Racing/Driving Simulation Station

Gentle reader,

In my last post, I indicated that I'd be constructing a framework to hold the Sumsung 32" that we replaced with a new LG 42" unit. 

Frankly, room is not an excess that the den has. Hard to believe it was intended to be the master bedroom!

The plus in that factor is an alcove in the right-rear corner that has a sink/vanity and a door into the main bathroom.

Well, I did construct a framework, much measuring, cutting, grinding and bolting together. Fortunately, I'd saved the wall-mount bracket we'd originally used with the TV.

I bolted the assembly to the steering wheel framework. 

(See: The Robb Collections: Massive Changes )

Then set the TV, which seems to be quite a bit heavier than the new larger one, onto the upright structure and found my choice of corner braces was too weak. So, I disassembled the whole contraption and realized all I really needed was a table for the TV.

Found an unused steel one in the shed, but I was no closer to the TV than before. Today, being Thursday, I set off toe BThrifty on Route 1 in Woodbridge. A search of their stock of wooden furniture yielded a wood table which fit my measurement parameters. It has a granite inlaid top, so is very heavy. $24.99 less 30%. 

What I wanted to do was have the framework fit under the table so that the TV would more appropriate a windshield. Actually, since TVs aren't meant to be viewed so closely, it doesn't look that great, but it feels better. Frankly, I can't image what a 32" computer monitor would cost!

This way, I can substitute Daniel's XBox 360 and it's steering wheel assembly for the PS2. The XBox fits nicely behind the TV on the table, and is already hooked up.

Below is the view from behind. This room is the one that we've done the most finishing to. If someone had told us we'd be painting a room brown, we would have laughed. But it looks good with white crown molding and chair rail with the rest of the trim white. The alcove is more of a light beige.

Below is the view from the right-rear. You can see the XBox 360 steering wheel assembly next to the TV. It's the first framework I built and is stronger, easier to get under and still collapsible.

Below is looking down into the "cockpit". The steering wheels have "force feedback" which adds to the realism. The gaming chair, Nancy bought me a couple years ago. It swivels and rocks and has built-in audio amplifier and stereo speakers as well as a small woofer in the bottom of the seat. 

 Oh, how I'd love to have a real Lexus IS 300 Sportcross. I test drove one, VERY RED before buying the Capri XR2. It had a cream leather interior (try keeping THAT clean!). Sadly, aside from not being able to afford it, or any, they ONLY came with automatic transmissions! At least my digital one has a proper manual six speed trans. 

Lastly, even in ready-to-race mode as in these photos, the seat only sticks out to the edge of the Asian rug. I had to move the right-rear surround speaker out of the way, but so what. 

Mission accomplished. 

Thanks for looking!

Scott 

New TV and electrician's nightmare removed.

Gentle reader,

A few weeks ago, Nancy and I had looked at new TVs. We talked ourselves out of it because we couldn't think what to do with the old one that didn't cost more money, i.e., having to add a new HD cable box to the Verizon bill.

Where we'd looked was the local HH Gregg. They'd taken over the old Circuit City store location.

Turns out the two 43" ones we had looked at ($399 each) were both Plasma which, I've been told, are more expensive to operate.

Well, last weekend, grandson Anthony (age 3) suddenly has his own new 19" HDTV. WTF? Then I had an "Ah hah!" moment. 

I could get say a 26" flat screen and build a framework on the racing simulator platform I made and therefore not have to drag it and the racing seat into the living room every time I wanted to "drive".

Well, Best Buy had a cheap one for $149, but then we decided to buy a bigger, 42" LCD set for the living room and "retire" the 32" Samsung to the den for my racing project. See:

The Robb Collections: Massive Changes  

So, at HH Gregg, we chose a 42" LG LCD unit on sale for $449 and a couple of HDMI cables to hook the Blu Ray and HD Verizon box to it.

Future son-in-law, Jonathan, was here when we brought it home. He helped me disassemble the old kit and install the new. Below is what it once looked like. In your mind, remove the HD radio tuner and center speaker, replace with an OPPO DVD player, move the Yamaha receiver to the bottom shelf with the silver Verizon box on top of it. Add a Blu Ray player to the middle shelf with a component switching box on top of it with a Sony PS2 on top of that on the left side and a HD TV digital tuner (off-the-air) box on top on the right and a whole LOT of RCA cables and we had a crowded, electrician's nightmare.

You can just see the switching box and PS2 sitting atop the Verizon box on the bottom shelf, above.

Now, below is what we have now:

Below are all the Liberty and other cables we removed. Just look at all of them! SO last millennium!

 Just look at all those connectors!

Gone are all the devices I told you to imagine. Why have a separate DVD player when the Panasonic Blu Ray plays DVDs and CDs too? The new LG TV has a built-in digital tuner, so no need for the off-the-air separate tuner. The Sony PS2 (and Daniel's XBox 360 are going into the den along with the Samsung TV) so no need for the switching box.

The two HDMI cables replace all the analog video cables (the red ones) below as well as the analog sound cables. I have an optical cable supplying sound from the Blu Ray to the Yamaha receiver and will be adding a second for the Verizon HDTV box. Then, aside from the subwoofer cable, all connections will be strictly digital.

So, how's the new TV? In a word, FANTASTIC! The Samsumg while nice, is only 720p and since the HDMI input stopped working (out of warranty, of course) it was limited to analog HD via the red Liberty cables. 

The built-in digital tuner picks up 63 local TV channels. 63! AMAZING HD on those that are. Simple input button on the remote pops up a graphic showing the choices so it's a breeze switching instantly. The Samsung has a few seconds delay between each change. Still aside from it's one failure, that Samsung has served us well.

However, 1080p and HDMI digital cables make a HUGE difference in viewing pleasure. This is what HD TV is ALL ABOUT.

Soon, once I've built my contraption, I will report on the new racing rig. Where I'll fit it in the den is another story. Thanks for looking!

Scott