Cheap Yellow Display (CYD), an inexpensive ESP32-based board with a touchscreen, has been turned into a mini television. The project plays different media content from an SD card using a “channel” system and is controlled with the CYD’s BOOT button.
The system can play synchronized .mjpeg and audio files. The project also uses a retro-looking, 3D-printed television enclosure.
Why it matters
The project shows that a low-cost and accessible development board can be used not only for electronic experiments but also for a standalone media interface that replicates the basic functions of an everyday device. While the channel system turns the content from individual files into a television-like browsing experience for the user, the single-button control creates a limit between ease of use and functional variety. In this respect, the work serves as a practical example for hobbyists experimenting with similar boards and makers designing physical interfaces. However, the text does not explain what display and audio quality the project offers, how much content it can manage, or how sufficient the single button is in different usage scenarios.