Computer Components and Magnets

[JonnyBoy]

Hey everybody. I am planning on making a control panel with the computer components built in so I can plug the CP straight into a TV. I also planned on hacking a set of computer speakers with a 5.25" set of   Sony Xplod speakers. My worry is the speaker magnets may mess around with the computer components which will be in close proximity. Would a set of bucking magnets help me out? Will there even be any affects on the computer parts? What do you recommend I do?

[Kremmit]

Bucking magnets are great for putting speakers next to monitors- but I don't know if you can count of perfect cancellation of magnetic fields in all directions.  Which might be important if you're going to have your hard drive nearby. 

A little magnetism near a monitor = you need to degauss.
A little magnetism near a hard drive = you've lost your hard drive!!

Maybe you should put an audio line-out on your controller next to the video out, and use the tv speakers, or home stereo.  Or a headphone jack.  Or build your Xplods into separate enclosures, that you could plug into your controller, but set far away.

Or, try it out anyway, it might work fine!   I offer warnings and alternatives, but don't insist that I'm right.

[JonnyBoy]

Yeah, I probably should just go with the audio line out. Is there some sort of connector that I can get to plug straight from the onboard audio to say, an RCA jack on a TV?

[Kremmit]

Yup, it's about 2 bucks at Radio Shack for the adapter.  Plus, you'll need a set of RCA cables long enough to reach.  Just tell them you want a cable to go from your computer soundcard to your TV or home stereo, they should be able to help you out.  It'll look like a headphone plug on one end, and have RCA plugs on the other end.

[JonnyBoy]

Killer, thanks a bunch!

[SirPeale]

A little magnetism near a monitor = you need to degauss.
A little magnetism near a hard drive = you've lost your hard drive!!

You got that 1/2 right.  Hard drives are shielded, so you would need a *very* significant magnetic field to corrupt any data.

[RoboG2]

You could always use some good old fashioned lead paint...

[Kremmit]

Or, try it out anyway, it might work fine!   I offer warnings and alternatives, but don't insist that I'm right.

Peale, I guess it's a good thing I've got a disclaimer!   

Honestly, I always heard magnets would murder my drive- another urban legend debunked!

[Crazy Cooter]

I've had computers next to LARGE magnets for many years.  This one is hooked into the TV and stereo.  The big speaker right next to it has a 15" sub in it.  No shielding.  Been there for almost two years.  No data loss.

(Animal Planet is for the dogs, they actually watch it)

[Hoagie_one]

i put two speakers within 6 inches of a hard drive in my first bartop...no issues

[quarterback]

You got that 1/2 right.

[Kremmit]

Bulk Eraser?  You in broadcast?

[quarterback]

Bulk Eraser?

[Kremmit]

I used to be in radio- Bulk Erasers are fun!  Put metal things on 'em, push the button, and watch 'em dance!  We found out that if you put a paperclip up there, and just pop the button one time, the field would throw that sucker across the room.. we used to have distance competitions.