A Vintage Portable VCR Becomes the Perfect Raspberry Pi Media Center

For some of us, there is something irresistibly charming about ’80s consumer electronics design aesthetics. The angular plastic cases, the multitude of buttons, and bulky proportions all come together in the industrial design that defined the era. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe the designs are genuinely good, but either way ’80s electronics speak to many of us.

When maker Martin Mander (aka MisterM) came across a 1981 portable Sharp VCR, he knew it would make the perfect enclosure for his Raspberry Pi media center. Really, we don’t have to explain how beautifully this turned out — just look at the video and photos to be convinced. Like many of MisterM’s other projects, this one utilizes the VCR’s original buttons as much as possible, making it that much more fun to use.

Additionally, a variety of new functions have been integrated. The Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is clearly visible through a window on the side, and is loaded up with Raspbmc. Ejecting the VHS tape reveals USB ports connected to the Pi, and the tape itself lights up with some EL wire. The clock (which has some neat effects) is a Carbon Frog Arduino-based LED matrix, which fits in perfectly with the rest of the ’80s look.

Around the back side of the VCR is the crown jewel of the media center: the display. This came from a small HD TV, and the LCD panel itself is a generous 15”. The panel fits seamlessly into the VCR, and looks like it was designed specifically for this purpose. The final step was to paint the case a nice Raspberry Pi-esque shade of red, and the finished result is striking.