Media Center

From Organic Design wiki
Revision as of 02:24, 16 February 2007 by Nad (talk | contribs) (Category:Projects)

A silent compact PC with an embedded OS and multimedia capability.

Specifications

  • 8 USB ports
  • 4 Firewire ports
  • Wireless networking 802.11
  • Fast ethernet
  • Boots from flash card or USB device
  • Video: Composite RGB (NTSC/PAL), VGA
  • Integrated multi-format flash-card reader (CF, xD, Memory Stick) NZ$35
  • Infra-red interface for remote control
  • Web-based interface
  • Audio in/out
  • Microphone input
  • Analogue (joystick) and switch inputs

Hardware

Note that the first hardware configuration is 'ideal' but a prototype could be made from lower spec components, suitable for the testing phase.

Product

  • VIA EPIA-TC10000 1GHz C3 (Nehemiah) & Mini-ITX with CF card option
  • Compact flash cards 128mb can be used by the motherboard to boot an OS
  • 512 mb CF card
  • 512 MB ram
  • Plug pack power supply
  • PCI 90 degree riser card (to mount PCI card on same horizontal as mother board)
  • Ethernet switch
  • Wireless Router/DSL
  • USB hub
  • Firewire hub
  • Heatsinks
  • Case
  • Knob
  • Sockets
  • Panels
  • LEDs
  • Microphone
  • IR photo-couple

Prototype

  • Any 1 ghz + x86 ITX integrated board (audio, video, ethernet on board)
  • Power supply
  • 128 MB ram
  • USB Flash Drive

Hacks Hardware additions to add to the user experience

Useful bits

  • Cases: Component stereo type cases, this will not look or sound like a PC
  • Fascia panels with RCA sockets or USB sockets
  • Heatsinks suitable for processor and/or power supply for passive cooling
  • Any other cool looking bits

Software

  • Boot from USB memory stick or compact flash card
  • Video player
  • Audio player plays all audio formats including
    • mp3
    • aiff, wave
    • ogg
  • Picture viewing and organising software (via ImageMagick)
  • File transfering and sharing software
  • Can handle multiple audio and video interfaces. To play different music to two different rooms for example.

Application

see interface for design aspects or nodeInterface and PERL-SDL-SWF for development

Resources