Raspberry Pi Revives CRT TVs with VCR-Style Media Player

An open-source media player called “240-MP” that runs on a Raspberry Pi is gaining attention. This project features a text-based interface and connects to CRT televisions to recreate the feel of operating a VCR.

According to an article from The Register, the project was developed by Anthony Caccese, Principal Product Lead at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, during his personal time. While rewatching Star Trek, Caccese noticed a degradation in image quality due to high-resolution upscaling and began exploring ways to enjoy content on a low-resolution CRT display. The result is 240-MP.

How the VCR-Style UI Works

The mechanism behind 240-MP is simple yet clever. It is built on top of the command-line media player MPV and supports playback of local files (Raspberry Pi’s internal storage, USB drives, external HDDs, and network shares). It can also access media libraries on a Plex server; Caccese developed modules for both local playback and Plex playback.

The user interface consists of text-based menus and is operated via remote control or keyboard. It offers standard playback functions such as folder navigation, selection of episodes or playlists, switching audio/subtitle tracks, and loop playback, while the interface is designed to mimic VCRs from the 1980s and 1990s. Notably, it eschews the advanced metadata displays and poster images found in modern media players, sticking to a simple text-only presentation.

Supported Hardware and Output Methods

On the hardware side, operation has been verified on the Raspberry Pi 4B, 3B+, and 3B. Caccese has not tested the player on other devices and does not plan to do so in the future.

For output, the player supports two methods: composite cables (compatible with Raspberry Pi) for connecting to CRT televisions, and HDMI for modern displays. To configure it, users must edit the config.txt file to select the output method in advance. The settings for composite and HDMI connections are mutually exclusive, and switching between them requires modifying the configuration file and rebooting.

In an era when modern display environments are the norm, a project that specifically targets CRT TVs with composite connections is unusual. Caccese explains that because CRT screens have a low resolution, they reproduce a “texture” in the video that is lost with modern upscaling.

Editorial Viewpoint

240-MP can be seen as an antithesis to the modern media environment, where high resolution and advanced features are taken for granted. The project implicitly raises the issue that technological progress can sometimes impair the original presentation.

Short-term Impact This project is likely to gain a certain level of support within the Plex user community and among retro gaming enthusiasts. In particular, it caters to the niche demand for watching older TV series with their original texture. It may also serve as a catalyst for the emergence of similar CRT-focused projects.

Long-term Perspective Over a timeframe of one to three years, the approach of 240-MP could influence the UI design of media players. As an alternative to today’s polished menu screens, products or services that deliberately adopt low-tech interfaces may appear.

Editorial Inquiry In the viewing experience of digital content, “high definition” is not the only value criterion. 240-MP once again demonstrates that there are forms of expression and experiences that technological evolution has stripped away. As standards continue to advance, the creative value of intentionally imposing limitations is likely to be discussed in broader contexts.

Reference

• The Register: Blockbuster new Raspberry Pi project turns any screen into old-school VCR — Published June 10, 2026