Latest Project Finished

[AtomSmasher]

This isn't Mame related or gaming related at all, which is why I'm posting it here and not in Project Announcements.  I just wanted to show off what I did

It's nothing fancy and the style is copied from the previous table I had there, but now it holds my amp, dvd player, tivo/cable box, and my projector, and the side opens to allow easy access to the backs of the equipment.  I used to use the projector just for movies and had a regular TV to watch cable on, but I decided it was time for full time projector   I mounted the projector screen over the windows, which blocks the light when its in use, and I can roll up the screen which lets me have the windows open if I want.  Anyways, here it is:




the color on the screen is washed out because of the flash, its actually very bright and clear.  I bought the screen a couple years ago so I don't remember exactly how big it is, but I think its 100'' diagonal.

[pointdablame]

Nice little table.. but wouldn't access to the back of the components be better if the door was ON THE BACK??

Not knocking it at all, but I just don't see how the side is better than the back.. I mean... you built the thing... why wouldn't you want complete access to the rear of the components instead of reaching all the way across to get to the right side?

Just my .02

[JeepMonkey]

Nice work.  I too wonder why you didn't have the door in the rear.  Or maybe the side door towards the chair to hide the hinges?  Looks like you have plenty of clearance to get a hand in there to work the cables.  Not knockin' ya, just curious.

BTW - I really like the dark color.  What kind of wood / stain did you use?

Nice work.

[AtomSmasher]

I didn't put the hinge on the back because its quite a bit longer then the equipment in there and I didn't want to have to reach in a foot just to change the wires, plus there would be little light getting that far in.  The side gives easy access and lets the light in.  I put the hinged side on the outside because I felt it would be easier to access, I wouldn't have to move the table or the couch in order to get inside, besides the latches are small enough that the overhang of the top of the table makes it so you can't rally see it unless your leaning down....or short.  They're black and chrome so they look nice anyways.  I almost hinged both sides, but figured that would be overkill.

The color of it is actually black, its not stained wood.  I think the design is known as chinese modern, but I could be wrong.  I have another small table thats black, and the table that this took the place of is also black (you can see it under the screen, I modeled the design of my table after it)

One thing thats nice is how much it opens up my living room, no longer having a 6' high x 5' wide x 3' deep entertainment center really makes the room seem bigger.

[pointdablame]

are you worried about heat?

There doesn't seem to be any ventilation in that thing, and those projectors can get pretty toasty.  Most components can as well.

[AtomSmasher]

are you worried about heat?

There doesn't seem to be any ventilation in that thing, and those projectors can get pretty toasty.  Most components can as well.

The only thing that gets hot is the projector and the fan on the projector blows the heat out the front, plus the places where the projector is up against the wood (the top, left side, and bottom) have no vents, so it doesn't matter if theres wood there.  Since theres plenty of room behind and on the right side of it, and with the fan blowing the hot air forward, it should be fine.
The entertainment center I've kept the dvd player and amp in didn't give much more ventalation they have now, so they should also be fine.  Besides, they're made so they can be put into a stereo cabinet and stereo cabinets are completely enclosed, so I can't see heat being a problem. 

[Harry Potter]

The projector looks like an X1 or X2. Good choice. 

[mmmPeanutButter]

Looks great..

One recommendation though...  spray the latches with bit of black spray paint.

[Dartful Dodger]

Nice work. The side and back keep your room looking clean.

No visible rat's nest  looking wires.

[str1der]

Nice work. Do you have any problem with line of sight for your infrared remotes?

[AtomSmasher]

Nice work. Do you have any problem with line of sight for your infrared remotes?

The infrared bounced off the screen so it usually works fine, but not always.  I'm getting used to pointing the remote down toward the electronics, which always works.  I have a lounge type chair across from the cabinet (you can see it on the left side of the picture of the screen) and it seems to be pretty good at bouncing the signal back.

[Stobe]

Nice looking table.  I like the side door vx a back opening.  If I had a dollar for every time I "blindly" changed/moved cables from the back of my entertainment center....

Do you have the electronics hooked up to a UPS or the like?  Just in case you loose power, it would give you time to power dorwn the projector, so the lamp doesn't get killed.  Those darned lamps are expensive!!

-Stobe