I am starting to build DVR and I need some good looking cases.

Been using the 3 Unit rack cases, but they are so deep. Does not work all the time.
Need something with 2 PCI slots, or up, ATX board size and have a slot for a cd-rw in front. Do not like the tower. Need something that looks like a standalone DVR, either silver or black. Trying to avoid the "gaming machine look with blinking neon light, or the dusty gray pc tower look.

Any Ideas would be greatly helpful

Thanks,

look at:

www.norcotek.com

I use their stuff all the time, and they are great, specially what they charge for cases!

I-Star makes very nice IPC cases especially for dvr's:

http://www.imageshape.com

Unless you are willing to use Micro-ATX board, I don't think you have a choice for a nice desktop case. But if you do, this one is best value (~50$ with 300W PSU) and looks good. The PSU is good as well:

http://www.compucase.com.tw/product/product_b.asp?id=12#
US office is here:
http://www.hecgroupusa.com/

Take into note that most of those nice looking desktop cases that looks like a standalone dvr are useless for your application, since they are too low for a standard PCI card to fit in them, and only allow Low-Profile ones.

http://www.directron.com/sstlc01.html

looks nice, but costs more like an IPC case.

Thanks for al the tips.

I was doing some research and found this one that I really like.
http://www.directron.com/sf101bk.html

A question

Micro ATX. Is there any draw backs using micro atx boards besides the limited amount of PCI slots. I get the impression when I look at the case that I can fit 3 capture cards plus 1 video cards in the case. Will be using them with a celeron 2,4 CPU and the VPON cards

I am going to use it mainly for smaller system (4-8 channels) so I only need 1 hard drive and 1 cd burner bay.

I have bean using the imageshape cases, the 3 unit one. Will continue to use them for the bigger systems.

PS. The VPON cards are not very long. 5 inches or so..

i like this one, wonder if a PCI card could fit in it ..?

http://www.directron.com/dm317.html

Might only support low profile PCI cards.

3 capture cards plus a vga card is not recommended because card in 1st PCI slot will absorb too much heat from the VGA card (unless it is well cooled). Other than that, a dvr card in the 1st slot is not recommended since this slot shares resources with AGP.
For up to 8 channels the onboard 32MB shared VGA on SiS based motherboards will work fine with most dvr cards.

No special drawbacks.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115&depa=0

All the 4U rackmounts are a nice touch. However I have found this to be a very nice tower unit.

2 cents

Still like this one the beas
http://www.directron.com/sf101bk.html
When you lay it down it actually looks like an exclusive dvr, specially for people who do not know what a dvr looks like.
Ordered one yesterday. $50 with shipping compared o $150 for the server cases, and it is not so clumsy. Ever tried to find room for a 24" deep server case in a 200 SqFeet donut shop. Not easy

too big for me ...

Ir really like the one you saw rory.....

looks professional. unique, and a small footprint.

yep, im getting an Iview card tomorrow hopefully, will measure it and see if it cant fit in that smaller case ..

It won't fit.

You can try one of these:
http://www.citycase.com.tw/showroom-items.asp?ser=100

You can easily find them in the US.

Looks good, but could not find them on the net. Are the Micro ATX, and who has then in US

Nope wont fit jn that case I liked - Card is bigger than a video card.

Plugging it in my PC now actually to test out - the Iview - Fred PM me, I tested the 4 channels and that Avtech 16 channel ..

Rory

http://www.athenatech.us/a100.htm

You can read a review and see some photos here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20031209/case-09.html
http://www.x-trememodz.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=25

you might wanna check these as well:
http://www.ttgiusa.com/product/pccase/101_all.htm