Evolving X200... (defor's wip mod thread)

[defor]

I suppose I'll start posting images of my ThinkPad modifications here...

Yes, I know my ideas are somewhat in opposition to ThinkPad purists, but it's my personal system, so I'll do what I like, and hopefully give someone else an idea or two...
I'd love to hear thoughts and suggestions, so please let me know!

First up - X200 ATSC HD TV tuner:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/defor/sets ... 8852913535

[t140568]

Very cool. Only thing that bothers me a little is the Coax hookup. I can't help but wonder how long the plastic holding it will last. Very nice otherwise!

[craigmontHunter]

Yeah - with the coax connection sticking out like that, I could see it being broken, especially if the system lands/is placed on that side. On the systems that come with it built in, is it tucked back into a hole to protect it? or is it out in the open? Another thing you may want to do is use a push in cable, not a screw on, so if someone trips over the cable the system does not fall off whatever it is on.

Very cool though - I have to use a desktop to record TV

Jack

[defor]

the magnesium or whatever the bottom case is made of is really sturdy- just reinstalled the mod after getting the system back from lenovo for unrelated repairs...

I've been contemplating an install procedure that makes the jack, as you say, embedded- I'd also like to possibly connect in the side composite video ins as well... waiting for pinout info from Yuan, but not expecting much really.. might just have some trial and error fun...

[Temetka]

Looks good!

Did lenovo mention anything about your mod?

[defor]

Well, the modem board was a spare that I modded, when I sent it back for service recently, I removed the antenna, shuffled the wireless card to its original position, and replaced the modem board- no traces of any change...
other than that.. still pondering getting my hands on a non-modem board- anyone have pictures of one?

mainly interested to see if a faux modem jack could be made for it that instead has a coax connection inside of it, thus keeping the coax from poking out of the case.

Yuan's been rather uncooperative with providing a pinout unless I give them buisness information, etc, so as the plug looks similar to external usb versions of the same device, I might see if I can get a dongle from one, run a pinout, and then test it on the card's exposed header.

[Gustavo]

Nice mod looks kinda cool with the gold BNC connector.

[raiaken]

I know this was a while ago, but given that F-type connectors only have two leads, wouldn't it have made more sense to repurpose the leads on the existing mic jack, just solder the cables in and make an external F-type -> phono plug?