Got an old monitor gathering dust? You might want to keep it. There’s a new way to turn it into something surprisingly useful.
Most of us have old computer monitors lying around, still working but no longer in use. Buying new digital displays for dashboards, signage, or projects can feel unnecessary when those screens could do the job. That is where VESA ESP comes in. It is an open source way to give new purpose to old monitors, turning them into displays with simple setup and low cost.
With VESA ESP, we can use what we already have. The device connects to any VGA monitor and runs on an ESP32 S3 microcontroller. Just mount it to the back of the screen using the included plate and spacers, insert an SD card with content, and power it through USB Type C. Within seconds, that old monitor can start showing art, store offers, or live data.
Because it is open hardware, we are free to change or extend how it works. The firmware is hackable, and the GPIO pins make it easy to attach sensors, buttons, or other devices. This allows us to build kiosks, dashboards, or simple gaming consoles. It is a tool for anyone who likes to experiment, teach, or make use of existing parts.
For small businesses, VESA ESP can serve as a low cost signage system. For makers and hobbyists, it is a platform for projects. For classrooms and labs, it is a way to learn embedded programming and display control.
It supports VGA output up to 1280 x 720 resolution at 16 bit color and includes a microSD slot for content storage. The mounting plate works with standard 75 x 75 mm and 100 x 100 mm VESA patterns and comes with an adapter for mounting arms. Power is supplied through a USB Type C cable.
The project is certified by the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA), and all files including schematics, firmware, and mechanical designs are available on GitHub. We can read the documentation, download the source, and modify it as needed.
If we are interested in following the launch or building one ourselves, we can sign up on the project page to get notified when the campaign goes live. Only relevant updates will be shared.
