Raspberry Pi differences between the B and the Pi2

When I set up the Pi 2 (after much swearing and cursing and rainbow screens) I used OSMC and Kodi.  OSMC to the Pi 2 is the same as Raspbian to Pi B.  This, if you remember, took me some time to work out.   I confessed my shame in this post.

The Pi 2 initially did not really impress me as although it was supposed to be "better, stronger, faster" (or was that the 6 Million Dollar Man?) it stuttered and buffered and got annoying fast.  The time it took to search for stuff was longer than using the Pi B.  The processor was supposed to be faster and the memory was double.

If your read my earlier progress (or lack thereof) I was alerted to there being an alternate installation for the Pi 2 by the different installations of OpenElec. In this case OSMC, instead of Raspbian 

I decided that it might be worth a look at a different installation and OpenElec was the one that came to mind because of the above, not that I have to have a reason more than "ooh! shiny"

When I got it set up it seemed to work a bit better, less stuttering,  buffering and quicker to go and find what it was "waiting" for.

I skipped the B+ version.  So my experience is limited to the B and the Pi 2. There are countless comparisons for the B+ and Pi 2. 

I have also read that there will be a version of Windows 10 that will run on the Pi 2

So, as a recap :

Pi B	Pi 2
Works from an SD Card. Will work on microSD card with adaptor	Works from a MicroSD Card
Works on a 2GB SD card	Works on a 4GB minimum  microSDcard
Works on a 1.5A Power supply	Works on a minimum 2A Power supply
Requires correct installation ie Raspbian or correct download from selected OS	Requires correct installation ie OSMC or correct download from selected OS

Where as the upgrade path from the B+ is supposed to be straight forward, the B was not so much.  

It does seem to have settled down now and is working ok.

Remotely like another bit of Pi

We now have 2 x Raspberry Pi B and one new Raspberry Pi 2.

The 2 is set up in the lounge and one B is set up in the kitchen for the "chef".  So far, the 2 is ok, but I find it is slower than the B,  running Kodi.  There could be reasons for this. More research is needed. Another post for another day.

We have only one keyboard remote.

There are, however, android devices used at Lamas HQ.

To avoid having to attach a mouse, also, to avoid getting up from the chair, an app called Yatse works quite well.  It is a download from the Google Play store, which controls the Pi using the wireless network.  (There are probably some for Apple but I have no Apple devices portable or otherwise and don't get involved with Apple.)

It can also be useful when He gets all " my precious " over the remote controls.

It has to be running on the same wireless network and, if you have more than one Pi, you can also set up both devices on the same remote app and switch between them when necessary.

There is a set up wizard that makes it all easy to get it up and running and most of the information required, (IP address, webserver port) is found in the settings, system information on the Pi itself.

More Pi Anyone ? More Raspberry Pi 2 Adventures

The new case and upgraded power turned up, so I was able to get on with putting the Raspberry Pi 2 together.

Had a bit of a RTFM moment!

Up to now we have used Kodi and RasBMC installer

I tried to put the card from the existing Pi in to the Pi 2.  All I got was the rainbow screen.  I did the SD card install on my laptop so that it could reinstall the complete system.  Still got the rainbow screen.

I was beginning to think that the new Pi 2 was faulty.

I decided to try a different distro.  OpenElec was my chosen option.

On the OpenElec site it had two different installs for Pi B and Pi 2...

Oh!

The installer for the Pi 2 is no longer done with the RaspBMC installer.

I tried the OSMC installer.  Works fine now. Kodi runs, and most of all No More Rainbow Screen!

https://osmc.tv/

Raspberry PI 2 - The Next Generation - Startup issues.

Read an article on the new Raspberry Pi 2 recently.  The Pi we have is an original B layout.

I ordered one for research purposes, of course!!

What I did not realise, was the comparisons made in the article were to the B+ layout.

There are 2 differences between the original Pi B and the Pi 2 (well there are obviously more but these 2 are quite important and have put a stop to my research temporarily.)

The Pi 2 requires a minimum 4GB micro SD Card where as the previous one I had worked with a 2GB quite well.

Another difference that I was already aware of is the B works with an normal sized SD card but the Pi 2 works with a Micro SD card as does the B+.

The Pi 2 also requires a power supply that delivers 2A.  The power supply for the Pi B works well with a 1.5A.

Another difference between the original B and the B+ and the Pi 2 is the actual layout of the board. The B+ and the 2 are a similar layout and the B is quite different.  New case has been ordered as well today!

I will have to put off my research for a couple of days.  Delivery on the power cable was 2 days!

Raspberry Pi Media Centre (Again)

The Lamas Household is getting on well with the Raspberry Pi.

That's about the size of it!

Because of this I have decided to add an additional service to Lamas Design and Technology.

As an additional service I am going to supply and install Raspberry Pi to turn a TV into a Smart TV to stream media.

For the first 2 weeks in June I will be offering it at a discounted rate.

For Full details and prices see my website!

Lamas Design website.

I hope your first day of summer was a good one!

Raspberry Pi Media centre part 2

The Raspberry Pi Media Centre is working well!

The Networking Division is extremely happy with it.  He had a bithday this week so the Junior Lamas (Lamettes?) bought him a remote keyboard and mouse.



Its a bit bigger than a mobile phone and takes up much less space that a full keyboard and mouse.  It is wirelessly connected to the Pi via a USB dongle and has sufficient range that he can use it accross the kitchen while he is cooking my tea!

The spec according to Amazon is

2.4 GHz Mini Wireless Media Keyboard with Multi-Touch Gesture
Touchpad Mouse Remote PC HTPC for Windows XP/Vista/7.

OS Compatibility : Windows XP/ Vista / 7       (the manual includes Linux)
Dimension(L x W x H): 125 x 86 x 18 mm
Weight: 106g
Wireless Technology: RF 2.4GHz ISM band
Transfer Distance: 10 meters (depend on user environment)
Frequency Scope: 2479 MHz 

It takes 2 AAA batteries.

The manual, however, was less than comprehensive !  According to the manual it was to be installed using the handy CD enclosed,  which is fine for a laptop or PC but just not much use on the Raspberry Pi.

The Settings option in RaspBMC gave no further help.

But we found it in Programs.
Selected RaspBMC settings.
Across the top of the window is

Networking         Nightly Build       System Config       IR Remote
Config                          Config

Selecting IR Remote on the right side of the screen gives a further 3 options. 
The bottom one is GPIO IR Remote and on the right it scrolls through a list of different remotes.
We selected TTUSB remote and were good to go.

It has made the Raspberry Pi more portable as we don't have to trail the keyboard, mouse and mat around the house.