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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: jerschwab on November 08, 2007, 12:39:41 am

Title: Add PC to Hotrod Controller (inside the control panel)??
Post by: jerschwab on November 08, 2007, 12:39:41 am

Does anyone know if it's possible, or maybe someone has done it...

I want to put a micro-ATX or smaller PC inside my Hotrod control panel to bring it with me.  Ultimately, I'd like to have TV-Out to connect to any TV.

If I have to, I may build another control panel and use the original buttons and encoder, etc.  That way it may be easier!  I think the Hotrod is a pretty tight fit as is, but I've seen some pretty amazing hacks on this site!

Thanks!

Title: Re: Add PC to Hotrod Controller (inside the control panel)??
Post by: NoOne=NBA= on November 08, 2007, 09:28:22 am

All of the ones I've seen have been scratch-built, and have been considerably larger.
That's not to say it can't be done, I just haven't seen it done yet.

Title: Re: Add PC to Hotrod Controller (inside the control panel)??
Post by: BobA on November 08, 2007, 10:45:46 am

It would be fairly easy to do if you are willing to add about 3 inches to the bottom of your Hotrod.   It is a simple square frame made the same size as the Hotrod with a hinge on one side and the latch on the other.   The bottom panel of your Hotrod moves to the new bottom frame.   This will give you room for a micro ATX, low profile PS.

See pics (sorry very old and very low res)

Title: Re: Add PC to Hotrod Controller (inside the control panel)??
Post by: davieboynj on November 08, 2007, 11:13:19 am

If money is no object You could probably keep it the same size by using an pico itx board and an external power supply.  The boards aren't cheap though. Emulating the classics, neo geo, and some fighters would be easy, but the Via Processors won't keep up with anything too advanced.   

If you can shoehorn in a micro atx motherboard (or even an itx), you can probably still use an external power supply provided you choose an energy efficient processor (BE-2400, or an EE Core 2 Duo).  I can't imagine this would be possible without making it at least an inch thicker, hacking off a parallel port, and/or converting some buttons to the low profile japanese ones. 

Title: Re: Add PC to Hotrod Controller (inside the control panel)??
Post by: jerschwab on November 12, 2007, 03:43:28 pm

Quote from: BobA on November 08, 2007, 10:45:46 am

It would be fairly easy to do if you are willing to add about 3 inches to the bottom of your Hotrod.   It is a simple square frame made the same size as the Hotrod with a hinge on one side and the latch on the other.   The bottom panel of your Hotrod moves to the new bottom frame.   This will give you room for a micro ATX, low profile PS.

See pics (sorry very old and very low res)

Thanks for the pics, that's a great idea!