A 3D-Printed TV for Simpsons Fans

Back in the ‘90s our TVs had tubes, we watched whatever the local stations were broadcasting, our video games had pixels the size of Lite-Brite pegs, and that’s the way we liked it. Modern tech may have advanced greatly since this time, but for those who grew up in the 1990s the pull of the analog glow is still incredibly strong.

To bring back the experience, Redditor adrury has created a 3D-printed television that plays the first 11 seasons of The Simpsons. It has two dials, one of which switches between four different “channels,” each playing a different episode of the show. Simpsons-esque transitions add to the experience when channels are changed. The other dial controls the volume level, with a push to turn the screen off and mute the system.

If you get tired of watching The Simpsons (is that possible?), there is a toggle switch that puts the TV into game mode. Hidden underneath the faux antenna, there is a compartment containing a pair of Bluetooth game controllers. The system runs software that allows the user to play era-appropriate games on Atari or PlayStation emulators, or MAME for arcade hits.

The device is powered by a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B single-board computer. It drives a cheap HDMI display that was designed for automotive use. Importantly, this display has a 4:3 aspect ratio just like actual CRT TVs of the ‘90s.

Check out the original post for more details on the build.