ESPHome Cartridge Player

Bring back the magic of movie night — without the rewinding.

This NFC-powered media player uses 3D-printed cartridges and ESPHome to trigger movies, playlists, or automations in Home Assistant. Just insert a cartridge, and your smart home takes care of the rest.

UPDATES 18/07/2025
 

• Cartridge Player_Bottom_Buzzer added for use with the buzzer included in the parts kit from our website
• Cartridge_Top_RecessedLabel added for recessed labels (requires support) - Inspired by Bas van der Ploeg @bvdp
• Clearance for cartridges slightly increased for pocket and Player_Top components

🎉🎉   BUY A PARTS KIT HERE   🎉🎉

🔗 Links
 

• Blog post & build guide
• GitHub repo (firmware, wiring, YAML)
• ESPHome config
• Bill of Materials
• Parts kit
   

✨ Features
 

• NFC cartridge-based ESP Home device
• Works with ESP32, RC522, and Home Assistant
• Automates anything — movies, music, lighting, games
• Easy to print and put together

🛠 Tutorial Video

🧰 What You’ll Need
 

• ESP32-S3 Zero
• RC522 NFC module
• NFC stickers (one per cartridge)
• Hardware
• Optional: buzzer for sound feedback

Full BOM, firmware, and config available here
 

🖨 Print Instructions

All parts should be oriented correctly when you import them into your slicer. Pictured player was printed in Bambulab Light Gray (10104) & Gray (10103)

Filament choice shouldn't matter. I've tested PETG, ABS and PLA without issue.
 

Cartridges:

• Print with outside faces on the print bed
• No supports required
• Insert NFC tag before snapping halves together

There are cutting and printing templates below for printing your own labels.
 

Player Housing:
 

• Use painted supports for the latch on the ‘Cartridge Player_Pocket’ component, and on the cartridge opening on the ‘Cartridge Player_Top’ component.
• Avoid auto supports (bridging is intentional)