[Commission] PS3 - LCD attachment.

[John Roberts]

Using this to introduce my idea: http://www.destructoid.com/ps3-slim-get ... 0121.phtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The short-end of the story is I want to take that device idea but using a bigger screen.

I was in talks with Ben to build this mod for me, and we got as far as finalising exactly what it was to be when all communication ceased from him for almost a month now. I take it he's a very busy man, and that's cool, I'm not all sour grapes here or nothing. I am, however, kind of running on a deadline (I'm being deployed within seven months and wanted to take this mod with me to help fight the down-time boredom).

I'll simply cut and paste the details for the job from emailing with ol' Ben before he went radio silence on me:
- 19 inch Gateway screen;
- Custom made platform/bracket for the screen to sit in, and so it can
attach to a PS3 slim console; and
- Audio amp, decent built-in speakers, headphone jack, etc....

So, would there be anybody interested, or tech savy enough, or hopefully both, to pick this job up for me? Money's certainly not an issue as long as Paypal is the payment option (none too keen on sending checks or money orders, especially internationally). As for my creditability/trustfulness? Not entirely sure how I can back that up seeing as I am only fairly new here. I have, like, an ebay account with 100% buying/selling ratings that I've been using for the last several years now I can link to if that can be counted to my non-dodginess. I suppose all I can really say is I'm very happy and keen to pay for someone that can get the job done. Pay upfront for the parts and pay for labour once the job is complete, or however this works, I'm very easy going and flexible.

I want to do the right thing by Ben as he did already accept the commission, so I'll wait another week to hear from him. But if not, I will be looking for someone else to hopefully pick this up for me because I am slowly but surely running out of time to have it done.

So. Once again if there are any takers please PM me, or reply, or Bat signal me, and we'll have a chat about it.

Thanks for reading, gents and gals.

[Edit] - I suppose I should mention my budget in all of this: Ben gave me a very rough ball parky figure of $500 (I'm not sure if that was including any audio options yet), and I'm willing to go as high as $800 to an even $1000 to see the job done (we'll keep everything in US dollars for simplicity sake - I am from Australia, however).

[blaze3927]

hmmm this looks kinda...hard

the main problem/obstacle is designing/building the actual bracket, honestly for Most modders here their best option and their skills would make the only viable option to buy the Hori screen, and then just re-do the innards and mount a 19" screen as opposed to the 11".
even with that it'll take some pretty nifty (possibly metal) plastic work with the hinges etc. And even then it would be "interesting" to try and mount that extra weight/load on the hori case, which might not have the support for two standard hinges (this obstacle can be overcome, but might require some more serious case re-doing)

it will probably be easier (still very hard but) to go through and make a ps3 laptop

let me know your thoughts

[lucidPerspective]

Just wanted to throw it out there, that mounting a 19" screen on the PS3 slim probably won't work too well. The screen will be 2.5" wider on each side than the PS3 console is. so your better off just taking an LCD screen with you, can hook it up HDMI-DVI converter cable. the reason that the Hori one works well is because the screen is roughly the same size as the PS3 slim, so can fold down and be compact. mounting a screen bigger than the actual PS3 just won't be the same.

I agree with blaze, that getting a PS3 laptop made with that screen size would be the best way to go. I would love to take on a PS3 Slim laptop project, and I know I would be able to do it. But I don't have any projects that could really prove that fact to you

EDIT: I would love to build it in a briefcase, which would probably be best for your needs too. and means the only parts cost would be the PS3 itself, and a screen. no expensive CNC'd case ..if your prepared to take the risk I would be glad to make it. I'm pretty sure that if your paying by paypal, you can open a dispute if I haven't proven myself within the first month (although, hopefully I would have finished within a month) and they'll chase me up for the money.

[John Roberts]

Thank you for the replies.

I did not even occur to me just how impractical a larger screen fitted to the top like that Hori device would be - it's very obvious now, actually, after it's been pointed out (gotta love hindsight!).

Okay, so let's talk PS3 Laptop.

@Blaze: A fellow Aussie! What sort of pricing and time frame would I be looking at here for a full-on PS3 Laptop, if that it is something you would be able to build?

@Lucid: I really like the sound of your idea, Lucid, in building it into a briefcase. That's storage and protection for the console all in one. Could you please elaborate more on that idea? How would venting the PS3 work in a confined briefcase? Also sound/speaker options (however, I think I can live with something as simple as a good quality headphone jack if it became too complicated)? And also a rough time frame and price for labour and such you would be looking at? We're all strangers here, so if you're willing to risk building something, I'm willing to risk paying ya for it.

[lucidPerspective]

Hindsight truely is amazing

Some more info about my design idea.. Cooling wouldn't be a problem as it wouldn't be hard to (tidily) cut some passive vent holes in the side of the briefcase for the air to come in, and then have a few good fans pulling the hot air up and out of the bottom half of the case (Inside the briefcase, which contains the console) Alternatively, to not damage the briefcase at all, you could have the intake holes, and fans all sitting ontop of the section containing the console. Can you kind of picture what I'm meaning? I can draw up a quick diagram if you don't get it. with this venting solution, you wouldn't be able to close the briefcase with it running, but it will offer the best cooling. if closing the case, while the consoles on is necessary, we could have the fans and the intake holes around the sides of the case and it should still work fine.

Speakers shouldn't be a problem, if your wanting a 19" screen there should be plenty of room to mount them, and an amp, in the bottom half of the case. Can have a headphone jack built in too though ..Top half of the case will open up and only contain the monitor.

Rough timeframe.. well I'm moving house next weekend (on the 8th of August) so I could get started on it anytime after then, and I'd say it would take 1 month give or take a week on either side. But that does depend on parts arriving on time, and everything going to plan.

Not too sure on labor costs, I know that xbox360 laptops run $1000-$1500ish, so maybe around $800-$1000 for the actual building of it? + the costs of parts. That's negotiable though, so don't run away if it sounds too high


EDIT: By the way, I'm from New Zealand, so not far from you at all

[blaze3927]

@Blaze: A fellow Aussie! What sort of pricing and time frame would I be looking at here for a full-on PS3 Laptop, if that it is something you would be able to build?

indeed

i haven't done much research into it yet but for a full on laptop there is a few options:

*build it into a prebult case (metal/plastic) aka the frankencase method
*build a case from scratch

building it into a plastic case would be relatively easy and ps3's should give me no trouble, i've had numerous experience's with minute SMT soldering on psp's, so I definitely would be up to assembling/wiring the beast.

the second option of building the case from scratch would probably prove the most effective/best looking. I two friends who haves to a "metalworks" workshop (cnc etc.) and would gladly partner up with me for the production of a ps3 laptop. He ha quite a bit of experience in welding and metal works as he makes his own air rifles, etc. The advantage of doing it this way is you build the case as you need it, your not constantly filling up certain areas with bondo and screw posts to later find out that your cooling/ventilation isn't working well.

timeframe for either choice is looking at 2 to 3 months
this could probably be built in a month but personally i'd rather spend at least 2 weeks planning, sourcing parts, and drawing up schematics/diagrams, so i can keep you informed and give you the choice as to design/specs/ etc.
This also gives the advantage of drawing up a price for you as we go; so by the end of extensive research you'll know exactly what kind of ballpark your in for the cost of parts, and i'll be able to give you an accurate quote for labor as i'll know what im dealing with.

[John Roberts]

I will like to thank both of you for your time and efforts in replying to my thread. After some good consideration I've decided to go with Lucid and his briefcase idea for this project.

No hard feelings I hope, Blaze, it's not a personal knock on you in the slightest. I appreciate you talking me out of my stupid original idea of sticking something too heavy and bulky onto a little PS3 slim, and offering me a much better option to consider. So thanks again mate.

(I better send Ben an email to cancel any commission ideas from him).

[blaze3927]

no knock take in the slightest

hope it all works out with lucid

[lucidPerspective]

No need to hope, I'm a man with a plan. This thing will be functional and awesome

[John Roberts]

And if it's not, just remember: Elmo knows where you live.

[lucidPerspective]

That he does ..don't want to mess with Elmo!