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--- blog:garage_pc [2020/12/24 20:57] – [PC] john
+++ blog:garage_pc [2021/06/14 13:10] (current) – [Speakers] john
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 {{:blog:img20201224084430.jpg?600|}}
+//Obligatory LED fan night shot....//
+{{:blog:img20201231170211.jpg?400|}}
 ===== Monitor =====
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 {{:blog:img20201224135743.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img20201224135751.jpg?400|}}
-===== Mouse, Keyboard etc =====
+===== Mouse, Keyboard, Audio etc =====
+As I wanted to use the opportunity to set up and use some of my older computer equipment that had been stored in the loft for some time, I needed the ability to have multiple video and keyboard/mouse signals (and audio!) output at the same time. This meant a KVM.
+Normally this may have been an issue, as most of the older computers output analogue video (VGA or similar), but newer equipment is usually HDMI or DisplayPort. Fortunately the GPU used in the PC (currently the Nvidia GTX980) has a DVI-I port, which can still output a VGA signal. So that means a VGA KVM will work.
+The garage PC also only has USB for peripherals, so we also need to use a USB to PS2 adapter:
+{{:blog:61hwk_o4ful._ac_sl1500_.jpg?400|}}
+... I tested this out and it works //really// well. Everything works as it should in Linux, one small annoyance is that prior to booting the the mouse only moves vertically in the BIOS, but the keyboard is a perfectly good alternative in that environment, so it's not an issue.
+I found a Belkin F1DA104T KVM along with a complete set of PS2+VGA cables, power supply and the optional rack mounting kit on Ebay for a bargain £20:
+{{:blog:17-107-322-05.jpeg?400|}} {{:blog:61miwz7zksl._sl1080_.jpg?400|}}
+==== Audio Mixing ====
+As all of the computers will have audio out they would need to be merged prior to output to speakers. I had a really old rackmount mixer panel that a friend gave me several years ago, I was going to use it in my office prior to picking up a dirt cheap Extron controller, and that would do the job nicely.
+A 2U rackmount bracket was screwed to the bottom shelf of my computer/electronics storage area and the mixer and KVM switch installed:
+{{:blog:img20201228180305.jpg?400|}}
+===== Audio Output =====
+I had a choice of 3 audio amplifiers in my spares collection to use; a relatively (<10 years old) Sony STRD820 7.1 surround sound AV receiver, an old (~25 years) Sherwood R125RDS pro-logic AV receiver and an middle-aged (~20 years) Sony stereo amplifier.
+{{:blog:63416.jpg?400|}}
+The newer Sony would have been a waste and a bit of overkill (plus, it's a spare in case our main TV/cinema setup fails), so I went with the decision to install the Sherwood. The LCD display won out over the boring red LED of the Sony :)
+{{:blog:img20210102154939.jpg?400|}}
+==== Speakers ====
+As of now (Jan 1st, 2021), I haven't yet installed any speakers, though they will likely be wall mounted either side of the computer/audio shelving when I do so.
+Likely will pick up a used set of bookshelf speakers from a decent brand like Tannoy (Mercury M1), Mission (760), Denon (SC-M50/SC-M101) or similar.
+**[Update Jan 2nd 2021] -**  Put a silly low bid on a pair of Denon/Mission M10K-2 bookshelf speakers and had it accepted. So I have a pair of these on the way:
+{{:blog:mission-for-denon-sc-m10k-50w-6-ohm-bookshelf.jpg?400|}}
+When they arrive they'll get wall mounted either side of the computer/stereo shelves.
+**[Update 10/01/2021]** - Brackets fitted and speakers now mounted:
-TBC
+{{:blog:img20210110145217.jpg?400|}} {{:blog:img20210110145236.jpg?225|}}
 ===== Other Equipment =====