Minecraft TV mod (Vista) & other ways to make a TV in Minecraft

If you are searching for how to make a TV in Minecraft, it is important to understand one key fact: Minecraft does not include a working TV in vanilla mode. You can build decorative television designs using blocks, but they will not play videos or show live feeds.

To create a fully functional TV in Minecraft, you need a mod. The best and most advanced option is the Vista mod, which adds real televisions, cameras, cassettes, and live surveillance systems to the game.

This guide explains exactly how to make a TV in Minecraft using the Vista mod, including setup, linking cameras, and advanced features.

Minecraft TV mod: What is Vista?

Vista is a Minecraft mod that adds:

• Working TV blocks
• Viewfinder cameras
• Cassettes (animated GIF content)
• Hollow cassettes (camera linking system)
• Redstone-powered screen systems

With Vista, your TV is not just decoration. It can:

• Play animated content
• Display live camera feeds
• Act as a security monitor
• Be automated with redstone

Vista is for Minecraft Java Edition only. Bedrock players can only create decorative TVs unless using add-ons (which are more limited).

If you make a TV in Minecraft, Vista is currently the most complete solution.

How to make a TV in Minecraft with the Vista mod

If you make a TV in Minecraft, Vista is currently the most complete solution.

Step1: Install the Minecraft TV mod

Before you can craft a TV, you must install the mod.

Requirements:

• Minecraft Java Edition
• A mod loader
• The Vista mod file

After installation, launch Minecraft with the mod enabled. You can get Vista on CurseForge.

Step 2: Craft a TV in Minecraft

Once Vista is installed, you can craft the TV block. You will need:

• 4 × Planks (any type)
• 3 × Tinted Glass
• 1 × Redstone (to power the TV)
• 1 x Diaomond 

After crafting:

• Place the TV block.
• Power it using Redstone.
• The TV will turn on once powered.

Without redstone power, the TV will not function.

Step 3: Add content to the TV (Cassettes)

A TV needs media to display something. Vista uses Cassettes.

What is a Cassette in Minecraft?

A Cassette is an item that contains animated GIF-style visuals. When inserted into the TV, it plays the animation on the screen.

How to get Cassettes

• Found in loot chests
• Dropped by creepers killed by a pillager arrow (rare event)

Insert the Cassette into the TV to start playback.

How to add your own Cassettes

To add custom cassette tapes in the Vista mod, you need one datapack (for logic) and one resource pack (for visuals and sound):

• Add your own cassette files in:
  • data/<your_pack_id>/vista/cassette_tape/ via a datapack
• Cassette JSON files can support audio via:
  • "sound"
  • "sound_duration"
• Then create matching files in a resource pack (You can check the mod’s own resource pack as a reference.)
• Add a .png or .gif file with the exact same name you defined in the JSON file.

Controls

• Shift + right-click pauses playback
• You can automate cassette swapping using hoppers and droppers

This allows you to create:

• Animated living room TVs
• Cinemas
• Decorative media walls

Step 4: Create a Live Camera TV

If you want to know how to make a TV in Minecraft that shows a live feed, this is the most powerful feature of Vista. You will need:

• A TV block
• A Viewfinder (camera)
• A Hollow Cassette
• Redstone power

What Is a Viewfinder?

A Viewfinder is a camera block that records a live perspective. Here is its recipe:

• 5x Iron Ingots
• 3x Cherry Planks
• 1x Spyglass

Features include:

• Zoom using scroll wheel
• Lock camera angle
• Apply tinted glass panes for screen filters
• Real-time viewing

Place the Viewfinder in the area you want to monitor (entrance, mob farm, base door, etc.).

What is a Hollow Cassette?

A Hollow Cassette is used to link a TV to a Viewfinder. Here is how to craft it:

Combine:

• A Cassette
• An Echo Shard

This creates a Hollow Cassette.

Step 5: Link the camera to the TV

To connect everything:

• Place the Viewfinder where you want surveillance.
• Use the Hollow Cassette on the Viewfinder.
• Insert the Hollow Cassette into the TV.
• Power the TV with Redstone.

Now your TV will display a live feed from the camera.

This turns your Minecraft base into a full surveillance system.

How to make a TV in Minecraft without a mod

While it won’t play real videos in vanilla mode, you can create a clever redstone-powered television that lights up and looks great in any living room build. Here is how to make a decorative TV in Minecraft:

Setup

• Play in Creative mode.
• Gather: building blocks, pistons, redstone, repeaters, redstone torches, redstone lamps, lever, painting.
• Build a 4×4 wall.
• Make a 2×1 hole in the center.

Build the Screen

• Place 2 pistons in the hole (facing outward).
• Behind each piston:
• Add a redstone repeater
• Place a redstone torch behind the repeater
• Put a redstone lamp directly behind the piston
• Place a painting on the front (left piston) to form the screen.

Add the Remote

• Put a lever in front of the TV.
• Run redstone dust from the lever to one lamp (use blocks as needed).
• Flip the lever to turn the TV on/off.

Optional decoration

• Hide redstone behind walls.
• Add a frame, speakers (jukebox/skulls), and furniture.

Watching TV in Minecraft

In vanilla Minecraft, you can only build decorative televisions using redstone, pistons, lamps, and paintings. These builds look great in modern houses, but they do not display real content.

If you want to watch a truly functional TV in Minecraft, the Vista mod is the best option currently available for Java Edition. It allows you to craft real TV blocks, play animated cassette content, add custom GIFs and sounds, and even create live surveillance systems using Viewfinders and Hollow Cassettes. With redstone integration and automation, Vista turns your TV into more than decoration - it becomes part of your gameplay.