Hidden Computer

I was tired of running my file server on wireless but I didn't want to have a computer case sitting in my living room. My solution was to build my server into a cabinet that sits a foot or so from my entertainment center and router. It's out of sight!

Comments

[Randy J.T]

i would use a mainboard with a built in cpu such as the ASRock Q1900M.

no cpu fan there and if you find a fanless PSU even better. however, if you want a real silent file server you might want to use a rasperry with a linux on it. depending on your config you might be able to use a 1TB ssd ...

[fabiosoft]

What about fans? Will them produce a lot of noise?

[acedubson]

The fans make a small amount of noise, but it's mostly inaudible with the cabinet door shut. I just used old fans that I had sitting around, but you could purchase quiet fans if you wanted.

[amason9]

Hi

Nice stealth setup there. Definitely a possibility for a home brew PVR.

I've done something very similar - I installed a computer in a side cabinet in our entertainment unit with a TV card to run our pay TV over Ethernet to replace a wireless transmitter setup that interferes with our wireless (for the most part anyway - I'll retain the transmitter for IR until I figure out another way). I had a board in there but the TV card I had was missing a vital cable to connect to the audio outputs on the set top box. On the plus side, I have in-principal wife approval for the build - it's out of sight so she doesn't even think about it.

As for digital TV I plan to use a HDHomeRun. AU$160 and it hooks straight into Windows Media Center anywhere you can get a network connection (which, thanks to wireless, is anywhere).

[computergeek321]

cool and make it to record tv shows

[acedubson]

Thanks! I do have plans to get it set up to record TV and do a little light video conversion. My next project is going to be building a custom case for a dedicated Boxee machine.