Super VCR Mod!!

First steps: 15th May 2004
Welcome to the attempt at modding an old VCR into a fully usuable PC. Since I finally have this sub-domain and all the images uploaded I can actually show you the before image that I so cleverly captured before I started. Here's what we got:



This is the way VCRs were made in the pre-1984 type era. Note the dial channel changers and RCA connectors on the front (which was a good idea but isn't done much anymore). The tape loader ejected up above the rest, you insert the cassete and push it back down. Very mechanical and 1930's sci-fi movie. Here's a another pic to give you an idea of the shear size of this montstrocity:



Try comparing a CD to your own VCR for the significance of this. And of course there's the back and top of the thing, as follows:





Now let me stop a moment and say I'm using the cheapest possible digital camera in existance. My sister got it for free from a friend (who got it for free) and gave up on it because of the seeming poor quality. But with some experimentation it appears you can pretty much make out what the image is. I just had to make the camera stationary on the ground and make as much light as possible (thus why most images will be taken outside). But I digress.

Further progress: 16th May 2004

Now on Sunday I did some further gutting of the VCR. Turns out this particular VCR is so big it has to compartments, large "motherboard" (that's what I'll call the largest of the circuit boards) and many, many circuit boards. Not to mention stainless steel, endless bundles wires, plastic wrapped around bundles of wires, and way, WAY too many drive belts and and unnecessary moving parts. Here is the initial image of the bottom of the "motherboard":



Next is a rough shot of half way gutted:



Then a little more progress: