Media Player With Raspberry Pi - Retrofit Vintage Clock Radio

Thank you so much for checking out my Instructable. I had a few different ideas for this project. I wanted to make a multimedia player with an above average sound system and a touch screen. I really had no idea of what I wanted the system to look like. After thinking of several design concepts, the answer came to me one day while walking through a thrift store. I realized that I didn't need to create a unit to install the components in. I would simply repurpose an old object to serve as the case/frame for my multimedia center.

With this new idea in mind, I started looking at every single item as a possibility. I had many ideas about what to use; everything from wooden crates, old nightstands or even an old vinyl record. I know some ideas sounded crazier than others, but it seemed to be a fun direction to take this project in. Then I noticed something that I thought would work quite well, a vintage Philco clock radio. When I first noticed the clock radio, I fell in love with its old charm. It seemed like the perfect case/frame for my creation.

Now for the tough/fun part; figuring out how to transfer the idea for a multimedia player from my mind, to the inside of this newly acquired vintage clock radio.

As a side note, although I chose to install the items from this tutorial into an old clock radio, it is important to note that the same methods can be applied to create a similar device from any item you would like. Your only limiting factor is your imagination.

Supplies

The supplies needed for this build include the following items:

• case or frame of your choosing (in my example, I found and used a vintage clock radio but almost anything could potentially work)
• 2 - 4 inch speakers
• some scrap pieces of wood to create a frame for speakers
• amplifier for speakers
• Raspberry Pi (I used a Raspberry Pi 4 but any would work)
• 5 inch touch screen display
• Micro HDMI to HDMI connector (included with touch screen display purchase)
• Raspberry Pi support pin
• Raspberry Pi power cable with on/off button
• a micro SD card with at least 32 GB of storage
• keyboard and mouse to access Raspberry Pi (although the touch screen can be used, keyboard and mouse will still be required for initial setup.
• *optional* This is optional, but I chose to use a USB-C connector to reverse the direction that the power cable plugs into the Raspberry Pi.

Step 1: Cleaning and Assessment

Although I was very excited to get right to work on this project, there were a few preliminary steps before anything "fun" begins. I was happy to find such an old item to work with but one of the drawbacks of working with an item of this age is that they can really start to show their age.

The first step was to remove the back panel and inspect the internal components. The next step is to carefully remove the old internal items. Although I will not be using the old tubes, speakers, etc., I am saving them for a future project (stay tuned, pun intended).

Finally, I carefully cleaned the whole exterior with warm soapy water. I was very pleased there were no serious blemishes revealed.

Step 2: Create Internal Frame for Speakers

For this step, I measured and cut 2 small squares that were small enough to fit inside the unit, but large enough to mount the speakers. Once the 2 squares were cut out, the template provided with the speakers was used to cut the openings for the speakers inside the squares.

Next, a small piece of scrap wood was used to both connect the 2 squares holding the speakers, as well as provide a mounting surface for the amplifier.

Step 3: Creating a Touch Screen Display Frame

I measured and cut a piece of wood to fit the area of the radio the once held the clock. Once I had a piece of wood that perfectly with the inner dimensions, I had to determine where to cut the opening for the display.

I decided to cut a piece of cardboard to same size and adjust the inside cut until it revealed the portion of the screen I wanted visible. I then took the cardboard cutout and placed it over the wooden cutout, and traced the internal opening from the cardboard piece. Next, I used a handheld coping saw to cut the inside opening.

Step 4: Creating the Front Panel

Since I decided that I would not be using the original face, I cut a piece of foamboard to the same size of the opening, Then I found a piece of old fabric (anything would work), and wrapped the foamboard pieces. This provided a clean panel appearance that mimics an old speaker grille.

Step 5: Preparing the Pi

Finally, we get to the interesting part of the build; the part everyone has been waiting for.... the setup of the Raspberry Pi, the star of the show.

Before we continue, in order to use the Raspberry Pi, we need to install the Raspberry Pi operating system. In order to do so, we will use Raspberry Pi Imager https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/

Raspberry Pi Imager is the quick and easy way to install Raspberry Pi OS and other operating systems to a microSD card, ready to use with your Raspberry Pi.

Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager to a computer with an SD card reader. Put the SD card you'll use with your Raspberry Pi into the reader and run Raspberry Pi Imager.

Once the Raspberry Pi operating system has been installed, the microSD is then re-installed into the Raspberry Pi.

Step 6: Assemble the Pi and Touch Screen Display

The next step is to connect the Pi and the display. First, screw one of the gold pins to the back of the display as shown in the photo. Then, connect the 2 items together by inserting the pins from the Raspberry Pi into the female ports on the back of the display. Finally, use the micro HDMI to HDMI connector to connect the video output from the Raspberry Pi to the video input on the display.

Step 7: Mount the Raspberry Pi/Display to the Radio

After testing to confirm that both the Raspberry Pi and display are both functioning properly, it is time to mount them to our unit. Before doing so, don't forget to plug in the USB receiver if you are using a wireless keyboard and mouse.

There was 1 hole drilled in each corner behind where the frame would be mounted. The frame, Raspberry Pi, and screen were fixed in place with the 4 screws (1 per corner).

Step 8: Connecting All Wires

Since the power cable sticks in an upright position, I found a connector that reverses the direction that the cable mounts in. I needed to do this to have enough clearance to reinstall the top. As you can see, there are always modifications needed to be made, even while progressing and thinking you had everything figured out. With the power hooked up to both the Pi, display, and amplifier, the only remaining step is to direct the wires to the back of the unit, replace back panel, and the top.

Step 9: Testing and Final Presentation

Now that everything has been reassembled, it is time for the moment of truth, the final reveal. This unit provides a way to enjoy the web, and many different useful apps, while providing a very robust audio experience. The 225 watt speakers provide a vast improvement in the sound quality from the factory 5 watt speakers. The touch screen is very useful since it allows the system to be controlled without the keyboard and mouse.

The most exciting part of a build like this is exploring your creativity and discovering a unique housing for the Raspberry Pi. Since you now know how to install a Raspberry Pi and display in almost any type of object, there are endless possibilities. I will definitely make another player in the future and since I have a new appreciation for vintage items that can be repurposed, who knows what I will find and use next.