UPDATE: Five innovative DIY projects are set to transform the way you experience your smart TV, breathing new life into aging technology without the need for costly replacements. These upgrades are not only affordable but also enhance functionality, making your viewing experience feel modern and engaging again.
The projects, which can be implemented right away, include building an AI-powered universal remote, setting up a server-backed media library, using Pi-hole for ad blocking, converting your TV into a smart photo display, and adding dynamic ambient lighting. Each of these upgrades can be completed for minimal cost—often using materials you may already have at home.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT: As smart TVs become slower and more cluttered over time, these upgrades promise to restore their efficiency and usability. With many households relying on smart TVs for entertainment, improving their performance can significantly enhance family viewing experiences.
BUILD AN AI-POWERED UNIVERSAL REMOTE: Using a Pico W or ESP32 microcontroller, you can create a universal remote that manages your entire entertainment system. This remote allows for unprecedented flexibility, accommodating older and newer devices seamlessly. With the ability to integrate with Home Assistant, users can control functions like lighting and input settings through a single voice command.
SET UP A SERVER-BACKED MEDIA LIBRARY: Running platforms like Jellyfin or Plex on a personal server revolutionizes how you access your media collection. These platforms organize your movies and shows with artwork and detailed metadata, reducing reliance on outdated smart TV apps. This upgrade ensures smooth streaming and compatibility, even for older hardware.
USE PI-HOLE FOR AD BLOCKING: Running Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi offers comprehensive ad protection for your entire home network. By filtering out unwanted ads and tracking domains, Pi-hole enhances your TV’s performance by leading to faster loading times and cleaner interfaces. Users can enjoy a more private viewing experience, as telemetry data is blocked, giving them better control over their digital footprint.
CONVERT YOUR TV INTO A SMART PHOTO DISPLAY: Transforming your TV into a digital photo frame provides a second purpose for the device. By running a simple slideshow script on a Raspberry Pi, families can keep their screen visually interesting with rotating images from shared cloud albums. This feature fosters ongoing connections among family members and adds a personal touch to the living space.
ADD DYNAMIC AMBIENT LIGHTING: Installing ambient lighting with systems like WLED or Hyperion creates a more immersive viewing experience. These setups analyze screen colors and project light onto the wall, enhancing the atmosphere during movie nights or gaming sessions. The upgrade can be easily scaled for larger TVs and integrated with smart home systems.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR NEXT: These projects signal a growing trend in home automation and DIY tech upgrades, appealing to tech-savvy consumers looking to maximize their existing devices. As more households embrace these enhancements, the demand for simple, cost-effective solutions to improve smart TV functionality will likely surge.
Upgrade your smart TV today with these engaging projects and transform your viewing experience without breaking the bank. Each improvement is designed to create a more enjoyable and modern living room setup, making your old technology feel brand new again. Don’t miss out—get started on these upgrades now!