XBOX + Micro-ATX mobo = Media Centre --> Tutorial?

the_syco

Hi,
I recently got a Micro-ATX motherboard, and I already have the Xbox case, but I've lost the tutorial on how to make a media centre using a Xbox case, and a Micro-ATX motherboard.

I've looked using google, but no luck so far If anyone knows of a guide online that tells you how to do it, please post up a link. Thanks.

airetam_storm

Not what you loking for
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/devices/xboxextenderkit.mspx

Oh think i found it
http://www.techbuilder.org/recipes/60406779

SouperComputer

didnt look tbh, but maybe here?

http://www.mini-itx.com/

airetam_storm

Also
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2005/06/diy_xbox_media.html

the_syco

SouperComputer wrote:

didnt look tbh, but maybe here?

http://www.mini-itx.com/

Cheers dude. Found it here: http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/i64xbox/


/edit

It may not work, as the microATX mobo I have is a little bit big
http://www.ecsusa.com/products/p4vmm2.html
but if the mobo works (I got it free, & the guy I got it off doesn't know if it works or not), I'll "enlarge" the back of it with hacksaw and a metal tin, or something, to fit the mobo's "ass" into.

The funny thing is: when I complete it, it may be faster than the current Dell which is about 3 times its size. Would also be cool for LAN's

axer

why not just a modded xbox?

the_syco

axer wrote:

why not just a modded xbox?

Xbox = 733Mhz
This thing = 2.4Ghz - 3Ghz depending on the chip I get

Also, as I need a new PC, but I don't want to lug around a big PC, or spend too much on a shuttle.

The_B_Man

modded XBOX's dont read all types of discs, they only run XBOX games and roms, they cant go online apart from XBOX Live, they're noisy, they're not easily upgraded, games are expensive or take ages to download, you need an expensive add-on or some mobo mods to get 5.1, theres more but i have to go somewhere now.

axer

The_B_Man wrote:

modded XBOX's dont read all types of discs

Firstly they can be networked fine so you can transfer media etc across to the xbox harddrive and play media on the xbox that is stored on your computer through your network. They read most CDRWs and 99.9% of DVDRs.

The_B_Man wrote:

they only run XBOX games and roms

Granted they dont run PC games but they run Atari 2600, Atari Lynx, GameBoy, GameBoy Advanced, Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis & Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator (and Xbox games).

The_B_Man wrote:

they cant go online apart from XBOX Live.

Yes they can. You can plug in a keyboard & mouse and use a browse the internet. Plus you have xlink for online gaming. You can copy the games from the DVDs (that you own) and run them from the harddisk.

The_B_Man wrote:

they're noisy

Thats true but you can lower the fan speed when you have an Xectuer 3 chip installed and you can change the fan to a quiet fan

The_B_Man wrote:

they're not easily upgraded

Solder a few easy points and thats it done - then upgrade the harddrive if you want or just run your media from your computer.

The_B_Man wrote:

games are expensive or take ages to download.

I just rent the games from Xtra Vision - you used to be able to rent a game and return it before 6pm for €2 but they got rid of that so now it is €4.75 If you buy the Xbox in Xtra Vision you get €2 vouchers (I think) that you can use for renting - making it only €2.75 to rent a game

The_B_Man wrote:

you need an expensive add-on or some mobo mods to get 5.1,.

Nope, just buy the optical out lead (about €30 I think)

The_B_Man wrote:

theres more but i have to go somewhere now.

like? It only costs €149 (could be less now - havent checked) or €100 second hand. Would save you alot of money.

axer

the_syco wrote:

Xbox = 733Mhz
This thing = 2.4Ghz - 3Ghz depending on the chip I get

Also, as I need a new PC, but I don't want to lug around a big PC, or spend too much on a shuttle.

why not just buy a small case then instead of putting it into an xbox case?

the_syco

axer wrote:

why not just buy a small case then instead of putting it into an xbox case?

Its the smallest case I can find, tbh, that a mobo can fit into. Also, it'll look sweet in LAN's: they'll expect a crap system, not a 3Ghz system.

=-=

As for xbox being crap: of course it is. There's no way I'd be able to play BF2 on it, for starters, and by gawd man, the graphics of an xbox are sh|te tbh.

When I'm finished witht this, it'll be about 4 times faster than an xbox, and way better.

jozi

the_syco wrote:

Its the smallest case I can find, tbh, that a mobo can fit into. Also, it'll look sweet in LAN's: they'll expect a crap system, not a 3Ghz system.

=-=

As for xbox being crap: of course it is. There's no way I'd be able to play BF2 on it, for starters, and by gawd man, the graphics of an xbox are sh|te tbh.

When I'm finished witht this, it'll be about 4 times faster than an xbox, and way better.

I dont own an xbox so i cant really compare it to a dvd player which is about the size of this nice little piece of hardware.

the_syco

jozi wrote:

I dont own an xbox so i cant really compare it to a dvd player which is about the size of this nice little piece of hardware.

Nice, but it doesn't say the cost, and most of these little things are costly enough. Also, I don't know if the graphics card can be upgraded, unless your going to use a PCI graphics card upgrade.

jozi

I forgot to check did it have a agp slot.

Silverstone do some nice small cases to, more htpc direction so they look nice anyway

SouperComputer

main thing the xbox is lacking is PVR, thats what puts me off it TBH. Still ill be giving XMBC a go and have a seperate PC for games.