Makerfabs has introduced a compact new carrier board that turns the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5) into something that looks and feels a lot like a plug-and-play TV stick, but with far more flexibility for tinkerers. Nicknamed the CM5 TV Stick Lite, this small board is designed to snap the CM5 into a living-room-friendly form factor—complete with a built-in HDMI connector—so you can plug it directly into a TV or monitor without extra adapters or dongles.
Power is supplied over USB-C, which keeps the setup simple and familiar. Once powered, the combination of the CM5 and the carrier board essentially becomes a portable mini computer you can carry from screen to screen. That’s where it stands apart from typical streaming devices. Instead of being locked into one ecosystem, this DIY TV stick can be configured for a wide range of projects depending on what you install and how you want to use it.
What makes the CM5 TV Stick Lite especially interesting is the generous selection of interfaces built into such a small board. It includes a MicroSD card slot for storage, two USB Type-A ports for peripherals, an IR receiver for remote control projects, and even a fan connector for users who want to improve cooling. With these connections, it’s easy to imagine this device going beyond simple streaming—supporting keyboards, controllers, external storage, and other accessories that standard TV sticks often limit.
Because it’s powered by a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, the software possibilities are wide open. Want a lightweight smart TV experience? Pair it with Kodi to turn an older television into a capable media center. Interested in classic games? Install RetroPie and you’ve got a compact retro gaming console that can live behind your TV. For advanced users, this is also an appealing way to build a small Linux-based system for experimentation, media playback, emulation, or custom home entertainment setups.
Price is where you’ll want to plan carefully. The Raspberry Pi CM5 currently starts at $67.50 for the entry model with 2GB of RAM and no built-in storage. That’s where the carrier board’s MicroSD slot becomes essential, letting you add affordable storage and keep the overall build budget-friendly. However, higher-end CM5 versions can get expensive quickly. A fully loaded model with 16GB of RAM and 64GB eMMC storage can cost over $325, turning what looks like a simple TV stick project into a premium-priced build.
Even so, the $35 carrier board itself is priced reasonably for what it offers, and it makes the most sense for experienced Raspberry Pi users who value broader operating system support, expandability, and the freedom to customize their setup. If your goal is purely cheap and easy streaming, mainstream options like Fire TV Stick, Roku, or Xiaomi’s streaming sticks will usually cost less. But if you want a Raspberry Pi CM5 TV stick that can be a media center today, a retro console tomorrow, and a portable mini PC whenever you need it, Makerfabs’ CM5 TV Stick Lite is a compelling new option.
