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Raspberry Pi, Any brainy people using them locost related

AdrianH - 8/7/12 at 09:32 PM

As per title just wondering if anyone out there is developing one for locost-car related use.
Just got mine and trying to understand a bit more on hobby programming, rather then access the pi via keyboard and mouse I use remote desktop via the Ethernet socket and realise that would be good way to connect to it as an embedded system.

Have to figure out the GPIO pins to see what is available.

Adrian

[Edited on 8-7-12 by AdrianH]

matt_gsxr - 8/7/12 at 09:38 PM

There are some efforts trying to integrate it into a megasquirt interface, if that is your sort of thing.

cerbera - 8/7/12 at 10:03 PM

Not exactly car related, but I run XBMC media player on mine

ChrisW - 8/7/12 at 10:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by cerbera
Not exactly car related, but I run XBMC media player on mine

Is that fairly mature these days? As in, is it usable on a daily basis?

I have an Acer Aspire on the lounge TV but I'd really like another XBMC box for the bedroom, hence asking.

Chris

cerbera - 8/7/12 at 10:30 PM

Very usable. I have RASPBMC RC2 on mine. Can be a little laggy at times but I'm sure they'll get better in later releases.

quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW

quote:
Originally posted by cerbera
Not exactly car related, but I run XBMC media player on mine

Is that fairly mature these days? As in, is it usable on a daily basis?

I have an Acer Aspire on the lounge TV but I'd really like another XBMC box for the bedroom, hence asking.

Chris

AdrianH - 8/7/12 at 10:30 PM

Is the XBMC straight from an image now so a simpleton like me could install. Although to be honest I don't watch that much video.

Adrian.

How about code reader, Can bus, or some form of diagnostic tool Data-logger, not sure if it would need a serial port for that.

How about web cam to usb stick storage, so that lots of video can be stored. I know you can buy HD cameras, but if it could be tied in with that data logger?

cerbera - 8/7/12 at 10:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by AdrianH
Is the XBMC straight from an image now so a simpleton like me could install. Although to be honest I don't watch that much video.

There's now an installer for it, so is very simple to get up and running.
The Website appears to be down at the moment though.

stevebubs - 8/7/12 at 10:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW

quote:
Originally posted by cerbera
Not exactly car related, but I run XBMC media player on mine

Is that fairly mature these days? As in, is it usable on a daily basis?

I have an Acer Aspire on the lounge TV but I'd really like another XBMC box for the bedroom, hence asking.

Chris

Allegedly; yes....on my list to try....Pi sat on the shelf...

Slightly off topic for the Pi - have you tried coupling XBMC to serviio for x-platform transcoding?? Works great....

[Edited on 8/7/12 by stevebubs]

stevebubs - 8/7/12 at 10:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by AdrianH
Is the XBMC straight from an image now so a simpleton like me could install. Although to be honest I don't watch that much video.

Adrian.

How about code reader, Can bus, or some form of diagnostic tool Data-logger, not sure if it would need a serial port for that.

How about web cam to usb stick storage, so that lots of video can be stored. I know you can buy HD cameras, but if it could be tied in with that data logger?

In theory, yes yes and yes....

stevebubs - 8/7/12 at 10:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW

quote:
Originally posted by cerbera
Not exactly car related, but I run XBMC media player on mine

Is that fairly mature these days? As in, is it usable on a daily basis?

I have an Acer Aspire on the lounge TV but I'd really like another XBMC box for the bedroom, hence asking.

Chris

Alternatively have you looked at the LG standalone device and other similar?

vanepico - 9/7/12 at 01:34 AM

I don't fancy learning anymore types of code and i can't find anywhere near the $25 price tag in the uk!

rost - 9/7/12 at 06:19 AM

Isn't an arduino more usefull on a car?

I've been thinking about some sort of Bus-system with a front, center and rear module. Should make the wiring really easy and light.

[Edited on 9/7/12 by rost]

scudderfish - 9/7/12 at 06:20 AM

quote:
Originally posted by vanepico
I don't fancy learning anymore types of code and i can't find anywhere near the $25 price tag in the uk!

The $25 price point was for the Model A (no network, originally half the RAM) and didn't include any VAT or P+P. Until now, it's only been the $35 (+VAT +P&P +exchange rate fluctuation) Model B that's been on sale. I've got two, both cost me around Ł30.

vanepico - 9/7/12 at 06:26 AM

yeah id definately use arduino over that

Slimy38 - 9/7/12 at 07:42 AM

I bought one of each, and I'd definitely look at the Arduino for any car related gubbins. My first thought for an Arduino would be a permanent OBDII interface to use the outputs to drive various gauges or displays.

Admittedly the Pi would be an easier programming option but the one thing that puts me off is the need to boot up, a car tends to need immediate response as soon as you turn the key and having to wait even twenty or thirty seconds doesn't seem like a good idea.

matt_gsxr - 9/7/12 at 09:18 AM

http://code.google.com/p/canduino/

If you want to do Arduino for CAN

ChrisW - 9/7/12 at 11:24 AM

quote:
Originally posted by rost
Isn't an arduino more usefull on a car?

I've been thinking about some sort of Bus-system with a front, center and rear module. Should make the wiring really easy and light.

[Edited on 9/7/12 by rost]

I've been thinking about something like that too. Really must buy some Arduino stuff and get my head around it. The last time I did embedded microcoller stuff it was all about the PIC, and I coded in assembler. I'm sure things have moved on somewhat these days!

Chris

vanepico - 9/7/12 at 04:33 PM

Arduino is a version of C with a few more features, it is pretty easy, even I can do it

I had a brief go with assembler on PICs but never really understood it, with C I could just about do something but using arduino was so much better, just put the usb in, instead of removing the chip, stabbing yourself on it, putting it into the reader remembering to set the fuses right etc, not worth the hassle-hoff!

Slimy38 - 9/7/12 at 05:26 PM

If you really thirst for Assembler, you can go low level with Arduino as well. Some of the OBDII functions I'm looking at require precise timing, I'm getting into clock cycles and instruction length and all the lovely goodness I'd left behind in the Z80 days!

It is much easier to program though, write the program, send it, reboot the Arduino. Repeat until working code or world ends.

I'd recommend buying a breadboard and a handful of LED's with the Arduino, just so you can get used to how it works.