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Rasberry Pi by Ross Tester from In the May 2013 issue of SILICON CHIP, we introduced the Raspberry Pi. Here we go one step further and add element14’s XBMC solution, which allows you to build a low cost, high performance media centre by connecting up your Pi, plugging in to your TV and adding your own content. I f you haven’t heard of the Raspberry Pi, welcome back from your trip to outer Mongolia or Mars (although we’re not sure you didn’t have your eyes and ears tightly closed while you were there!). This tiny (85 x 56mm) single-board computer really is setting the world abuzz, if not on fire! If you want to know more, we suggest you refer to that May article, which explains in some detail how to set up and use the Raspberry Pi. XBMC Some weeks ago, element14 suggested we might like to have a look at their packaged XBMC solution. Now before we get too far ahead of ourselves, the name: XBMC. It was originally created as a media centre application for the original Xbox game console, 16  Silicon Chip named “Xbox Media Centre” but is today officially available, under the name “XBMC” as a native application for Android, Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, iOS, and Microsoft Windows operating systems. It is the Linux iteration that we are interested in here; the name given to this interface is Raspbmc, or Raspberry Pi Media Centre. If you’re still none the wiser, perhaps you’ve heard of Apple TV? Raspberry Pi/XBMC is quite similar and although it is not quite as fast as Apple TV2, it is significantly cheaper (and you don’t have to jailbreak it!). It is capable of 1080p video, though a lot of reports suggest 720p is a lot more reliable. What can it do? A Media Centre, as its name suggests, brings all your various media together into one, easily manageable collection – then makes the selection and playback of that media much simpler than selecting it manually. What media? Basically, anything that you either have in your collection or anything you want to add to your collection. Naturally, that normally means videos (movies, tv programs, action cam clips and so siliconchip.com.au on) and music (whether downloaded or ripped from your CD collection). Many people prefer to place a copy of their original music or DVDs on a hard disk to preclude damage to the CD, DVD etc – and this is precisely what XBMC is superb at managing. The legalities of doing this are a bit grey but providing you own the original (ie, it’s not a pirate copy) we don’t imagine there could be too much difficulty. Downloading TV programs and other video sources are not quite so legally vague – all we’ll say is that if you do have lots of video and audio files, you need something like XBMC to manage it! erful Pi for use with XBMC. No HDMI on your TV? You don’t have to use the HDMI output (especially if you don’t have an HDMI input to your TV set!) because the Pi module also has a composite video (RCA) output and audio via a 3.5mm stereo jack socket. However, no cables are supplied for these outputs (most hobbyists will have a junk box full of ’em!). Other software is available as (typically free) downloads should you need it but what’s in the box is usually enough to connect you to your Raspberry Pi module and get you on your merry way. We are assuming that you have already played with your Raspberry Pi module enough to have a basic understanding of how it works and what it does. Implicit in this is that you also have a 5V, 700mA (or greater) USBtype power supply. A lot of people power the Pi from their TV set USB output, as these generally can supply up to 1A. As video is more demanding than audio or other files, you need to use fast, high quality media. Class 6 SD cards are minimum; class 10 would be better. Similar comments apply to any flash memory sticks – don’t expect a $2 special to perform very well (it may not even work at all!) – go for known, high performance brands If you want to connect a USB hard drive to the Pi for large data storage, it too should be pretty high specced and will need to have its own supply, as the Pi module probably cannot deliver enough power to run one. First time setup Even if you haven’t played with the Raspberry Pi before, first time setup is a breeze. Once connected (and that’s dead easy) the Raspberry Pi XBMC What’s in the box? does just about everything for you. You’ll receive a 4GB class 4 SD card First, connect the Raspberry Pi (with Raspbmc preloaded onto it), a module via its two (supplied) cables 3m Cat5e Ethernet cable (to connect to an HDMI (TV) input and to your the Raspberry Pi module to your nethome network. As mentioned earlier, work), a 1m HDMI cable (to connect if you don’t have a TV with HDMI, the module to your TV set via a spare you’ll need to use composite video out HDMI input) and last (but certainly (RCA socket) and audio out (3.5mm not least!) a nifty little Wireless Keysocket) instead. pad and Touchpad, claimed to be the Next, plug the supplied SD card world’s smallest! All of this has a into its socket on the underside of retail price of $69.30, with the PCB and the wireless free delivery. keyboard dongle into one of Note that this does not the USB ports on the board. include the Raspberry Pi Note that the mini keyboard itself – if you don’t have needs charging before it will one already, you can order work (a USB cable is supplied it at the same time from elewith the keyboard) and don’t ment14 for $41.85 (512MB, forget that there is a power Model B) or $53.90 with an switch on the mini keyboard 8GB SD card pre-installed which must of course be with NOOBS. The earlier turned on! The mini key256MB Model A is much board gives you both a “QWcheaper ($29.70) but we ERTY” keyboard (albeit, one would strongly suggest you Setup is simple: just plug in the leads, insert the SD card and for micro-sized fingers) along choose the newer, more pow- WiFi dongle and apply power. with a trackpad mouse which siliconchip.com.au November 2013  17 for example, is a great service but it’s restricted to the UK. However, there are work-arounds which fool iPlayer into believing you’re firmly ensconced within the sound of Bow Bells. See our article “Cheap and Cheerful Smart TV” in the July 2013 issue of SILICON CHIP for more details. You’ll also be able to access weather, RSS feeds, news services . . . in fact, the sky is literally the limit. Conclusion And here’s the setup, ready to run. The Raspberry Pi has a power lead on the left, the HDMI cable emerging from the bottom, an ethernet cable on the right and the wireless keyboard dongle fitted to one of the two USB ports top right. The SD card containing the firmware plugs into a socket underneath at left. Once you get this far, apply power and after some delay, you should see the user interface screen (below). This is an actual “live” (ie, off-TV) shot. also has a “wheel” function. Finally, connect power. The Raspberry Pi automatically boots (the firmware is on the SD card) and you should see the “Raspbmc” logo on your TV screen. The first time you do this takes a little time as it has to set up the system; subsequent boots should be quicker. The Raspbmc screen On your TV you should see a “user interface” screen as shown at right. This will allow you to browse your videos, music and other media – once they are added, of course. From here on in, it’s pretty self explanatory. For instance, if you want to add videos/movies/etc, you’d click on <Videos>, <Files>, <Add Videos>, <Browse> and you should now see all the videos on either your SD card or USB hard disk drive if you’ve fitted one. Note our earlier comments about USB hard disks – the Raspberry Pi doesn’t have enough power available to run a hard disk – you need one which has its own power supply. If you want to add audio files, it’s the same process but obviously you would select <Audio> instead of <Videos>. If your files are stored somewhere else on your home network, Raspbmc can find them for you and manage them in the same way – you’d select 18  Silicon Chip <Windows Network (SMB)> and go from there. Internet services Assuming you have an internet service (broadband, obviously), by selecting <Video Add Ons> Rasbpmc allows you to install popular addons – YouTube, for example. There’s a range of other services available but not all will work in Australia without some mucking around. BBC iPlayer, We have barely scratched the surface of the Raspberry Pi/XBMC. The more you use it, the more you’ll find it can do. And when you’re not using it for XBMC, you can learn more about this popular little computer. Despite the fact that the XBMC kit has little documentation, there are several excellent “startup” guides on the net which go into much more detail than we’ve had space for here. And given the unbelievable popularity of the Pi around the world, you’ll find an enormous amount of information available for the asking. There are many Raspberry Pi forums including some which specialise in XBMC. Your best friend Google will steer you in the right direction. There’s also a lot – a lot – of Raspberry Pi add-ons available to make your Pi experience even more rewarding. Some of these are available from element14 (www.element14.com) and some are from other suppliers. Again, Google Raspberry Pi. SC The first time you apply power and run Raspmc (it’s on the SD card supplied with the XBMC kit and loads automatically) from there on, it’s up to you just how far you take your Raspberry Pi XBMC. If you have a large collection of videos and/or audio files (or even grandpop’s 5,000 slides of his 1960 European Vacation to scan and store!) you’re probably going to want to add a USB hard disk or large flash drive to hold it all. siliconchip.com.au