So I got my hands onto a Rasberry Pi, thanks to @MOZ. I managed to install XBMC on it and got it to boot. Bought a Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse, and it happily configured them. Issue - How to view media? Do I copy/paste a movie onto a USB everytime I want to see one? Is there anyway I can get it to access files on a Portable HDD? If I connect it to a regular Laptop external Hard Drive ( Non powered ), It simply reboots and does not access the drive. Pending test - To connect to a powered external HDD and check if it manages to read it. Anyone who has already done this before? Would save me a lot of frustration and the nails on my fingers. Thanks in advance!
Yes, it reboots. Now I gotta find a powered hub to hook up the drive to Sent from my HTC One mini using Tapatalk
Get a powered USB hub and use everything through hub. The Pi USB do not have enough power to support a lot of USB drive, so datawise it is ok, but powerwise it is not. Also if you are using XBMC, it will detect the hard drive easily and scan everything and make it part of library media.
I would also suggest networking via wired if possible or get a WiFi dongle and use that along with the powered USB hub and other devices through it.
I downloaded the Xbian version to format my SD card. However for some reason it goes to command prompt and then when i login using xbian/raspberry, it takes me to a BIOS like screen. I see that the XBMC process is stopped. I try starting it, it shows me that it's starting XBMC, however it simply stays stuck there. Next step. Reformat, download again and then try.
One issue with Raspbmc. You need an ethernet cable hooked up to the Pi (and your DSL modem/wi-fi router) for first time installation (even after downloading the image to the SD card). Other option is to download the .img file, and copy all the necessary files to the SD card using the disk imager (WinDiskImager32 or something it's called).
Feedback - the menu is nice, feels good to be able to control it with a keyboard and mouse. It read my 3Tb quickly and had no issues displaying the file listing. Issue - setting the screen aspect is a pita. Unless I take a scale and start measuring, I cant get the square to be a proper square for the pixel ratio. And that spoils my picture ratio as well. Sent from my HTC One mini using Tapatalk
I guess so.. Or never connect 'that' HDD to this. Over all a decent experience. Feels like I have hooked up a PC to my TV, except it costs 1/4th of what a normal HTPC would have. On a sidenote, Just got Internet TV Set-top Box installed. The image quality is awesome!
