Raspberry Pi - $35 Linux computer

Frozennova · 5 Sep 2014 at 17:34

Bought myself a DS18B20 sensor to log room temperature that my server is in.

Small bash script and munin on the server means I now have this

Powered by this.

I just need to grab a couple of bits to make myself a neater solution now.

Andybtsn · 7 Sep 2014 at 14:59

Hi guys,

I've just got one of these to replace my WD Live, pretty impressive little thing, I can only see it making me shell out on a proper media machine in the future mind but for what I need it for, streaming vids from my NAS it does it perfectly.

Anyway I can control the Pi using HDMI-CEC on my TV, the only issue is this function only works when the Pi has been rebooted, when it's been in standby only my mouse/keyboard can control it.

Anyone had this issue or know of a fix? The only option I have is using a USB cable and plugging it in the TV so it switches off with the TV but not wanting to go down this route if possible with risk of damaging the device/sd card.

Cheers

.:SAmSuNG:. · 9 Sep 2014 at 19:36

Wife said it would be nice to have xbmc in the bedroom so that have me the green light to try out a pi. All content streamed from nas or via online streams.

So far ordered:

Raspberry pi b+
5v 2amp power supply
Wireless n dongle
Pibow timber case

Going to overclock and use openelec but would like recommendations on flash memory.

Would like a SD+USB combo for <£25 if possible that gives best system responsiveness.

I'm guessing a small basic microsd card and decent USB stick. Is a usb3 stick going to help even on a usb2 port?

Thanks.

Frozennova · 9 Sep 2014 at 21:25

I found a decent usb3 stick a little faster than a random usb2 stick I'd grabbed out of a drawer.

I keep meaning to try booting it over NFS as in theory that should be quicker than both.

C.R.A.Z.Y · 9 Sep 2014 at 22:08

.:SAmSuNG:. said:
Wife said it would be nice to have xbmc in the bedroom so that have me the green light to try out a pi. All content streamed from nas or via online streams.

So far ordered:

Raspberry pi b+
5v 2amp power supply
Wireless n dongle
Pibow timber case

Going to overclock and use openelec but would like recommendations on flash memory.

Would like a SD+USB combo for <£25 if possible that gives best system responsiveness.

I'm guessing a small basic microsd card and decent USB stick. Is a usb3 stick going to help even on a usb2 port?

Thanks.

Something like this should work well:

http://www.mymemory.co.uk/USB-Flash-Drives/Corsair/Corsair-16GB-Voyager-USB-Flash-Drive

I have an old 16GB Corsair GT USB2 pen running nice and sweet with raspBMC, as for SD then I suggest ANY old SD or MicroSD card you have lying around!
I've even used an old 64MB microSD card before as all it's doing is holding the config.txt and a few small files and obviously the instruction to run off USB.
(OpenElec requires a bigger SD card even if running off USB though > 256MB)

Frozennova said:
I found a decent usb3 stick a little faster than a random usb2 stick I'd grabbed out of a drawer.

I keep meaning to try booting it over NFS as in theory that should be quicker than both.

My USB 2 Corsair GT pen is faster than my USB3 Corsair slider when running raspBMC, so I'd suggest getting a super fast USB2 if buying should be cheaper as well which is a bonus :-)

**EDIT**

Also I have my microSD running in one of these adapters I got off ebay for 99p delivered, means it sits flush with the side of the Pi and doesn't have any annoying overhang :-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TF-Transf...140122125356&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=350951512338&rt=nc

.:SAmSuNG:. · 10 Sep 2014 at 06:27

Thanks I think the b+ won't have the overhang problem. Will have a look around to see what I can find suitable.

Edit: after reading a review on USB3 memory sticks I went with a 16GB SanDisk extreme USB3. Also bought a Samsung Evo 16GB microsd card which I will either use in the pi or swap it with wife's phone one so hers is better.

I'm guessing the chances of it streaming 10GB mkvs over WiFi are slim to non?

Nevakonaza · 10 Sep 2014 at 11:10

Hey guys,

Just got my Rasb B+ all set up and running RasXBMC,Put in a Wifi Dongle..gone into Rasb,c settings and scanned for networks but mine isn't showing (Wifi dongle lights flash though like its trying to do something.)

looks like im going to have to manually set it up but i have no clue when it comes to all this.

Use DHCP
Unique DHCP client name
Ip address
subnet mask
gateway
DNS server

appreciate any help,Btw i have a SuperHub 2.

C.R.A.Z.Y · 10 Sep 2014 at 11:17

Yeah streaming any high bitrate video over WiFi is always gonna suck, however Icefilms HD streamed fine for me over WiFi when I was testing out my £5 ebay dongle on raspBMC.
1080p and even large 720p (5GB+) struggled over WiFi when streaming from my server, over wired network though even 30GB blu-ray VC1 rips run silky smooth.

Best option if you can't run cat from router is to grab yourself some decent Netgear homeplugs and stream via that.

Nevakonaza said:
Hey guys,

Just got my Rasb B+ all set up and running RasXBMC,Put in a Wifi Dongle..gone into Rasb,c settings and scanned for networks but mine isn't showing (Wifi dongle lights flash though like its trying to do something.)

looks like im going to have to manually set it up but i have no clue when it comes to all this.

Use DHCP
Unique DHCP client name
Ip address
subnet mask
gateway
DNS server

appreciate any help,Btw i have a SuperHub 2.

What chipset WiFi dongle did you get? Not all of them obviously have linux drivers available!!
If it's not picking up any network SSID's when you scan then it sounds like you might not have a compatible chipset/dongle :-(

bledd · 10 Sep 2014 at 11:48

Yup.

I'd highly advise using ethernet, especially if you're using 1080P content. If you don't want to use ethernet, then buy an adapter that's proven to work with no hassle.

I prefer Openelec to RaspXBMC, but that's another story.

steveo · 10 Sep 2014 at 15:15

bledd. said:
Yup.

I'd highly advise using ethernet, especially if you're using 1080P content. If you don't want to use ethernet, then buy an adapter that's proven to work with no hassle.

I prefer Openelec to RaspXBMC, but that's another story.

Yea what Bledd said, with wifi your always going to struggle with 1080p on the PI, am using a homeplug setup with mine and Rasplex and theres no lag at all (well now that i have it at 1Ghz)

.:SAmSuNG:. · 10 Sep 2014 at 15:33

Would 802.11 AC WiFi cope do you think? My router has it but would need to try find a compatible dongle. Otherwise I guess it's running another cable round the house.

Frozennova · 10 Sep 2014 at 16:45

WiFi simply isn't going to offer the bandwidth needed go stream 1080p content I couldn't even stream low bit rate 1080 over WiFi let alone some of the 30-40gb rips I have

uncle_rufus · 10 Sep 2014 at 17:58

As well as the bandwidth its the variability in the connection that seems to really kill it for me when I still used to try and get by with WiFi - spikes and drops screw around with the buffering, you get freezes and just generally have a bad time

+1 for Powerline adapters, they're still not brilliant but a lot better than WiFi

IrishChr1s · 10 Sep 2014 at 21:29

Home-plugs for me have been amazing, I have several Raspbmc set-ups all connected via home-plugs in different locations in my apartment, the content loads faster over the Ethernet connection than if I was to manually connect an external hard-drive to the pi itself, why it works like this i've no idea.

With the price of the tp-link plugs its a no brainer.

Nevakonaza · 11 Sep 2014 at 00:01

C.R.A.Z.Y said:
What chipset WiFi dongle did you get? Not all of them obviously have linux drivers available!!
If it's not picking up any network SSID's when you scan then it sounds like you might not have a compatible chipset/dongle

Not a clue mate..been in my draw for ages,All it says on the dongle is on Networks,I know its Wireless N and works fine in Lubuntu..either way though i think il just stick with Ethernet with what everyone said about the 1080p thing.

My superhubs right next to it anyway,only reason i was going to use the dongle is one less wire...meh.

.:SAmSuNG:. · 11 Sep 2014 at 06:04

I did try a set of basic home plugs when I first moved it but didn't get on with them but they wearnt the best. Thanks all for the advice. Does everyone pay for that licence to play certain formats?

C.R.A.Z.Y · 11 Sep 2014 at 13:24

.:SAmSuNG:. said:
I did try a set of basic home plugs when I first moved it but didn't get on with them but they wearnt the best. Thanks all for the advice. Does everyone pay for that licence to play certain formats?

What the mpeg2 & VC1 codecs?
Yeah I bought them both considering they were only a couple of quid each and it now completes the Pi in that it's extremely hard to find any videos it won't play :-)

.:SAmSuNG:. · 11 Sep 2014 at 14:44

Yea that's good to hear. Look forward to getting it up and running now. Have not tinkered with pc stuff in a while.

Monkeynut · 12 Sep 2014 at 03:54

The__Malteser said:
Hi. I just bought the B+ model and I am expecting it to arrive soon. I have one question about power though. I see it can be powered via mini-USB. I have a mini-USB to USB wire. I was thinking I should attach the USB to one of those USB to plug adapter thing,. and it should work right? How do I check the power output though, and if it reaches the limit?

Thanks.

EDIT: Found out, thanks

The B+ is MUCH more tolerant of dodgy PSUs so not to worry.

uncle_rufus · 12 Sep 2014 at 08:54

I can't decide whether or not to buy a B+ to replace my B... I don't really use any USB peripherals other than the USB to boot from, so am I right that I wouldn't see many benefits really?