In an era where microcontroller boards are becoming increasingly powerful, Tech Talkies recently showcased an interesting use for the versatile ESP32-S3 chip by turning it into a fully functional, pocket-sized retro television. Leveraging the display and audio capabilities of modern hobbyist hardware, the project demonstrates how low-cost microcontrollers can easily drive video playback and custom user interfaces inside a compact, 3D-printed enclosure.
The main part of the build is the May Touch Light, a board featuring a 2.4-inch resistive touchscreen display powered by the ESP32-S3. To deliver the full television experience, the builder paired the display with a MAX98357A audio amplifier, a small round speaker, an SD card that will be inserted into the SD card slot for media storage, and a USB-C panel mount for clean power delivery. The entire assembly fits tightly into a custom-designed 3D-printed case of a beautiful colour combination.
Getting the mini TV operational requires a quick firmware flash via the Tech Talkies web flasher page, followed by video preparation using a custom conversion script (convert.bat) available on GitHub. Once videos are processed and loaded onto the SD card, the tiny set comes alive with full gesture-based navigation. Tapping the left or right screen edges changes channels, tapping the upper or lower center manages playback and skipping, and a quick vertical swipe adjusts the audio volume, delivering a surprisingly polished user experience in a bite-sized package.
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