A LITTLE DEVICE YOU TELL YOUR DREAM TO IN THE MORNING, AND IT PLAYS THE DREAM BACK AS VIDEO
You wake up, touch the object by your bed, describe the dream you just had, and it plays it back to you as a short film.
by Modem
AIDisplays
- difficulty
- ●●●●○
- time
- a weekend-plus
- license
- MIT
- repo
- repo ACTIVE1,604 stars
●●●●○ · a weekend-plus · MIT · 1,604 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
- Electronic parts — full list with part numbers in the repo BOM
- Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware
Partner
COMPAREE VERDICT
This is a finished art object that happens to be reproducible, not a weekend electronics kit. The repository is complete — BOM with links, printable files, assembly photographs, working code — but this is a build where fit and finish matter as much as function, and the transparent shell printing will take multiple attempts to get right. The Raspberry Pi 5, ultra-wide display, and capacitive touch sensor are all straightforward to wire, but you are also signing up for API key management and a few cents of OpenAI cost every time you use it. The single thing most likely to go wrong is underestimating the print: the shell is large, needs to be transparent without visible layer lines, and the tolerances around the display are tight. If you have never printed something this size in PETG or polycarbonate and sanded it to clarity, this is not the first project to learn on. But if you want a physical object that genuinely feels like it wandered in from a different decade of consumer electronics, and you are willing to spend the time on the enclosure, the repository gives you everything.
IN THE REPO
NOT IN THE REPO
- —Complete bill of materials with direct purchase links to all parts
- —STL files for the transparent printed shell, plus step-by-step assembly photos
- —Python software and setup instructions for Raspberry Pi 5
- —Requires OpenAI API key (speech-to-text and video generation) — recurring cost per dream
- —No PCB to manufacture, everything is off-the-shelf modules and USB devices
- —MIT licence, permits commercial use
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Partner · KickstarterBluHub reads and burns Blu-ray/DVD/CD, adds USB-C, USB-A, SD/TF and 10 Gbps data — plug and play, grand-piano finish.
Gallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Read the full BOM and verify the display and Pi 5 are in stock before ordering anything else (The 7.9 inch 400×1280 display is the only non-standard part and availability varies)
- 2.Print the shell components and budget time to finish them — this is not a quick print(PETG or polycarbonate recommended, 0.2mm layers, expect 15+ hours print time and significant post-processing)
- 3.Set up the Raspberry Pi 5 with the provided OS image and install dependencies (Python 3.11+, several libraries, and an OpenAI API key required)
- 4.Assemble the electronics following the step-by-step photos in the repository (No soldering to the Pi itself, everything connects via USB or GPIO header)
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
- Bill of Materials github.com
- Assembly Guide github.com
- Software Setup github.com
- Project site modemworks.com
Partner · KickstarterCORE POWER BANK S: 0.2" thin, 2.8 oz, 5000 mAh with 22.5W fast charging. Semi-solid battery, carbon fiber, IPX7 waterproof.
KNOWN ISSUES
- The 7.9 inch ultra-wide display is not a common part — availability and shipping times vary, and some listings ship the panel without the HDMI driver board
- Printing the transparent shell to a clean finish takes experience; visible layer lines or warping will ruin the aesthetic, and the large size means failed prints are expensive
- You will need an OpenAI API key and will be billed per use — a few cents per dream, but it is a recurring cost the repository does not emphasize up front
- The capacitive touch sensor requires calibration, and if you change the enclosure material or thickness it will behave differently
- The software setup assumes familiarity with systemd services and Python virtual environments — it is not a one-click installer
- The repository does not include fallback instructions if the OpenAI video generation API changes or is deprecated
Can I use a different display?
The 7.9 inch 400×1280 panel is what the enclosure is designed around. A different display means redesigning the shell and adjusting the software resolution settings.
How much does it cost to generate each dream video?
The repository estimates a few cents per dream, depending on OpenAI's current pricing for Whisper (speech-to-text) and the video generation API. Costs are billed to your OpenAI account.
Can I use a Raspberry Pi 4 instead of the Pi 5?
The code targets the Pi 5, and the faster processor makes a difference for the local processing. A Pi 4 might work but is not tested and you will likely need to adjust timeouts.
What if I do not want to use OpenAI APIs?
You would need to rewrite the transcription and video generation parts to call a different service or run locally. The repository does not provide alternative implementations.
How do I get the shell print to look transparent and smooth?
Print in PETG or polycarbonate, use the finest layer height your printer can manage reliably, then wet-sand progressively from 400 to 2000 grit and finish with plastic polish. Budget an afternoon.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
The parts came to roughly 285 euros and each dream costs a few cents to generate — but the real cost is the time finishing that transparent shell. How would you approach the print?
Modem
Dream Recorder was designed and built by the studio Modem, with Mark Hinch on software and hardware, Ben Levinas and Joe Tsao on industrial design, and Alexis Jamet on illustration. Released in May 2025 as a complete open-source project under the MIT licence.
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM13d ago
Practical notes from our verification: the repository is complete and unusually well-documented for a design studio release, with direct purchase links and assembly photographs that actually match the build. The 7.9 inch display is the supply-chain risk — it is sold under several brand names and not all listings include the HDMI driver board, so read carefully before ordering. The software setup is thorough but assumes you know your way around a Raspberry Pi; there is no hand-holding for first-time Pi users. The shell print is genuinely large and the tolerances around the display are tight enough that you will likely need one test print to dial in your slicer settings. No official video walkthrough exists, but the assembly photos are clear and the code is commented.