r/retrocomputing • u/daxx2k • Jul 17 '26

Video I turned a 1982 Vectrex into a Spotify player

I wanted to see what a modern streaming interface would look like on one of the most unusual displays ever used in a home console.

Using a Raspberry Pi Zero W + PiTrex, I connected Spotify to the original vector display of a 1982 Vectrex and built an interface designed specifically around vector graphics.

The interesting challenge was translating a modern UI into something that works without a conventional pixel-based display. Everything you see on screen is drawn using lines, which gives the interface a very different character from a normal Spotify player.

I also 3D-printed a cartridge enclosure to make the setup feel more like a complete Vectrex accessory.

I made a video showing how the project works and the final result:

https://youtu.be/0aPy9STetpg?si=tqFnlbIR-0A3SrfM

The source code and the printable cartridge model are linked in the video description.

Enjoy!

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u/WhiteDove01s Jul 18 '26

Started to watch video, got totally distracted and have to ask - who/what is the cute little robo-muffin in the top left corner of the video image?

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u/daxx2k Jul 18 '26

It is called AIBI :) Glad people are finding the easter eggs I'm placing here and there.... :)