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- Nov 24, 2010
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For the last couple of months I've been slowly building up parts for a Raspberry Pi install so I can use the AV inputs on my TV Tuner.
I thought this would be a better idea over a DVD player or a Digital TV tuner.
I've done a couple of posts about little bits and asking for advice but I thought it be a good idea to put it all in to one post for others to read.
First off you need a RNS-d with a TV tuner. Tuner version A or B will be fine. B has more inputs than A and B needs the AV cables where A has the RCA plugs in the back already.
My Raspberry Pie.
After I bought a case for the Pi I stared to think about where I could fit it and the only place that ticked all the boxes was in the boot with the TV tuner, I already had a 12v supply for the boot but I would need to rearrange that area cause I had my 240V supply, 12v and the tuner.
I stripped the boot out and set about fitting it all in.
The Cage
.
Everything I wanted to fit in the cage.
A rough idea of how I wanted.
But after some time play and looking at the connections on the Pi it all got changed around and looked like this in the end.
With the Pi fitted and everything else I set about thinking of cables and how to wire it up with out filling that area with cables that to long.
I was only able to find a USB cable the correct length.
The AV cable I has to make my self due to the size, location and length required no one has what I needed.
A rough basic idea for the cable looked like this.
After some advice from forum members and couple of hours trolling Maplins web site, I made this.
I took the cage out of the boot again to fit the 12v supply.
I never did it last time cause I was not sure how long or where would be a good place. So I waited will my short USB cable arrived.
With the cable in hand, I fitted the 12v supply.
I can remove the Pi power and use the 12v socket for other items and I am still able to remove the SD card from the Pi if I wanted to use a different OS.
With it all in, its time to a OS on it and see what it looks like.
I went for XBMC as it seems like the best fit for what I want to use my RNS unit for.
Had an issue when I first started using the Pi on the screen.
It would flicker, like the res or refresh rate is wrong. Little bit of searching and I was able to change the config file and told it I'm using composite connections not HDMI, only to use 60hz and its on a UK TV unit.
Quick reload and I was presented with this.
There is a small issue, due to the screen being a bit old and HD in any way, the text is a bit hard to read, you can make it and sometimes work out what it is saying but most of the times you just guess. If it be comes a problem I'll sort something out or fit a mini wifi router, connect a wifi card to the Pi and use the XBMC remote on my phone, which is something I might do any way but for now I will stick to using a mouse and keyboard.
First test of the Pi with videos was Star Trek TNG, since its all I had on a card at the time.
That's its so far.
I'm waiting for a wireless keyboard/mouse combo to arrive and that should be it for now.
One last thing I need to do on the car side of things is wiring in a relay that will turn the Pi, TV, and Inverter on when the stereo is on.
I don't really want the inverter to turn on at the same time but since it has its own power switch and I will only use it when the engine is on, I can't see it being a problem.
I think that's it for now.
I'm currently adding some movies and tunes to a hand full of large flash drives.
I thought this would be a better idea over a DVD player or a Digital TV tuner.
I've done a couple of posts about little bits and asking for advice but I thought it be a good idea to put it all in to one post for others to read.
First off you need a RNS-d with a TV tuner. Tuner version A or B will be fine. B has more inputs than A and B needs the AV cables where A has the RCA plugs in the back already.
My Raspberry Pie.
After I bought a case for the Pi I stared to think about where I could fit it and the only place that ticked all the boxes was in the boot with the TV tuner, I already had a 12v supply for the boot but I would need to rearrange that area cause I had my 240V supply, 12v and the tuner.
I stripped the boot out and set about fitting it all in.
The Cage
Everything I wanted to fit in the cage.
A rough idea of how I wanted.
But after some time play and looking at the connections on the Pi it all got changed around and looked like this in the end.
With the Pi fitted and everything else I set about thinking of cables and how to wire it up with out filling that area with cables that to long.
I was only able to find a USB cable the correct length.
The AV cable I has to make my self due to the size, location and length required no one has what I needed.
A rough basic idea for the cable looked like this.
After some advice from forum members and couple of hours trolling Maplins web site, I made this.
I took the cage out of the boot again to fit the 12v supply.
I never did it last time cause I was not sure how long or where would be a good place. So I waited will my short USB cable arrived.
With the cable in hand, I fitted the 12v supply.
I can remove the Pi power and use the 12v socket for other items and I am still able to remove the SD card from the Pi if I wanted to use a different OS.
With it all in, its time to a OS on it and see what it looks like.
I went for XBMC as it seems like the best fit for what I want to use my RNS unit for.
Had an issue when I first started using the Pi on the screen.
It would flicker, like the res or refresh rate is wrong. Little bit of searching and I was able to change the config file and told it I'm using composite connections not HDMI, only to use 60hz and its on a UK TV unit.
Quick reload and I was presented with this.
There is a small issue, due to the screen being a bit old and HD in any way, the text is a bit hard to read, you can make it and sometimes work out what it is saying but most of the times you just guess. If it be comes a problem I'll sort something out or fit a mini wifi router, connect a wifi card to the Pi and use the XBMC remote on my phone, which is something I might do any way but for now I will stick to using a mouse and keyboard.
First test of the Pi with videos was Star Trek TNG, since its all I had on a card at the time.
That's its so far.
I'm waiting for a wireless keyboard/mouse combo to arrive and that should be it for now.
One last thing I need to do on the car side of things is wiring in a relay that will turn the Pi, TV, and Inverter on when the stereo is on.
I don't really want the inverter to turn on at the same time but since it has its own power switch and I will only use it when the engine is on, I can't see it being a problem.
I think that's it for now.
I'm currently adding some movies and tunes to a hand full of large flash drives.