Redbox

If you’ve ever rented a movie from a Redbox kiosk, you may have noticed digital screen topper looping through ads, movie trailers, and promos on some of the newer indoor models. These aren’t just dumb screens — they’re powered by Videri digital signage tech. I was able to purchase one when I bought my Redbox kiosk. From Redbox to Videri Canvas Once you remove the screen from the Redbox metal enclosure, you’re left with the actual Videri Canvas display — a commercial-grade smart screen designed to run proprietary content from Videri’s platform. It’s running locked-down software out of the box, but here’s where things get fun: modders have figured out how to jailbreak these. That’s right — there’s an entire community of hobbyists and tech tinkerers who are breathing new life into these displays, repurposing them for custom dashboards, media players, smart signage, and more. Opening Up the Back Panel To get inside, start by removing the small Phillips-head screws from the back panel of the Videri screen. Once the back cover is off, you’ll have access to a few different internal circuit boards, one of which is especially important — the one with a Micro USB 3.0 port. Here is where you will find the Micro USB 3.0 port on the Redbox Videri screens. This port is your gateway. You’ll need to connect an OTG hub here. Your hub will include: Once connected, you’re in a good position to begin exploring or attempting a jailbreak — which is exactly what I plan to do next. Join the Community If you’re diving into this project too, I highly recommend checking out the Redbox.wiki — it’s full of helpful documentation and teardown photos from other users. Even better, join the Redbox Modding Discord community, where people are actively sharing updates, jailbreak methods, custom builds, and troubleshooting help. It’s the best place to collaborate with others who are unlocking the potential of these discarded displays. Stay Tuned… Now that I’ve got access to the internals and confirmed OTG functionality, I’ll be exploring possible jailbreak options and testing what this thing can really do. This is just the beginning. Have any questions, or are you modding one yourself? Drop a comment below or hit me up. I’d love to see what others are doing with these screens!

For years, Redbox kiosks were a familiar sight outside grocery stores and gas stations, offering DVD and Blu-ray rentals at the push of a button. However, with the rise of streaming services, Redbox struggled to stay relevant. In June 2024, its parent company, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, filed for bankruptcy, leaving thousands of these kiosks abandoned. Many Redbox kiosks have already been scrapped, but a small group of enthusiasts, including myself, have stepped in to preserve and repurpose them. If you’re curious how to obtain a Redbox for home use or are curious about Redbox mods, hacks, and reverse engineering, this post will walk you through my experience of acquiring one and my plans for bringing it back to life. How to Obtain a Redbox for Home With many kiosks being decommissioned, several have been some scrapped. Some are available from private sellers, or direct negotiations with store/property managers. If you’re interested in how to obtain a Redbox for home use, we’ll post an article with more tips later. However, be prepared—these machines are heavy, often requiring a truck and at least two people to move them. Some have even been able to get a kiosk into a minivan. I purchased a fully intact Redbox kiosk, complete with a 6-card topper and a digital Videri TV screen topper through a Craigslist ad. The plan? To get it functional for personal use and explore Redbox reverse engineering to unlock its full potential. Redbox Mods & Hacks: What’s Possible? The ultimate challenge with Redbox mods is figuring out how to bypass the proprietary software and hardware restrictions. While Redbox operated on a closed system, there are several potential ways to repurpose these kiosks: Redbox Resources Two of the best resources on Redbox kiosks I’ve found are Redbox.wiki and the Redbox Tinkering Discord Channel. The Future of Redbox Kiosks While these kiosks might not be considered nostalgic just yet, in 10–20 years, they could become sought-after collector’s items—much like vintage Coke machines, Jukeboxes, etc. Since most kiosks are being scrapped, those that remain will only become rarer over time. If you’re interested in Redbox hacks or have experience working with these kiosks, be sure to comment below! Stay tuned as I document my journey into repurposing this piece of movie rental history. Next steps for me are to try and get the software loaded to load and dispense movies and get the Videri display functional. Since I have the kiosk at our cabin, it will be a bit of a slow project.