A new DIY project demonstrates a home game console that fits inside a standard RCA plug, using an ESP32‑S3 microcontroller and an Xbox Series X controller over BLE. The prototype can output a PAL composite video signal and even run the classic game Doom.
Core design choices
The builder selected the ESP32‑S3 for its small footprint, cheap price, built‑in Wi‑Fi/BLE, and enough compute to synthesize an analog TV signal in software. Video is generated by repurposing the chip’s RGB LCD peripheral and a four‑resistor DAC that creates a ~1 V composite signal compatible with a TV’s 75 Ω input. Audio is added by modulating a PAL carrier with a bit‑pattern generated via the I²S MCLK pin, though the result is noisy and limited.
Input and power constraints
An Xbox Series X controller provides familiar gamepad input via BLE, avoiding the need for a dedicated wired port. Power comes from a tiny 8.5 mm diameter Li‑Ion cell that fits inside the plug, but the article notes the cell’s low capacity and inability to supply the ~120 mA draw of the ESP32‑S3 with BLE enabled, making sustained playtime a challenge.
Video quality and RF tricks
The composite video works, but color resolution is low – only 16 voltage levels – leading to noticeable distortion. The author also built a simple two‑transistor mixer to overlay FM audio on the PAL carrier, which improves linearity at the cost of modulation depth, resulting in reduced contrast. An RF antenna fitted to a 9.5 mm plug radiates the signal to the TV’s antenna input.
What the article leaves out
The post does not discuss any commercial pricing, kit availability, or mass‑production considerations; it is a pure hobbyist effort with all files on GitHub. No formal safety testing or regulatory compliance (e.g., RF emission limits) is mentioned, so replicators should be cautious about local broadcast rules.
When to try it
If you enjoy hacking vintage video hardware and have the tools to assemble flex boards and small‑scale RF circuits, keep an eye on the project's GitHub for any pre‑built PCB revisions or community‑tested battery solutions before committing to a first build. The full write‑up and source files are available on the original blog post here.
