GeekMagic SmallTV Displays Custom Images via HTTP, No Firmware Flash
Yongha Kim used the device's built-in photo viewer to push a 240x240 image or GIF over HTTP, so no soldering or replacement firmware is needed.
Yongha Kim has demonstrated a method for displaying custom images on GeekMagic SmallTV devices without replacing firmware or soldering, according to Hackaday. The approach uses the device's built-in photo viewer to receive a 240x240 image generated on a networked machine and pushed over HTTP.
The method also handles GIF images, allowing the display to show animations rather than a single still. That means a desktop or server on the same network can prepare the visual and send it to the SmallTV through the stock viewer interface.
In Kim's example, a Python script using the Pillow library generated the image and pushed Claude and Codex usage data to the device. Because the image is produced off-device, any programming language or tool available on a networked desktop or server can create the visuals.
Background
The SmallTV line pairs an ESP8266 or ESP32 microcontroller with a display inside a finished enclosure, and previous hacks for the devices have involved replacing the stock firmware. Hackaday has covered the GeekMagic SmallTV line before.
Quick answers
Does this GeekMagic SmallTV method require flashing new firmware?
No. The method uses the SmallTV's built-in photo viewer, so no firmware replacement or soldering is needed.
Can the GeekMagic SmallTV show animated images with this method?
Yes. The method supports GIF images, enabling animation on the display.
What hardware sends the image to the SmallTV?
A networked machine such as a desktop or server generates the image and pushes it over HTTP; any programming language or tool on that machine can be used.