https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/element14-presents/project-videos/Project Videos provided by our video content partners about electronic builds, gaming and moreen-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/element14-presents/project-videos/w/documents/3748/project-video-release-archiveThu, 29 Oct 2026 14:09:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:59ab0abe-b32d-47f9-b00c-4b73b01f3bd8e14sbhargavProject Video Releases element14 presents | Meet the Hosts Episode 738: Can an ESP32 Tell When a Saxophone Is Out of Tune? Episode 737: Fundamentals of Electronics: Understanding Resistors, Capacitors and Inductors Episode 736: DIY Test Equipment: Building a Modular 32-Channel Python SCPI Logic Monitor Episode 735: Combining Zigbee, Raspberry Pi and Computer Vision for a Smart Family Planner Episode 734: Fundamentals of Electronics: Understanding Electricity, Voltage, and Current Episode 733: Building a Claude-Inspired Monitor Companion with an ESP32 and Mechanical Bell Episode 732: Building a Network-Aware RGB LED Strip with Open Hardware and Python Episode 731: Building an Arduino UNO Q Cyberdeck Inside a Puppet Episode 730: Building a True Power-On Multiturn Position Sensor with the ADMT4000 and MicroPython Episode 729: Building a Customisable Handheld Arduino Thermal Imaging Camera Episode 728: Building a DIY PLC with PocketBeagle 2: Finding Out Why Industrial Controllers Cost So Much Episode 727: Designing a Mobile Robot Platform with Differential Drive, PID Control and Wireless Mapping Episode 725: Clem's Workbench Upgrade to Automated Lab with Programmable Instruments and Python Episode 724: Building and Programming a SCARA Industrial Robot Arm – An Introduction to Robotics Episode 723: Building a Privacy-First Workshop Security Camera with PocketBeagle 2 Episode 722: PID Control, Motion Profiles and ROS Explained - An Introduction to Robotics Episode 721: Designing a Smarter Workbench: Inside Mark’s 8-Channel Power Monitoring System Episode 720: Building the Foundations of Your First Robot - An Introduction to Robotics Episode 719: Turning a Broken Robot Vacuum into a Network-Controlled Raspberry Pi 5 Rover Episode 718: Creating a Multi-Function ESP32 Desk Pet with Custom PCB and Audio Processing Episode 717: Simulating Prey Vision with Raspberry Pi 5: A Dual Camera Perception Experiment Episode 716: Designing a Mobile Robot Platform with Inverse Kinematics and Wireless Control Episode 715: How to Build a Reaction-Based Catch Game Using Arduino and Relays Episode 714: Find EMI Fast with a Low‑Cost, Automated Way to See Where Your PCB Radiates Episode 713: How to Make an LED Sculpture React to Sound with micro:bit Episode 712: Designing a More Capable Dual Motor Driver Beyond the L298N (What worked and what didn't) Episode 711: Modern Edge AI on Raspberry Pi 5 for an Animatronic Tracker: Vision Acceleration with AI Hat+ and AI Camera Episode 710: Your First Real PCB in KiCad : An Arduino Compatible Board Designed from Scratch Episode 709: Was that my Number!? Fixing Café Order Chaos with a Raspberry Pi Announcer Episode 708: Reviving a Vintage LED Sign with Arduino and PS/2 Control Episode 707: Building a Circuit Sculpture with LED Filament Episode 706: ESP32 + RFID = Smart Access Control in a Simple DIY Build Episode 705: Building a Super Smooth Z-Scale Train Controller with Arduino Episode 704: Hacking an IKEA Desk into a Programmable Electric Workstation Episode 703: How to Set Up the Raspberry Pi 5: Complete Beginner Step-by-Step Guide Episode 702: Build Your Own USB Looper for Serial Debugging and File Transfer Episode 701: From Snooze to Launch: The Arduino-Powered LEGO Alarm Clock Inspired by Artemis 2 Episode 700: How Voice Recognition Works on Raspberry Pi (and Why It’s Easy to Break) Episode 699: GimmeGPIO: A Simple Way to Get GPIO on Laptops and Desktops Episode 698: Building a Practical Electronics Workbench for Makers and Engineers Episode 697: A Smart, Safe 3D Printer Cabinet Using Raspberry Pi and Node-RED Episode 696: How a Pulse Metal Detector Works, and How to Build One Episode 695: A DIY Test and Programming Rig Built for Small-Batch Electronics Production Episode 694: Earn Your Fitness Reward with a Smart Cookie Jar Using Strava and ESP32 Episode 693: Open-Source Multicolour 3D Printing Upgrade: Clem’s 3D Chameleon Remix Episode 692: Build Your own ESP32 Fitness Heart Rate Monitor / Tracker Episode 691: How Accurate Is Bluetooth Channel Sounding? A Deep Dive with the nRF54L15 Episode 690: Meet the PlatypusBot: Now Powered by Raspberry Pi & ROS Episode 689: How Clem Built a Handheld Sci-Fi Communicator That Really Works Episode 688: Building the Cylon Pumpkin: Combining a Larson Scanner and Vocoder for Halloween Episode 687: Turning a $10 Air Fryer into an Arduino powered Filament Dryer Episode 686: Creepy Motion-Activated Painting You Can Build Yourself Episode 685: When Your Body Becomes the Instrument: Clem Builds the “Dröne” Synth Episode 684: Building an Audio Reactive LED Matrix with a micro:bit and NeoPixels Episode 683: How to Make a Portable Emergency Radio with an Arduino Nano in a Mint TinT Episode 682: DIY RF Modulator + Raspberry Pi Pico = Gaming on a Sony Watchman FD-10A CRT Episode 681: Turn anything into an Arduino Module: Reusing Everyday Electronics Episode 680: From Kit to Custom Design: Building a Tube-Based FM Radio Episode 679: ESP32 Duolingo Owl Project: Never Miss a Lesson Again Episode 678: Open Source ATtiny3226 Arduino Calculator – Hardware, Case & Code Build Episode 677: Make Your Own Vocoder with Teensy 4.0 - Voice of a Cylon?! Episode 676: I Tried Building 16 ATtiny Robots with Vibration Motors – It Was a Disaster Episode 675:Avoid Conflict with this ESP32 Defcon Task Tracker Episode 674: Building an Open Source Blood Pressure & Heart Signal Monitor Episode 673: Building an ESP32 Powered Warhammer 40k Rhino with Dynamic LED Effects! Episode 672: Building an Autonomous LEGO Train with CircuitPython and LIDAR Episode 671: PlatypusBot - Scavenging for Robotics Parts Episode 670: Build your own Larson Scanner Episode 669: Creating an ESD (Or Lightning!) Detector! Episode 668: Designing an Arduino PID Controlled Micro Drone Episode 667: Emulating a Speech Synthesis Chip with an ESP32 Episode 666: How Far Can I2C Go? Episode 665: Raspberry Pi AI Tracking Eye of Sauron - AI AL Barad Dur Episode 664: Learn how to Make a Photo Booth with the ESP32 and Telegram Automation! Episode 663: Upcycling a Vintage Microphone into an Emergency Radio System Episode 662: Making a Stronger Affordable DIY Robot Arm with 3D Printing with Raspberry Pi Pico Episode 661: Clem makes his own LED Wristwatch Episode 660: LoFi Beats to Solder To Episode 659: DIY Single Board Computer with ESP32 and Raspberry Pi Pico Episode 658: A Smart Youtube Counter With An Audio Analyzer Episode 657: How to Control a LEGO Mindstorms kit with AI and Raspberry Pi 5 Episode 656: DIY Jig for your Laser Cutter with Custom Arduino Automation Episode 655: DIY Hot Plate for SMD Soldering Using Raspberry Pi Pico Episode 654: How Do BattleBots Work? In the Pit with HyperShock Episode 653: Edge-lit 7-Segment Display Clock Using Raspberry Pi Pico Episode 652: Smart Windows and Blinds with Arduino and Raspberry Pi Pico Episode 651: Design for Manufacturing - Project to Product by Modifying Off-the-Shelf Cases Episode 650: Using Nordic's nRF7002, My Dehumidifier Tells Me When It's Full! Episode 649: Giant Retro Gaming Magic Mirror with a Raspberry Pi 5! Episode 648: Home AI Image Generation Server with LattePanda and Stable Diffusion Episode 647: Building an Open-Source Tool for Cave Surveying Episode 646: Creating a Digital Roulette Table with an ESP32 DevKit Episode 645: Practical DIY Pi Pico Current Load Circuits Episode 644: Turning a Raspberry Pi Pico into a GPU! Episode 643: Making a Tribble that Detects Klingons Episode 642: Making a Time-lapse Camera with a Raspberry Pi 5 Episode 641: Moon Phase Display with Raspberry Pi Pico Episode 640: Tinkering vs Engineering: Can You Build a Laptop from Scratch? Episode 639: Off-Grid Remote Generator Starter? Episode 638: RP2040 PCB: Design, Turn-On, and Debug - How Hard Could It Be? Episode 637: Making Music with a Lego Guitar and Capacitive Touch Episode 636: Creating an IMU based 3D Mouse with an ESP32-S3 Episode 635: Vintage Electronics Exploration with a Bally Cypress Gardens Bingo Machine Episode 634: Craft a Festive LED Christmas Sweater Featuring the ATtiny416 Episode 633: Spying Under the Christmas Tree with an Arduino-powered Ornament Episode 632: Revamping Old School Pinball with an ESP32 Episode 631: All-Purpose Debugging: A Practical Universal Screen with LCD Displays Episode 630: Mega IIe: First Fully Functional Computer built around the Apple Mega-II Chip Episode 629: Backpack Splash: Mark's Water Gun Upgrade for Epic Outdoor Water Wars! Episode 628: Affordable DIY Robot Arm - A Deep Dive into 3D Printing and Servo Motors Episode 627: Creating sudostick - From Prototype to Product Episode 626: Catching you Up on Bonesnapper Ridge - Off-Grid Maker Shop Episode 625: Interactive Magic - Creating an Enchanted Cauldron Episode 624: Modding A Smoke Machine to Add Motion Detection Episode 623: How to Run Linux on an ESP32 Episode 622: Building Spooky Fun: Halloween Sound Pranks with nRF 5340 BLE Audio Episode 621: Color Sensor-Based Water Quality Tracker: DIY Environmental Monitoring Episode 620: Stey-by-Step Guide to Creating your own Speaking Animatronic Hat Episode 619: How to Build an Open Source Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboard Episode 618: Upgrading My Racing Sim with a Force-Sensitive Keyboard Episode 617: Simplify Network Monitoring: Building an ESP32-Powered Solution Episode 616: Mastering Oven Control: Precision Resin Curing with DIY Modifications - How Hard Can it Be? Episode 615: Building a Unique USB Card Reader: From Idea to Prototype Episode 614: Using PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) in Robotics - How Hard Could It Be? Episode 613: Building a Magic Wand Talking Sound Board Episode 612: Handheld BASIC computer in Badge Format with the Arduino Uno Episode 611: How to Run the Distance to the Moon with Strava Data and a Pico W Board Episode 610: How to Embroider with Circuits and Conductive Thread Episode 609: Updating a Fujitsu N860-2500-T111 Keyboard to Work with a PS2 Standard Episode 608: Making the Simplest DIY Wind Energy Generator - How Hard Could it Be? Episode 607: From Strava to Motion: Creating an Arduino-Powered Arcade Game with Running Data Episode 606: How to Use LoRaWAN to Launch Model Rockets Wirelessly Episode 605: Arduino and LEDs Make Solitaire Easier to Solve Episode 604: Charlieplexing Buttons and LEDs at the Same Time - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 603: Create Your Own Air Hockey Table with Arduino Scoring Episode 602: DIY AC Dimmer Circuit: Control Your Lights with a Raspberry Pi Pico Episode 601: How to Reverse Engineer Electronics: Building a Developer Board for a Coding Class Episode 600: Building My Dream Digital Clock: DIY 7 Segment Display with a Cute Robot Twist! Episode 599: How to Build a Spectrum Analyzer with Lego Bricks & Discrete Electronics Episode 598: How To Build a Portable, Solar-Charged Off-Grid Power Station Episode 597: How to Build a Robot that Celebrates Good Grades with Arduino Episode 596: How to Build Your Own Voice Assistant with MyCroft AI - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 595: Member Challenge Accepted - Universal LANC Controller for DSLR cameras Episode 594: Repairing a Neewer 660 Studio light - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 593: Playing 3D Famicom Games Wirelessly on the NES - How Hard Could It Be? Episode 592: Lamptopus: Spinning LED Desk Lamp Episode 591: Building A Bluetooth Speaker in 5 Minutes - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 590: Seven Kingdoms Open Source Bartop Arcade Episode 589: Upgrading the iMac G4 With a NUC Episode 588: Highlights from element14 presents 2022 Episode 587: Create Your Own Talking Stress Indicator Episode 586: DIY Open Source Bluetooth Headphones Episode 585: Enhancing a Magnifying Headband with Auto Sensing Light Episode 584: Going Beyond Periodic Wakes: Using WiFi to Revive a Sleeping Device Episode 583: Epic Neopixel Birthday Cake Episode 582: Smart Christmas Decoration with Raspberry Pi Pico and MQTT Episode 581: Bee-Saving Electronics Prototype Episode 580: DIY Low Cost Capacitance Meter Using a 555 Timer Episode 579: How to Make a Basketball Auto Score Keeper Using Colour Sensing Episode 578: Build your Own Bat Detector with Analog Parts Episode 577: The Game Guy Mini, Upgrading the Unportable Game Boy! Episode 576: Build your own Underwater Drone with 3D Printed Parts Episode 575: How to Make a Secured Parcel Pickup Box with Arduino Episode 574: Ghost Rider Halloween Costume Episode 573: Using a Pi Pico to Convert Keyboard Input to Morse Code Episode 572: How to Use an ESP32 & Camera to Know You've Got Mail! Episode 571: Using Dead Batteries to Test for Dead Batteries Episode 570: Making a WiFi Connected Audio Spectrum Analyzer with ESP32 Episode 569: Multi-Spectrum UV Resin Curing Station with Würth LEDs Episode 568: How to Make a Custom Soundboard with the STM32F4 using FreeCAD Episode 567: Synced NeoPixel Mickey Mouse Ears Episode 566: How to Automate Industrial Welding Positioners with Arduino Episode 565: Measuring Destructive Testing Force with a 20 Ton Hydraulic Press Episode 564: Build a VU Meter with LED Pixelated Nixie Tubes Episode 563: Creating Augmented Reality Circuits with Meta Quest 2 and Unity Episode 562: Pi Home Temperature Monitoring System Episode 561: WiFi to Parallel Port Ascii Art Dot-Matrix Printer Episode 560: Raspberry Pi Controlled Lego Train with Build HAT Episode 559: Create a Magic Makeup Mirror with Pose Detection Episode 558: 3D Object Rendering Using an FPGA Episode 557: Create your own Handheld Serial Monitor for Project Debugging Episode 556: Hacking a Hotel POS Tablet - How Hard Can it Be? Episode 555: Dance Central Pose Estimation Game with Tensorflow and Raspberry Pi Episode 554: Arduino Uno Mini Limited Edition LED Necklace Episode 553: Adding a Parallel Printer Port to an Android Phone Episode 552: Magical Potion Bottle Rack Episode 551: Can We Rebuild a 1930s Accounting Machine? Episode 550: DIY Electronic Controlled Motorized Wheelchair Episode 549: Using a Teletype Machine as a USB Printer with Arduino Episode 548: Electronic Fidget Cube, Building Your Ideas! Episode 547: Creating a “Mummy” Wake Word Detector with Raspberry Pi and Edge Impulse Episode 546: Mapping the Outputs of a 1960s Teletype Machine - How Hard Can it Be? Episode 545: Designing a Custom PCB for Microsoft Jacdac Episode 544: Reviving the 1984 IBM 5155 - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 543: Lego Spike Prime Weather Station with Raspberry Pi Episode 542: A Noise-Free DIY Switching Power Supply - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 541: Vintage Laptop Battery Replaced with USB Power - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 540: Object Detection for Smart Recycling Episode 539: Training a Machine to Recognize Objects - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 538: How to Build a Quadruped Robot - NO MATH! Episode 537: Build a Phonograph Preamplifier - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 536: Interactive Light-Up Window with Pose Detection using a Raspberry Pi and micro:bit Episode 535: Repair a Sega Game Gear - How Hard Can It Be? Episode 534: Open Source Inventory Warehousing System Episode 533: Jumbo DIY LED Episode 532: World’s First Single-Chip Apple II Boots! Episode 531: Game Guy - The Unportable Game Boy Episode 530: MQTT controlled LED Christmas Baubles with Raspberry Pi Pico Episode 529: UPDI Program for new ATTiny Episode 528: Let's Build an Electronic Fidget Cube! Episode 527: Interactive Light Up Window using a Raspberry Pi and micro:bit Episode 526: CNC Router Remote Control Episode 525: DIY Helmholtz Snow Globe Episode 524: Arduino IoT Cloud Weather Station Episode 523: Make your Own Auto-Sensing Solder Fume Extractor Episode 522: Siren Head Halloween Wearable Costume Episode 521: DIY Static Grass Applicator Episode 520: Adding Android Auto as Non-Permanent Add-On with Raspberry Pi Episode 519: Make Your Own Ye Olde Book Nook Diorama with Arduino Episode 518: Guitar Vacuum Tube Distortion Pedal Episode 517: Emulate an EPROM - How Hard Could it Be? Episode 516: Modding a Wireless Doorbell with Raspberry Pi and ESP8266 Episode 515: Upcycling a Lenovo PC into a Raspberry Pi WiFi Access Point Episode 514: Making a 3D Graphics Card for the Atari 800 XL Episode 513: Bike Speedometer with Arduino and GPS Episode 512: You Cannot Buy This Vacuum Tube Tester. You Build It! Episode 511: Raspberry Pi Powered Cheeseball Launcher Episode 510: Laser Cutter Command Station Episode 509: DIY Discrete Logic LED Countdown Timer Episode 508: Raspberry Pi FPV Rover Easy Robot Arm Upgrade Episode 507: Massive Raspberry Pi Episode 506: DIY Star Trek Tricorder from Build Inside the Box Episode 505: Super 8 Camera Digitizer Episode 504: DIY Sump Pump Alarm Episode 503: Meet Cheesoid - The Robot That Smells! Episode 502: Make Your Bike a Pokebike! Episode 501: Raspberry Pi NFC Button-Free Music Player Episode 500: Build Inside The Box Challenge! Episode 499: DIY Four Channel Arduino Servo Tester Episode 498: Raspberry Pi Smart Water Dispenser Episode 497: RFID Pocket Money Keeper Episode 496: Compute Module 4 Powered 3D Printer Board Episode 495: Magic GIF Ball Powered By Raspberry Pi Episode 494: Keyboard Shortcuts Keypad with Raspberry Pi Pico Episode 493: NeoPixel 7 Segment Display Clock Update Episode 492: Arduino vs 555 Timer - Tiny Slot Car Racers Episode 491: Arduino Single-Wheel Balancing Robot Episode 490: DIY Raspberry Pi Pico Fizz Buzz Multiplication Game Episode 489: Build An FPV Rover with Raspberry Pi Episode 488: DIY Raspberry Pi Cyberdeck Episode 487: DIY MagSafe Battery Charger Episode 486: Make The Ultimate Phone Charging Camping Flashlight Episode 485: How To Make A Custom PCB From Design To Assembly Episode 484: Raspberry Pi Bird Watching Camera Episode 483: DIY Miniature Multimeter Episode 482: Gigantic 3D Printed 7 Segment Display Clock Episode 481: DIY LOST Swan Station Split Flap Display Timer Episode 480: DIY Toothbrush Timer Episode 479: Raspberry Pi 2XL Robot Assistant Part 2 Episode 478: Upgrading A Christmas Train Episode 477: Metal Plate Your 3D Prints with a DIY Galvanizing Machine Episode 476: IoT Arduino NTP World Clock with SPI Display Episode 475: DIY Wall Mounted Arduino Barometer Episode 474: Continuum Robot Tentacle Prototype Episode 473: Mendel 3D Printer Upgrade and Maintenance Episode 472: DIY Hydration Reminder System Episode 471: DIY Dance Dance Revolution Mat Episode 470: Voice Activated Inspector Gadget Hat Episode 469: Nintendo Super Scope Modded For Modern Televisions Episode 468: Socially Distanced Halloween Candy Dispenser Episode 467: Repairing the World's First Laptop! (Epson HX-20) Episode 466: Arduino-powered Hexadecimal Color Code Clock Episode 465: Lego Raspberry Pi HQ Camera Episode 464: Particle Voice Recognition for Home Appliances Episode 463: Raspberry Pi Speech to Text LED Face Mask Episode 462: Joycon Controlled Electronic Rock'Em Sock'Em Robots Episode 461: Portal 2 Security Camera with Raspberry Pi 2 Episode 460: Trinamic Open Source Ventilator (TOSV) Teardown Episode 459: Raspberry Pi 4 VR Conference Call Assistant Episode 458: DIY Arduino Automated Metal Bending Machine Episode 457: Raspberry Pi 4 Animatronic Rosie the Robot from the Jetsons Episode 456: Unhackable Arduino Switch Matrix Episode 455: Arduino Unit Conversion Calculator Episode 454: Soldering Up the rc2014 Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit Episode 453: Build an Anti-Troll Bot Using TensorFlow and Arduino Episode 452: Raspberry Pi 4 Experimental Resin 3D Printer Updated! Episode 451: Build an Off Grid Wikipedia with Raspberry Pi Episode 450: Sega GameGear Rebuild with LEDs Episode 449: DIY Tamagotchi - Build a Virtual Pet Episode 448: DIY Raspberry Pi 4 Boxing Game Episode 447: DIY Stop Motion Rig with LattePanda Episode 446: Raspberry Pi 2XL Robot Assistant Part 1 Episode 445: Raspberry Pi 4 Animatronic BD-1 Companion Robot Episode 444: Raspberry Pi 4 DVR Episode 443: Arduino Uno RC Remote - Can It Be Done? Episode 442: Make Your Own Giant Servo Episode 441: Raspberry Pi 4 International Space Station Tracker Episode 440: DIY Arduino Helicopter Collective Joystick Control Episode 439 - Mechanical Arcade Game with Barebones Arduino Episode 438: Smartphone Controlled DIY Rover Using Websockets Episode 437: DIY Motorized Zoom for Your DSLR Episode 436: Automated Raspberry Pi Planet Tracking GOTO Telescope Episode 435: Raspberry Pi 4 Music Player w/Analog Controls Episode 434: Infineon Smart City Model Episode 433: Arduino Based Love Tester Episode 432: Super FX Sword using the BBC micro:bit Episode 431: Room-Sized Studio Light Speakers Combo Episode 430: Flaming Xylophone Rubens' Tube Episode 429: YouTuber "On Air" Light with Particle Mesh Network Episode 428: Raspberry Pi 4 CRT-based VR Headset Episode 427: DIY Retro Gaming Portable on a Budget! Episode 426: Retro TV Ads Holiday Ornament Episode 425: Make Your Own Raspberry Pi 4 Photobooth! Episode 424: DIY Escape Room Puzzle Episode 423: Programmable Arduino Synthesizer Watch Episode 422: Raspberry Pi E-Ink Task Organizer Episode 421: Raspberry Pi 4 Commodore SX-64 Inspired Portable Computer Episode 420: DIY Shapeoko CNC Pendant Episode 419: Altair 8800 Laptop Episode 418: Animatronic Terminator Skull with BeagleBone ® AI Episode 417: #Pipboy 2000 Mk II Episode 416: DIY #3DPrinted Label Spooler Episode 415: Iron Man Helmet Heads Up Display Episode 414: Raspberry Pi 4 Experimental Resin 3D Printer Episode 413: Animatronic Claptrap Case Mod Part 2 Episode 412: Get to Know Your ADC with a DIY Temperature Probe Episode 411: Animatronic Claptrap Computer Case - Part 1 Episode 410: MacPro G5 Cheese Grater with Raspberry Pi 4 Episode 409: Commodore SX-64 Restoration Episode 408: Hand Soldered LED Oscilloscope Episode 407: The Ultimate Raspberry Pi 4 Laptop Episode 406: Automated Robot Artist Episode 405: RC Ornithopter Concept Episode 404: Arduino Powered Close Encounters Midi Light Board Episode 403: Upcycled IoT Coffee Pot Ramen Maker Episode 402: PiPhone++ The Giant Raspberry Pi Flip Phone Episode 401: Matrix Voice Controlled Robot Episode 400: The Ultimate Raspberry Pi Stress Test Episode 399: Candle-Powered Robotl Episode 398: Let Me Out Hooman! Bluetooth Dog Doorbell Episode 397: Steam Powered Retropie Console Episode 396: Arduino Retro LED Matrix Handheld Episode 395: Raspberry Pi Stop Motion Machine Episode 394: Animatronic GLaDOS Head with Raspberry Pi Episode 393: GameBoy Walkman Episode 392: Multi-Line Telephone Intercom Episode 391: First Person View RC Car with PS2 Steering Wheel Episode 390: Retro Texting Smart Watch of the Future! Episode 389: PlayStation Classic Portable Prototype Episode 388: FPGA MIDI Music Synthesizer Episode 387: Rotocell - The Rotary Cell Phone of the Future! Episode 386: Xybernaut Wearable PC Episode 385: 20 PCB Design Pitfalls Episode 384: Retro Gaming Handheld Without a PCB Episode 383: Gameboy Wireless Link Cable (DMG1) Episode 382: Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital Episode 381: Reverse Music Box Episode 380: NES Zapper on RetroPie Episode 379: Macroscope Soldering Tool Episode 378: Invader ZIM Animatronic GIR Episode 377: Altair 8800 Replica Episode 376: 4D Gaming with the Matrix Creator Episode 375: Hacked Fetal Detector Music Synthesizer Episode 374: Raspberry Pi Donkey Kong Holiday Ornament Episode 373: Raspberry Pi Fallout Terminal PC Episode 372: Raspberry Pi Auto Etch A Sketch ™ Episode 371: FPGA "Game Genie" for Atari 2600 Episode 370: Raspberry Pi NOAA Satellite Receiver Episode 369: Recreating the Atari Portfolio Episode 368: Arduino Automatic Wire Cutter and Stripper Episode 367: Most Useless IoT Device Ever - Part 2 Episode 366: Infinity Icosahedron Episode 365: Twilight Zone Fortune Telling Machine Episode 364: Raspberry Pi Virtual Reality Arcade #VR Episode 363 - Add a Motor to your Bike with Arduino Episode 362: Most Worthless IoT Device Ever Pt. 1 Episode 361: R.O.B Rebuild and Upgrade Episode 360: Make Your Own Raspberry Pi Cell Phone Episode 359: Make Your Own CNC Pyrography Wood Burner Episode 358: The Shrimp of Terror! Episode 357: Raspberry Pi Asteroid Tracker Episode 356: Bank to the Future with Arduino & TI Episode 355: Raspberry Pi Pirate Radio Episode 354: Tiny Vacuum Forming Machine Episode 353: Program Your Own FPGA Video Game Episode 352: Pripyat - DIY Geiger Counter Episode 349: Raspberry Pi Selfie Rocket See All Previous Episodesepisode releasesfriday_release_archiveelement14 presentsproject videosepisodesfriday releasesepisode release archiveepisode archivefriday release archiveproject_videoshttps://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/element14-presents/project-videos/m/managed-videos/151902Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:53:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:ff3c10a9-36a3-477d-baae-9987c52f4808cstantonprodcommunityhttps://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/element14-presents/project-videos/w/documents/72057/your-first-real-pcb-in-kicad-an-arduino-compatible-board-designed-from-scratchTue, 20 Oct 2026 12:53:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:e3f585e3-4b21-4fda-b99d-ca01605d83b5cstantonClem takes on the challenge of designing a fully Arduino Uno–compatible development board using KiCad, guiding viewers through the entire process from template selection to a manufacturing-ready PCB. Instead of abstract theory, the video focuses on real design decisions, including choosing an ATtiny3226 that doesn’t yet exist in an Uno form factor, handling USB‑C power and data safely, integrating UPDI programming, and avoiding common schematic and layout mistakes that can derail a first board. Along the way, Clem highlights practical hurdles—such as matching symbols to real footprints, managing logic-level compatibility, routing USB data lines, and running proper design rule checks—while explaining how KiCad’s tighter schematic-to-PCB integration makes iteration easier. The result is a clear, hands-on walkthrough that shows not just how to use KiCad, but how to think like a PCB designer when building reliable, reproducible hardware. Watch the Full Unedited KiCad Tutorial players.brightcove.net/.../index.html A Hands‑On, Step‑by‑Step Introduction to KiCad Designing a printed circuit board can feel intimidating at first, especially if you’ve never used a professional‑grade CAD tool before. KiCad exists to lower that barrier. KiCad is a free, open‑source, cross‑platform PCB design suite that brings schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D visualisation, and manufacturing outputs into one integrated workflow. Clem uses KiCad exactly as it’s meant to be used: not as a collection of isolated tools, but as a complete, end‑to‑end design environment. Clem walks through the full design of a real, buildable board, following the same workflow you’d use on an actual engineering project. “Rather than focusing on theory, this is something useful that you could use in your electronics journey if you follow along.” You can follow along with this blog, but the meat of the guide is in Clem's extended video. Why KiCad, and Why This Project? KiCad is chosen because it: Keeps schematic and PCB views tightly linked Allows one‑click updates from schematic to layout Has built‑in electrical and design rule checking Is supported directly by modern PCB manufacturers That makes it especially well‑suited to beginners who want professional results without commercial licensing costs. Just as importantly, Clem chooses a real project: an Arduino Uno compatible development board. Arduino’s hardware is open source, which means you’re allowed to design your own versions. “Arduino is open source, so you can make your own version. I’m going to use one that doesn’t exist yet.” The board uses an ATtiny3226, a modern AVR that can run at both 3.3 V and 5 V — a decision that influences almost every design step that follows. Step 1: Start Smart - Create a Project from a Template Instead of starting with a blank canvas, Clem uses project templates. In File → New Project from Template, KiCad offers ready‑made templates for platforms like: Arduino Raspberry Pi BeagleBone Other common form factors Clem selects the Arduino Uno template, which immediately locks down: Board outline Mounting hole positions Header spacing and alignment “If you want to adhere to a specific pinout or standard of board… you choose a new project from template.” This eliminates an entire class of mechanical errors before any schematic work begins — shields will fit, headers will line up, and the board will physically behave like an Arduino. Step 2: Understand KiCad’s Two Core Editors At this point, Clem pauses to explain how KiCad is structured. KiCad is made up of several tools, but two matter most here: The Schematic Editor This is where electrical intent lives: What connects to what Power distribution Signal naming Functional grouping The PCB Editor This is where those electrical connections become: Pads Tracks Vias Copper planes A key KiCad improvement is how tightly these are linked . Clem keeps both open at the same time, often on separate screens. Clicking a component in one highlights it in the other. That feedback loop is what makes KiCad feel fast instead of fragile. Step 3: Schematic First - Think Function, Not Appearance Clem’s first real design rule is simple: “Don’t think about how the board will look when you’re doing the schematic. This is only about the function.” In the schematic editor, he: Places all required components first Uses labels instead of long wires to keep things readable Uses global labels for power nets Marks unused pins with no‑connect flags These habits work directly with KiCad’s Electrical Rules Checker (ERC), which will later flag: Missing connections Forgotten pins Ambiguous nets This is where a lot of beginners go wrong, and where KiCad actively helps you catch mistakes early. Step 4: Design Power with Flexibility in Mind Instead of hard‑coding a single operating voltage, Clem designs for choice . The ATtiny3226 can run at either 3.3 V or 5 V , so Clem adds: A USB‑derived 5 V rail A regulator to generate 3.3 V A jumper that selects which voltage powers the microcontroller “This chip can do both if you want to… I want to have adjustable operating voltage, which in turn changes the logic levels.” Because the board is USB‑powered only , this decision affects: Regulator choice USB protection Logic‑level compatibility across the board This step shows how early architectural decisions ripple forward into later design stages. Step 5: Add USB‑C — but Keep It Sensible USB‑C often scares people off. Clem deliberately avoids that by targeting USB 2.0 only . That keeps routing manageable while still delivering modern connectivity. Key points Clem covers: Correct CC resistors so the board actually gets power A Schottky diode to prevent back‑powering a PC Choosing a USB‑to‑UART bridge that tolerates both 3.3 V and 5 V logic “One thing I always check in the datasheet is: can this part really work with the different logic levels that I want?” Because the ATtiny3226 doesn’t natively support USB, the USB‑to‑UART chip becomes a realistic, well‑explained trade‑off. Step 6: Build UPDI Programming Directly Onto the Board Instead of relying on an external programmer, Clem integrates UPDI programming directly. Using a dual‑throw switch, the same USB connection can be switched between: UPDI programming mode Normal UART operation “We’re building our programmer directly into the board… this lets us choose between UPDI mode and normal operation.” This section highlights an important engineering habit: reusing proven design patterns, but understanding why they work instead of blindly copying them. Step 7: Assign Symbols and Footprints That Match Reality Once the schematic is complete, Clem moves into a step that beginners often underestimate: footprints . Rather than trusting generic placeholders, he: Downloads manufacturer‑provided symbols and footprints Imports them into KiCad Cleans them up so pin names and orientation match the real parts “It’s better to have a symbol and a footprint that actually belong to each other.” This dramatically reduces the risk of assembly errors later and plays directly to KiCad’s strong library‑management tools. Step 8: Push the Schematic into the PCB Editor With footprints assigned, Clem clicks Update PCB from Schematic. All components appear on the board, connected by thin lines called the ratsnest. Nothing is routed yet, this is KiCad showing what must eventually connect . This is where schematic decisions start paying off. Step 9: Place Components Before Routing Clem doesn’t route immediately. Instead, he: Places the microcontroller first Moves connectors to board edges Keeps decoupling capacitors close to their ICs Groups related circuitry together “I get them in the general area first, and then I move them while I’m routing.” Good placement makes routing easier, cleaner, and less frustrating. Step 10: Route the Board Iteratively Routing starts with the easy connections and builds up. Clem demonstrates: Slightly thicker traces for power (for visibility as much as current) Differential‑pair routing for USB data Short ground connections dropped straight into vias Gradual refinement rather than perfection on the first pass Although the board could be routed with two layers, Clem switches to four layers for EMC reasons. “Four layer boards are usually done because of EMC… even if you don’t really require them for routing.” Step 11: Ground Planes, Stitching, and “Good Enough” EMC Ground planes are added and stitched together with vias. Clem’s philosophy here is pragmatic: Solid ground connectivity is almost always beneficial Via stitching is cheap Modern PCB fabs don’t penalise you for doing it properly This isn’t about theoretical perfection, it’s about robust, real‑world boards. Step 12: Label, Document, and Sanity‑Check Everything Before ordering, Clem: Adds clear silkscreen labels (front and back) Adds version numbers Adds licensing information (CC BY‑SA, matching Arduino) Then he runs KiCad’s Design Rules Checker. “That would have been a really bad mistake.” Several issues are caught here — exactly the kind that are easy to miss by eye. Step 13: From KiCad to Manufacturing Finally, Clem uploads the native KiCad project files directly to a PCB manufacturer. No Gerber export required. “It’s very easy to go from a finished design to an order‑ready PCB.” This reflects a modern workflow where design, checking, and manufacturing are tightly linked. Getting Used to Repeatable Process Check out Clem's schematics below, inspect every decision, and recreate the project step by step alongside the video or out of your own curiosity. “If this was too fast for you, check out the full unabridged version… recreate the tutorial side by side.” - Clem If you'd prefer a more abridged version, you can find it on our YouTube Channel . By keeping the focus on real decisions, honest trade‑offs, and KiCad’s modern workflow, Clem delivers something more valuable than a feature tour: hopefully a practical way to start designing PCBs with confidence. Supporting Files and Links - Austroduino Github Repository ( Mirror Snapshot ) Bill of Materials Product Name Manufacturer Quantity Buy Kit Attiny3226 microchip 1 Buy Now Molex usb-c molex 1 Buy Now MCP1825s33 microchip 1 Buy Nowattiny3226 development boardarduino uno compatible pcbe14presents_mayermakeskicad tutorialkicad templates arduinokicad schematic workflowpcb layout and routing basicsfour layer pcb designusb-c pcb designcustom microcontroller boardusb to uart interface designkicad 10 tutorialkicad symbol footprint librariesPCB design for beginnerskicad 9 tutorialfriday_releaseopen source hardware arduinoupdi programming attinyhttps://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/element14-presents/project-videos/w/documents/72114/building-a-claude-inspired-monitor-companion-with-an-esp32-and-mechanical-bellThu, 24 Sep 2026 12:19:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:7ee02532-c6f6-47af-aa2f-bd1ab19d2249e14sbhargavMilos takes AI notifications into the physical world with the Claude Notifier, a monitor-mounted companion powered by an ESP32-S3 touchscreen that reacts to activity with animated expressions, touchscreen interactions and even a real mechanical bell. Using Claude Code hooks, custom firmware, 3D-printed enclosures and a servo-driven bell mechanism, the project makes sure important prompts and alerts never get missed, even during the most determined doom-scrolling sessions. Follow along as he designs the hardware, develops the notification system, creates custom faces and puts the notifier through its paces. players.brightcove.net/.../index.html If you've spent any time working with AI-assisted development tools, you'll know the pattern. You kick off a task, wait for a response, then drift off to check messages, social media, a video, or three. Before long, the AI has been waiting for your input for half an hour. Rather than changing that habit, Milos decided to solve it with hardware. The result is a delightfully over-engineered desktop companion called the Claude Notifier, a small ESP32-powered mascot that sits on top of a monitor, watches what Claude Code is doing and reacts with animated expressions, status updates and, when necessary, an actual mechanical bell. "The obvious reason is not to stop doom scrolling, of course, is to make an overall complicated device that will actually alert you when Claude needs an input." What started as a humorous idea quickly evolved into a surprisingly capable system that combines Claude Code hooks, custom firmware, a touchscreen user interface, a mechanical notification system and a carefully designed character that feels alive on the desktop. Turning Claude Code Into a Physical Companion The foundation of the project came from digging into Claude Code's hook system. By creating a custom settings.json configuration, Claude Code can execute commands whenever specific events occur, such as a prompt being submitted, a response completing, an error occurring or the system requesting additional user input. Instead of creating a complicated desktop integration, Milos used simple HTTP requests sent from Claude Code directly to an ESP32 on the local network. These hooks allow the notifier to react immediately whenever Claude changes state. "You don't really need to install anything. You need this settings file, and Claude will just automatically keep calling all of these curl commands as soon as something happens." One particularly elegant aspect of the implementation is how the firmware separates raw events from emotional responses. Rather than Claude deciding what expression should appear, the device receives simple events and runs its own mood engine. This means boredom, sleeping and attention-seeking behaviour continue even when the host machine stops communicating. Looking through the firmware reveals a surprisingly sophisticated state model. Events such as PromptSubmitted , TurnFinished , NeedsInput , Error and LimitReached trigger transitions between moods including: Chill Working Excited Confused Angry Bored Sleeping Usage Limit This allows the notifier to behave more like a desktop pet than a simple status indicator. A Claude Mascot Designed for the Monitor The physical design deliberately mirrors the small crab-like mascot used by Claude Code. The body is fully 3D printed, with the display fitting neatly into the centre of the enclosure and hooks built into the legs allowing it to hang directly from the monitor. To keep the hardware as compact as possible, Milos used a Waveshare ESP32-S3 Touch LCD board with a 1.69-inch touchscreen. The module combines Wi-Fi connectivity, a colour display, touch input and a built-in buzzer, giving the project almost everything required on a single board. "It's a great all-in-one board that also has a piezo buzzer inside. It also has Wi-Fi, so it will cover all of the functionality that we need." The finished design routes everything through a single connector and includes a dedicated opening for USB programming access, allowing firmware updates without removing the electronics from the enclosure. Four M2 fasteners secure the shell together, while internal mounting points ensure the ESP32 board slots neatly into position. STEP files are also provided with the project, allowing builders to customise the design for different monitors and mechanical preferences. When a Buzzer Isn't Annoying Enough Initially, the notifier was going to use only the onboard buzzer. That idea lasted right up until Milos decided that a tiny piezo alert wasn't sufficiently capable of breaking the spell of endless scrolling. His answer was refreshingly excessive. A separate bell-striking mechanism was designed using a continuous rotation servo, a custom printed cam and an actual mechanical bicycle bell. "We need something a bit more diabolical, something a bit more loud, something that will actually stop you from doom scrolling." The bell mechanism works by using a spiral-shaped cam attached to the continuous rotation servo. As the servo rotates, the cam gradually builds tension on the bell striker before suddenly releasing it. This creates a clean, satisfying ring using the bell's original striking mechanism rather than a solenoid or linear actuator. Describing the design, Milos explains: "As the servo motor rotates, it gradually builds up tension, and in the end it releases all of that tension." The hardware uses a microswitch to detect the striker position, allowing the firmware to count completed bell strikes accurately and stop at the correct location rather than relying entirely on timed movement. The final bell assembly also contains USB breakout boards that allow power to be daisy-chained, making cable management much easier when mounted on top of a monitor. Firmware Written by Claude, for Claude Perhaps fittingly, much of the firmware was developed using Claude itself. Rather than generating code in a single conversation, Milos describes a structured workflow involving multiple Claude models working together on individual tasks. "I take Opus 5 and tell it to use that as the orchestrator and to spawn sub agents for different things." Those agents are assigned coding, testing and validation responsibilities before their outputs are compared and reviewed. "That's how you get code that's pretty stable and pretty well tested." The resulting firmware is extensive. Beyond handling notifications, it includes: Wi-Fi configuration and diagnostics A hosted web interface Custom face creation and storage Touchscreen gesture support Usage tracking Bell and buzzer configuration Mood management Real-time status reporting One particularly thoughtful feature is the handling of Claude's usage limits. The project not only processes hook events but also incorporates a supplementary Python-based status monitoring system. As noted during development: "The only two things that we can't do from here are the five-hour limit and weekly usage, which needs to go through a Python script that's polling." Looking at the supporting code reveals dedicated tooling for generating Claude hook configurations automatically. The firmware also tracks usage windows, reset times and percentage consumption, presenting them directly on the notifier's display. Custom Faces, Moods and Interactions The most charming aspect of the project is how much personality has been built into the device. The touchscreen allows users to change faces and interact directly with the mascot. Different expressions appear when Claude is working, sleeping, confused, excited or waiting for input. The facial system is considerably more advanced than a few static images. The firmware animates eye movement, blinking, sleeping behaviour, boredom, excitement and even annoyance. If the mascot is tapped repeatedly, it eventually loses patience. "If you try annoying it a bit... you can see that it gets pissed off and it rings the bell at you." The web interface allows virtually every aspect of the experience to be customised, including: Buzzer frequencies Bell behaviour Servo configuration Face styles Mood testing Brightness levels Network settings Custom artwork One standout feature is the built-in face editor. Users can design entirely new expressions using a pixel-art interface and save them directly to the ESP32's non-volatile storage. The implementation supports multiple user-created face slots, custom blink frames and persistent storage that survives power cycles. The firmware comments neatly summarise the philosophy: "A drawn face gets the same mood vocabulary as a built-in one without the user drawing a single extra frame." Putting the Notifier to Work Once configured, the notifier operates automatically. When Claude finishes a task, the mascot becomes visibly excited. When an error occurs, it looks confused. If rate limits are reached, the display switches to a dedicated warning state. Most importantly, when Claude requires user input, the notifier demands attention with both visual and audible alerts. "This will for sure stop the doom scrolling." Whether it's the animated expressions, the touchscreen interaction or the mechanical bell that sounds suspiciously like fresh cookies emerging from the oven, the device succeeds at grabbing attention without requiring another browser tab or desktop notification. The finished Claude Notifier is a wonderful combination of software engineering, embedded systems, CAD design and a healthy sense of humour. It transforms a very modern problem into an excuse to build expressive hardware, and in doing so turns an AI coding assistant into a desktop companion that feels oddly alive. If you'd like to build your own version, all design files, firmware and supporting resources are linked below, along with the complete project resources and downloadable models. Supporting Files and Links - Episode 733 Resources - Building a Claude-Inspired Monitor Companion with an ESP32 and Mechanical Bell Parts Used Product Name Manufacturer Quantity Buy Kit Continous Servo ADAFRUIT 1 Buy Now Microswitch MULTICOMP PRO 1 Buy Now Additional Parts Product Name Manufacturer Quantity ESP32 S3 Touchscreen 1.69 waveshare 1 Mechanical Bell 3D Printing Filament M3 and M2 Screws Wires and Perfboardcustom firmware developmentdesktop productivity gadgettouchscreen desktop petesp32 notifiercustom esp32 projectmaker electronics projectmonitor mounted gadgetservo bell mechanismai workflow notifierwaveshare esp32-s3 touch lcdembeddedf systems project3d printed electronics projectmechanical bell alertfriday_releasediy monitor companionhttps://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/element14-presents/project-videos/w/documents/72112/building-a-network-aware-rgb-led-strip-with-open-hardware-and-pythonMon, 21 Sep 2026 12:53:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:5dc3b95a-c8fd-426d-a81a-1ffbcc2c85bbcstantonThere are some things in electronics that Clem simply does not like. Bright LEDs are one of them. Bright LEDs that blink are worse. Bright LEDs cycling endlessly through rainbow effects while illuminating the inside of a computer case rank somewhere near the bottom of his personal list. Unfortunately, colourful LEDs remain overwhelmingly popular, which left only one option: build an LED project anyway. Rather than following the well-trodden path of addressable LEDs, ESP32 modules and pre-packaged firmware ecosystems, Clem took a completely different approach. Instead of building another Wi-Fi connected lighting project, he designed an Ethernet-controlled RGB LED strip controller from scratch, combining a Microchip ENC28J60 Ethernet controller with an ATtiny3226 microcontroller and exposing the entire system through a lightweight network API. The result is not just a decorative lighting controller. It's a general-purpose network-controlled visualisation platform capable of acting as a notification system, a network activity monitor, a status indicator and potentially much more. Hack the Visual Planet! players.brightcove.net/.../index.html Starting With Ordinary RGB Strips One of the more unusual aspects of the build is what Clem chose not to use. Rather than selecting modern addressable LED strips, the design uses inexpensive analogue RGB strips. These strips operate by independently driving red, green and blue channels and can typically be found in voltage variants ranging from roughly 12 V to 24 V. They lack per-pixel control but offer simplicity, low cost and broad availability. As Clem explains: "These are the cheapest ones that you can get. It's not any fancy NEOpixel stuff. These are just power on one end and you pull down the colour that you want to activate." This decision dramatically simplifies the hardware while still providing all the functionality required for network-controlled status indication and ambient lighting. Designing Around Ethernet The heart of the project consists of an ATtiny3226 paired with an ENC28J60 Ethernet controller. The choice is interesting because neither component is especially new or fashionable. The ENC28J60 communicates over SPI, making it ideal for small 8-bit microcontrollers. While newer Ethernet devices are available, the chip benefits from years of community support, mature software libraries and a well-understood design process. The firmware itself deliberately avoids complexity. Rather than embedding application-specific logic into the controller, the device simply accepts colour commands over the network. This architectural decision is perhaps the most interesting engineering aspect of the build. Instead of forcing integrations into individual applications, services or cloud ecosystems, the controller becomes a generic endpoint. Any application capable of sending a simple HTTP request can change the colour of the LEDs. The intelligence remains elsewhere while the hardware remains simple, reusable and easy to maintain. Why an LDO Won the Design Review Another notable design decision concerns power regulation. Most modern projects would default to a switching power supply for efficiency reasons. Clem chose a linear regulator instead. At first glance this appears inefficient, but his reasoning is grounded firmly in practical engineering considerations. The controller must operate across the voltage range commonly found on RGB strips, reaching up to approximately 24 V input. Using an LDO allowed him to reduce this voltage to the 3.3 V required by both the microcontroller and Ethernet hardware with minimal design complexity. More importantly, it eliminates another potential source of debugging headaches. As Clem notes: "It avoids having to debug any interference issues between the switching and my Ethernet lines. So those could couple in and I'm not ready to debug that yet." For a prototype that isn't intended to run continuously, the additional efficiency of a switching supply simply wasn't worth the additional cost, complexity or potential EMI concerns. Ethernet Is More Than Just An RJ45 Socket One of the lessons reinforced throughout the project is that Ethernet hardware demands attention to detail. Connecting an Ethernet controller directly to an RJ45 connector is not sufficient. Ethernet requires isolation transformers, termination networks and supporting circuitry to meet signalling requirements and maintain reliability. To reduce complexity, Clem selected a BEL MagJack, integrating the Ethernet magnetics directly into the connector assembly. This significantly reduced component count and simplified PCB layout. The MagJack used in the design appears in the BOM as part number P01-0002-01. During the PCB routing stage, the differential Ethernet pairs required careful handling: "You have to route them as pairs in KiCad and tune their length to each other so the signals take the same time to travel the distance." Although the trace lengths on this design were relatively short, the project serves as a useful demonstration of real-world differential pair routing practices. Community Review Prevents A PCB Mistake Before manufacturing the final PCB revision, Clem shared the design publicly for review. What followed demonstrates exactly why community feedback is important. A community member noticed that one of the Ethernet transmit pair connections had been reversed. Clem had been preparing to point out his missing ESD protection circuitry when another engineer spotted the far more serious wiring issue. The boards were reordered before assembly, preventing what could otherwise have become a costly debugging exercise. Turning LEDs Into Debugging Tools One particularly elegant feature of the project is the diagnostic system. Without a dedicated serial interface available, the LEDs themselves became the debugger. The controller communicates its status entirely through colours: Red indicates communication failure with the Ethernet controller. Blue indicates Ethernet hardware is present but has not connected successfully to the network. Green indicates successful operation and network connectivity. When the board stubbornly remained blue, considerable effort went into investigating software, networking and protocol issues before the real problem emerged. A bad solder joint. After extensive experimentation, reheating and reflowing the board solved the issue completely. The experience serves as a familiar reminder that sophisticated faults often have surprisingly simple causes. Software That Lives Outside The Device A particularly clever architectural decision was keeping application logic away from the firmware. The project downloads listed in the support files include: color_control.py network_monitor.py notification_blink.py The browser-based colour controller provides a lightweight web interface for selecting colours and sending them directly to one or more EtheRGB devices. Beyond that, Clem created two more practical demonstrations. The first monitors network traffic and visualises network activity through colour changes. The second watches Ubuntu desktop notifications and causes the strip to blink whenever a notification appears. "You don't have to log into your applications or have to use their weird API. You can just use a little function in Ubuntu itself." Because all application logic exists externally, additional uses become straightforward to develop. CPU utilisation, GPU activity, build completion alerts, server monitoring and workflow notifications become simple software exercises rather than firmware modifications. More Than Decorative Lighting What begins as a reluctant LED project ultimately becomes an interesting lesson in embedded networking, PCB design and system architecture. The hardware itself is intentionally simple. An ATtiny3226, an ENC28J60, a MagJack and a handful of supporting components create a network-connected endpoint capable of accepting colour commands and storing persistent settings. The real intelligence lives elsewhere. That separation allows a single controller design to support an unlimited number of applications without requiring firmware changes. Whether displaying network traffic, signalling incoming messages, highlighting completed builds or simply providing ambient lighting, the same hardware serves every purpose. In the end, Clem may still not like RGB lighting quite as much as the Internet does. But he did build a surprisingly capable Ethernet-controlled RGB LED platform, and along the way delivered a practical lesson in Ethernet hardware design, community-driven debugging and the value of keeping embedded systems simple. Supporting Files and Links - Episode 732 Resources - Building a Network-Aware RGB LED Strip with Open Hardware and Python Project Parts and Bill of Materials Product Name Manufacturer Quantity Buy Kit P01-0002-01 Magjack BEL 1 Buy Now ENC28J60-I/SO Microchip 1 Buy Now ATTINY3226-SU Microchip 1 Buy Now UA78M33CKVURG3 TI 1 Buy Now MCSJK-7E-25.00-8-10-60-B-10 multicomp pro 1 Buy Now MMZ1608Y152BTA00 TDK 1 Buy Now MCT06030D4999BP500 vishay 1 Buy Now C0603C104K3RACTU kemet 4 Buy Now ERJ3EKF2321V panasonic 1 Buy Now GRM188R60J106ME47D murata 2 Buy Now MC0603N8R0D500CT multicomp pro 2 Buy Now Additional Parts Product Name Manufacturer Quantity LED strip (RGB non adressable) 1differential pair routingethernet led controllerubuntu notificationsDIY electronics projectnetwork controlled lightinge14presents_mayermakesnetwork activity monitormagjackattiny 3226rgb led controllerembedded ethernet projectmicrochip ethernet controllerpcb designfriday_releaseethernet rgb led stripenc28j60local network api