Remember the satisfying clunk of putting a VHS tape into the player? For many, that physical interaction is a nostalgic part of movie night. Tech creator Dillan Stock at The Stock Pot has reimagined this classic experience for the modern smart home, building a cool DIY project that uses NFC tags in 3D-printed “tapes” to control your media and more via ESPHome. This isn’t about fuzzy picture quality; it’s about bringing tactile fun back to streaming and smart home control.
Contents
The core idea is brilliant: small, stylish 3D-printed cartridges hold simple NFC tags. When you insert one into a custom-built reader, an ESP32 reads the tag ID. This ID is then sent to ESPHome, which can trigger actions like turning on your TV, launching a specific movie or show on a media server like Plex, or even controlling other smart devices around your house. It’s a playful blend of retro aesthetics and modern smart tech.
Why ‘VHS’? The Appeal of Physical Media
In the age of endless streaming menus, there’s a certain charm lost from having a physical library you can browse, touch, and load. Dillan’s project taps into that feeling. While you’re not storing video on these cartridges, you get the tangible experience of picking a “tape” for movie night. The design is intentionally reminiscent of old media, adding a layer of fun nostalgia.
How It Works: NFC, 3D Printing, and ESPHome
The magic happens through a clever combination of custom-designed hardware and versatile software.
The Clever Cartridges
Forget flimsy plastic! Dillan put serious thought into making these mini-VHS cartridges look and feel good. They’re designed for 3D printing in two parts that snap together without needing glue, saving time and materials. They even have the right shape to hold a miniaturized movie poster on the front as a label – a perfect touch! The aesthetic is clean and slightly retro, maybe even a bit like old Atari cartridges. Inside each one is just a simple, inexpensive NFC tag.
The Reader and the Tech Inside
The accompanying reader is also 3D printed and just as thoughtfully designed. It includes smart features like print-in-place springs to give you that satisfying analog feel and clunk when you insert a cartridge. Electronically, it’s quite straightforward. The reader houses an NFC reader board (to scan the tag) and an ESP32 microcontroller.
Close-up of a 3D printed modern VHS cartridge with a miniature movie poster label being inserted into its 3D printed NFC reader, showcasing the DIY physical media experience.
ESPHome: The Smart Brain
This is where the project’s true power lies. Unlike some NFC projects that directly trigger a limited action, this system uses the ESP32 simply to read the NFC tag’s unique ID and send it over your network to ESPHome.
If you’re familiar with smart home projects, you know ESPHome is incredibly flexible. Once ESPHome receives that tag ID, you can program it to do anything you can integrate with ESPHome. Most commonly, this means:
- Turning on your TV
- Switching inputs
- Sending commands to a media server like Plex to play a specific movie linked to that tag
- Dimming the lights
- Starting your popcorn maker (if it’s smart and integrated!)
This modular approach makes the system super adaptable. Each cartridge becomes a programmable smart home trigger disguised as a retro movie tape.
Bringing Physicality Back to Digital
Dillan Stock’s “Modern VHS” player is more than just a cool gadget; it’s a fun exploration of how physical interfaces can enhance our digital lives. It reminds us that interaction doesn’t always have to be swiping on a screen. Picking out a “tape” and inserting it offers a tangible ritual that streaming often lacks.
If you’re into DIY electronics, 3D printing, or smart home tech, this project offers a great entry point with clear steps and versatile results. You can find all the details, including code, 3D files, and label templates, over on Dillan’s website.
Dillan is known for creative hacks like this, from fixing tricky USB-C ports on lamps to smart universal remotes. His projects often blend practicality with clever design, making everyday tech a little more interesting.
Whether you build one or just appreciate the idea, the Modern VHS project shows how a touch of nostalgia and a little tech savvy can make controlling your smart home a lot more fun.
