I’m making a Raspberry Pi Media Center and I decided to share every single step with the world.
This Media Center will be based on a Raspberry Pi, XBMC, Samba (NAS capabilities) and some additional software, like CouchPotato (auto movie downloader) and SickBeard (auto series downloader).
I’ll start this new series of posts by making a brief introduction to this super cheap amazing machine that is Raspberry Pi.
Raspberry Pi
There are three models: Model A, Model B and Model B+ but if you are considering buying one, Model A is not an option.
Models B and B+ are 10€ more expensive than Model A but you’ll get an Ethernet port, more USB ports and double the RAM.
Major Specs
| Model A | Model B | Model B+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 700 MHz ARM1176JZF-S core | ||
| RAM (shared with GPU) |
256 MB | 512MB | |
| USB 2.0 ports | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Video Output | HDMI (rev 1.3 & 1.4) Composite RCA |
HDMI (rev 1.3 & 1.4) RCA via 4-pole 3.5 mm jack |
|
| Audio output | 3.5 mm jack, HDMI | ||
| Storage | SD/MMC | MicroSD | |
| Network | None | 10/100 Mbit/s via a USB Ethernet adapter on the thirth/fifth accessible USB port |
|
| Power consumption (5V microUSB) |
300mA (1.5W) | 700mA (3.5W) | 600mA (3.0W) |
| Size | 85.60 mm × 56 mm (3.370 in × 2.205 in) not including connectors |
||
Check the official website if you want to know more about it.
List of materials you will need:
- Raspberry Pi (~35€)
- Power supply + micro USB cable (~5€)
- HDMI cable (1~5€)
- 8/16 GB SD card class 10 (~10/12€)
- Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi dongle (~1€ or ~10€)
You can get everything from eBay or Amazon for the prices that I suggested.
Check for bungles, you can save some money there.
Next: Part 2 – Operative System
