Wall Mounted MP3 jukebox

[CitznFish]

Anyone have pics or details on these?  I am wiring my rec room with 4 ceiling speakers and plan on constructing one of these boxes. I figure i can power the speakers with a car amp and the entire jukebox should be able to mount on the wall into some studs. It should swing open for maintenence.  I have an old laptop I was thinking of disassembling for the flat screen. Never tried anything like this before, what is everyone's opinion?

[BobA]

Cyberpunk sells plans for his implementation of a wall mounted jukebox.

As for building your own from a laptop sometimes the relocation of the screen is difficult.  It depends on the vintage of your laptop and how the screen is connected.  

BobA

[CitznFish]

i don't think he sells those plans anymore. I remember seeing a few example images as well but those seem to be gone too...

[Ted_Striker]

Laptop screen may be more trouble than they are worth... they are very expensive to hook to a PC (I'm guessing if you have a laptop you are willing to rip apart that it is probably pretty slow.  Slow laptop may not run VMJ well).  I would start thinking LCD monitor for a wall mount project.  Also with the car amp idea... I am not sure of the magnetic properites of a car amp.  Remember magnets+computers are bad.

Good luck on your project.

[CitznFish]

Laptop screen may be more trouble than they are worth... they are very expensive to hook to a PC (I'm guessing if you have a laptop you are willing to rip apart that it is probably pretty slow.  Slow laptop may not run VMJ well).  I would start thinking LCD monitor for a wall mount project.  Also with the car amp idea... I am not sure of the magnetic properites of a car amp.  Remember magnets+computers are bad.

Good luck on your project.

This is the kind of info i'm looking for. I thought the car amp may put off to much heat as well. I prob. could shield the computer if I had to.

The laptop I was think of just leaving it folded open. It's fairly new, (P3 1 ghz I think). My office got new laptops for everyone and i kept my old one since it was going to be tossed out.

Would there be another way to amplify the sound? It's going through 4 JBL ceiling speakers and Ceiling mounted sub woofer...

[johnc]

Heres my $0.02:

Simplest way to amplify your PC's output is to take a stndard audio cable with 1/8" stereo jackplug from your PC soundcard's line output into your home audio amplifier's tuner, CD or auxiliary input - works fine for me!

N.B. DO NOT plug it into the amplifier's 'phono' input at ANY cost - guaranteed to fry your amplifier due to the (much) more sensitive input.

ALSO - leave all eq attenuation in Winamp/media player completely FLAT - use the audio amplifier to colour the sound. If you boost any frequencies before inputting into the amplifier you run the risk of frying it again with any spikes in the music playback.

Good luck bro'

John

[helios]

Have you thought of maybe throwing a touchscreen lcd in there, and then hooking it up to the comp inside? You can get 12" touchscreens pretty cheap up on ebay (~$90-100). It would also make it seem a little more hi-tech...

[CitznFish]

yeah, i had contemplated that. I don't think I'm going to use the laptop now anyway.  Just a small mobo with peripherals mounted inside the jukebox.  My biggest concern now is how to amplify the sound. I am using 4 JBL 26c and 1 JBL 19cs, but really don't know what amplifiers to use or how to fit one inside the jukebox.  price is an issue too. I didn't want to spend more than 200.oo - 300.oo on am amplifier. (2 channel is acceptable since the subwoofer has a built in crossover.


basically everything is still in planning mode except speakers and the fact that I want to mount it on a wall.

[CitznFish]

the first sentence should read

I had not contemplated that


i keep getting "invalid URL' errors when hitting 'modify'


i was hoping to get this to function just like a regular jukebox minus the coin mechs.  Is there software that emulates buttons for song selection, page forward or back, etc?

[tmasman]

If you're planning on running the wires behind the wall (behind the jukebox), then couldn't you just put your amplifier in the ceiling? Maybe even next to one of the speakers.

To power a car audio amp, you'll need a seperate power supply (either PC PS or AC-12V DC converter [not a power brick!]).  You could just use a power strip inside the Jukebox (1 power cable going to the JB) and run an extension cord along with the audio cables to the amp. (You'll need shielded audio cables for that run though).

That way the JB will just put out normal digital output, but your speakers in the room would all be amplified.

How are you planning on controlling the JB? (what kind of buttons etc...).
Will this JB be permanently attached to the house, or possibly move with you in the future?

I don't know why I'm so inquisitive... I just thought this was a cool idea & hadn't thought of doing it.  Just lots of thoughts and ideas flowing through the head right now.

[CitznFish]

If you're planning on running the wires behind the wall (behind the jukebox), then couldn't you just put your amplifier in the ceiling? Maybe even next to one of the speakers.

To power a car audio amp, you'll need a seperate power supply (either PC PS or AC-12V DC converter [not a power brick!]).  You could just use a power strip inside the Jukebox (1 power cable going to the JB) and run an extension cord along with the audio cables to the amp. (You'll need shielded audio cables for that run though).

That way the JB will just put out normal digital output, but your speakers in the room would all be amplified.

How are you planning on controlling the JB? (what kind of buttons etc...).
Will this JB be permanently attached to the house, or possibly move with you in the future?

I don't know why I'm so inquisitive... I just thought this was a cool idea & hadn't thought of doing it.  Just lots of thoughts and ideas flowing through the head right now.

I wanted easy access to the amp in case it ever needed to be replaced. i absolutely hate going into the attic.

The Jukebox will be perm. mounted to the wall with wiring to the ceiling speakers inside the wall.I do not plan on moving for at least 10 years. I'm imagining something ~2' x 3' . Maybe a touch screen, but I originally planned on a keypad and arrow buttons for song selection and page selection with an LCD screen for display. Maybe a credit button in case I later want to add coin mechs. I was going to light it up from the inside with cold cathode ray tubes.

The amp is what's making this difficult. I've heard I can and i can't do it with a car amp.  The speakers are 75W and i only need 2 channels. I originally thought I'd run my TV sound through the amp/speakers as well, but might just use the TV's own speakers since the original plan would require a digital switch of some sort. I guess I could add thatswitch later since the wiring will be in place anyway (better safe than sorry)

Still looking for ideas and opinions from anyone interested in offering theirs.

[AlanS17]

Hmmm... big fire hazard in the attic...  

*Disclaimer* I've got ADD so my mind travels and this post is all over the place...

Even my old 200MHz machine played MP3's like a charm back in the day. Just about anything that still powers up will probably be enough. Otherwise, those mini-itx mobos look like a small, quiet solution. You can get the cheaper models with built-in audio, video, processor, tv-out, usb for probably under $100. Just add a basic power supply, some memory, and a hard drive and you're off to the races. You don't need a fancy machine for MP3's. Did I mention they require so little power that they are fanless (silent)?

Here's a prime example.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3427142366&category=1244

As for the amp, (quality) car audio very often seems to be more expensive than home audio of the same specs and it doesn't even offer the same features half the time. I think a cheap home audio amp would do the job nicely. Putting it somewhere, however, is a little more difficult...

You also may wanna consider a really great set of PC speakers with mounting hardware. It will be less than half the price and I can guarante great results.

I had brought in my $200 Logitech speakers for a party one time at the frat house when our $2000 speakers were busted and everybody kept telling me they liked mine more. The set I own have been dubbed "Klipsh-killers" by reviews cuz they offer the same quality and power for half the price. They wire up like home audio speakers so extending the leads is a snap. However, they come with ALOT of cabling straight out of the box so you may not need any, anyways. The brackets on the satellites allow for wall-mounting and the sub seriously booms.

Here they are:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=2&CONTENTID=5044&countryid=2&languageid=1

[tmasman]

Hmmm... big fire hazard in the attic...  

? ? ? ? What?
What do you have in your attic?
I can understand not wanting to go up there much, but fire hazard?
No more of a fire hazard than half of the car instalations I've seen... Under a seat touching flamable carpet all around, in the trunk against wood panels, or again, against very flamable carpet.? ? ?

Eh...
It was just a thought anyhow. I just wouldn't want it sitting next to my MoBo or hard drive with all that heat, so I was trying to think of alternate placement.  Maybe if your box is big enough & the Mobo is small enough, you could get some good seperation. Eh...

[CitznFish]

Hmmm... big fire hazard in the attic...  

*Disclaimer* I've got ADD so my mind travels and this post is all over the place...

Even my old 200MHz machine played MP3's like a charm back in the day. Just about anything that still powers up will probably be enough. Otherwise, those mini-itx mobos look like a small, quiet solution. You can get the cheaper models with built-in audio, video, processor, tv-out, usb for probably under $100. Just add a basic power supply, some memory, and a hard drive and you're off to the races. You don't need a fancy machine for MP3's. Did I mention they require so little power that they are fanless (silent)?

Here's a prime example.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3427142366&category=1244

As for the amp, (quality) car audio very often seems to be more expensive than home audio of the same specs and it doesn't even offer the same features half the time. I think a cheap home audio amp would do the job nicely. Putting it somewhere, however, is a little more difficult...

You also may wanna consider a really great set of PC speakers with mounting hardware. It will be less than half the price and I can guarante great results.

I had brought in my $200 Logitech speakers for a party one time at the frat house when our $2000 speakers were busted and everybody kept telling me they liked mine more. The set I own have been dubbed "Klipsh-killers" by reviews cuz they offer the same quality and power for half the price. They wire up like home audio speakers so extending the leads is a snap. However, they come with ALOT of cabling straight out of the box so you may not need any, anyways. The brackets on the satellites allow for wall-mounting and the sub seriously booms.

Here they are:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=2&CONTENTID=5044&countryid=2&languageid=1

I really wanted the sound to come from the ceiling..these JBL 26c's and 19cs I bought will sound great. Also the 'cool factor' comes into play.  i thought about seperatign the amp from teh mobo with a block of wood in the cabinet and using 2 PC fans to push air in and out over the amp. I think a jukebox 2'x3' should be big anough to accomplish this.  I def. want the amp to stay hidden and accessed easily.  That is very important to me.

Keep throwing out the ideas please! The more input I get the better this project will turn out.

[AlanS17]

Those speakers can still be mounted from the ceiling. They wouldn't be flushed mounted, but you could put one in every corner of the room bolted up into the ceiling. You can't see it from the picture online, but the speaker can be reversed by swiveling it from the back. So it wouldn't look like you had upside-down speakers hanging from the ceiling.

Makes wiring, mounting, and positioning easier. I must admit, though, that professional audio would certainly look a tad bit cleaner. Plus if you already have the stuff then go for it. However, I would stop by Best Buy to take a look at those speakers before I started cutting holes in my ceiling if I were you.

P.S. I realize it's probably not much more of a fire hazard in a home than in a car, but it would just worry me to have it up in the attic where nobody ever goes to check on it. Just one of those "what if" things. You're right - it would probably be fine. However, attics do get a bit hot (read "scorching") and that plus all the insulation can add to an amp that easily overheats. I used to over heat my amp just by filling the trunk with luggage and removing all that extra air-space.

[Ted_Striker]

have you considered making your wall box a little on the "thicker" side.  you could easily make box to hold a regular crt and then have a lower area for the pc components and audio components.  A design like this could be made to hide your components easily.  It could allow easy access as well.  I was thinking of like a pull out keyboard tray on a MAME machine.  But instead of a keyboard, pull out audio amp (or just a nice stealth flip down panel).  

I just wondered if you were "married" to the wall box idea.  Why not make a nice free standing cabinet.  You would have all the room you require, would not be limited in audio or pc equipment and you could still use your inwall speakers.  This would also give you the ability to upgrade all of the audio components without hurting the jukebox.  Just a thought.

I have in wall speakers and I ran the wires in wall and finished them off with a nice single gang wall plate.  Now I can hook anything I want up to those speakers.  You could do the same for your wall box and or floor standing unit.  

I do think you will get more bang for your buck going with home audio equipment instead of car audio.  It just isn't worth the hassle IMO unless you already have the pieces.  Consider the other pluses  that home audio could give... like a remote control etc.

Would it be possible to mount your wall box in a closet.  By this I mean the face of the wall box would be in your nice rec-room but open a closet door and you have access to the rear of it.  This would eliminate all your space considerations and still have the slick look.  I did something similar with my Bar TV/PC.  There is a wall that seperates the rec-room and the laundry room.  I mounted the screen in the wall.  While you sit at the bar you see a nice flat screen (at first glance it looks like a plasma screen).  When I want to hook something up to it (vcr, dvd whatever for parties and the like) I just walk into the laundry room and have complete access to the TV set.  I hope you get my gist.

Just some random thoughts to assist you

[visciouslymamed]

? ? ? ? What?
What do you have in your attic?
I can understand not wanting to go up there much, but fire hazard?

Don't do it!!!

My house burned to the foudation because of an electrical short/resistance that over time built up enough heat to get the fiberglass smoldering.

I don't know what the flash point of fiberglass is, but best not to tempt fate.

[CitznFish]

have you considered making your wall box a little on the "thicker" side.  you could easily make box to hold a regular crt and then have a lower area for the pc components and audio components.  A design like this could be made to hide your components easily.  It could allow easy access as well.  I was thinking of like a pull out keyboard tray on a MAME machine.  But instead of a keyboard, pull out audio amp (or just a nice stealth flip down panel).  

I just wondered if you were "married" to the wall box idea.  Why not make a nice free standing cabinet.  You would have all the room you require, would not be limited in audio or pc equipment and you could still use your inwall speakers.  This would also give you the ability to upgrade all of the audio components without hurting the jukebox.  Just a thought.

I have in wall speakers and I ran the wires in wall and finished them off with a nice single gang wall plate.  Now I can hook anything I want up to those speakers.  You could do the same for your wall box and or floor standing unit.  

I do think you will get more bang for your buck going with home audio equipment instead of car audio.  It just isn't worth the hassle IMO unless you already have the pieces.  Consider the other pluses  that home audio could give... like a remote control etc.

Would it be possible to mount your wall box in a closet.  By this I mean the face of the wall box would be in your nice rec-room but open a closet door and you have access to the rear of it.  This would eliminate all your space considerations and still have the slick look.  I did something similar with my Bar TV/PC.  There is a wall that seperates the rec-room and the laundry room.  I mounted the screen in the wall.  While you sit at the bar you see a nice flat screen (at first glance it looks like a plasma screen).  When I want to hook something up to it (vcr, dvd whatever for parties and the like) I just walk into the laundry room and have complete access to the TV set.  I hope you get my gist.

Just some random thoughts to assist you

part of the appeal was to wall mount it and keep it thin. I think that would make it alittle more impressive and up the "wow" factor. I was going to go cordless with the keyboard and mouse so a drawer isn't an issue. maybe a flip down amp tray would be cool though. I just want it to be thin because it's going to sit between 2 framed movie posters.  My wires will run down inside of the wall and exit through a switch plate as well.

I like your closet idea, but unfortunately there is no access like that. I keep calling it a rec room, but "game parlour'" might be more appropriate. It's the living room of my house, and I just hate having a living room filled with furniture no one uses so I converted it into a "game parlour" with (eventually) a MAME machine, my Elec. darts, this Juke box and a regulation pool tabe as well as 2 bar tables and stools and a plasma TV above the fireplace.


VM, the amp will def. not go in the attic.

Thanks for the ideas all... keep 'em comin!  

[aj6500]

? ? ? ? What?
What do you have in your attic?
I can understand not wanting to go up there much, but fire hazard?

Don't do it!!!

My house burned to the foudation because of an electrical short/resistance that over time built up enough heat to get the fiberglass smoldering.

I don't know what the flash point of fiberglass is, but best not to tempt fate.

Vis.  sorry to hear about your house, but something else must have caught, fiberglass fibre doesn't burn.  At least not at any temperature you would see from electrical heat.  Fiberglas panels (like a corvettte) will burn evenutally, but require a LOT of heat to pull the resin from the fiber.  And then you're left with something that's shaped like a corvette, but made entirely of loose fibers.

[tmasman]

? ? ? ? What?
What do you have in your attic?
I can understand not wanting to go up there much, but fire hazard?

Don't do it!!!

My house burned to the foudation because of an electrical short/resistance that over time built up enough heat to get the fiberglass smoldering.

I don't know what the flash point of fiberglass is, but best not to tempt fate.

Wow... I wasn't saying just throw the thing up there!...

Code: [Select]

Sure, lets just put this electronic equipment right in the middle of a bunch of flamable stuff & hope it doesn't hurt anything... I don't think so!  There are safe ways to install things in any environment! Just use your head.  Build a box around it, or mount it appropriately.

That being said. CitznFish said he's not interested in the idea, so I'll drop it.

I too am very sorry to hear about your house visciouslymamed. I wasn't saying you did what I stated above, only that I was NOT saying that in my original post.

[AlanS17]

Another reason a thinner wall-mount would be prefereable would be the weight factor. Trying to hang a monitor on the wall if there are no really great supports in the wall is gonna be very difficult. A thin unit is still probably not gonna be THAT light. Putting one THROUGH the wall would solve that problem, but it's already been established that its not an option.

A flip-out panel for the amp might be kind of cool for showing the guests, but most people would probably be more impressed with a tight, sealed box. You could even keep the keyboard and mouse somewhere else entirely since they're wireless, and just bring them out when you wanna type on it.

Touch screen CRT's can be had for a reasonable price (thought they are heavy), but touch-screen LCD's are prohibitively expensive. Your best bet for finding one would probably be to find one on Ebay that was used for a specific purpose like a POS terminal or perhaps some in-car display...

[CitznFish]

Well, it looks like I am going to have to nix the amplifier inside the MP3 jukebox. After careful consideration I realized I'll have to have a cabinet for my cable box under the MP3 jukebox anyway, so i am just going to have my HK receiver in there as well. This way I can switch the ceiling speakers between the TV and MP3 jukebox.

here is my design (very crude)  

[chris_lemasters]

My house burned to the foudation because of an electrical short/resistance that over time built up enough heat to get the fiberglass smoldering.

I don't know what the flash point of fiberglass is, but best not to tempt fate.

Vis.  sorry to hear about your house, but something else must have caught, fiberglass fibre doesn't burn.  At least not at any temperature you would see from electrical heat.  Fiberglas panels (like a corvette) will burn evenutally, but require a LOT of heat to pull the resin from the fiber.  And then you're left with something that's shaped like a corvette, but made entirely of loose fibers.

FINALLY!  A fiberglass topic on BYOAC (and I missed replying in time).  Fiberglas(s) will melt, but everything around it must be incredibly hot already (hot enough to melt sand, actually).  The kraft paper backing, on the other hand, has a relatively low flashpoint (and some manufacturer's resin/adhesives actually reduce the flashpoint).

I like the idea of a corvette made entirely of loose fibers, though...

[aj6500]

The vette was pretty cool when it was done burning.  Plus the Huge chunk of alluminum left underneath when it cooled.  Lot's of parts you would think were made of steel apparently aren't.  BTW fire was hot enough to do pretty severe damage to a building 30+ feet away, but again, no actual fiberglass damage : )