HTPC Component

blacklawlessd

I'm in the process of building a HTPC. Instead of buying a case I'm piling another project into this one, and building a wooden PC case.

I'm trying to find somewhere online that I can buy a usb/firewire interface for the front of the case, but I'm having no luck. Can anyone point me in the direction of where I can locate one. Maplin don't seem to have them, but then again I might be searching incorrectly or something.

Any help would be appreciated!

Knasher

Well you could get something like this: http://www.maplin.co.uk/dual-usb-2.0-10pin-backplate-99279 and just remove the usb plugs from it and attach them however you want to your case. Or do you have something else in mind?

Firewire is slightly harder to find because it doesn't sell much anymore, but ebay has some, e.g. http://www.ebay.ie/itm/EVGA-FIREWIRE-IEEE-1394-PORT-x-1-USB-2-0-PORT-x-2-MOTHERBOARD-BRACKET-JJ25-/300700345879?pt=UK_Computing_FireWire_Cables_Adapters&hash=item4603232617

You can also get things that would fit into floppy sized ports with the various headers on them. Or you could try getting front expansion panels taken from old computer cases. You do need to be a little careful here because some manufacturers (esp Dell) make a habit of using non standard connectors (or sometimes rewiring standard connectors). http://www.ebay.ie/itm/NEC-Front-USB-Firewire-Audio-Panel-P-N-20020715-1-/321005981750?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item4abd729036 this one looks promising though I can't guarantee that the connector would work.

blacklawlessd

Thanks Knasher. I probably will leave off the firewire port. I have one external firewire disc, and its only 80gb.