Media center meets piano, results are questionable

We've all ideas the creator of the Compiano thinks that it's pretty hot stuff, but we're not sure the end result is what we'd deem elegant. Nevertheless, it's hard to argue with the utility here -- after all, it's not everyday that you can sit at one bench and play a few measures of Chopin while watching the Hiphopapotamous vs. Rhymenoceros clip that you recorded months back. The 1904 Chickering Upright Grand Piano may not seem all that unique at first glance, but hidden behind its mahogany frame is a 26-inch Philips LCD HDTV and a full-blown Media Center PC complete with a half terabyte of storage space and 1GB of RAM. The bidding will start on this interesting mishmash at just under seven grand, but if you're not keen on waiting it out, you can make this your own for just $19,998. Click on through for a video of the display being hidden from view.

[Via GearDiary]

[Kique @ Nov 26th 2007 3:31AM]

OMFG!!! Will it blend???
LOL

... and the AppleTV edition?

[David @ Nov 26th 2007 4:31AM]

OMGz! and i bet it doesn't play doom! lolZZZZZ

[Will @ Nov 26th 2007 3:34AM]

I am going to bid on this, it will go perfect with my insanity.

[Byzil Mystwing @ Nov 26th 2007 3:38AM]

why would anyone want to pay $20k or a boat+cash for a computer that they can't fit anywhere that comes with an uncomfortable stool and no way to adjust the screen angle, etc? plus it's really not THAT hidden as you have to have power running to the back..

though it does look like something out of James Bond

[Scott G. @ Nov 26th 2007 3:42AM]

This has "Single Guy Living with Grandma" written all over it!

[TQ @ Nov 26th 2007 4:01AM]

From his ebay description:

"Wives: Afraid you cannot afford it? Think again. Look at all the toys (cars/boats/RVs) your husband owns, pick one (with a clear title) and make me an offer. He’ll understand, especially when he sees it. Don’t you deserve it?"

For some reason I don't think their husbands would understand...... but they definitely deserve it!

lolz

[fgpx78 @ Nov 26th 2007 4:20AM]

At least is portable: it got wheels!

[jamma @ Nov 26th 2007 8:37AM]

Yeah, cos the wheels make it easy to take it to work and back again daily...

Now if only they had portable computers that can go on your lap and fold to the size of an A4 sheet of paper....

[tony @ Nov 26th 2007 4:31AM]

is it because i rap about REALITY?! like me and my grandma, havin' a cup of TEA?!

there ain't no party like my nana's tea party... hey... ho...

[polobunny @ Nov 26th 2007 5:48AM]

WHOA, 6.8Ghz processor it says! Nice overclock on that Core2Duo it seems. :P

[Will @ Nov 26th 2007 7:41AM]

It should be a crime to do that to a piano. That's hideous!

[lothar @ Nov 26th 2007 11:58AM]

Agree,

To take a 100+ year old musical instrument and turn it into some lame case mode is just wrong.
The guy could have found some beat to hell free crappy piano from Craigslist and used that, still that would be wrong just not as bad.

[Jamie @ Nov 26th 2007 1:11PM]

Old junker upright pianos like that are never very good as pianos anyway, even in the best condition. At least this makes it functional and useful again. Even better if it has a really nice speaker system in it, and it could still make good music!

[master_sword @ Nov 26th 2007 8:10AM]

the only real use i can see is that you have your music on the screen and it "flips" pages by changing the screen...but thats it

[Jeremy K. @ Nov 26th 2007 9:53AM]

There's no piano in there, it's just an empty case. It's a shame, since it used to be a Chickering.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Nov 26th 2007 1:42PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickering_and_Sons
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Chickering

[granny down east @ Nov 26th 2007 1:50PM]

Chickering. Ah yes, my first piano. 1888 model. Ivory keys. Wish I still had it!
A total refurb of tha old girl would only have cost @ $2500. What a dumbass for giving it up.

[Ghen @ Nov 26th 2007 8:34AM]

I can't believe it hasn't been said yet but:


Piano Hero.

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Nov 26th 2007 9:01AM]

What is a "Rhymenoceros"?

[kuthippie @ Nov 26th 2007 9:07AM]

nice job f**king up your nice looking piano :s

[atrain @ Nov 26th 2007 11:52AM]

$20,000?!?!! And you only get 1/2 TB? A 500GB hard drive is only $100 these days. And same w/1GB ram. He doesn't even state the graphics card. This is just an average computer. In fact, 6.8Ghz might be a Pentium D 950 -> 3.4 X 2 = 6.8Ghz. Why should anybody pay $20,000 for an average, and slightly older, computer?

From Gizmodo comments: "Better to have Windows XP on your piano than Jaguar on your organ"

[Wilder.K.Wight @ Nov 26th 2007 12:03PM]

Next up, an MP3 player built into a bowling ball.

WHY would you want something this big and heavy? Bad idea. Move on.

[OnZeFly @ Nov 26th 2007 1:51PM]

No big place for da mouse!

[xanthan @ Nov 26th 2007 2:18PM]

Not sure why it says results are questionable, the results seem fine.. it's the price that's questionable.

Maybe it would make more sense if the screen shown in the photo had musical notes on it. I'm sure many pianists with songs on their PC wouldn't mind having that screen in front of them while playing, add a USB foot pedal hot keyed to turn the page and you're rocking. But for that price.. no.

[Fred @ Nov 26th 2007 2:38PM]

It would be more interesting if it actually had a functioning piano, but it doesn't. LAME.

[Sirocco @ Nov 26th 2007 7:44PM]

It's the breakthrough I've been waiting for.

[Sirocco @ Nov 26th 2007 7:46PM]

My sister has a player piano. Might be a good way to bring that baby back to life.

[rmcase @ Nov 27th 2007 1:23AM]

If I'm not mistaken the movie being shown is Red Dawn. Nothing like selling a $20k media center with a campy 80s red scare flick.