VCR Computer

VCRs are old technology, so turning them into a computer would give you a new, out of the ordinary device.

In this Instructable, I will show you how to combine a computer and a VCR into one.

The computer is fully functional, uses the buttons from the VCR to turn it on and off, and is fan-equipped to prevent overheating.

If you like the original product, you can buy it here:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260360542044

Step 1 Materials

To make a VCR computer of your own, you will need a few things:

- A VCR that is somewhat bigger than 12"x10" and at least 3.5" tall
- A fully functional computer (Avoid using oversized heat sinks)
- A drill
- A fine line marker
- A soldering iron
- Glue gun and glue
- Metal cutting scissors (a steel cutting laser could work too)
- A bag of jolly good animal crackers

Comments

[PepperNetworks]

Absolutely - snacks are critical. When I get my head down into something I'm tinkering on and forget to eat...

That's when Murphy likes to sneak up on me :(

I just looked, and I have one last VCR in the house and an HTPC that is built and working, but in a case that won't fit in the entertainment center shelves.

Hmmm. What to do? ;-)

[fatboy106]

what exactly does it do?

[chello2k9]

It would make a great media center

[12Hippos]

It's pretty much a computer in a VCR. So it does everything your computer does.

[fatboy106]

cool

[Zerocool818]

I have the same motherboard but i cant find anything no company nothing where did you get yours

[zack247]

i am working on a project like this with a cable converter. i started a forum post. i am getting really annoyed with the psu. how much clearance did you get?

[ScubaSteve]

you shoule probably use Mini-ITX

[zack247]

but those are so much more expensive

[mr monoply33]

wow, I had a dead VCR and an extra mobo, yet this thought didn;t cross my mind. adding to this, set a cd drive or something in the VHS slot

[12Hippos]

I would love to add one, but the lack of space stopped me from doing so. i am currently looking for a laptop so that I can take the DVD-Drive from it.

[hcaz-301]

you could use a full laptop motherboard and kit so save space then the full set up can fit i  side something smaller ;)

[mr monoply33]

eew...
(^no offense^)
A laptop drive might look cool, but not last long or work as well, search around you can find a used DVD drive, and bring it down to bare parts, it'd probably be easier to mod to work in this situation too. If you have an idea in mind go for it thou, you might have trouble finding a laptop that died before the drive did lol.

Good luck
hope to see an update :)

[ScubaSteve]

I got around to making mine. The VHS slot was big enough for the disc tray, so i just mounted it so the tray opened and closed smoothly. Then i wired the eject button on the drive to the eject button on the VCR.

[Skater_j10]

Nice work, i made a PC similar to this only I used an old xbox case I got for $15 at a pawn shop. The original XBox's are going for pretty cheap these days and you get a bunch of other re-usable parts with it usually (controllers, A/C cable, etc.). Anyway just figured I'd let you know that I added your ible to our group called: Small form Factor If you, or anybody else, is interested you should join up!

[qwerty29]

you shold make one out of a vcr tv combo!

[tjmortenson]

ya that would be awesome if u could use the tv as a monitor

[mr monoply33]

throw in a $30 scan converter and you could easy

[livesteamfan]

I've been thinking of something similar to this. I was thinking of doing this to a record player, and, if possible, keep it as a working record player.

[ScubaSteve]

I have thought of this, although i will probably use the case of a VER from the 80's, because i like the retro look.

[The Real Dave]

Best not to use anywhere near a powerful computer for a mod like this. A nice little Celeron or PIII would work well, very little heat output. Placing the PSU on the HDD like that might cause problems with heat, seeing as they both generate alot of it :S Also, you might look into laptop parts? Smaller parts, generally lower heat emmisions, so might be more suitable for a project like this :D Great Instructable though, nice idea.

[The Real Dave]

EDIT: Another nice addition to something like this would be a TV tuner card, allowing you to watch and record TV on your VRC PC :D

[moecool101]

How do you get the motherboard out??? I am haveing trouble with it, it has little white and black arrow like pegs sticking out from the bottom of the case holding the motherboard in place but they are hard as hell to take out??? what do i do???

[twocvbloke]

Snip them off with some side cutters, they're rubbish and annoying things...

[12Hippos]

you're supposed to push both pins together at the same time, then gently pull out the motherboard

[FreeTom]

Awesomesauce, my friend has that exact same VCR. Nice instructable. I'm going to set one up as a HTPC with my old spare parts.

[Xellers]

Good job. I've got about twenty computers that were garbage before I fixed them. now I can try to put them to good use...

[lemonie]

(following my previous comment) I did something different with my VCR.

L

[Xellers]

Love it.

[mikedoth]

I like this. Makes use of something being thrown out all too often (see them on Craigslist every day or two). I think I might try this if I can manage to fit in a DVD-Drive in it somehow.

[JamFish]

You Can...it'll cost a bit, but they're selling slim DVD-Drives now which should fit inside the case(and with a little more modding you can make it pop out through the tape insert).

[dennis123123]

In step 1 picture you have a square around the drive bays saying "power supply" :) Good job other than that little mistake!

[12Hippos]

oops. I kinda did make a mistake there, thanks for telling me

[sstables42]

Nice resourcefulness! I keep stubbornly hanging on to a couple VCRs, despite my wife's complaints. Now I have a good excuse to hang on to them! Thanks

[larry9530]

In terms of the VCR Computer, it is suppose to be just that -- A VCR computer. So all of you that want to put in a DVD player and does not have the room, what did you expect. Here is an idea. Convert your DVD (programs included) disks, to tape and you won't have a problem. Problem solved

[emellqui]

I tried this about a year ago, but had to abandon the design because I couldn't get a DVD drive to fit anywhere. You'd probably have to go to a bunch of smaller components to make that work (mini-itx board, external psu, 2.5" hard drive, etc.).

[mrmath]

OK, instructables community. I have a question for you all. This is a full fledged instructable, so it qualifies for being her. BUT, it has a link to an eBay auction where he's selling it. Does this count as SPAM? I'm torn. Part of me says yes, it is, as he's selling it. But most of me says that it's a full fledged instructable on how to do something different and unique, so it's not SPAM. What do you think?

[cyrozap]

Not spam. Spam is like "Click this link to get started so you can get your FREE (expensive item goes here)!" It isn't a referral link, it's just a link to his ebay auction. That's not a referral.

[lemonie]

Ooh! I'm excited, as soon as I replace my old 'n' chunky VCR I'm seriously going to have a look at doing this. Good idea L

[ikssk]

I would make it a media PC and put a blue-ray player in there just to spice things up a bit.