Pictorial Buying Guide

[abishur]

There have been some people asking for a comprehensive buying guide… apart from the one on the wiki apparently So here is an unofficial pictorial buying guide.  Please offer any critiques that you feel would make it a better guide

So you want to get some yummy Raspberry Pi, but you’re not sure what all you need to get this little device off the ground.  You have seen starter kits, but worried they do not have everything you need in them.  This page will help ensure you have all the parts you need to get going regardless of if you are purchasing them all together as a starter kit or one by one.  If you are not familiar with certain aspects of computers I know some parts of this guide might make your head spin, but do not let it intimidate you! Just take each item one at a time and you will have everything you need in no time!

Important: You will only need at most 1 item from each of the numbers bullet points.

1)      First you need the Raspberry Pi itself.

This can be purchased either through Farnell or RS Components

2)      Next grab a Power cord.  It needs to be a 5V power cable that supplies at least either 300 mA for the model A or 700 mA for the model B.  If you already have a charger you can find out if it gives enough power by looking at the power label on the device itself.  Look for the part that says “Output”

This one says it’s 5v 700 mA so it will easily provide enough power for the Raspberry Pi.  Be aware that 5v .7A is the exact same thing as 5v 700mA.  If your PSU says 5V 1.5A that's okay too!  while it *has* to be 5V the mA can be any number that is equal to or larger than 300 mA (.3A) for the model A or 700 mA (.7A) for the model B.

If you do not already have a power supply, then you have two options for an acceptable power supply.  First, you can power your pi via an all in one PSU ending in a microUSB connection (such as is found on Kindle Chargers, iPhone chargers, and some Blackberry Devices)

 (Picture is depicting a US model adapter, be sure to buy one with the right plugs to fit the outlets in the country you live in)

 The second option is you can use a usb AC Adapter that you plug into an outlet and gives you a usb port.

 

This is a nice solution if you already have a usb cable that ends in a microUSB connection

If you’re unsure of whether or not you have a microUSB or a miniUSB cable, it’s easy to find out

The miniUSB (on the left) is the wrong one. It’s larger and looks like a trapezoid with its sides pinched in.  The microUSB (on the right) is the correct one.  It is smaller and also looks like a trapezoid except it’s sides are rounded outward.

Regardless of which one you end up going with, just remember to ensure that it says it can output 5V with at least 300mA for the model A and 700 mA for the model B.

3)      You’ll need a USB keyboard at the minimum and a USB mouse if you want to use anything beyond the classic text only command prompt (Windows users might also recognize this as the "dos prompt")

 

(In Linux, the only OS that can presently be used with the Raspberry Pi, it’s called command line or bash prompt as opposed to command/dos prompt)

4)      You’ll need a full sized SD card.

Right now, there’s a known issue with the official Fedora Remix distro where it doesn’t like micro-SD cards in a full sized adapter, so make sure to purchase a full sized SD card.  If you already have an SD card on hand, but it's not a full sized card, then by all means, give it a try first!  You won't damage the Raspberry Pi by using a micro SD card in a full sized adapter, and it's possible the one you have will work with it!

The minimum capacity you can get away with will depend on which Linux distro you go with but for the Fedora Remix distro, the official Raspberry Pi distro, the minimum you can go with is 2GB… usually.  If the manufacturer says that 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes then 2GB isn’t enough, if they say 1GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes then you’ll be just fine.  If you don’t know what any of that means… get a 4GB SD card

5)      Almost done, the only other thing you *have* to have is a monitor.  We"re going to look at 3 different types of cables.  You only need 1 of these cables so make sure to buy the one cable that matches your TV/monitor and don"t worry about the other two.  First let"s identify which type of video connection is on your TV/Monitor

If you have a monitor or TV that supports HDMI, then you can grab an HDMI cable

 

HDMI provides both high definition video and digital audio in one convenient cable.  The raspberry pi only supports up to HDMI version 1.3a.  You can use any version HDMI cable and it will work, but if you buy a lower version (1.2, 1.3, 1.1) there might be some quality you miss out on and if you buy a higher version (1.4) then you’ll end up paying for features the Raspberry Pi can’t support.

*Note* HDMI cables are now called "Standard" and "High Speed".  If you just want something to connect to your TV/Monitor than get the "Standard" HDMI cable.  It will still give you a great picture (720p/1080i) and digital audio.  If, however, you're hoping to use your Raspberry Pi as a media center, you'll probably find it worth while to go ahead and get the "High Speed" one (it does full 1080p).

If you have a DVI connector, it is possible to buy a cheap HDMI->DVI cable and use DVI if you don"t have an HDMI connection.

These cables do not provide sound so you will also need to buy a cheap audio cable (more on that later on in the guide)

If you have a VGA Connector, it is not possible to buy a cheap HDMI->VGA Cable!!! If you see a cable that is VGA on one end and HDMI on the other it will not work. If you want to go from HDMI to VGA you will have to buy a more expensive convertor box.  Alternatively, a cheaper solution to get VGA would be to buy a Composite video (Yellow RCA port) to VGA convertor, it's *much* lower quality than HDMI, but it will get the job done (again a cheap cable with RCA on one side and VGA on the other will not be enough to go from composite video to VGA)

If you don’t have a HDMI/DVI monitor or TV, then you’ll need to use a composite cable.  In the states they’re commonly referred to as an RCA video cable (they usually have yellow ends).

It provides a much lower quality video connection, and no sound.

Optional items:

6)      If you use the composite (RCA) cable or the HDMI to DVI cable for video and you want sound, you’ll need to buy a male to male 3.5mm audio cable.

 

This is the same connection as your headphones use.

You can also just use a pair of headphones, or a set of external Computer speakers that already have a cable that ends with the male 3.5mm (headphone jack) connection then you won"t need to buy this cable

Alternatively, if you want to connect to your stereo system (white and red RCA (Phono) plugs) you"ll want a 3.5mm to phono cable

(Note: This is assuming you are not using an HDMI cable, HDMI has digital audio built into it and you will not need a second audio cable if you are already attaching the Raspberry Pi to your entertainment center with an HDMI Cable)

7)      Ethernet cable.  If you have the model B and want to hook it into your home network, you’ll need to grab an Ethernet cable

They’re also commonly referred to as a Network cable

8)      USB hub. If you want to connect more USB devices than you have ports you’ll need to grab a usb hub.  These can be passive (they plug into a usb port and that’s it)

Or active (They plug into a usb port then you plug in a power supply)

If you want to plug in a device that takes a lot of power (like a hard drive) you’ll need to use an active hub.  If you just want to plug in a card reader or a usb stick or a wifi adapter then you should be able to get by on the passive hub.

There are plenty more bits you could buy for your Raspberry Pi.  You could get a usb WiFi adapter if you wanted a wireless connection, you could buy the gertboard if you wanted to control relays and motors.  There are cases (from legos to old gaming stations, to laser cut acrylic cases), there are sensors, there are screens, there are quite literally an endless supply of parts you *could* buy for your Raspberry Pi!  However, at this point it becomes a question of what do you want to with your slice of the pi?

Looking good ;-p

[abishur]

As a side note, I'm okay with anyone taking this guide and making it more artistically pretty, I fully admit that I'm lacking in the creativity department when it comes to that stuff (I'm better at the writing side of life ).  All I ask is that if you do use the words and replace the pictures/layout you make sure to give me nod as your source

Double side note, if someone sees a more attractive picture of an active hub please send the url my way.  I chose this one specifically because it displayed the usb and power connection, but it is *ug-ly*! I'd love to replace it with a better image!

Perhaps a little addition to include HDMI to DVI connectors…that can be a little complex for the average user.

The DOS prompt thing, may confuse...

I can see this being displayed nicely as a Photo Album type view (with the text below), must be some free place which would host it in that way.

Will need a final picture of a "Happy User with Their Pi"

meltwater said:

Perhaps a little addition to include HDMI to DVI connectors…that can be a little complex for the average user.

The DOS prompt thing, may confuse...

I can see this being displayed nicely as a Photo Album type view (with the text below), must be some free place which would host it in that way.

Will need a final picture of a "Happy User with Their Pi"

You beat me to it with the HDMI/DVI point! This also affects the audio point - DVI doesnt carry audio so you need to use the 3.5mm jack if you choose RCA composite or HDMI-->DVI

[jamesh]

We have tried uSD cards at work on alpha and beta boards and they have generally worked. I'm not sure where the uSD cards don't work thing has come from - I think it comes under the same heading as *some* SD cards don't work i.e. some uSD cards don't work.

There has also been some recent kernel software fixes for SD cards, but I am not specifically sure what the fix is for. I'll try and find out tomorrow.

Great guide, I'd also suggest making the mini/micro picture even clearer by sticking a big red cross over the mini connector (making sure the end is still visible of course).

I agree about the uSD card comment, the adaptor is purely passive rerouting, it's much more likely to be generic card device issues than anything specific to uSD cards.

Be aware that certain types of people will see the DOS prompt thing and take this as a binding promise that the Pi will run Windows.  I've been lurking here long enough to be almost certain of this!

Maybe around shipping time the guide can be put on its own sticky.

(12 + 12 by the way.)

I've been lurking here long enough to know that even if you tell people it won't run Windows they will take that as an indication that it will.

I might be wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that the R-Pi hardware does support HDMI 1.4, it is just that the drivers to make it work (HDMI-CEC) don't exist yet?

Can anyone else verify this?

If so, it might be worth the small additional cost for the HDMI 1.4 cable...

Just a thought.

Actually it looks like HDMI 1.4 adds ARC and HEC not CEC which is already available in HDMI 1.3.  In which case the OP is probably correct as I cannot find the article on HDMI 1.4 support.

Perhaps that was a figment of my imagination?

HDMI 1.4 standard is for 3D viewing. HDMI 1.3 offers all the latest features if you do not intend to watch 3D videos or use it for 3D gaming. Save yourself some pennies

Database Error

Error establishing a database connection

Just because we all have missed it so much !

I found the source of my possibly erroneous information, it was from the elinux site.

Not sure if I can include the link, but it is on their "RPi_Hardware_Basic_Setup" page and they state:

"HD TVs and most LCD Monitors can be connected using a full-size 'male' HDMI cable, and with an inexpensive adaptor if DVI is used. HDMI versions 1.3 and 1.4 are supported, and a version 1.4 cable is recommended. The RPi outputs audio and video via HMDI, but does not support HDMI input."

Is this definitely wrong then?

Grumpyoldgit said:

I've been lurking here long enough to know that even if you tell people it won't run Windows they will take that as an indication that it will.

I've been lurking here long enough that after you tell them it won't run Windows they'll come back and say that Windows 8 will run on ARM ...

Bad Wolf said:

HDMI 1.4 standard is for 3D viewing. HDMI 1.3 offers all the latest features if you do not intend to watch 3D videos or use it for 3D gaming. Save yourself some pennies

And Ethernet ! (not that it is any good on RPi as it isn't needed) 

dognosh said:

And Ethernet ! (not that it is any good on RPi as it isn't needed) 

NOOO Don’t mention that!          -        Too late

Hundreds of posts are going to be made on how to use it with a Rpi  just like windows 8 / can I add more ram etc.. questions.

It's all your fault if they do!

dognosh said:

Bad Wolf said:

HDMI 1.4 standard is for 3D viewing. HDMI 1.3 offers all the latest features if you do not intend to watch 3D videos or use it for 3D gaming. Save yourself some pennies

And Ethernet ! (not that it is any good on RPi as it isn't needed) 

So, could I get a Model A and use an HDMI 1.4 cable to get ethernet and display?

nmcc said:

So, could I get a Model A and use an HDMI 1.4 cable to get ethernet and display?

The short answer – NO

The HDMI 1.4 Cable with Ethernet has an additional, dedicated data channel and functionality is only available if both linked devices are HDMI Ethernet Channel-enabled.

[abishur]

For the uSD card debate, I took my info straight off their wiki located here. I know that it's a passive adapter, but when the designer of the OS says that there's a problem for some reason then I tend to trust them   As I stated though, no such issue has been observed with the Debian distro.  If this was a typo made by whoever made the wiki page, then I'll change the post once we can get some confirmation on this.

For the HDMI issue, the R-pi is HDMI 1.3a I guess someone decided to tell people to buy 1.4 just to be ahead of the trend, but 1.3a is the correct version it is using.  Like I said though any version of HDMI will *technically* work, it's just anything below 1.3 might not take full advantage of all features, and anything above 1.3a will have you paying for features you don't use/need.

I went with the dos prompt because that's what most people are familiar with as opposed to command line interface.  I know it's not as precise but my thoughts are that anyone who needs to make use of this guide fall into 2 categories 1) Complete n00bs who will best grab the concept of CLI by an image of a dos prompt and 2) the rest who just want a simple buyers guide and are experienced enough to work out the difference between dos/terminal

I like the idea of a picture flip book interface... but that's beyond my abilities

Complete noobs never saw a DOS prompt and BTW it's called 'command prompt' IIRC (have Dutch W7 myself).

[abishur]

poing said:

Complete noobs never saw a DOS prompt and BTW it's called "command prompt" IIRC (have Dutch W7 myself).

Ah, dos prompt is the "old school" term for it, but you are correct nowadays it is referred to as the command prompt.  And even most who have never used the prompt are still familiar with the sight of it.  At the very least it provides a basic concept the fact that they need a mouse if they want to use anything beyond just a simple text interface.

I've certainly called it a DOS prompt since DOS 3.0.

I know about DOS prompts as I started using computers in the DOS 3 era because I wanted to solve a problem. I used GWBasic for that and was successful

My point was that if you say 'DOS prompt' to a 'noob' he/she says 'can't find his Facebook page'.

[abishur]

well hopefully the picture will clue them into the larger point I'm saying with the fact they'll need more than a keyboard if they want to see anything beyond text... and the fact that the only point of that number is that they'll need a keyboard and mouse   It really doesn't matter if they get what the dos/command/terminal prompt is as long as they see the fact that they will need both a keyboard and a mouse (and of course anyone who does know what it is will realize that they don't need a mouse if they only want the CLI )

[abishur]

Added information about HDMI->DVI cables, the fact you can't use a cheap HDMI->VGA cable, 3.5mm to phono plug cable, and added some verbiage to clear up any misunderstanding about the command/dos/bash prompt