As televisions continue to grow larger, reaching sizes of 130 inches or more, it appears that the converse inquiry hasn’t really been posed. How small can they possibly be? That was the scenario prior to Tiny Circuits’ TinyTV series, which is recognized as the smallest functional television in the world. For instance, the TinyTV Mini measures roughly the size of a grape and is accompanied by a fully operational mini remote. The televisions arrive pre-assembled and ready for use, featuring preloaded videos and content for viewing.
What’s likely more fascinating is the impressive amount of technology packed into its tiny form. Inside the TinyTV, there resides a rechargeable battery, a 15.2 mm display boasting a 64 x 64 resolution, and a Raspberry Pi RP2040 processor. Additionally, it includes functional physical buttons on the top, such as a channel changer, volume control, and an on/off switch. It even comes in two variations, classic brown and clear plastic. Charging is done via USB-C, and it can connect to a computer for video playback through the wired connection.
However, it lacks a wireless card, indicating that it cannot wirelessly receive or stream media. It is likely you would use the wired USB-C connection or upload content to the TV — it features 8 GB of internal storage, sufficient to accommodate around 40 hours of video content. The price for the TinyTV Mini with its remote is $60, and it’s the same for the enhanced TinyTV 2, which includes a moderately larger screen and battery. Despite their novelty, there are smart TVs available for under $100 that Amazon users highly recommend, and these are all significantly larger than 64 x 64 pixels.
What on earth would you do with the world’s tiniest television?
Once again, these are unique gadgets we’re discussing. You wouldn’t exactly haul these mini televisions over to a friend’s house to catch a football game or watch live sports. They are primarily meant for enjoyment and a bit of bragging rights. The very fact that these diminutive TVs are functional, allowing you to load your own video content, showcases the advancements in modern technology. A free tool named the TinyTV Converter can be used to make MP4 files compatible with the miniature sets. Just imagine watching your favorite movies and shows on a tiny, magnificent display. The most frequent error individuals make when purchasing a new television is selecting the incorrect size, and these mini TVs completely defy that dilemma. The viewing distance for these devices must be absurd. Honestly, we’re now curious about how subtitles would appear on something this small.
Moreover, you can purchase a TinyTV DIY kit that includes everything required to build the miniature functioning television set on your own. It’s primarily designed as a hobbyist endeavor for those interested in gaining experience working with miniature circuits, particularly the Tiny Duino platform, an open-source hardware platform rooted in Arduino chips. Tiny Circuits also offers miniature retro and handheld gaming consoles like Thumby, a diminutive player reminiscent of the Game Boy. When discussing affordable handheld gaming consoles, none compare to Thumby, which is characterized as a “tiny totem of nostalgic gaming.” The TinyTV could similarly be described — tiny totems of nostalgic media viewing. Go tiny or go home.