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Raspberry Pi Devices

The audio of the video incorrectly stated the processor is 64 bit, 8 core. The processor is 64 bit, 4 core and has been corrected.

These instructions are only applicable to Raspberry Pi 4b devices. While there are other current and previous models available, they may not work with the particular applications that will be presented on this website.

This website will not be covering how to use these devices for video game machines. While there are some options available, they do require ROM packs (the video game software) purchased and/or installed on the device. There are options to acquire the ROMs that may not be legal due to copyright concerns.

Availability

As of August of 2021, these devices are in short supply. As a result of supply and demand, the price has increased as well with 8gb models going up to $200 on Amazon.

During 2021, a 400 series model was introduced that is equiped with it's own keyboard and heat sink. This device is overclocked from the standard 1.5 ghz to 1.8 ghz and contains 4gb of RAM.

The 400 is availble as a kit with the mouse and power supply as well and can be purchased for $150.

Packages

Raspberry Pi can be purchased with just the motherboard or as a package with the case, heat sinks, power cord, fan, memory card, and card reader.

If this is your first Raspberry Pi, it is a good idea to purchase the kit. Amazon has several options for purchasing the kits.

It's an 1980's computer

If you are used to your phone, Windows, and Macs, there are great many things that appear when you first plug the device. With Raspberry Pi, that isn't the case. It is empty (remember, this is Linux device). While your phones and Mac computers operate under a Linux operating system, the OS has been taken care of by the manufacturer to make the device easy for you to use.

If you purchased the kit, with the memory card included, the operating system should be on the memory card. It is just a matter of inserting the memory card into the memory card slot (located on the bottom of the motherboard) to work.

Once installed, there are a few things you will need to plug into.

Power

These devices operate with a USB C adapter (rated at 5 volts with 700 milliamps minimum (5.1V, 3000mA maximum)). With the kit, the power supply contains a button or rocker switch to turn the device on or off. If you choose to use a standard USB port from another source, it may only be rated for 5v with fewer volts resulting in less power to the device.

Video

One side of the device provides two HDMI outputs. These outputs are designed to use Micro HDMI cables.

If you purchased the kit, you may have two micro HDMI cables included with standard HDMI connectors on the other end of the cable. These devices will support dual monitors. For setup purposes, this video will focus on one cable to go through the setup process.

Audio

Micro HDMI doesn't supply audio through the smaller cable (you can turn it on in the settings). If after turning on the audio HDMI in the settings doesn't work, the audio cable can work when connected to speakers.

Raspberry Pi's do include bluetooth so that bluetooth speakers will work for the device (saving you a cable you don't have to plug in).

USB

Raspberry Pi's include four USB ports. Two are USB2 while the other two are USB3.

For this installation, the keyboard and mouse will be using the USB2 ports, while the external hard drive (to be shown later) will use the USB3 port.

Network

Raspberry Pi's contain Ethernet (Gigabit) and wi-fi (802.11ac) connections.

For this installation, wire Ethernet will be used. The video will discuss how to setup wi-fi connections as well.

One setup option that you will have to be aware of. Since this device is being used as a permanent server application, it is important to have a static IP address connected to the network so that the device address doesn't change.

This video series will demonstrate how to create this in the network settings of Linux at a later time. This can also be accomplished in your router settings by reserving the IP address to this device as well.

Using Raspberry Pi with 4k televisions

Because of the configuration of the video features of the Raspberry Pi, plugging the device into a 4k televsion may result in difficulties getting a picture to appear. In order for the device to work with your display, the following settings must be applied:

From the command screen (may have to use SSH to log into the computer as discuessed in the video series) type in the following:

sudo nano /boot/config.txt (press enter)

The following lines should be added to the file on the screen:

hdmi_group=1

hdmi_mode=16

Once entered, press ctrl X. Press enter to save the file.

Once you are out of nano, type in the following:

sudo reboot (press enter)

The screen should appear on a 4k televsion (using 1080 resolution).

If the screen isn't appearing, make sure that you are using the mini HDMI connector next to the power supply.

If after plugging in your display into the first HDMI connector and there isn't any improvment, edit config.txt and add the following:

hdmi_max_pixel_freq:0=200000000

hdmi_max_pixel_freq:1=200000000

Once the file is saved and the computer is rebooted, this will disable 4k mode using a lower resolution to match your display.

Unless you plan on using a Raspberry Pi to watch 4k videos (using Kodi), having 4k isn't necessary for this device.

Using magnetic hard drive storage on Raspberry Pi's

Unless you are using a Raspberry Pi as a MySQL server, it should be avoided.

When used, the power supply should be attached to the hard drive (WD Book drives work well).

Using magnetic hard drives that require power from a USB 3 connection (hopefully you are using 3) will work on Raspberry Pi operating systems if they are connected to a powered USB 3 hub. The power to the hub must be connected before booting the computer.

These devices are better to use in Ubunutu on the self powered USB drives in Ubuntu but it isn't recommended to store default files (using the home directory).

They have tendancy to crash the system (when defined using /etc/fstab). The default SD card should be used.