Topics › Hardware & Electronics

Best Embedded systems & DIY electronics videos, as recommended on Hacker News

71 videos about embedded systems & diy electronics that Hacker News commenters keep recommending, mentioned between 2010 and 2026. Mostly demo, tutorial, talk. Channels that come up most: Ben Eater, Applied Science, bigclivedotcom, Strange Loop Conference. Sorted by how consistently HN recommended them over the years.

The most recommended is 8-bit computer update: HN repeatedly recommends the series it launched as the best way to understand how a CPU works, praised for Eater's clear teaching.

• other8-bit computer updateBen Eater · 14 HN recommenders · 2017–2023
• talkReverse emulating the NES to give it SUPER POWERS!suckerpinch · 12 HN recommenders · 2018–2025
• tutorial“Hello, world” from scratch on a 6502 — Part 1Ben Eater · 11 HN recommenders · 2019–2026
• documentaryShenzhen: The Silicon Valley of Hardware (Full Documentary) | Future Cities | WIREDWIRED Investigations · 8 HN recommenders · 2016–2022
• talk"Programming a 144-computer chip to minimize power" - Chuck Moore (2013)Strange Loop Conference · 7 HN recommenders · 2021–2024
• tutorialThe world's worst video card?Ben Eater · 8 HN recommenders · 2019–2024
• tutorialHow does a USB keyboard work?Ben Eater · 7 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
• demoBrick AssemblyAncient · 4 HN recommenders · 2023–2025
• demo"Z2" - Upgraded Homemade Silicon ChipsSam Zeloof · 4 HN recommenders · 2021–2026
• tutorialE-paper hacking: fastest possible refresh rateApplied Science · 4 HN recommenders · 2018–2021
• talkC++ Exceptions for Smaller Firmware - Khalil Estell - CppCon 2024CppCon · 5 HN recommenders · 2025–2026
• tutorialBuilding a 6800 CPU on an FPGA with nMigen (part 1)Robert Baruch · 3 HN recommenders · 2020–2021
• demoHead Tracking for Desktop VR Displays using the WiiRemoteJohnny Lee · 3 HN recommenders · 2010–2026
• documentaryThe Fastest Maze-Solving Competition On EarthVeritasium · 5 HN recommenders · 2023–2024
• demoMy old BBC Micro systemmikeselectricstuff · 3 HN recommenders · 2017–2022
• documentaryI BOUGHT A WHOLE CHURCH ORGAN - Part 1 The Organs RemovalLOOK MUM NO COMPUTER · 3 HN recommenders · 2022–2023
• demoThe Commodordionlftkryo · 3 HN recommenders · 2022–2025
• comedyI made a talking bananaUseless Duck Company · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2023
• documentarySega Saturn CD - Cracked after 20 yearsdebuglive · 3 HN recommenders · 2016–2021
• music電磁祭囃子 in NEO TOKYO 🏮ELECTRONICOS FANTASTICOS! · 3 HN recommenders · 2020–2026
• tutorial(Sponsored) KiCad STM32 + USB + Buck Converter PCB Design and JLCPCB Assembly - Phil's Lab #11Phil’s Lab · 3 HN recommenders · 2021–2022
• talk"Uptime 15,364 days - The Computers of Voyager" by Aaron CummingsStrange Loop Conference · 3 HN recommenders · 2021–2024
• tutorialDesign Your Own Keyboard!Ben Vallack · 3 HN recommenders · 2022–2023
• demoGrowing Human Neurons on a Home Made Electrode ArrayThe Thought Emporium · 3 HN recommenders · 2020–2025
• explainerEEVblog #1132 - The 3 Cent Microcontroller!EEVblog · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
• tutorialKiCad 6 STM32 PCB Design Full Tutorial - Phil's Lab #65Phil’s Lab · 3 HN recommenders · 2022–2025
• tutorialPulling Clear Images Directly Off Satellites | GOES-15,16,17 and Himawari 8 HRITThe Thought Emporium · 3 HN recommenders · 2018–2023
• talkThe Art of the Bodge: How I Made The Emoji KeyboardTom Scott · 4 HN recommenders · 2018–2024
• demoDIY mass spectrometer measures potassium in dietary salt substituteApplied Science · 3 HN recommenders · 2020–2023
• tutorialAn Intro to KiCad – Part 1: How PCBs Are Made | DigiKeyDigiKey · 3 HN recommenders · 2020–2022
• tutorialHomebrew NMOS Transistor Step by Step - So Easy Even Jeri Can Do ItJeri Ellsworth · 3 HN recommenders · 2010–2023
• talkSensor Fusion on Android Devices: A Revolution in Motion ProcessingGoogle TechTalks · 2 HN recommenders · 2012–2026
• talkMilitarizing Your Backyard with Python: Computer Vision and the Squirrel HordesNext Day Video · 3 HN recommenders · 2014–2023
• tutorialEEVblog #555 - 555 Timer KitEEVblog · 2 HN recommenders · 2014–2019
• tutorialBuild an electroluminescent glass panel display -- an Apollo DSKYApplied Science · 2 HN recommenders · 2019–2023
• talkHow I hacked a hardware crypto wallet and recovered $2 millionJoe Grand · 2 HN recommenders · 2022–2023
• demoDIY haptic input knob: BLDC motor + round LCDscottbez1 · 2 HN recommenders · 2023–2026
• interviewHe started a computing REVOLUTION—then the shortage hitJeff Geerling · 2 HN recommenders · 2023–2023
• demoSmarter than a Smart TV! (Raspberry Pi Inside)Jeff Geerling · 2 HN recommenders · 2022–2023
• documentaryInternet of food: Arduino-based, urban aquaponics in OaklandKirsten Dirksen · 2 HN recommenders · 2013–2018
• tutorialA simple guide to electronic components.bigclivedotcom · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2022
• demoTouché: Enhancing Touch Interaction on Humans, Screens, Liquids, and Everyday ObjectsDisneyResearchHub · 2 HN recommenders · 2012–2025
• talkMy personal fight against the modern laptoplinux conf au 2017 - Hobart, Australia · 2 HN recommenders · 2017–2025
• talkRopecon 2019: Essi Santala, Sampo Juustila: Odysseus – Where Code Meets Light and SoundRopecon · 2 HN recommenders · 2021–2026
• tutorialScavenging rechargeable lithium cells from the roadsidebigclivedotcom · 2 HN recommenders · 2022–2024
• tutorialHow to power ANYTHING using USB-C Power Delivery and the ZY12PDN PD Trigger BoardKenneth Finnegan · 2 HN recommenders · 2020–2023
• explainerWhy build an entire computer on breadboards?Ben Eater · 2 HN recommenders · 2020–2022
• tutorial#112 LoRa / LoRaWAN De-Mystified / TutorialAndreas Spiess · 2 HN recommenders · 2019–2024
• demoOpen Source 8.5 Digit Voltmeter from CERN: Build and TestMarco Reps · 1 HN recommender · 2021–2025
• talk28c3: Print Me If You Dare28c3 · 1 HN recommender · 2012–2018
• musicBig Ideas: Don't get any -- by James HoustonJames Houston · 1 HN recommender · 2011–2022
• demoReal Life Emoji Keyboard!Tom Scott · 1 HN recommender · 2019–2024
• demoModos Paper Monitor Typing DemoModos · 1 HN recommender · 2022–2024
• tutorialSo how does a PS/2 keyboard interface work?Ben Eater · 1 HN recommender · 2021–2021
• demoTRON Smart Houseuidcenter · 1 HN recommender · 2022–2026
• talkBlack Hat 2013 - Exploiting Network Surveillance Cameras Like a Hollywood HackerHackersOnBoard · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2021
• talk35C3 - Modchips of the Statemedia.ccc.de · 1 HN recommender · 2019–2019
• explainerThe most deadly project on the Internetbigclivedotcom · 2 HN recommenders · 2022–2024
• demoColor Maximite 2 - ARM CPU that runs BASIC!The 8-Bit Guy · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2021
• demoBuild a DIY full-frame CCD cameraWenting Channel · 1 HN recommender · 2023–2024
• tutorialConverting devices to USB Type-CDIY Perks · 1 HN recommender · 2020–2024
• demoHigh Res Wifi Signal MappingCNLohr · 1 HN recommender · 2017–2024
• talkPeter Munch-Ellingsen: Why I wrote my own keyboard firmware in Nim (NimConf 2021)Nim Programming Language · 1 HN recommender · 2021–2024
• demoHow far can I broadcast LoRa packets WITHOUT a radio? - LoLRaCNLohr · 1 HN recommender · 2024–2026
• tutorialHow a Character LCD works Part 1The 8-Bit Guy · 1 HN recommender · 2018–2022
• demoOpenSesame - hacking garages in seconds using a Mattel toysamy kamkar · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2018
• demoTesting LCBs (Lithium Ceramic Batteries) || The Future of Battery Technology?GreatScott! · 1 HN recommender · 2018–2026
• talkBadUSB - On Accessories that Turn Evil by Karsten Nohl + Jakob LellBlack Hat · 1 HN recommender · 2014–2019
• demoThis ESP32 Antenna Array Can See WiFiJeija · 1 HN recommender · 2025–2026
• demoMeasure the mass of an eyelash with a DIY microbalanceApplied Science · 1 HN recommender · 2018–2026
• demoBen Heck's Nintendo-Playstation Prototype Pt 1 Teardownelement14 presents · 1 HN recommender · 2016–2022