acoustically isolating a Satellite TV DVR

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Regalma

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acoustically isolating a Satellite TV DVR
« on: 10 Aug 2009, 08:05 pm »
Fancy way of saying I have DVR that is continously running and making noise in my listening room. I want to build a sound "proof" box around it. I figure I have room enough on the shelf to make the box about 3" higher, 2" wider and about 2" deeper than the DVR itself. So the sound proofing material can't be very thick. I can place a remote control extender inside the box, so I can cover over the front of it. Though I would like to have a small window to see the LEDs, so I can tell when it is recording.

Anybody have any recommendations?

Thanks,

bpape

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Re: acoustically isolating a Satellite TV DVR
« Reply #1 on: 10 Aug 2009, 08:27 pm »
Use some rubber grommets under the unit to stop lower frequencies from transmitting to the new 'case'.  You should be able to use fluffy cotton batting with a cloth stretched over it on top and sides (maybe 1/2" thick)  to stop the higher frequencies.

You'll still need some sort of ventilation for the unit though. 

Bryan

evan1

Re: acoustically isolating a Satellite TV DVR
« Reply #2 on: 10 Aug 2009, 08:42 pm »
Is the noise coming from the hard drive or is the case making noise ?

Bob in St. Louis

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Re: acoustically isolating a Satellite TV DVR
« Reply #3 on: 10 Aug 2009, 08:57 pm »
My DVR gets pretty hot. Careful boxing it in.
Mine is behind the tempered glass door of the equipment rack, so it's not much of a bother, but I think the noise is from the fan. Might wanna check yours to see if there's a nasty build up of dust on the blades. Also, see if there's much play in the fans shaft. I really doubt the sat companies put much in the way of quality fans in there. You could probably replace it with a much better (quieter) unit for pretty cheap.
The rubber feet idea would help keep the vibrations from transmitting to the rest of the equipment around it as well.
When it's at it's worst, you could poke and prod around the outside of the case to see if it's part of the chassis making the noise. Then you could tighten the screws or place a weight on it.
If you're really feeling adventurous, you could line the internals with the sheets of that black stuff....the name of which escapes me right now. "Black hole" I think they call it"??  :scratch:

Bob

mgalusha

Re: acoustically isolating a Satellite TV DVR
« Reply #4 on: 10 Aug 2009, 09:01 pm »
I placed my DVR on some Herbies "Tenderfeet" (I think) and that helped a great deal. The TV stand has glass shelves and they transmitted the sound of the drive all too well. It's not silent but it is much quieter.

Speedskater

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Re: acoustically isolating a Satellite TV DVR
« Reply #5 on: 11 Aug 2009, 01:43 am »
I mount my DVR on Sorbothane Hemisphere pads from Edmund Optics:

www.edmundoptics.com/onlinecatalog/displayproduct.cfm?productID=1618

I also mounted my STB's external hard-drive on the same pads and then put a block of electrical duct seal on top of it ($2 or $3 at Home Depot)
The pads are only 4 for $16.50 so I put them under everything that vibrates or has a fan.