An NFC movie library for my kids

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

A home-built NFC “movie jukebox” for young children—where tapping laminated cards launches specific films via Plex or Apple TV—has struck a chord with parents and tinkerers. Commenters praise how it restores a tactile, limited library feel while giving kids agency and avoiding algorithmic feeds, and share similar projects for music and audiobooks using NFC, QR codes, and Raspberry Pis. Others question whether such setups are over-engineered compared to DVDs, and use the example to reflect on screen‑time limits, declining digital literacy, and the growing complexity of modern media interfaces.

Overall reception

  • Strongly positive response; many want to replicate the project for their own kids or themselves.
  • People like the tactile “library” experience, finite selection, and kid-friendly autonomy without navigating complex UIs.
  • Several note it “feels like VHS again” in a good way.

Extensions & technical variations

  • NFC works well for deep-linking into Apple TV apps (Plex, Netflix, Disney+, YouTube).
  • Drawbacks for streaming: profile selection prompts, content removal making cards obsolete; suggested fixes include reprogramming tags or using a URL redirector.
  • Many alternative builds mentioned:
    • NFC or RFID jukeboxes for music/audiobooks (Yoto, Tonies, DIY TonUINO, Phoniebox, TapTo, SONOS/Spotify hacks).
    • QR-code versions using webcams; numpad-based jukeboxes keyed by playlist numbers; chip-card readers.
    • Tools like Home Assistant, ESPHome, Chromecast/catt, Infuse, Plex, Jellyfin (notable: Jellyfin lacks deep links).

Physical media vs streaming

  • Some argue a cheap Blu-ray/DVD player and discs would be simpler and already provide a tactile, finite library.
  • Others counter that small kids destroy discs and players, and ripping to a server protects originals and avoids unskippable ads and fragile media.
  • Physical media praised for true ownership, offline resilience, and language tracks; some have gone back to DVDs for these reasons.

Parenting, screen time, and UX

  • Many like that the system:
    • Curates a small set of options, reducing decision paralysis.
    • Avoids algorithmic feeds and autoplay designed for “engagement.”
  • Debate over strict time slots (e.g., 2×30 minutes) vs allowing kids to finish full movies; some see episodic viewing as fine for very young children, others think it harms attention span.
  • Screen-time policies vary widely (from 15 minutes on weekdays to only weekends); several stress modeling low phone use as parents.
  • Broader concerns about modern “hyperstimuli,” loss of tinkering, and kids treating devices as opaque appliances.

Product and broader implications

  • Multiple people say this “should be a product,” or see a niche for kids, schools, seniors, and people with cognitive impairments.
  • Others note practical barriers: licensing, DRM, long copyright terms, and hardware economics.
  • The thread repeatedly contrasts simple, robust old interfaces (VHS, tapes) with today’s layered, ad-driven, complex streaming UIs.