI-Express Raiser Card

Case

A-TechFabrication mini-client 2500 case

www.atechfabrication.com/products/mini_client_2500.htm

$750

Dimensions - 17-1/2" wide x 15-1/2" deep x 2-1/2" high with feet

IR Receiver

External Microsoft USB IR Receiver.

VFD

Matrix Orbital

K202-24-USB $104.00

VFD RED 20X2 FILTER $8.35

www.matrixorbital.com/product_info.php?pName=vk20224usb&cName=lcd-character-vfds

Motherboard

COMMELL LV-677

www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/cPath/78_75/products_id/552

$322

Processor

Intel Core Solo T1300 1.6 GHz

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819111180

$315

Memory

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145568

$74.99

Video Card

VGA ASUS EN7600GT/HTDI/256M

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121028

$203.99

Raiser Card

PCI-Express Raiser Card

$12.50

www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/cPath/47_68/products_id/456

TV Tuner

Hauppage WinTV-HVR-950

www.tigerdirect.com

$85.00

Power Adapter

AC-DC 12V, 8.5A Switching Power Adapter 110W

http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/cPath/40_64/products_id/182

$39

Hard Drive

Seagate Momentus ST980825AS 80 GB SATA

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822146228

$109.99

Used 2.5” drive for a more quiet operation...

Optical Drive

Pioneer DVR-K06 Slot Loading

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827129003

$75

SlimCD IDE Adaptor

www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/products_id/462

$8

Slimline CD to desktop IDE adapter is converting a notebook style CD-ROM or DVD drive 50 pin connector to a notebook enhanced IDE (ATA) 44 pin connector.

SOFTWARE

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista installation went smoothly

BIOS

Phoenix BIOS 1.2 (with COMMELL motherboard)

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