Imagine a world where tiny screens reign supreme, where nostalgia meets modern technology in the most delightful way. Enter the TinyTV 2 from TinyCircuits, a charming little gadget that looks like it stepped straight out of the 1960s. With its vintage design, this 1.14-inch wonder invites you to gather ’round and relive the magic of storytelling in a way that feels utterly whimsical.
Picture this: a family of anthropomorphic mice huddling around their beloved TinyTV, its classic brown shell and slender legs giving it an air of authenticity that’s hard to resist. This portable, rechargeable device may be small, but it’s packed with a personality that could make any tech enthusiast swoon. It’s designed to play stored videos, and the attention to detail is impressive, right down to the satisfying click of its rotary dials—one for volume, another for scrolling through your playlist. In a world where TVs are sleek, smart, and bigger than ever, the TinyTV offers a cozy nod to a simpler time.
In 2025, as technology continues to evolve at lightning speed, TinyCircuits stands out not just for its innovative products but also for its commitment to creativity within the maker community. The company, based in Ohio, started with the TinyDuino Platform, a project that successfully launched on Kickstarter in 2012. Fast forward to today, and the TinyTV 2 is making waves as a delightful descendant of the $75 TinyTV DIY Kit that debuted three years ago. The TinyTV 2 itself was crowdfunded in 2022, alongside its even smaller counterpart, the 0.6-inch TinyTV Mini.
At just $60, the TinyTV is now available on TinyCircuits’ website, alongside other quirky gadgets like Thumby, a playable keychain reminiscent of a Game Boy. Ken Burns, the founder of TinyCircuits, shared with Ars Technica that the initial inspiration for the TinyTV came from a customer in Japan, who cleverly used a small screen from their product line to create an adorable mini TV set.
Even when powered off, the TinyTV sparks intrigue with its vintage aesthetic, reminiscent of the earliest TV sets. The moment you press the power button, you’re greeted with a nostalgic snow effect and the crackling sound of TV static—an auditory experience that feels almost magical in today’s streaming age. Sure, it lacks a tuner and can’t connect to the internet, but who needs that when you can stream videos from a connected computer via USB-C? Just keep in mind that there’s no audio support, leaving you to enjoy the visuals in quiet contemplation.
Using the TinyTV feels like a blast from the past. With most modern TVs relying on flat buttons and voice commands, turning a knob and pressing a button to change content feels like a quirky adventure. It makes one wonder if today’s youth even comprehend phrases like “flipping channels” or “channel surfing.” The TinyTV even emulates a live TV experience by syncing timestamps, so when you return to a “channel,” the video picks up from where you left off, just like a classic TV show.
One of the quirks of the TinyTV is its power-off display, which shows a shrinking circle of static before fading to black. It comes with an infrared remote that, while charming, leaves much to be desired in terms of reliability. Even when held at the recommended distance, it can be a bit finicky, which is unfortunate since using the knobs requires a steady hand to prevent the TinyTV from toppling over.
Adding videos to the TinyTV is a breeze, thanks to a free tool that converts MP4 files into the required AVI format. Once converted, simply connect the TinyTV to your computer via USB-C, and voilà! Your videos are ready to play. The image quality is surprisingly good for a 1.14-inch screen, boasting an IPS display with 16-bit color and a refresh rate of 30 Hz. While true CRT technology would have been more authentic, it’s also bulkier and harder to come by in such a tiny size.
Despite its small stature, the TinyTV’s screen resolution of 223.4 pixels per inch delivers enough clarity to appreciate the details in videos—like the text on documents or the fine lines on a small airplane’s wing. However, the front-facing speaker, measuring just 0.6 by 4 inches, struggles to compete with ambient noise, making soft dialogue difficult to hear even in a quiet room.
Technology has come a long way since the early days of television. Screens are now larger, brighter, and packed with features that we never knew we needed. Yet, the TinyTV serves as a refreshing reminder of the joy that simple entertainment can bring. Whether it’s used as a desk toy, a quirky gift for Grandma, or just a fun conversation starter, its charm is undeniable.
As I use the TinyTV in my home office, showcasing playful videos of my dog and looping breathtaking waterfall footage, I can’t help but smile. In a world where TVs are becoming ad machines and every new display tech requires us to learn new jargon, the TinyTV offers a delightful escape. It may not be a real TV, but it embodies the true spirit of what TV was meant to be—an electronic screen that invites us to gather and be entertained, if only for a moment.
