Building an interactive gaming table (flat screen embedded in table) - how I did it

[GentleGiant]

Over the years there have been several threads about people's gaming table set-ups, so I thought I'd share mine too.
I just finished building my new interactive gaming table (with the help of my brother) and wanted to share it with the boards. Maybe someone might get inspired by it, like I've been inspired by the people doing similar projects.
I've put up a folder with pictures and descriptions of the building process and the finished table on my deviantART page. Even if you don't have a profile there you should be able to see it.

deviantART link.

We had our first gaming session on it two weeks ago and everyone (including the GM) loved it! It'll also help the two players who normally join us via Skype.

Next step is to set up a dedicated computer to run the screen (probably an older laptop I need to install Linux on - could also be a RaspberryPi) and do a Wiimote Whiteboard set-up so the screen can be controlled with an IR pen.

Feel free to ask any questions you don't think I've addressed in the descriptions of the pictures. :-)

[Samuel F. B. Morse]

-.. --- - - .. -. --. / - .... .. ... / - .... .-. . .- -.. / -... . -.-. .- ..- ... . / - .... .. ... / .. ... / ..-. .-. . .- -.- .. -. --. / .- -- .- --.. .. -. --. .-.-.-

[Krensky]

Not to be a downer, but did you put any thought into ventilation and cooling? You're going to kill the panel (or at least massively reduce it's life span) without some sort of fan.

The panel's intended to be vertical so it was designed so hot air leaves the enclosure from the top most vents drawing cooler air in the bottom ones. Setting in on it's back like that will cause the hot air to stagnate around the hot components.

[Muad'Dib]

Very nice work GG! The craftsmanship looks top notch.

Seeing all those cans of soda, mugs, glasses and what looks like a bowl of water on the table would make me very nervous.

-MD

[Loren Pechtel]

I would think it would be safer if you put a piece of glass or plastic over the whole table.

[Vincent Takeda]

I agree with Krensky. My first thought was 'I wonder what method we're using to keep it from overheating...

That being said... Looks fantastic!

[Muad'Dib]

Unlike Plasma TV's most LCD's ventilate in the back. The TV used in GG's table is an LCD and one of the pictures posted shows the vent placement on the rear. So it looks to have adequate space to vent.

[Krensky]

It's not the space, but the geometry. As I said it's designed with the assumption that it's vertical. Placing it on it's back changes the airflow and compromises thermal design.

[GentleGiant]

Okay, question answering time!
Heat: It's an LED* screen and actually develops a lot less heat than the other 40" LCD screen I have, which will be used at the end of the table for our Skype players. The screen surface doesn't get hot at all, not even with the plexiglass sheet on top.
Someone who did a slightly similar set-up a few years ago, but with an LCD screen, had problems with their plexiglass fogging up (it was also raised a bit more from the screen and the air between the screen and the sheet was semi-trapped) - link here. The LED screen gives off almost no heat.
The air vents aren't trapped in any way and there's free flowing air around the back of the screen - it's not only raised up by the wall mount, there's nothing under most of the screen at all.
I'm aware that it's not usually meant for horizontal mounting, but I'm also looking out for any heat problems and haven't found any yet. I know one of the people from which I've drawn inspiration has used a screen in a similar way for a couple of years now.
I'll probably take a picture of it from underneath when I get the last couple of things installed. :-)
I think that a sheet (either plexiglass or hardened glass) across the whole table would actually prevent more heat from escaping.
Such a sheet would also cause a problem when using miniatures as there would be a gap between the grid on the screen and the bottom of the miniature. This would cause a "distortion" when viewing the screen from the side (sitting down at the table). Here's a video showing it.

Spillage: There's a raised edge of about an inch going all around the TV. This is also varnished, so no liquids should be able to run in there. It'd have to slosh up high or someone would have to tip over a glass directly onto the TV for anything to happen to it.
The bowl of water was a bowl of sliced carrots and has a rubber foot, so it's really difficult to tip or move along the table by pushing (it was also leftovers from our dinner, so it's not something that's usually there).
I do intend to inform everyone not to put any drink containers right next to the screen (if people only used regular glasses or cans I might have installed cup holders, but they're not that practical for coffee cups). On the other hand, we haven't had anyone spill anything at a regular table in... I actually can't remember when it happened last time. It's been many years since it has happened.
I probably just jinxed it by saying that. ;-)

* Yes, I know that an LED screen is also an LCD screen. :-)