video game furniture / switch
 

Hey all,
I was wondering if anyone had any links to sites with instructions on how to build a rack for a bunch of different video game systems?

basically, what I want to build is:
a rack capable of housing simultaneously an Xbox, PS2, GC, SNES, genesis, nintendo, etc

i want to get some type of A/V switcher (anyone have any good recs on these?)

i want the inside of each shelf in the unit to have RCA and coax inputs

other fancy stuff i might want...building seperate switches/buttons to pick between systems and perhaps powering something else at the same time (say, choose PS2 and simultaneously a blue cathode comes on or something)

thanks!

wow, sounds cooler than the systems themselves. anyway... i have a lovesac, which is like a bean bag but instead of beans... it's filled with foam. very good for playing video games over a long period of time. highly recommended for gamers.

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...&highlight=nec

This one is for all Nintendo products, but is worth checking out. Just make yours better looking!

yea i saw that link. his rack came out ok but seems a little too funky for what i need. i'll keep everyone updated on the progress!

can't help you, but good luck, I would love to see pics if you ever get it built

Yea i want to see some pics, and by the way the lovesac is great for gamers.

I converted an old 3 way printer switch into a 3 system game switch. Just replaced the parrallel connectors with RCA jacks and using 4 of the 25 wires per position.

Of course this would not get you as many systems as you listed connected up.

Works really good for me on three however and I dumpster dived the printer switch.

Most of the new home theater receivers have multiple video inputs that switch to one output that goes to the monitor/tv you are playing games on. The bonus is that most of the new have surround-sound so a new receiver has a lot more utility than just a switcher.

soundmotor

the problem with building something like this is that it's either going to be huge in size, look awful, or both. for each system you need access to the cartridge bay or cd slot as well as any controller and memory card slots... and since each system is configured differently (i.e. top-loading or front-loading), it would be hard to pull off. plus, you'd probably want to make sure each system was vented properly to prevent overheating.

my suggestion is, make a small flexy rack. this way you can add/remove shelves, adjust shelf height on the fly, and the best part... it's CHEAP, especially if you make a small one.

here are some sites that i'm following to make a flexy of my own (although i'm using mine for a home theater rack, so it will be much bigger, stronger, and more expensive):

http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/flexye.html
http://my.execpc.com/~saruman/rack/nonemoreblack.html
http://mikelietz.org/etc/avrack.shtml
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue16/diyrack.htm
http://members.cox.net/~tonyptx/homeaudio/flexyrack/

the flexy-style rack is highly customizable, so you can tailor your rack to your needs... if i were you, i'd probably go with some 1/2" rod and 1/2" MDF... all of which (including hardware) can be found at home depot and lowes. i'd cut my MDF shelves to be just big enough to fit an xbox comfortably, and put all the switchers on the top shelf.

anyway, i'll help out more later if you're interested... my girlfriend is demanding i cook dinner. lol

Just mod an xbox.. It will play all those console roms except PS2.

Personally I have my xbox mounted in a ATC-620 with a 120gb and 200 gb hard drive..
XBMC and all the emulators are great.
You could fit a ps2 inside this case if you got a little creative.