Hey, guys. I've been wanting to do a project for a while and I keep getting new ideas in my head, especially as I find out what hardware and software are available. I will be doing a Nintendo HTPC project. I want to build a Mini-ITX system inside a Nintendo, leaving it appearing stock on the outside. I want to load it with frontend gaming software (Maximus Arcade or the like) and thought it would be cool to use it to play DVD's.
After learning that frontend software (I hope I use that term correctly) is available for home pc's (with XP Home), it was a no-brain decision for me to use it. I like the idea of booting a machine and having it go directly into the software I want, with a 'stock' feel.
I then thought it would be a cool idea to not only use it for gaming playback, but to have it act just like a conventional dvd player (IE: no complicated menus, no pc-like interaction (mouse/keyboard), etc). I thought perhaps I could boot the pc and have multiple profiles made up in XP - one for NES and one for DVD. If I chose the DVD, then it would act just as, say, my Panasonic player would act when I turn it on (just showing a graphic, waiting until a DVD is inserted).
So a few of my questions...
I also want to put an IR receiver in the unit, but leave it extremely inconspicuous. In addition to that, I want to find a smallish remote because I'm going to attempt modding a Nintendo/NES remote to be the DVD player remote control. I'm not real familiar with making my own custom wafer stuff, so I'm unsure if I could do my own infrared receiver from scratch (though I'm sure I could learn), but I'd like to have it somewhere on the until where it's not noticeable, so small size and customizeability are extremely important.
I found something like this, but I'd like to know if there's anything that would suit me better.
Antec.com - Veris
I figure it's probably that I could mod it (ditch most of the faceplate) and mount it flush on the HTPC (Nintendo) case. In "more views" on that page, note the smallish remote which could possibly/probably be modded.
In the end the goal is to be able to use this remote, hopefully looking like an NES controller, as a standard DVD remote would be used (play/pause, etc, and work seamlessly with the DVD software to act like a standalone DVD player.
2ndly, in my research I read about "frontend" software to run emulators/games. I like the idea of booting the machine and not seeing windows. My questions is, is there anything like that for DVD software that would keep everything SIMPLE? I'm not looking for super customization with this machine. I'm looking to get all the software on it in a way that a five year old could navigate it. I am semi versed in Paint Shop Pro/Photoshop, so making a custom opening screen isn't a problem and customization is fine, but in the end I'd like the final product to boot without multiple clicks, etc.
Those are the only questions I have for now. The goal is to basically make this a bedroom DVD player/old school gaming unit that someone could run in their sleep. If anyone has any other cool ideas, feel free to lay them on me.
Thanks for reading and I hope some of you can point me in the right direction.
After learning that frontend software (I hope I use that term correctly) is available for home pc's (with XP Home), it was a no-brain decision for me to use it. I like the idea of booting a machine and having it go directly into the software I want, with a 'stock' feel.
I then thought it would be a cool idea to not only use it for gaming playback, but to have it act just like a conventional dvd player (IE: no complicated menus, no pc-like interaction (mouse/keyboard), etc). I thought perhaps I could boot the pc and have multiple profiles made up in XP - one for NES and one for DVD. If I chose the DVD, then it would act just as, say, my Panasonic player would act when I turn it on (just showing a graphic, waiting until a DVD is inserted).
So a few of my questions...
I also want to put an IR receiver in the unit, but leave it extremely inconspicuous. In addition to that, I want to find a smallish remote because I'm going to attempt modding a Nintendo/NES remote to be the DVD player remote control. I'm not real familiar with making my own custom wafer stuff, so I'm unsure if I could do my own infrared receiver from scratch (though I'm sure I could learn), but I'd like to have it somewhere on the until where it's not noticeable, so small size and customizeability are extremely important.
I found something like this, but I'd like to know if there's anything that would suit me better.
Antec.com - Veris
I figure it's probably that I could mod it (ditch most of the faceplate) and mount it flush on the HTPC (Nintendo) case. In "more views" on that page, note the smallish remote which could possibly/probably be modded.
In the end the goal is to be able to use this remote, hopefully looking like an NES controller, as a standard DVD remote would be used (play/pause, etc, and work seamlessly with the DVD software to act like a standalone DVD player.
2ndly, in my research I read about "frontend" software to run emulators/games. I like the idea of booting the machine and not seeing windows. My questions is, is there anything like that for DVD software that would keep everything SIMPLE? I'm not looking for super customization with this machine. I'm looking to get all the software on it in a way that a five year old could navigate it. I am semi versed in Paint Shop Pro/Photoshop, so making a custom opening screen isn't a problem and customization is fine, but in the end I'd like the final product to boot without multiple clicks, etc.
Those are the only questions I have for now. The goal is to basically make this a bedroom DVD player/old school gaming unit that someone could run in their sleep. If anyone has any other cool ideas, feel free to lay them on me.
Thanks for reading and I hope some of you can point me in the right direction.
