$25 Raspberry Pi running XBMC

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Ultimate Geek

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#671830 13-Aug-2012 14:10

trig42: ... Failing that, is ther a device that takes HDMI in and splits the audio out (ie, HDMI in, Coax/Optical and HDMI out)?

This looks like just what you need:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/1080p-4-port-hdmi-input-to-hdmi-optical-coaxial-audio-output-converter-100-240v-ac-16553?item=2

I've bought (cheaper) stuff from DealExtreme before, but it is caveat emptor!

I wonder if the Pi HDMI interface is the same as an XBox 360?
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/gold-plated-1080p-hdmi-cable-analog-optical-digital-audio-for-xbox-360-24868?item=16

Something else I came across while looking for this might be of interest to other Pi-ers:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/hdmi-v1-4-male-to-vga-female-converter-adapter-cable-white-15cm-130458

Currently I'm waiting on an el-cheapo version of the same thing (will be interesting to see if it works):
http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/110490931.html

I do trust AliExpress - excellent service. Trouble is they often require quantity purchase. (Not this time - but an Xbox 360 converter from Ali, only $1.65-odd, but minimum purchase 150 :-(. )

:-)

hellonearthisman

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#671900 13-Aug-2012 17:58

reven: the pi only has analog audio out and audio over HDMI. there is no optical output.

however there is talks about adding support for USB audio device, which you would be able to use. people mostly want the USB audio devices to add support for DTS in hardware since that requires a lot of CPU power to decode.

I have noticed this as well, there is no audio input. I was hoping the headphone jack was a triple deal, with Left right and mic lines. The current USB audio drivers have issues with recording.

Adding a ADC to the GPIO could be a fun project.

reven

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#671907 13-Aug-2012 18:16

ive also found xbian to run the best. 1080p with DTS running ok (still not perfect, but watchable)

however I keep installing it the day (or minutes) before a new version is released :)

just setup up 0.5 now, and 0.6 has been released.

annoying since I can't use a SSH transfer app like cyberduck to transfer advancedsettings.xml to it, and have to do that via the terminal (not difficult, just something I always need to google).

but its beta software, so cant complain about that. and apparently this is the last planned full disk image for it. the rest will be in place updates.

Antzzz

190 posts

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#671917 13-Aug-2012 19:19

Antzzz: Finally got around to firing mine up, using the latest RaspbMC build on a 32gb Apacer class 10 SD card. Worked like a charm, a 720p MKV file I tested played flawlessly!

A couple of minor niggles - so far haven't been able to get a MCE remote working with it - have selected 'Remote sends keypresses' as per the FAQ, but still doesn't work - gets random keypresses from the remote, and the 'OK' button doesn't do anything. Config file for that might need tweaking... Also it seems to fail to boot if the screen I've got it connected to isn't powered on first.

SteveC - I also see a couple of lines with the -84 error initially, but after a few seconds it seems to sort itself out and continue booting.

Raspmc RC4 installed - fixed remote issue. Still seems to be an issue with startup if the screen isn't powered first.

Might give Xbian a go next...

styxgeist

32 posts

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#671984 13-Aug-2012 21:46

I'd definitely second XBian. I've gone through standard XBMC running on Debian squeeze, OpenElec(Didn't like as it's very locked down, can't apt-get anything), XBMC with Raspian,RaspBMC and now finally XBian(Which is also using Raspian but is very tight).

I'll definitely be staying with XBian for the foreseeable future. I did have initial problems with the GUI freezing in the terminal, but I was still able to SSH in. If this happens to anyone, reduce the core_freq from 450 to 420.

hellonearthisman

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#672318 14-Aug-2012 15:52

Has anyone tried Adafruits linux version? It maybe slower as it's geared to hardware GPIO.

User review ? Adafruit Raspberry Pi Educational Linux Distro ? adafruit industries blog

Also there is talk that there is Android 4.0 being ported to the rPi hardware, gfx libraries are being developed.
Android 4.0 ported to Raspberry Pi?s $35 Linux computer | Ars Technica

I hope that Google can give the RPi a 100 hours to a dev team hackathon to write some Android drivers for the High Definition 1080p Embedded Multimedia Applications Processor - BCM2835 | Broadcom for graphics.

floydbloke

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#675886 23-Aug-2012 12:24

Interesting watching these on Trademe. I've seen one go including a case for $48 (was a very short auction though). Other bare boards are still fetching up to $100. Seems odd when you can land them for $55 from the disties with now a 4 week lead-time. Maybe folk are still prepared to pay a premium for not having to wait.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

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hellonearthisman

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#675896 23-Aug-2012 12:49

I got mine on tuesday, been tempted to put it up on trademe. I have not see one go for less the $68
So with XMBC is running Nicely on a 1GB key, power supply and mouse. Might be able to order Two in September.

For now, I'm still playing with it. Composite TV output is not so good and the default resolutions there are low.
With HDMI it's perfect.

Not tried the Android os 4.0 but still looking.

CYaBro

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#675928 23-Aug-2012 13:47

What are people using to power their Pi's?

I got a basic power plug adapter that has two USB ports on it, and a USB cable to plug into the Pi.
The power plug says it can take 500-1000ma and as far as I know they recommend 700ma for the Pi.
It ran for about 3-4 minutes then something went pop inside the power plug and now the two USB ports don't work.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

reven

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#675932 23-Aug-2012 13:54

one pi im plugging into a computers USB port (this pi is mostly just for testing now)

another pi I have plugged into my TVs USB port. turns on/off with the tv which is nice.

ive had no power issues so far.

both pis have the following
- ethernet
- SD Card (obviously, one has class 10 one a class 6)
- pulse eight motorola nxyboard remote

so not powering a lot.

CYaBro

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#675935 23-Aug-2012 14:00

reven: one pi im plugging into a computers USB port (this pi is mostly just for testing now)

another pi I have plugged into my TVs USB port. turns on/off with the tv which is nice.

ive had no power issues so far.

both pis have the following
- ethernet
- SD Card (obviously, one has class 10 one a class 6)
- pulse eight motorola nxyboard remote

so not powering a lot.

Really? I read on the Raspberry Pi website FAQs that they say DO NOT attempt to power the Pi with a computer or USB hub.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

reven

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#675937 23-Aug-2012 14:03

well its working fine :)

cant find that mentioned in their FAQ.,..

floydbloke

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#675938 23-Aug-2012 14:05

CYaBro: What are people using to power their Pi's?

I bought one of these
http://www.tinydeal.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9265
Seems to work OK.
Disclaimer: I don't think it complies with NZ regulations as the prongs are bare-metal all the way.

Also, doing a search for Raspberry Pi on trademe has thrown up some power adapters from time-to-time for about $10. These do seem to be certified for NZ, no idea if they're any good though?

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

CYaBro

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#675952 23-Aug-2012 14:26

reven: well its working fine :)

cant find that mentioned in their FAQ.,..

Sorry! It's in the Quick Start Guide.

It says:

You will need:

USB keyboard and mouse.
Prepared SD card (see below).
HDMI or composite television, OR a monitor with DVI or HDMI input, and an HDMI/composite cable.
Micro USB power supply – make sure you use a good quality one, capable of providing at least 700mA at 5V. Do not attempt to power your Raspberry Pi by plugging it into a computer or a hub.
Ethernet LAN cable (optional).

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

PANiCnz

990 posts

Ultimate Geek

#676033 23-Aug-2012 16:58

Looking at connecting a USB DVB-T or S tuner to mine and installing TVheadend, throw it under the TV cabinet with a USB wifi adapter and using it to stream Freeview across my network.

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