General Discussion / Entertainment => TV / Movies / Anime => Topic started by: BMan on May 01, 2013, 09:45:07 am|
Title: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on May 01, 2013, 09:45:07 am Any of you nerds have one of these? I finally got around to tinkering with the one I bought a little while ago.
I put OpenELEC on the card, and had it up and running within minutes. OpenELEC is currently running XBMC 12.1 Frodo. iPad control works flawlessly, and the video signal is 1080p at 120Hz. Including the purchase of a $20 for a 32 GB SD card, it seems to be a decent media center for around $60. Anyway, The normal apps run fine (the ones from XBMC.org), but I'm having trouble getting externals like Navi-X or Sinful to load. It's like you're not connected to the internet. Maybe the servers have gotten too busy? I need a few things to make it worthwhile: 1) Working content links, apps, or programs, and 2) a USB wireless dongle that will work out-of-the-box. Right now, it's tethered to my router, which means I can only use it with the bedroom TV. Also, if I can't find an app that runs free live TV, then it's only marginally useful. If you guys have any experience with XBMC or Pi, then I'd appreciate the help O0 See this post for the How-to's: http://wiiunite.smfforfree3.com/index.php/topic,24317.msg468856.html#msg468856 See this post for pics and details: http://wiiunite.smfforfree3.com/index.php/topic,24317.msg467401.html#msg467401 Title: Re: Raspberry Pi computer Post by: BMan on May 01, 2013, 05:36:28 pm Come on .... I'm sure some of you Big Bang Theory watchers know this stuff >:(
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi computer Post by: Termin8or on May 01, 2013, 06:15:19 pm What's Big Bang Theory :-\
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi computer Post by: Laughing Turd on May 01, 2013, 07:46:37 pm Sorry queerface. I'm a Dork, not a Nerd. I looked it up:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20121108151649AAUIrTg Also Big Bang Theory is stupid. That being said, sorry I can't be helpful. Title: Re: Raspberry Pi computer Post by: BMan on May 02, 2013, 08:48:41 am What's Big Bang Theory :-\ Never saw it, but it's something that nerds watch :POK...I put some more effort into this project here at the office. I found a really cool site with links to tons of content apps to put on XBMC: http://www.xbmchub.com/blog/2012/11/26/quick-start-guide-to-watch-free-tv-with-xbmc/ I was up and streaming the latest Survivor, Breaking Bad, etc. in minutes. Our internet here at work is throttled to 2Mbps, so patience was needed. I haven't tried this at home yet, but I imagine the 18-20 Mbps I get will allow searching and streaming much faster. This is the Operating System Home screen. You can see the iPad with remote app at lower left (app is free). The Pi is the little white box in the lower right. I went for a more expensive case (at $4) because I don't like cheap **** :D (http://home.comcast.net/~iron_city/pi-system.jpg) Here is a page showing the addons I put on from the link above. Handy, I added "LubeTube" just for you O0 (http://home.comcast.net/~iron_city/pi-addons.jpg) This is the Pi in its case. The connections left-to-right are ethernet, HDMI, Micro-USB power supply. You can't see the SD card in this shot. The Post-It note is there for size reference. (http://home.comcast.net/~iron_city/pi-case.jpg) Here is the Pi with the case lid off. You can see the 2 USB ports under the ethernet port. The SD card containing the OpSys is visible on the right. The standard video and audio ports are at the bottom. The two line of pins at the lower right is the General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO - a generic pin on a chip whose behavior can be programmed by the user): (http://home.comcast.net/~iron_city/pi-open.jpg) So far, the costs are:
*I went overboard on the card, where this can be done with 8 GB. Make sure you get at least Class 4 **I priced these but didn't buy them - I had extras around the house. Flashing the OpenELEC to the SD card was easy as pie (lol). Many people report issues getting this to power on, but any cell phone charger I tried worked fine. This was a breeze to set up, all for under $70. Raspberry Pi Specs from Wikipedia...CPU: 700 MHz ARM1176JZF-S core (ARM11 family); GPU: Broadcom VideoCore IV; Memory: 512 MB shared with GPU Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on May 03, 2013, 10:07:01 pm Using this right now to watch Breaking Bad season 5.
AMERICA! **** YEAH! Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Termin8or on May 03, 2013, 10:54:06 pm I like raspberry pie :)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on May 03, 2013, 11:46:13 pm Me too. Now I'm watching Django Unchained in HD.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on May 08, 2013, 10:58:00 am OK...I found a cool Android app that runs this too. If you get a call, it pauses the movie and shows who is calling on the TV. Puts their picture on there too, if you have one in your contacts. It also puts any text messages you get on the screen.
The only downside is that it doesn't have a high-speed scrubbing screen like the iPad. So, if I get an hour into the movie and come back later, I have to use the iPad to get back to that location because the Android app doesn't do scrubbing >:( Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Autumn1194 on May 09, 2013, 04:14:41 am This topic is full of confusion.
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on May 09, 2013, 06:02:15 am No problem. It's a high tech topic. Let me sum it up...
1) Bought Rasberry Pi computer for $35 2) Spent $30 on some other parts 3) Made gizmo that lets me watch free movies 4) ??? 5) Profit Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Termin8or on May 09, 2013, 06:03:43 am This Raspberry Pie doesn't sound the same as my Mom makes :-\
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on May 22, 2013, 09:34:55 am Alright, I found a wireless USB adapter that works out of the box. So, let me sum up so anyone can DIY... Here is the equipment you need to make a wireless box for around $85 (if you have HDMI Cable and micro-USB charger) that gets free HD movies. Any movies. You can control it with any iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, or Android.
1. Get your equipment: Here is where you get the RPi (they sell cases, too): http://www.alliedelec.com/lp/120626rasomodelb/ The ASUS USB-N10 works right out of the box: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320049 2. Once you have the equipment, follow these instructions in order: Instructions and links needed to install OpenELEC XBMC (the operating system - XBox Media Center). All programs are free, and setup takes 10 minutes or less: http://squirrelhosting.co.uk/hosting-blog/hosting-blog-info.php?id=9 Instructions to configure the ASUS wireless USB (skip to step 3 at the page below): http://mymediaexperience.com/openelec-with-wifi-on-raspberry-pi/ Instructions to get all the free movie and TV apps installed (skip to step 2 at the page below): http://www.xbmchub.com/blog/2012/11/26/quick-start-guide-to-watch-free-tv-with-xbmc/ 3. XBMC Remote Apps - Free Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.xbmc.android.remote&hl=en iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/official-xbmc-remote/id520480364?mt=8 Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Termin8or on May 22, 2013, 09:54:40 am I like the sounds of free ^-^ maybe I'll make me one of these Raspberry Pies.....
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Permanent Poopface on May 22, 2013, 09:57:46 am nice rig
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: the KR3AT3R on May 22, 2013, 10:21:10 am So how big is the variety of content, both movies and tv shows? Can someone essentially replace cable or netflix?
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Permanent Poopface on May 22, 2013, 10:23:53 am BREAKING **** BAD SEASON **** 5! I'M **** JEALOUS AS ****, THAT **** **** NEEDS TO **** COME THE **** OUT ON **** BLURAY SOON AS **** BECAUSE I CANT **** WAIT TO SEE THAT **** SEASON
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on May 22, 2013, 10:33:11 am So how big is the variety of content, both movies and tv shows? Can someone essentially replace cable or netflix? I've been able to watch any movie that I've set out to watch. I'm basically going down the list of top 2012 grossing movies and watching what I'm interested in, but haven't seen. So far I've watched: Lincoln, Ted, 21 Jump Street, Django Unchained, Jack Reacher, The Hobbit, Bourne Legacy, Skyfall, Total Recall, Men in Black 3, Argo, and LooperThe only TV show I searched was Breaking Bad Season 5, but there are so many it's crazy. It doesn't do Live TV yet...I believe more equipment is needed. When I first made this, I watched an episode of Survivor the day after it aired. I wouldn't replace Netflix just yet...the navigation is a little tedious, and you occasionally find bad links. So you try another until you find one that works. It takes about 5 minutes to get a movie going, whereas Netflix is much faster. This system requires a little patience, but like I said, I haven't been shut out yet O0 I would say it replaces RedBox, On Demand PPV, Hulu, and Vudu - except it is FREE BREAKING ****ING BAD SEASON ****ING 5! I'M ****ING JEALOUS AS ****, THAT ****ING **** NEEDS TO ****ING COME THE **** OUT ON ****ING BLURAY SOON AS **** BECAUSE I CANT ****ING WAIT TO SEE THAT ****ING SEASON I've watched the first 4 episodes, and it's ****ing great!Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: the KR3AT3R on May 25, 2013, 12:02:13 am Sweet. So forgive my ignorance, but how do I find one of these doohickies?
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Autumn1194 on May 25, 2013, 12:55:17 am google
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: the KR3AT3R on May 25, 2013, 03:35:10 am Id rather not read lengthy articles on it. Bman can explain in layman's terms. ;)
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Autumn1194 on May 25, 2013, 04:28:59 am but BMan is lazy and :-[
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on May 26, 2013, 09:31:36 pm Sweet. So forgive my ignorance, but how do I find one of these doohickies? Someone doesn't read my posts... http://www.alliedelec.com/lp/120626rasomodelb/ (http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130213005641/fallout/images/d/dd/Oh-you-93067263235.jpeg) Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: the KR3AT3R on May 26, 2013, 10:14:19 pm So I purchase, plug into TV, and then..... ???
Im assuming it has wifi to pick up signal? Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on May 27, 2013, 08:33:37 pm No...there's a fair amount of effort involved.
It natively supports Ethernet. You have to buy a specific wi-fi adapter to use it wirelessly. It's all laid out in my one post. Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: the KR3AT3R on May 27, 2013, 08:59:56 pm okaaay, ill go back and read everything. :P
Title: Re: Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on July 25, 2013, 10:59:19 am Sadly, the wireless adapter seems to have given up after a few movies. It still works, but it grinds the rest of my network to a halt. The best performance of the Pi is when hard-wired.
We have watched over 50 movies (x2 in TV shows) with this thing now, and new ones get added every day. I'd say it has paid for itself O0 Title: Re: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Termin8or on July 25, 2013, 07:03:24 pm I don't understand, can you explain it to me please?
Title: Re: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on July 26, 2013, 05:16:36 am No.
Title: Re: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Termin8or on July 26, 2013, 06:17:56 am Title: Re: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on July 26, 2013, 07:40:30 am Too late...Allied is out of Model B. I will laugh if you try to make one of these out of Model A.
Title: Re: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: Termin8or on July 26, 2013, 02:00:16 pm I will improvise >:(
Title: Re: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on August 06, 2014, 05:54:58 am The Raspberry Pi model B+ is out now. Main differences are 4 USB ports (instead of 2), better power consumption, native USB WiFi support, and they use micro-SD instead of SD. Still only $35. I may get one and clone my B system to see how it works.
I still use the RPi model B to get free movies. I was able to upgrade to XBMC v13.1 Gotham with no problems. The upgrade supports WiFi much better. In the last 2 weeks, I've watched Spiderman 2, Lone Survivor, Divergent, Capt America Winter Soldier, Edge of Tomorrow, and X-Men Days of Future Past. The available content seems to stream faster and smoother than ever. Also, much of the content is available in HD with 5.1 audio. Can't remember the last time I used a Redbox O0 Title: Re: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Media Center Post by: BMan on August 08, 2014, 01:56:06 pm Using the Debian Wheezy based Raspbian OS, I was able to get the boy up and playing Minecraft on the Pi. I have a Pi B+ on the way, so I think I'll take the old one and try this: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Minecraft Server (http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-Minecraft-Server/) |