An HTPC case that is identical to an AV receiver

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › An HTPC case that is identical to an AV receiver

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jalyst

16 posts

Geek

#446036 6-Mar-2011 16:34

Asmodeus: Hey bro , I chose silver as it matched the rest of my gear, simple as that.
Its a nice case but like I said, it's big!

Thank for sharing mate, nice little set-up you got going there!
It's size is not an issue at all for me, it's pretty much the only case on the planet that meets all my criteria.
And I've researched obsessively, believe me!

Problem for me is that I don't yet have any AV gear, and I don't intend to for quite some time.
So should I choose colour based on my plasma or other surrounding furniture/gear?

I'm not sure I buy the whole "it must match the colour of your AV gear" notion.
I think the only way to know which colour is best, is when everything is in place in the TV room.
And by then its too late, you've already chosen right or wrong!

Perhaps the more pragmatic direction to take is...
To pick the colour that can most seamlessly transition to the opposite colour if needs be.

Which do you reckon would be easier to pull-off in a slick/pro way:
Changing a silver case to a black (anodised) one, or a black case to silver (aluminium base) one?

You're not a sign writer or panel beater by any chance are you?

Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek

#446041 6-Mar-2011 17:03

PIck the colour that you like the most if you're not worried about if it matches other stuff. I'd prob say black is the way to go. Most stores dont hold these in stock so theyre hard to view before you buy but Id prob go with black if I were you. You could always anodise a silver one blac but it would be a definite major hassle

jalyst

16 posts

Geek

#446045 6-Mar-2011 17:09

Thanks for chiming in mate,

Do you reckon it be easier to anodize the bare aluminium one black, than it would be to get the paint off a black one to make it silver?

jalyst

16 posts

Geek

#446116 6-Mar-2011 21:18

Asmodeus/others did you get this?
Can you spare a minute to respond please.

Thank-you!

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#446131 6-Mar-2011 22:18

jalyst: Asmodeus/others did you get this?
Can you spare a minute to respond please.

People dont 'recieve' forum posts. They log on and read them as and when they choose to.

It is very bad form to sit here bleating about not getting replies. These people have lives, families, jobs and other interests.

If they want to be a part of this discussion on an ongoing basis, they will choose to participate on their schedule, not yours.

jalyst

16 posts

Geek

#446136 6-Mar-2011 22:35

I'm acutely aware of all that, which is why I've remained entirely courteous throughout.
Aside from the frequency of bumps, which I profusely apologise for.

As explained I wouldnt normally be as "pushy" so-to-speak.
I appreciate the point you're conveying though...

I don't suppose you can actually help with answering the question/s at hand?

Thank-you

Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek

#446375 7-Mar-2011 17:53

Sorry, I wouldn't have a clue. I'ts usually easier to "paint" something than "unpaint" it though if you know what I mean but I wouldn't bother personally. I assume the case comes to bits enough to get all the electronics out but I couldn't tell you without opening it up. I think you're worrying about it too much. Try to find some stores that actually have one in stock and go view it, decide if thats what you want and then find the cheapest stockist. The price varies a bit so just order from the cheapest one. Not sure how else I can help on this subject. You can always sell one and buy another if you really need to change?

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jalyst

16 posts

Geek

#446397 7-Mar-2011 18:58

No worries mate,
I've got some clarification from some friendly chaps in a modders forum.
In theory black to silver is quite a bit easier than a silver (alu) to anodised black, at least for a DIY job.
Thanks for responding and trying to add your thoughts, tis appreciated.

All the best.

richms

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#446416 7-Mar-2011 19:27

Silvers never match between brands, but black is prettymuch black nomatter who made it.

Richard rich.ms

jalyst

16 posts

Geek

#446720 8-Mar-2011 18:33

richms: Silvers never match between brands, but black is prettymuch black nomatter who made it.

We're not talking silver in this case, it's raw polished aluminium...
IME black isn't always black, sometime methods other than anodisation are used, which are quite a different shade.

Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek

#446986 9-Mar-2011 15:12

jalyst: We're not talking silver in this case, it's raw polished aluminium...

That makes the decision easy then.

jalyst

16 posts

Geek

#447007 9-Mar-2011 16:39

Sorry meant brushed, not polished.
And no it doesn't really...
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1036936172#post1036936172

richms

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#447099 9-Mar-2011 21:51

Brushing is why there is such a variance in finish between silver things, size and depth and roughness of the brush can have them look vastly different shades, then you add all the slight tints of anodizing they add to it, very few things are bare brushed, they always seem to anodize with a slight gold tint.

Richard rich.ms

jalyst

16 posts

Geek

#449444 18-Mar-2011 04:42

I've since determined there's little to no difference in transitioning from b to s or s to b.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/14229443-post188.html
At least not enough to warrant a difference in cost for a DIY'er, or someone professionally doing it for you.

Sometimes all the anodisation doesn't come-off cleanly (if you botch it slightly).
For this reason the black "can be" a trickier job, as when one goes to clear anodize it, any faint black splotches show up.
Whereas for the silver, if there's any residual clear anodisation, anodising to black will not allow it to be seen.

But all this is only an issue if one stuff's up the Lye bath, essentially the transition for both is equally complicated.

So the basis of my decision is no longer "which transitions more easily" but rather, which "looks better" & is more understated/versatile as a colour.
I have chosen black, and she's now on her way from Amazon, thanks to those with constructive input earlier.

All the best.

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