An invention...sort of

Update 18 September 2004: I have had this post in the pending queue for more than a month with the intention of posting it with some images and adding to it. However since it has been so long I don't know if that would happen to I am posting it as is.

Recently I was at a local flea market and purchased a "Walkman"-sized audio tape player for only $2. Why did I do this? So I could take it apart and try to use the spinning wheel to spin the mechanical tape counter and possibly create an illusion of a VHS tape wheels moving in the little window. I don't know if I can make that last one work, but I am reasonably certain I will be able to make the tape counter spin.

So far I have modded a tape player to be a tape player, albeit with the circuit board inside turned the other direction. Now I need a simple switch I can use to turn the spinning on and off.

Recently I came across the plastic/fiber glass/whatever-it-is used to cover up those tubular lights some people have in kitchens (that I can't seem to remember the name of). Perhaps it will take some effort to cut it up, perhaps not, but I think I've found my shelving material. I had a few requirements for the shelving:

• Extremely thin
  
• Stand up to extreme heat
  
• If/when it does melt, preferably non-toxic fumes result
  
• Sturdy
  

Actually I don't know if it would be non-toxic upon melting however I can safely assume since it was designed for covering up high wattage light bulbs it can stand extreme tempertures without melting. I also need to figure out how to securely fasten this theoretical shelf to the VCR casing so it won't go any where. I figure I'll make it large enough it covers as much of the inside as possible so I can attach in several places at once. Then I'll just attatch the motherboard to that and I should be all set.

For an update right now I still need the following parts for completion of the project (in rough order of importants):

1. CPU/heat sink and RAM
   
2. Video capture card (PVR 250)
   
3. Keyboard with built-in mouse
   
4. Some sort of "IR Blaster" to control channel changing
   
5. Chasis fans
   
6. sound-dapening material
   
7. DVD burner maybe...
   
8. May or may not need: "slimline" CD-ROM of some type, small/portable LCD screen
   

I've finally ordered one of these parts this week and will perhpas order one or more parts next week (I'm getting settled in a new job). The first three items are between $70 and and $150 and that can add up. Technically all I need to at least install an OS is the CPU/RAM.

On other hand for tasks I'm going to need the following (no particular order):

• Mount/secure shelf in/to VCR case
  
• Same for mobo to the the above shelf
  
• Mount PSU to VCR case
  
• Figure out locations/how many chasis fans
  
• Attach various LEDs to case
  
• Finish walkman-to-tapecounter idea complete with seperate on/off switch
  
• Dremel-down front input/output panel to flat on the back so I can attach to CD/DVD tray
  
• Lesser important: OS installation, testing, free tivo-like interface, final debugging, recording of first show...