Raspberry Pi.

[DaveK]

Hi Guys,
I've 'always' been interested in computers since Sinclair Spectrum days and am happy clicking things together to build them but never got involved in programming as I've never been good with languages ;) . I've been looking with interest at all the Raspberry Pi kits available now and wondered if they can serve any useful (audio but not necessarily limited to) purposes that does not involve complicated programming - any ideas as to what they can be used for?
TIA,
Dave.

[mr sneff]

Not something that I know much about but I've come across a few links:
http://lifehacker.com/5929913/build-a-xbmc-media-center-with-a-35-raspberry-pi
http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/how-to-set-up-a-raspberry-pi-media-centre-1171294
http://thepihut.com/products/media-center-kit-for-the-raspberry-pi
and an e book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raspberry-Media-Center-Sam-Nazarko-ebook/dp/B00B97Y4BO
Also:
http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/4817


Hope that helps

[Batty]

I use a raspbery Pi as my media server streaming movies up to 1080p to my TV via HDMI, I use RaspBMC operating system which has a graphical user interface and was simple to install. I bought a kit which included the Pi and an 8Gb memory card with several choices of operating systems on from Element 14 for $45 plus 10% tax. It has wifi capability but I use an ethernet connection for the higher resolution stability. On top of the price of the Pi there is 3 pounds to pay for a couple of codecs and the the PI is ready to go.

[DaveK]

Thanks David,
Those look to be very interesting - only taken a quick look but will study them later - thanks for taking the time, much appreciated.
Dave.

[Rothchild]

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?24351-Recipe-for-a-budget-digital-media-streaming-server

I have 2 SD cards for my PI, one with a stripped back command line installation that runs Madsonic as a streaming media server and another with OpenElec (XBMC) on it so the missus can watch Come Dancing on catch up (and I watch mountain biking vids on Redbull TV).

You might also be interested to check out: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?28169-RaspyFi-Team-pull-it-out-of-the-bag!

[DaveK]

Thanks everyone for your various responses and links. I have succumbed to temptation today and ordered a basic Model B Pi, a PSU and a case - all the other odds and sods that I might need to get started I reckon I already have. Should be fun for a while ;) .
Does anyone have any thoughts on the best (for total beginners) book to guide me through the first steps?
TIA<
Dave.

[Rothchild]

Dave,


I don't know about physical books but the best starter place is http://www.raspberrypi.org/ itself, there's easy installer software and links to all the compatible OS version (difference flavours of linux etc) and a great set of forums.

afaic this is the default installation and source of info: http://www.raspbian.org/

if you want to go the xbmc route then I prefered OpenElec to RaspMC.

EDIT: Just to add that whilst you can install xbmc within raspbian it will run better as a stand alone installation, whilst xbmc is Linux it's a moderately 'different' way of doing it, so if you want to play with stuff that has a more traditional desktop, do some programming, play with other streamers and media players then it will be best to have 2 SD cards and swap between them when you want a different 'flavour' (or initially use Berryboot to give you access to more than one on one card)

If you're happy doing configuration and setup stuff and don't mind searching on quesions and following instructions you'll be fine, you don't have to do any actual programming unless you want to. If you do want to get in to programming then there's a good start available here: http://learnpythonthehardway.org/