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You can personalize a TinyTV DIY Kit by painting its enclosure before assembly and loading converted videos onto its microSD card. For the standard video workflow, convert clips with TinyCircuits’ TSV Converter, then copy the resulting TSV files to the card. These instructions are for the DIY kit—not the separately sold, assembled TinyTV 2.
Which TinyTV model do these instructions cover?
The painting steps below apply to the TinyTV DIY Kit, whose enclosure you assemble yourself. TinyCircuits recommends painting it before assembly, when the small surfaces are easier to reach.
TinyTV 2 is a separate, fully assembled product with a plastic case and a USB-C workflow for loading converted videos. Do not apply the DIY kit’s disassembly or painting steps to TinyTV 2 without instructions for that model. TinyCircuits’ product pages describe the two models’ different enclosures and video-loading methods.
What paint and supplies should you use?
TinyCircuits’ painting tutorial recommends acrylic or enamel paint; it says the company uses Arteza acrylic paint and that any acrylic paint will do. Metallic markers are another option if you would rather draw details than apply paint with a brush. A small brush gives you control on the enclosure’s compact surfaces.
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- Built-in speaker, Rechargeable lithium battery + USB port for charging
- Includes Tiny Remote with battery
- Paint: acrylic or enamel, or metallic markers for detailing.
- Brush: a small paintbrush; a small flat brush is practical for broad, even coverage.
- Optional surface preparation: fine-grit sandpaper and primer. If you use primer, choose one made for plastic.
- Masking and cleanup: masking tape or liquid frisket, cotton swabs, filtered water, and a lint-free cloth or paper towel.
- Other useful items: a palette and tweezers.
Sanding and priming are optional. Gentle sanding can smooth the texture of the raw 3D-printed enclosure; wipe away the dust with a lint-free cloth before painting. You can also paint directly after cleaning. TinyCircuits notes that liquid frisket can be difficult to remove once dry, so masking tape may be easier to work with.
How to paint the TinyTV DIY enclosure
- Prepare the enclosure before assembly. Keep the enclosure separate from the electronics and other components while painting. This follows TinyCircuits’ recommendation and avoids trying to reach around the tiny buttons and assembled parts.
- Decide whether to sand or prime. If you want a smoother surface, gently sand the enclosure and wipe off dust. If using primer, check that it is compatible with plastic. Both steps are optional.
- Mask areas you want to keep unpainted. Use masking tape or liquid frisket to protect those surfaces. Avoid letting liquid frisket dry longer than necessary, as TinyCircuits warns it can be difficult to remove after drying.
- Apply a base coat. Work carefully over the small surface and touch up missed areas as needed. TinyCircuits says a dry brush produces darker, more even color, while a wet brush produces a more opaque result. Try the technique on paper or another smooth surface first.
- Let the coat dry before adding details. You can leave the enclosure with a solid color or add effects such as dry-brushed wood grain, a diluted paint wash in recessed areas, or stippled texture around a button or knob.
- Use the right medium for the effect. For an acrylic wash, dilute the paint with water. TinyCircuits says enamel washes require a solvent. Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for solvent handling and cleanup.
- Finish details and allow the paint to dry before assembly. Remove masking carefully and touch up as needed. Do not assemble while paint is still wet.
How to add your own videos to the DIY kit
The standard workflow does not require programming: convert a video with TinyCircuits’ TSV Converter, then copy the resulting TSV file to the DIY kit’s microSD card. TinyCircuits’ project guide says the order of files on the card determines their channel order, so arrange them in the sequence you want before transferring them.
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- Prepare the source videos. Confirm that each source video plays on your computer.
- Convert the videos. Use TinyCircuits’ TSV Converter to create the files for the kit.
- Copy the TSV files to the microSD card. Put them in the order you want for channel order, then safely eject the card after the transfer.
- Insert the card into the TinyTV DIY Kit. The device plays video content from the card; it does not receive over-the-air television or livestreams.
The DIY kit includes a microSD card preloaded with sample videos. TinyCircuits’ assembly guide says users can load up to five hours of their own videos using the converter. Treat that as a kit-specific manufacturer claim, not a guarantee for every video encoding or card. The product page also notes that a micro-USB cable is not included.
Quick Recap
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- 【Precautions and Customer Service】 Please note that batteries are not included in the packaging and must be purchased separately. This product is suitable for individuals aged 14 and above. We are committed to providing outstanding customer service. Should you encounter any issues during assembly, please feel free to reach out to us.
DIY kit and TinyTV 2: the key differences
| Detail | TinyTV DIY Kit | TinyTV 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | DIY enclosure to paint before assembly, according to TinyCircuits’ painting tutorial. | Sold fully assembled with a plastic case, according to TinyCircuits’ TinyTV 2 product page. |
| Video-loading method | Convert videos to TSV and copy them to the microSD card, according to TinyCircuits’ DIY product information and project guide. | Uses USB-C to load converted videos, according to TinyCircuits’ TinyTV 2 product page. |
| Do these painting steps apply? | Yes; paint before assembly. | Not established by the DIY kit tutorial; do not assume its disassembly or painting steps apply. |
What to check if a video or card does not work
- The device says no card was found: check that the microSD card is fully inserted.
- A new card is not recognized: TinyCircuits suggests formatting it as FAT32. Formatting deletes the card’s contents, so back up anything you need first.
- A clip does not play: confirm the source video plays on your computer, then check that you converted it with the TSV Converter.
- The files appear in an unexpected channel order: review their order on the microSD card; TinyCircuits’ project guide says card order determines channel order.
- You have finished copying files: safely eject the card before removing it.
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