Building an LCD Video Porthole: A Round Display Project with Themed Designs

  • By Rene Orantes

Published: Wednesday, November 20, 2024

This project started with a single part: a 5-inch round LCD display. As a maker, I’m always on the hunt for interesting components that spark unique project ideas, and this round display was no exception. The goal? Turn it into a themed LCD Video Porthole—a decorative display mimicking portholes on ships, spaceships, or even SpongeBob’s underwater world.

 

Here’s how I went from concept to working prototypes, tackling challenges like sourcing components, refining 3D-printed enclosures, and customizing video content for each design.

Jump to section quickly:

  • The Inspiration

  • Finding the Perfect Round Display

  • Designing the Enclosure

  • Hardware and Assembly

  • Creating Themed Video Content

  • Refining the Design Based on Feedback

  • The Final Product

  • Future Plans

  • Conclusion

The Inspiration

I stumbled across the 5-inch round LCD display during one of my routine parts-hunting sessions. It wasn’t something I had planned to buy, but it immediately caught my attention. I initially considered using it for an animated advertising sign—perfect for showcasing products with round packaging like ramen bowls or popcorn tubs.

 

But the round shape felt more suited to a porthole concept. I imagined a display that could show high-resolution underwater videos, making it look like you were peering through a window on a cruise ship. From there, the idea grew into multiple themes:

 

• Underwater Porthole: Coral reefs and schools of fish.

• Spaceship Porthole: A futuristic window into outer space.

• SpongeBob Window: Inspired by the iconic porthole from the show.

Finding the Perfect Round Display

Finding the right LCD display took time. Early versions required an external power source and video input, which would have meant using a Raspberry Pi or similar device. This setup wasn’t ideal for a compact project, so I kept searching.

 

After weeks of digging, I found a self-contained display with a built-in media player and battery. It could play videos directly from internal memory, which was a game-changer for simplifying the design. However, sourcing this display came with its own challenges:

 

• Single Supplier: Only one reliable supplier offered this exact model, leaving little room for error.

• Shipping Issues: Initial shipments arrived with some displays damaged, but the supplier was responsive and improved their packaging for future orders.

Designing the Enclosure

With the display secured, I shifted focus to designing the porthole enclosure. Using Fusion 360, I modeled a 3D-printed case tailored to each theme:

 

• Cruise Ship Porthole: Printed with shiny copper/brass PLA filament for a classic nautical look.

• Spaceship Porthole: Used shiny silver/steel PLA for a sleek, futuristic vibe.

• SpongeBob Window: Designed to replicate the colorful and playful look of the show, requiring multi-color printing.

 

Challenges in 3D Printing

 

• Multiple Iterations: My eagerness to see results meant printing several rough drafts with incorrect dimensions. It took about six or seven iterations to get the perfect fit.

• Tolerances: Fine-tuning tolerances was crucial to ensure snug assembly of the enclosure.

• Multi-Color Printing: The SpongeBob version required multiple filament colors, which increased print times significantly. Thankfully, my Bambu Labs X1C printer handled it like a champ.

Hardware and Assembly

This project didn’t require any custom electronics—an unusual break from my usual projects. The round LCD’s driver board came pre-configured to play video files, so all I needed to do was prepare the media and integrate the components into the enclosure.

 

One notable design improvement was hiding the activation button. I disguised it as a 3D-printed bolt on the porthole’s face, maintaining a clean aesthetic. The finished design also included a USB-C port for charging the internal battery and uploading new content.

Creating Themed Video Content

The underwater and spaceship themes were straightforward—I found plenty of high-quality coral reef and outer space videos online. The SpongeBob theme, however, was a challenge.

 

How I Solved It

 

1. GIF Hunting: I scoured the web for SpongeBob GIFs that captured the show’s charm.

2. Conversion: Converted GIFs to video files and stitched them into loops.

3. Optimization: Edited the videos to fit the display’s resolution and format requirements.

 

This process was tedious but rewarding. The final result was a seamless loop of iconic SpongeBob scenes that looked fantastic on the round display.

Refining the Design Based on Feedback

After sharing the first prototype of the cruise ship porthole on Instagram, the feedback was invaluable. Followers pointed out that the visible power cables detracted from the design, which motivated me to find the battery-powered version of the display.

 

When I posted the SpongeBob version, the response was incredible—it’s now my most-liked post ever. The positive feedback encouraged me to refine the design further and streamline the user experience.

The Final Product

The LCD Video Porthole is simple to use:

 

• Single Button Control: A hidden button starts and stops video playback.

• USB-C Charging and Content Uploading: Easily charge the device or upload your own videos.

 

Currently, I’ve created three versions:

 

1. Cruise Ship Porthole

2. Spaceship Porthole

3. SpongeBob Window

Future Plans

There’s still room to expand this project. Some ideas in the pipeline include:

 

• Rick and Morty Portal: A porthole inspired by the iconic green portal from the show.

• Custom Themes: Allowing users to upload their own content for personalized designs.

• Refinements: Adding features like motion sensors or different control options.

 

I’m also planning to release these designs for purchase, starting with the SpongeBob version.

Conclusion

The LCD Video Porthole was an experiment in turning an unusual component into a functional and fun product. From sourcing the perfect round display to iterating on 3D-printed enclosures and solving video content challenges, this project tested my creativity and problem-solving skills.

 

If you’re inspired by this project, I encourage you to experiment with unique components and see where your imagination takes you. Who knows? Your next great project might start with a single interesting part.