CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

VideoGrabber · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 933 Location: Michigan

Dave commented:
> The other downside is you need something a bit more costly than $250-400 worth of D-VHS machines to play it back! <

A $179 Popcorn-Hour, or similar Sigma8635-based media player ought to handle that side of the equation.

VideoGrabber · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 933 Location: Michigan

ecrabb wrote:
> I'd just use an HDCP stripper, and feed the unprotected HDMI right into a BlackMagic card. <

Good choice for preserving the PQ (and the $249 Intensity is s good deal), but a bit inconvenient at 96 MBit/sec (MJPEG, their lowest rate format... uncompressed is 960 MBit/sec). Then a bit of CPU time to grind that down to a more manageable 18 MBit/sec or so MPEG-2.

ecrabb · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject:

Good points by all!

This stuff sure is complicated compared to the old VHS days. In some ways, I long for the simplicity of an F-connector and a clock flashing 12:00.

OK, no I don't.

OK, yes I do. I long for the simplicity, but not the crap picture quality.

Smile

SC

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:08 am Post subject:

Ahhh 12:00

ecrabb · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:26 am Post subject:

Guys,

Finally finished (OK, mostly) the rack, and thought I'd post a couple of photos of the progress.

Installed a new Integra DHC 9.9 prepro, finished shelves, new door on the back with latch and handle, wire duct (cable management), Tripp Lite power strip, Niles AC-3 triggered outlet to drive amps, and pseudo dressed. At some point, I'd like to replace some of the cables with matching pieces of shorter lengths, etc. But, for now, it's a VAST improvement over the old incarnation. I've already said it a couple of times, but it used to look like the Monoprice warehouse exploded in my rack. Here's a few photos....

Finished front view:

I just need to fill the brad holes and tweak a couple of things. I'm thinking about selling off the HTPC case (which has never even had a computer in it) and taking it out of the rack, and putting the computer in a different room. The equipment is noise enough as it is, and I don't think I'll need physical access to it since I probably won't be using the optical drive for any playback.

Back w/the door open:

Still a few things to do, but I'm pretty happy w/how it's looking so far.

Closeup of the backs of the Crown XLS-202D amps:

I really like the Speakon speaker connectors on the Crowns - They're SO much better than banana plugs. Much more secure and very strong and high quality. They are to banana plug/jacks what BNC or XLR is to RCA.

Closeup of the Integra prepro and Extron switcher with HD Fury and Kim's BUF2000:

AMX Axcent automation controller is on top. You can see it's not connected via serial or IR to anything, yet. That's because I'm still working on the GUI and programming. I'll wire it up when I'm ready to start testing code.

Anyway, I put a lot of time into getting it to this point from where it was, and thought a few of you might enjoy seeing the rack all spiffy. Next up are a few new photos of the rest of the theater since I trimmed the room and of the screen wall since I trimmed the screen out in velveteen. Those were both major improvements.

SC

rabies_70 · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:28 am Post subject:

That is one sweet wire management setup Mr Crabb. Nicely done.

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10270

Int eh "Back w/the door open:" picture you have three units of something (filing cabinets)? Are these storage for all of your DVDs?

ecrabb · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Ray!

Wan, I wish... I had to get rid of a Steelcase desk, but kept the drawers. They're leftovers. Nobody will buy those things (the commercial desks, I mean). I bought it the nice desk for $150 when a company I worked for bought new furniture. I had it 3 or 4 years and decided to get rid of it.

First I tried to sell it for $100, then $50, then I decided to just donate it... But, nobody would take it. So, then I put it on Craigslist for free. No takers for a month or so. So, I threw the desk and return in the dumpster and kept the drawer cabinets because they're really nice drawers. I'm going to put casters on them and use them in my work hole after the rest of the basement is finished.

SC

overclkr · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 4227

Very nice!!!!!! I have the same power strip in my rack. Very Happy

Cliff

ecrabb · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Cliff! Hey, I don't think I've ever seen pics of your rack or really even any of your room since it was really finished. I remember pics of the stack of equipment for the first meet when you had everything "temped" in for the first meet (I think), but I don't think I've ever really seen anything but "meet" pics?!!? Do you have an album somewhere?

SC

overclkr · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 4227

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Is that some piece of metal contraption underneath holding up your rack?

Like I said before...very high quality installation SC.

**kal** · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

Beautiful Steve. Nice cable management!

Kal

ecrabb · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks, guys! Greg, that's a Niles AC3 triggered outlet set on the floor. That makes the Crown amps turn on and off with the Integra prepro. I had to mod it to handle 3 amps, but it works perfectly!

SC

jask · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 10187 Location: kamloops BC

Very clean! that rack back is almost as pretty as the front.
Are the components vented to the theater room or do you have some kind of venting at the rear?

GarenT · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 38 Location: Chicago,USA

Looking good Crabby!!!! The place is shaping up great! Looking really Swedish! Wink

I am guessing this was all done for the party? Sorry again I could not come Sad

How was it?? Makes me think everyone should have a party at least once a year so we all wrap up those odd and ends before all our discerning friends come over!!!

GT

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject:

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

SC, everything looks SUPER. It looks like a great Setup. But there's one bad spot...

In your rack, below the Denon receiver... there's this white vertical box.... it almost looks like ..... an xbox Shocked

Why would you have one of thos nasty things in a beautiful rack like that???....

A ps3 would look SMOKING in that space!! Then you could go online and race folks in Gran Turismo!!!!

That would be AWESOME
Thumbs Up

Super Setup Dude! Congrats!!!

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks, John!!!!

Heh heh... I HAVE a PS3 - it's hiding in that same space - right on top of the VCR. You can just barely see it.

The PS3 is my BD player, so I use it constantly. I'm going to take the LD player out and get rid of it so I can drop the PS3 down - it's a little tough to find the slot to get the disk in and out and I can't see the buttons at all. The 360 is there almost exclusively for Halo 3. I have a couple of friends I get together with and we play every once in a blue moon. Halo 3 on the 360 and Gran Turismo are about the only two games I play on the rare occasions I get the chance (or take the opportunity) to play. For me it's like... "OK, kids are in bed, it's 10pm, wife doesn't want to watch a movie (a rare occurrence)... What do I do? Play a game or watch a movie?" Usually, I watch a movie.

Games are definitely awesome, though. Gran Turismo is pretty amazing. Running the 'ring in a Z06... It's about as close to the real thing as I'll probably every get. I need to pick up some 1" square tube aluminum and weld up some sort of a steering wheel/pedal frame that clamps onto my chair or something. My seating distance makes it REALLY immersive. I love it - just wish I had more time to play (drive).

I do need to get a black faceplate for the 360 so it isn't such a "turd in a punchbowl". Wink

SC

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:55 pm Post subject: