Ok, I have decided to build myself a system, but with a difference...
I want to build a system that is entirely one piece and self contained. A bit like a tablet, but essentially wall mounted. This will entirely be used for entertainment and not work related.
So far I have built the environment I want to use and set it up on my laptop. This has helped me determine what is and what is not required.
The main stumbling block I have now is hardware. In a conventional PC set up you have a graphics card and connect that to your graphics input on your display. My display will be an LCD panel, so I assume there has to be an LCD controller. I just cant quite figure out how the graphics connection will be made. If I need to use the graphics output this wont really be a problem, because it will still technically be inside the device. How is this achieved with laptops and tablets? Am I right in assuming there is a graphics output as part of the main board that connects to the LCD controller?
What I have so far...
OS: Ubuntu Linux (mythubuntu)
Input: LIRC (Linux infrared remote control)
System: Nano ATX board. Sata flash storage for OS
I have found suppliers for displays, but thats where things get very confusing. What would you say is the best practice method of connecting the display to the system.
I have also found someone to build the mold for the actual casing but I cant do anything related to that until I know exactly what hardware/display will be used. Once I know exactly what display to use I will know the dimensions exactly so I can have the mold machined.
You will probably wonder why not just go out and buy something like this off the shelf, but where is the fun in that. Everyone needs a winter project.
Mack.
