my DVD-ROM as a stand-alone player?

vertigo_phreeze · 10th December 2003, 12:57

tried this in the other hardware thread and i have 151 views and no responses, so thought i would ask here just incase.

i have seen the kits that you can use to make your internal CD and DVD-ROMs an external drive, but i was wondering if there is a similar kit or solution out there to make your DVD-ROM a stand-alone player that you could just plug into a TV (or stereo for the CD-ROM). i have some extra drives laying around since i have upgraded my PC from time to time and was looking for a way to put them to use.

also, if there's not a ready-made kit, what would it take to build one? i am not worried about the cost or size, i am just curious as to how doable it would be. thanks in advance.

Doom9 · 10th December 2003, 13:07

almost anything is possible but in this case, the effort isn't worth it. Your best shot would be a barebone PC with a TV out. Trying to actually build a standalone would almost impossible.. you need to build a custom computer using non PC components, create your own operating system supporting your hardware, program a player to handle the formats you want handled, etc.

SeeMoreDigital · 10th December 2003, 13:15

Not really vertigo_phreeze,

Some time ago I looked into pairing my Xcard with an old motherboard and doing something similar to what you suggest. But by the time you add sufficient RAM (maybe even enough to hold an operating system) plus a nice case etc, you might as well go out and buy a cheapo dedicated standalone player. Even more so today, as the costs of the players are so low.

Currently I have my Xcard in an PC which is located in adjacent room (so I can't hear it). However, the DVD ROM drive is in my sitting room and is connected to the PC using USB2.

It all works very well but was an absolute pain to cable up!

Cheers

genpix · 10th December 2003, 23:03

my $0.02:

one of the reason why old DVD-ROMs are laying arround is "old DVD-ROMs are incompatible with new media". For instance, my old 5x Creative DVD-ROM does not read DVD-RW.
"surprisingly", this was exacly the reason why I bought a new DVD player (and throu away my old one, which did not read -RW).
So, why bother to find a new life for old drives? Especially, when it's very hard to find.

You can use a newer version of DVD-ROM (which reads every DVD media format).
But, hey, they are at least 12x readers (nobody does slow drives anymore). Do you need this helicopter near your TV?

Fox Mulder · 11th December 2003, 08:27

Quote:

Originally posted by genpix
Do you need this helicopter near your TV?

LOL

vertigo_phreeze · 12th December 2003, 01:46

ok, thanks guys, i had been searching a lot on the subject on the internet and couldnt find anything about doing something like this...i guess i know why now. i have been getting interested in diy projects lately, but i guess i will scrap this one. thanks for all your help and for the quick responses.

10th December 2003, 12:57	#1 \| Link
vertigo_phreeze Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: texas Posts: 13	my DVD-ROM as a stand-alone player? tried this in the other hardware thread and i have 151 views and no responses, so thought i would ask here just incase. i have seen the kits that you can use to make your internal CD and DVD-ROMs an external drive, but i was wondering if there is a similar kit or solution out there to make your DVD-ROM a stand-alone player that you could just plug into a TV (or stereo for the CD-ROM). i have some extra drives laying around since i have upgraded my PC from time to time and was looking for a way to put them to use. also, if there's not a ready-made kit, what would it take to build one? i am not worried about the cost or size, i am just curious as to how doable it would be. thanks in advance. __________________ The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled wasn't convincing the world he didn't exist.....but convincing the world he wasn't the Devil at all. -- Seven Days

10th December 2003, 13:07	#2 \| Link
Doom9 clueless n00b Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 10,258	almost anything is possible but in this case, the effort isn't worth it. Your best shot would be a barebone PC with a TV out. Trying to actually build a standalone would almost impossible.. you need to build a custom computer using non PC components, create your own operating system supporting your hardware, program a player to handle the formats you want handled, etc. __________________ For the web's most comprehensive collection of DVD backup guides go to www.doom9.org

10th December 2003, 13:15	#3 \| Link
SeeMoreDigital Life looks better in HDTV Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 10,009	Not really vertigo_phreeze, Some time ago I looked into pairing my Xcard with an old motherboard and doing something similar to what you suggest. But by the time you add sufficient RAM (maybe even enough to hold an operating system) plus a nice case etc, you might as well go out and buy a cheapo dedicated standalone player. Even more so today, as the costs of the players are so low. Currently I have my Xcard in an PC which is located in adjacent room (so I can't hear it). However, the DVD ROM drive is in my sitting room and is connected to the PC using USB2. It all works very well but was an absolute pain to cable up! Cheers __________________ Still confused about anamorphic images? Then look here! \| Main Encoding Interests: Hardware device playback \| My Gear \|

12th December 2003, 01:46	#6 \| Link
vertigo_phreeze Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: texas Posts: 13	ok, thanks guys, i had been searching a lot on the subject on the internet and couldnt find anything about doing something like this...i guess i know why now. i have been getting interested in diy projects lately, but i guess i will scrap this one. thanks for all your help and for the quick responses. __________________ The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled wasn't convincing the world he didn't exist.....but convincing the world he wasn't the Devil at all. -- Seven Days

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10th December 2003, 23:03	#4 \| Link
genpix Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 16	my $0.02: one of the reason why old DVD-ROMs are laying arround is "old DVD-ROMs are incompatible with new media". For instance, my old 5x Creative DVD-ROM does not read DVD-RW. "surprisingly", this was exacly the reason why I bought a new DVD player (and throu away my old one, which did not read -RW). So, why bother to find a new life for old drives? Especially, when it's very hard to find. You can use a newer version of DVD-ROM (which reads every DVD media format). But, hey, they are at least 12x readers (nobody does slow drives anymore). Do you need this helicopter near your TV?