Transforming a Blade Runner Prop Into a Modern PC

Have you noticed that — with very few exceptions — laptops and desktops all look pretty much the same these days? What happened to the unique designs of the past, such as the Commodore PET 2001 that looked like a prop from a Buck Rogers set, or the translucent, candy-colored, all-in-one iMacs? Today’s machines may be far more powerful, but they are also far more boring.

YouTuber Luconaute wanted a computer with more aesthetic appeal than the machines on the market today have. When you can’t buy what you have in mind, you have to build it yourself, so that is what Luconaute did.

The resulting custom cyberdeck is built around a portable Panasonic TR-545 TV set manufactured in 1979. This same model of TV appeared (upside down) in the 1982 film Blade Runner, so it is a natural choice for a retro-futuristic cyberdeck build. But since it is such cool hardware, Luconaute wanted to ensure that all of the modifications were reversible.

Since the TV has a huge battery compartment to house lots of D-cell batteries, this was the obvious place to hide the modern hardware additions. A new battery holder was 3D printed to house a Raspberry Pi 5 computer, a power bank, and an RF modulator. The RF modulator converts the HDMI video signal generated by the Raspberry Pi into something that the analog CRT TV can decode. This signal is fed directly into the TV’s antenna input.

A wireless keyboard and a finger mouse complete the build. These input devices are stowed in a 3D-printed holder when not in use.

Looking ahead, Luconaute is planning to add a webcam for video calls, a receipt printer, and perhaps some arcade buttons mounted on the side of the TV for extra inputs. With the small size and low resolution of the TR-545, this isn’t a machine you’re going to want to use as your daily driver. But it definitely wins out over your regular machine in terms of cool factor. Be sure to check out the video below to see it in action.