Raspberry Pi Zero W Turns Old CRT TV into Smart TV

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Get WiFi and Netflix the way it was intended—on an old CRT TV.

Raspberry Pi
(Image credit: Saugat Gamuwa, Maker Sci)

When it comes to revitalizing old hardware, no SBC is quite as versatile as the Raspberry Pi. You can cram a Pi into anything from an old typewriter to a Commodore 64 with some exciting results depending on how far you want to take it. Today, we’re sharing another cool project that revitalizes old hardware with new tech created by Saugat Gamuwa with Maker Sci over at YouTube. In his latest video, Gamuwa shows us how he managed to transform an old CRT TV into a smart TV.

It doesn’t take any special PCB or niche hardware to pull off this project. All you need is a Raspberry Pi capable of streaming video so anything from a Pi 4 to a Pi Zero will suffice and the right adapter to output said video to the CRT. In this case, he’s got an AV to HDMI adapter on hand which is more than capable of giving us the compatibility we need.

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Raspberry Pi
(Image credit: Saugat Gamuwa, Maker Sci)

There are several different ways you can take advantage of a project like this and it mostly boils down to the software you decide to implement on the Pi. For example, while Gamuwa is using a Pi to make a smart TV, you could easily turn this into a gaming project by setting up an emulator for retro consoles using something like RetroPie or Lakka.

Gamuwa provided a full list of hardware used in this project. Most of it is necessary but some of it is specific to his project because of the model of Pi chosen. Gamuwa is using a Raspberry Pi Zero W which has a mini HDMI port. Because of this, he is using a mini HDMI to HDMI converter to connect the Pi Zero W to an AV to an HDMI adapter. This adapter connects the Pi to the CRT.

For the operating system, Gamuwa is using a tool called OSMC. This is an open-source tool that stands for Open Source Media Center. It provides the smart TV functions we need that let you play videos not just locally on the Pi but from streaming apps and more. OSMC has an app store so you can customize your setup any way you like.

If you want to get a closer look at this Raspberry Pi project, check out the full video shared on YouTube. It’s a relatively simple idea but the results are too cool to ignore if you're a fan of retro hardware.

Ash Hill
Ash Hill
Contributing Writer

Ash Hill is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware with a wealth of experience in the hobby electronics, 3D printing and PCs. She manages the Pi projects of the month and much of our daily Raspberry Pi reporting while also finding the best coupons and deals on all tech.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Beachb0y
    This project should come with a hefty dose of warnings. Don't mess with CRT's unless you know what you are doing, they carry lethal voltages.....you have been warned!
    Reply
  • TerryLaze
    Beachb0y said:
    This project should come with a hefty dose of warnings. Don't mess with CRT's unless you know what you are doing, they carry lethal voltages.....you have been warned!
    They just connect everything externally...there is no danger unless your CRT is so old that it crumbles if you touch it.
    This is a non article and a non project, basically hdmi to av adaptors exists is the whole content of this article.
    Reply
  • Beachb0y
    'CRT is so old that it crumbles if you touch it'....precisely, CRT's are old by nature so who knows what state they are in. If you want to mess with 27000 volts be my guest.

    "Know the risks before doing either: Risk of Electrocution: CRT monitors include a high voltage capacitor that can hold a charge long after being unplugged. The average color TV has 27,000 volts when fully charged, well over lethal level."
    Reply
  • atanasovgoran
    Beachb0y said:
    'CRT is so old that it crumbles if you touch it'....precisely, CRT's are old by nature so who knows what state they are in. If you want to mess with 27000 volts be my guest.

    "Know the risks before doing either: Risk of Electrocution: CRT monitors include a high voltage capacitor that can hold a charge long after being unplugged. The average color TV has 27,000 volts when fully charged, well over lethal level."
    Having been hit by a crt. I would call it painful.
    But people really do exsaturate for liability.
    Reply
  • tojazenn
    Please, stop publishing such useless articles. No content except a link to YT and info that hdmi to av adaptors exists. Shame!
    Reply