HN repeatedly recommends the series it launched as the best way to understand how a CPU works, praised for Eater's clear teaching.
Topics › Hardware & Electronics
The best embedded systems & diy electronics videos, according to Hacker News
89 videos about embedded systems & diy electronics that Hacker News commenters keep pointing each other to, ranked by how many separate months they were recommended. Part of Hardware & Electronics.
Praised as a brilliant, deadpan and inventive hardware hack, and a good starting point for Tom7's videos.
HN repeatedly recommends it as the best hands-on way to understand how a CPU and a computer work from first principles.
Strongly recommended in Shenzhen and hardware threads for its view of fast cycles, loose IP and the maker ecosystem.
It is the favorite recommendation for understanding Moore's minimalist, low-power multi-core designs and stack machines.
HN recommends it as a clear, from-scratch look at how video hardware works, understandable with just basic logic knowledge.
HN commenters recommend it as a clear, comprehensive explanation of USB signaling and keyboard polling.
HN finds the miniaturization mind-blowing and cites it as a standout example of surreal hobbyist technology.
HN uses it as the go-to proof that small-scale, hobbyist chip fabrication is real, and as an entry point to the topic.
Whenever e-ink refresh speed or driving waveforms come up, HN points to this as the clearest hands-on explanation of how these displays work and how to hack them.
Pointed to as the in-depth talk on exception mechanics and code size for embedded C++.
HN recommends the series as a practical introduction to nMigen and formal verification for CPU design.
It is the classic reference for head-tracked parallax displays, cited whenever new 3D or holographic display tech appears.
HN commenters point to it as a nice introduction to micromouse and maze-racing robots.
Recommended as an entry point to a favorite electronics channel, valued for deep knowledge and no showy bravado.
HN recommends the series as great fun, following a talented and enthusiastic amateur rebuilding a pipe organ.
HN people recommend it as the work of an unusually creative artist-engineer whose whole channel is worth exploring.
HN shares it as a funny, technical story about phonetic profanity filtering, relevant to Soundex and content moderation threads.
Recommended as an inspiring story of hardware reverse engineering and persistence.
HN users share it as a delightful example of people making real music from obsolete electronics and self-built instruments.
HN recommends it in Voyager threads as a good talk on how these old computers have proved durable and adaptable.
HN recommends it as a thorough, general walkthrough of the steps in designing your own keyboard.
HN cites it as an impressive garage-science example of neuron-computer interfaces and hard-science DIY biology.
Cited as the go-to demo that full microcontrollers now cost about three cents, replacing things like the 555 timer.
HN recommends it as a practical way to learn KiCad and PCB design by following one full project.
HN commenters credit it for inspiring their own satellite-reception hobby and praise the channel's high-quality content.
HN links it as a charming defense of bodging and of AutoHotkey, and as the go-to example when custom keyboards or hotkey hacks come up.
Recommended as an expert-made DIY build that explains why the apparatus is designed as it is, though one commenter notes a missing baseline run.
Recommended as a friendly starting point for people who want to learn PCB design with free tools.
HN points to it as the classic example of home-made semiconductors and a fun way to go down to the transistor level.
HN recommends it as the definitive talk on mobile motion sensing, including why integrating acceleration twice drifts so badly.
HN loves it as a funny, inspiring hobby project and calls it one of the best conference talks ever.
Recommended as a deep, hands-on explanation of how a 555 timer works inside.
HN people recommend it as a fantastic maker project among Apollo anniversary builds.
Recommended as a gripping real-world hardware hacking story and a showcase of Joe Grand's skill.
HN people hold it up as a polished solo hardware project and the go-to example of haptic knobs, including in discussions of physical car controls.
HN recommends it to explain why Pi supply favored business customers during the shortage, straight from a founder.
Brought up in smart TV complaint threads as a real-world 'dumb display' alternative.
HN cites it as a neat example of urban aquaponics and as a plausible alternative path for people leaving programming.
Suggested as a gentle starting point for beginners in electronics.
Brought up as an early example of context-aware touch sensing and as part of Disney Research's wider interaction prototypes.
HN people cite it as an approachable, hands-on introduction to hardware and firmware reverse engineering, and as the author's own account of the Thinkpad keyboard patch effort.
HN people share it as a look at the custom backend and hardware behind a large sci-fi larp.
Used as the explanation behind the free-lithium-cell scavenging idea in threads about vapes and battery reuse.
Recommended as a practical way to get 12V or other voltages from USB-C for hobby projects.
Recommended as the answer to why breadboard computers are worth building and why breadboards work at these speeds.
Recommended as a clear introduction to LoRa and the link budget idea that sets it apart.
Makers recommend it as a behind-the-scenes look at crunch-time hardware engineering for a big YouTube production.
HN people point to it as a showcase of CERN's open hardware and as an example of quality metrology content.
Recommended as a jaw-dropping demonstration of how insecure embedded printer firmware is.
It is the canonical example HN brings up in threads about music hacks on floppy drives, printers and other junk hardware.
Mentioned as a delightful stunt whenever emoji input or keyboards come up.
Pointed to as evidence that open e-ink controllers can reach usable latency for real computer use.
HN commenters point to it as the clearest explanation of the PS/2 protocol, usually when keyboard interfaces come up.
HN cites it as the concrete demo behind discussions of Japan's TRON project and early smart-home ideas.
HN cites it as a fun and damning illustration of how poor security is in IP cameras, even expensive ones.
HN cites it as a demonstration that the supply-chain implant attack described in the Bloomberg story is technically feasible.
HN points to it as the authoritative explanation of why fractal wood burning with MOTs is deadly and how to reduce the risk.
It is cited as a review of a new boot-to-BASIC computer, and one commenter suggests it for a kid starting to program.
HN points to it as an example of advanced DIY hardware, specifically a camera using an affordable Kodak CCD sensor with global shutter.
Commenters cite it as a well-made, practical example of USB-C conversion when they discuss hacking USB-C into devices.
Cited as a cool, concrete visualization of Wi-Fi interference patterns.
Pointed to as a real-world example of Nim in embedded work, mostly by the author himself.
HN cites it as a striking example of radio hacking with commodity chips.
HN commenters recommend the series as an approachable demonstration of the simple standardized interface used by character LCDs.
HN people cite it as a memorable example of a clever low-cost hardware hack and as a reason to admire Kamkar's work.
HN commenters cite it as hands-on testing of a solid-state battery claim, though some remain skeptical until products ship.
HN uses it as the standard reference for why USB devices are dangerous beyond ordinary viruses.
Recommended as the companion explanation to the Espargos project, showing how phase and time differences localize devices.
Pointed to as proof that you can weigh micrograms cheaply at home, and as a clear breakdown of how such a scale works.
HN uses it to show what the Nintendo PlayStation prototype hardware actually looked like, essentially an SNES with a CD-ROM drive.
HN cites it as a clever low-budget hardware hack and as an example of novel Wiimote uses that never became commercial.
HN cites it as a fun example of novel uses of the MacBook motion sensor whenever laptop accelerometers come up.
HN cites it as proof that e-ink screens can be pushed to surprisingly high refresh rates, supporting arguments about interactive e-ink uses.
HN mostly links it as a joke in Emacs threads, though one commenter calls the video the most interesting part of the Deldo project.
HN mentions it mainly as an example of Google Japan's habit of making joke keyboards, with some complaints that it was misleading.
HN mostly cites it as evidence that Hodgins built the glitter bomb Mark Rober presented as his own, and says he deserves credit.
HN cites it as Apple's own explanation of why Embedded Swift exists and what it targets.
HN points to it as the example of someone making integrated circuits at home.
HN points to it as an example of hobbyist, at-home integrated circuit fabrication.
HN cites it as the demonstration that e-ink can do low-latency, video-rate refresh with an open hardware controller.
Cited as an existing example of 3D or spatial desktop shells and what Wayland compositing makes possible.
Cited as the canonical example of Quake running on an exotic display, usually in 'will it run Doom' threads.
HN commenters cite it as inspiration for large eInk displays and their own DIY projects.
Cited as 2012 prior art for analog keyboards when newer analog-key products and patents come up.
Linked as the original demonstration whenever battery-free or energy-harvesting wireless communication comes up.
Referenced mainly for Bak's firsthand account of why the Dart VM never shipped in Chrome and for his IoT language design points.
HN uses it as the go-to example of music played on obsolete computer hardware, linked whenever floppy drives, odd sounds or machine music come up.
Cited as proof that space existed for a headphone jack in the iPhone.
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