TV/Linux Mod

ChetDesmond · 09-25-2007, 10:41 PM

Not sure whether to put this in the hardware forum or the Linux forum, but anyway...

I'm looking to mod an old 13" TV into a Linux computer. But, I also want to keep it functional as a TV, mostly for DVDs (and ideally even VHS), as I don't have cable and don't watch much TV. My first thoughts were to replace the guts all together and put a flat screen inside the case, and run the video through some sort of TV Tuner card. However, I really don't know a lot about doing anything like this, so maybe someone knows a better way? The idea is to have everything self-contained inside the box. The more cheap/open-source stuff, the better.

Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

macdude425 · 09-25-2007, 11:38 PM

Yeah, gutting CRT = bad idea unless you're an EE or just have a LOT of experience with these sorts of things.

ChetDesmond · 09-26-2007, 02:38 AM

You think even gutting the thing will be hard? I guess I don't know that much about it, I figured I could reduce it to a case with the right tools.

ChetDesmond · 09-26-2007, 03:13 AM

OK! Well i did some research and I guess I truly live up to my title of "Newb Techie." Seeing as how googling the words "gutting" and "CRT" also turned up a fair amount of the word "death," I guess this project has a few more issues than I thought...

saltynay · 09-27-2007, 01:47 AM

you can do it just very dangerous as crt monitors use huge voltages which remain residually charged afterwards. If you still want to continue it is possible but the crt screen itself would have to be removed for the case which is fairly easy without risk. You can then stick an lcd screen in can i reccomend looking on ebay for laptops being selled for parts as a laptop screen would be ideal to slot in. You then need to build a mini-itx form factor the pc the most powerful being the commell lv-676 or 677 (one uses laptop dual cre the other uses desktop dual core chec before buying).

Nitestick · 09-27-2007, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Yeah, gutting CRT = bad idea unless you're an EE or just have a LOT of experience with these sorts of things.

roger that!!!

CRTs hold charges at a voltage around 30,000V. basically what that means is that if you accidentally discharge it through you, there is a very high chance of, well, deadness. it only takes around 100mA of current for a fatal shock to be a virtual certainty.....

Quote:

You can then stick an lcd screen in can i reccomend looking on ebay for laptops being selled for parts as a laptop screen would be ideal to slot in.

unless you have done this before, i can tell you that's not as easy as you might think. it's not as simple as just removing the screen and wiring up a DVI or VGA connector, you need an LCD controller and they don't come cheap.

i'd advise strongly against messing around with a CRT unless you have a sound understanding of what you're doing and are confident you can do it safely.

ChetDesmond · 09-27-2007, 03:29 AM

Yeah I would want to take the whole CRT monitor out so just the case is remaining. You think that's easy without killing myself? I don't even really know what part of the CRT to avoid.

P.S. Thanks all for the warnings. Seriously, I'm glad I didn't just try to do it without knowing anything.

Saxon · 09-27-2007, 03:58 AM

some one modded a Apple 2 into a modern computer took of that an you might find out something helpful.

Nitestick · 09-27-2007, 04:32 AM

TV and Monitor CRT (Picture Tube) Information

that is some information on CRT repair regarding safety.

saltynay · 09-27-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitestick

roger that!!!

CRTs hold charges at a voltage around 30,000V. basically what that means is that if you accidentally discharge it through you, there is a very high chance of, well, deadness. it only takes around 100mA of current for a fatal shock to be a virtual certainty.....

unless you have done this before, i can tell you that's not as easy as you might think. it's not as simple as just removing the screen and wiring up a DVI or VGA connector, you need an LCD controller and they don't come cheap.

i'd advise strongly against messing around with a CRT unless you have a sound understanding of what you're doing and are confident you can do it safely.

The lcd controller card is just below the screen in a laptop and is already wired up to the screen and all you need to add is an old vga cable and solder it on to the command port I saw this on a "how made projector thread" on toms hardware I believe.

Btw the bit to advoid is the two rubber suction cups on the monitor unit what ever you do don't lift them up as that is where the main charge is held

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