Prototype HCPC

[smallangryboy]

I'm in the midst of developing an out of the box HCPC system. I would be grateful if I could gain some feedback from my design.

I'm looking at hopefully basing it around the STRATA chassis, and using a dedictated UI [like X Lobby or myHTCP] and locking off or hiding XP from the user.

At the moment I'm looking for help to prototype the initial design and wondered if anyone would be interested or could point me in the right direction ?

I would also be interested in how many people would buy an out of the box solution, what sort of price point they would be looking at and what sort of features they would expect from it.

Cheers

SAB

 

[CrispyXUK]

Hi mate, so you took my advice (myHTPC forums). Anyway there should be plenty of people interested in that beatiful case here, you could even speak to LMP-PC they might be interested in helping you manufacture that. you should get alot of help from the guys here in regard to hiding the XP interface, of the top of my head all I can think of is setting myHTPC or the upcoming meedio to be the the shell instead of explorer.

 

[smallangryboy]

Yeah thanks, it didn't even occur to me to post here, as I have been so tied up in trying to thrash out the main UI !

I will speak to LMP again, though I don't know if they are continuing production of their cases ?

Also managed to find someone in the states to help with the architecture and optimising of the WinXP operating system, as well as integrating my UI and it's features. Wondered if anyone here in the UK might be able to help with that ?

SAB

 

[Mr.D]

I'm not mad on the bolts on the front of the case.
The headphone socket is a bit unecessary if you ask me ( most people will likely run this through an amp).

Why the two buttons next to the dvd door? looks a bit cluttered.
Like the lower curved display although I bet it will get scuffed like crazy over time.
Not mad on the dvd logo on the drawer.

You are probably a bit limited by the dvd drives but what about a slot loader instead of the drawer?

Its a bit shiny in the mock ups but I assume in the flesh it won't be quite so squeaky.

I wouldn't buy a pre-built solution myself but I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't want the hassle of diy.

 

[smallangryboy]

The silver will be a duller titanium finish [anodised aluminium] the other is a laquered paint finish [hence it's shiny]

Buttons next to the DVD drawer are to open/close and play.

Lower section shouldn't get scuffed as it's recessed and slightly raised from the floor.

Headphone socket was simply to move the feel of the product more towards a piece of AV equipment rather than a PC.

Thanks for the feedback though, much appreciated.

cheers

SAB

 

[wyerd]

Nice looking case.

Are you thinking of putting a microATX or full size ATX inside?

 

[.Griff.]

Very nice case, would seriously consider buying one of them!

 

[smallangryboy]

Thanks !

Case size would be full ATX and measure approx:

440mm[w]x150mm[h]x340mm[d]

So hopefully fit in nicely with existing AV components

 

[wyerd]

Originally posted by smallangryboy
Thanks !

Case size would be full ATX and measure approx:

440mm[w]x150mm[h]x340mm[d]

So hopefully fit in nicely with existing AV components

Interesting......it fits the ATX PSU as well?? Would you condiser just selling the case?

 

[CrispyXUK]

Originally posted by wyerd
Interesting......it fits the ATX PSU as well?? Would you condiser just selling the case?

I hope so, I really want that case.

 

[smallangryboy]

I see no reason why not if there were enough interest.

I'd have to get advanced orders I guess, as I'd probably need a run of about 50 cases to make it viable to a manufacturer.

What sort of price point would you be thinking if the chassis were sold on it's own ?

 

[Rad]

I may be interested in the case as well.

What sort of price will they be ??.

Rich.

 

[smallangryboy]

Well I've had one quote to prototype one case in Aluminium for £3500 though I hope to sell them at slightly less than that. Not surprisingly I won't be enlisting their help to produce the product.

If you guys can help me find a manufacturer willing to run with the design, then I can come back to you with prices.

 

[CrispyXUK]

It would be nice if they were cheaper than the accent case.

Anyway lets find a manufacturer!

 

[Mr.D]

If you sold them for £200 or less you'd be very competative with the other HTPC style cases floating around.

I still like my LMP though ..unless you were thinking of doing a black one?

 

[rhinoman]

I'd probably buy the case at a £200ish price point, sre the fins on the side for effect of do they have some sort of cooling purpose?

 

[smallangryboy]

Fins have a dual purpose, they look cool and in fact are cool ! They should have some [if only a small amount] of use cooling the air down inside the chassis.

 

[Jeff]

SAB,

The case looks very pretty, but I'm not convinced that the design will work. For example finding room for an ATX motherbaord, an ATX PSU and the fins in a 440mm wide case is going to be tough if not impossilbe.

 

[CrispyXUK]

could you not build this around a standard desktop case? that way you'd only need to manufacture the front and sides.

 

[Jeff]

It would look naff in a rack if it were much wider than regular AV stuff. 440mm is about the maximum width you should aim for.

 

[Toekiller]

That is utterly gorgeous.

Best case I've seen in a long time.

Me want.

Hope you don't mind but I posted it in the 'cases' forum on OCUK.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17185965

 

[RAMiAM]

Boooo, tough crowd Mr.D

Persoanlly I like the look of the case.
I have the DIGN series 5 which I choose becuase of it's similar looks.
Also I think people tend to fall into two camps, those that want a HTPC to look like a piece of quality AV kit, and those that want it to retain it's PC features.
I'm definately in the 'looking like a quality piece of AV kit' camp which is probably reflected in my comments

Originally posted by Mr.D
I'm not mad on the bolts on the front of the case.
The headphone socket is a bit unecessary if you ask me ( most people will likely run this through an amp).

It doesn't hurt, not a bad feature, gives it that AV kit look.

Why the two buttons next to the dvd door? looks a bit cluttered.

I must admit that it's hard to find a more cluttered face place - NOT. The buttons are a nice touch, simple and effective.

Like the lower curved display although I bet it will get scuffed like crazy over time.

I don't believe in any way this would be specific to this case, more of a general statement. Although saying that the displays on all of my kit aren't scuffed in the slightest. Why would they be?

Not mad on the dvd logo on the drawer.

I'm 50/50, To a point it does add a nice touch, the face plate may be to bare without some form of logo. Personally I would also like the options of the usuall DTS, THX, Dolby, etc. logo's etched into a corner or below the DVD drawer.

You are probably a bit limited by the dvd drives but what about a slot loader instead of the drawer?

Slot loader can look nice, but IMHO more PC than AV.
Also slots don't accept those mini CDs/DVDs do they? But then again does any one use them

Its a bit shiny in the mock ups but I assume in the flesh it won't be quite so squeaky.

I really like the option of the bold or the conservative colours/finishes.

I wouldn't buy a pre-built solution myself but I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't want the hassle of diy.

Tend to agree, for me I have to build my HTPC to my exact specification. But as Mr.D says there will be people who want an off the shelf product. Have you thought about support for an off the shelf product, could be the devil in disguise

Have you thought about heat issues as I don't see where the case is drawing air in?

Will the IR be located in the display panel?

Overall I really nice looking case with load of potential.
Good luck I'm sure it will do well.

RAMiAM

 

[Mr.D]

Who are you ?
His mother?

 

[RAMiAM]

<<yawn>>
You guessed it.
HTPC runs in the family.
<<yawn>>
......
Just thought your comments were overly negative. Actually I couldn't find one good comment.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion.
You, me and the next person.

RAMiAM

 

[Orbital]

I have to agree Ramian.

How can two buttons be "cluttered"? And how would you scuff the panel at the bottom? Also you name one DVD player that doesn't have a DVD logo on it. If you going for AV over PC I'd have an option for people to have as many logo's on as they like. Dolby Digital, THX (in all it's variants) DTS etc etc.

I must agree with Jeff mind you. I think you may well struggle getting a full size ATX MB in there along with an ATX PSU.

But it's still a cracking cash and I hope it comes to fruition mate