> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.meowkit.cc/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# RetroTV

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/whiteclifftechnologylimited/FSMfeKMWgaW_V5Tj/images/retro-tv.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=FSMfeKMWgaW_V5Tj&q=85&s=5c9a342f3f64b8ee3b9969cc560c330f" alt="Retro Tv" width="680" height="382" data-path="images/retro-tv.webp" />

Turn MeowKit into a tiny wireless screen for your computer.

RetroTV captures a selected area of your Windows desktop, converts it into a stream of JPEG images, and sends it to MeowKit over your local Wi-Fi network.

Use it as a pocket-sized companion display for pixel art, retro games, photo slideshows, album covers, dashboards, or videos. It is not a full-size monitor—and that is part of the charm.

***

# How it works

RetroTV has two parts:

* MeowKit receives and displays the images.
* ScreenShotSender captures part of your Windows desktop and sends it to MeowKit. Both devices must be connected to the same local network.

<Warning>
  **Note**

  RetroTV streams images only. It does not transmit audio.

  Frame rate and image quality depend on your Wi-Fi connection, computer performance, selected capture size, and JPEG Quality setting.
</Warning>

***

# What you need

Before you begin, prepare:

* A Windows computer
* A local Wi-Fi network
* ScreenShotSender（[https://github.com/lovyan03/ESP32\_ScreenShotReceiver](https://github.com/lovyan03/ESP32_ScreenShotReceiver)）
* MeowKit and the computer connected to the same network MeowKit uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Your computer may use Wi-Fi or Ethernet, provided it is on the same local network and can communicate with MeowKit.

***

# Set up RetroTV

<Steps>
  <Step title="**Connect to Wi-Fi.**">
    Complete the Wi-Fi setup in MeowKit **Settings**. Make sure MeowKit and your computer are connected to the same local network.
  </Step>

  <Step title="**Open RetroTV.**">
    Go to **Applications → RetroTV**. Once connected, MeowKit displays its IP address, such as `10.0.1.135`.

    Keep this screen open.

    **\[Image: MeowKit displaying its IP address]**
  </Step>

  <Step title="**Download ScreenShotSender.**">
    Download the Windows sender from the [upstream open-source repository](https://github.com/lovyan03/ESP32_ScreenShotReceiver).

    > **Security:** Do not disable Windows Defender or Real-time Protection. Download the application only from the official upstream repository. If you have concerns, review and build the included C# source code.
  </Step>

  <Step title="**Run ScreenShotSender.**">
    Run `ScreenShotSender.exe`.

    If Windows Firewall asks for permission, allow access only on your trusted **Private network**.

    **\[Image: ScreenShotSender main window]**
  </Step>

  <Step title="**Configure the display.**">
    Enter the IP address shown on MeowKit, then set:

    * Width: 320
    * Height: 240
    * Quality: 60
    * Col: 1
    * Row: 1 \[Image: IP address and display settings]
  </Step>

  <Step title="**Select the display area.**">
    Click **ShowBox**, then move or resize the capture frame. Everything inside the frame will be sent to MeowKit.

    For the best fit, keep the capture area close to a **4:3** aspect ratio.
  </Step>

  <Step title="**Start streaming.**">
    Click **Connect**. When the button changes to **Disconnect**, your computer screen appears on MeowKit.

    When finished, click **Disconnect**, then press and hold MeowKit’s **B button for 2 seconds** to exit RetroTV.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Troubleshooting

Having trouble connecting MeowKit to RetroTV? Start with the issue that best matches what you're seeing.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="MeowKit stays on “Connect to WiFi...”">
    This usually means MeowKit cannot establish a Wi-Fi connection.

    Check the following:

    * Wi-Fi has been configured in **MeowKit Settings**.
    * The Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password are correct.
    * Your network supports **2.4 GHz Wi-Fi**.
    * MeowKit is within range of the router.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open Wi-Fi Settings">
        Return to **Settings** on MeowKit and check your Wi-Fi configuration.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Reconnect to Wi-Fi">
        Reconnect MeowKit to your Wi-Fi network and wait until the connection is established.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open RetroTV">
        Launch **RetroTV** again after MeowKit has successfully connected to Wi-Fi.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="ScreenShotSender cannot connect">
    If ScreenShotSender cannot connect to MeowKit, check the following:

    * The IP address exactly matches the address displayed by MeowKit.
    * MeowKit and your computer are connected to the **same local network**.
    * **RetroTV is still open** on MeowKit.
    * Windows Firewall allows ScreenShotSender to communicate on the current **Private network**.
    * Your router does not have **Client Isolation** or **AP Isolation** enabled.

    <Note>
      Guest Wi-Fi networks often prevent connected devices from communicating with each other.

      For the best results, connect both MeowKit and your computer to a normal trusted network instead of a guest network.
    </Note>

    ### Check the TCP port

    RetroTV uses a local TCP connection on port `63333`.

    Make sure your firewall or network configuration does not block this port.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The IP address has changed">
    MeowKit's IP address may change when:

    * MeowKit is restarted.
    * MeowKit reconnects to Wi-Fi.
    * The router is restarted.
    * MeowKit is connected to a different network.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open RetroTV">
        Launch RetroTV on MeowKit and check the IP address displayed by the application.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Update ScreenShotSender">
        Enter the newly displayed IP address in ScreenShotSender.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Reconnect">
        Disconnect and reconnect ScreenShotSender using the updated address.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The image is stretched">
    Make sure ScreenShotSender is configured with the correct output resolution:

    | Setting      | Value |
    | ------------ | ----- |
    | Width        | `320` |
    | Height       | `240` |
    | Aspect Ratio | `4:3` |

    For the best results, select a capture area with a **4:3 aspect ratio**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The image freezes or updates slowly">
    If the image is laggy, freezes, or updates slowly, try these steps in order:

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Reduce image quality">
        Lower the **Quality** setting in ScreenShotSender.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Reduce the capture area">
        Select a smaller area of your Windows screen.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Improve the Wi-Fi connection">
        Move MeowKit closer to the router.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Reduce network activity">
        Pause other downloads, streaming, or network-intensive activity.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Reconnect">
        Click **Disconnect** in ScreenShotSender and then connect again.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The picture is cropped">
    If part of the image is missing, adjust the capture frame in ScreenShotSender.

    <Note>
      For the best results, keep the capture area close to a **4:3 aspect ratio**.
    </Note>

    Make sure all important content is inside the selected capture area before starting the stream.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="No audio plays from MeowKit">
    This is expected behavior.

    RetroTV sends **JPEG images only** from the Windows computer to MeowKit.

    Audio is **not transmitted** to MeowKit and continues to play through the Windows computer's normal audio output.

    <Info>
      RetroTV is designed for screen streaming, not audio streaming.
    </Info>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Windows displays a security warning">
    Do **not** disable Windows Antivirus or Real-time Protection just to run ScreenShotSender.

    If Windows displays a security warning:

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Verify the source">
        Confirm that ScreenShotSender came from the official upstream repository.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Do not run untrusted executables">
        If you cannot verify or trust the executable, do not run it.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Build from source">
        Review the included C# source code and build the application yourself if you need to verify what is being executed.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Warning>
      Never disable antivirus or Windows Real-time Protection simply to bypass a security warning.
    </Warning>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Still having trouble?

If none of the solutions above work, check the following:

* MeowKit is connected to a **2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network**.
* MeowKit and the Windows computer are on the **same local network**.
* RetroTV is currently open on MeowKit.
* The IP address in ScreenShotSender matches the current IP shown by MeowKit.
* Windows Firewall allows ScreenShotSender on the current Private network.
* TCP port `63333` is not blocked.
* Your router does not use Client Isolation or AP Isolation.

***

## Source and license

RetroTV is based on the open-source ESP32 ScreenShotReceiver project by lovyan03:

[github.com/lovyan03/ESP32\_ScreenShotReceiver](https://github.com/lovyan03/ESP32_ScreenShotReceiver)

The original project sends JPEG images from a Windows computer to an ESP32 receiver over TCP and is released under the MIT License.

***