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by steveb4pi
Sun Nov 27, 2016 9:16 am
Forum: Other projects
Topic: Any electronics buffs? HDMI to VGA DIY!!??
Replies: 14
Views: 16804

Re: Any electronics buffs? HDMI to VGA DIY!!??

The HDMI-> VGA converters found on eBay for less than £5 work 100% just fine (I know, I have used half-a-dozen in my various PhotoFrame projects). You can get standard HDMI or mini-HDMI 'flying leads' (to suit Pi Zero). These are ALL made in China, so if you use a UK seller it's just double the pric...
by steveb4pi
Sun Nov 27, 2016 9:02 am
Forum: Other projects
Topic: DIY PI-TOP, rise against hoarding manufacturers !
Replies: 15
Views: 3879

Re: DIY PI-TOP, rise against hoarding manufacturers !

Unlike (say) China, the UK is a 'high wage' economy .. anything that involves 'some-one' doing 'some-thing' will cost an arm and a leg. When you break your laptop's screen/keyboard etc. I suggest you go onto eBay and buy the cheapest working 'same' brand / similar 'model' second hand unit you can fi...
by steveb4pi
Sun Nov 27, 2016 8:45 am
Forum: Graphics, sound and multimedia
Topic: DAC vs usb soundcard
Replies: 7
Views: 7172

Re: DAC vs usb soundcard

The 'only' way to get HiFi sound is via an add-on DAC (I2C) 'hat' = for example the pHAT DAC (was £8 from PIMORONI on Friday) The 'stereo' socket delivers the equivalent of about 6bit (rather than 16 bit) and all USB devices suffer 'drop outs' == the Pi SoC has ONE SINGLE USB port so all USB and Eth...
by steveb4pi
Wed Oct 12, 2016 11:36 am
Forum: Graphics, sound and multimedia
Topic: Audio output using HDMI to VGA converter
Replies: 11
Views: 4081

Re: Audio output using HDMI to VGA converter

It should work - 'by default', when you play a movie, the Pi sends audio out via the HDMI (unless it's 'told' to use the TV out (AV)) If you are not playing movies, it's possible something has to be set to get aPlay (or whatever you are using to play your .wav) to use HDMI instead of the 'stereo jac...
by steveb4pi
Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:21 am
Forum: Troubleshooting
Topic: Raspberry Pi Won't Start
Replies: 30
Views: 4779

Re: Raspberry Pi Won't Start

After hours of checking voltages and swapping USB chargers (and trearing my hair out) I discovered why my Pi kept crashing . IT'S THE USELESS MICRO-USB SOCKET on the Pi PCB .. After a few dozen insert/removals the socket gets so loose that the power plug virtually falls out under it's own weight and...
by steveb4pi
Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:13 am
Forum: Troubleshooting
Topic: Samba acces denied on windows 10
Replies: 8
Views: 9483

Re: Samba acces denied on windows 10

When your created 'sambashare' you gave it 'owner = root' .

.. then from PC you are accessing it as user = pi.

Suggest you ceate a new share with owner = pi :=)
by steveb4pi
Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:00 am
Forum: Troubleshooting
Topic: Pi Zero and powered USB hub
Replies: 16
Views: 5833

Re: Pi Zero and powered USB hub

Plugging A into A may have damaged one or more ports on the hub (specifically, blown the power on that port)... Your could try moving the working dongle from port to port to test each one .. I have used A+ and Zero with the older '99p shop' and '£1 shop' hubs and they have all worked just fine with ...
by steveb4pi
Wed Oct 12, 2016 8:43 am
Forum: General discussion
Topic: RPi as NAS - suggestions
Replies: 10
Views: 2195

Re: RPi as NAS - suggestions

There are many posts to be found detailing how to use the Pi as a NAS (just Google :-) ) Just don't expect it to be 'fast' = the Pi has a single USB port (the Pi B's just have an on-board hub which add 2 or 4 USB plus Ethernet to that port ... ) Over the years, the Pi has suffered from all sorts of ...
by steveb4pi
Wed Oct 12, 2016 1:13 am
Forum: Advanced users
Topic: Cheap UPS?
Replies: 22
Views: 14647

Re: Cheap UPS?

I just found the basic single cell PowerBank (1700mAh) in a well known store for £1 (like everything else they sell :-) ) I plan to use them as cheap UPS for a Pi Zero + camera in a CCTV system I know they don't support 'pass through charging', so my idea is to add 2 pairs of Schottky diodes (such a...
by steveb4pi
Sat Aug 27, 2016 8:26 am
Forum: General discussion
Topic: pimoroni 15% off and still have Zero's in stock !
Replies: 0
Views: 438

pimoroni 15% off and still have Zero's in stock !

Pimoroni (https://shop.pimoroni.com/search?type=product&q=pi+zero) are running a promotion this weekend, with 15% off goods (not P&P) and they still have Pi Zero's in stock !!! The promo code is HELLYEAH (they prompt you to enter it at checkout ..) NB. no I don't suggest you pay over the odds for th...
by steveb4pi
Fri Aug 26, 2016 12:32 pm
Forum: General discussion
Topic: Raspberry pi NAS
Replies: 20
Views: 6069

Re: Raspberry pi NAS

I woudn't expect anything like 'high performance' from a Pi NAS. The original Pi Broadcom chip had a single USB port (an on-board USB hub splits this into all the other 'on-board' USB / Ethernet sockets) == I assume the Pi 2 is the same (I know it has a new chip, so maybe they now have more on-chip ...
by steveb4pi
Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:31 pm
Forum: Graphics, sound and multimedia
Topic: VGA/DVI to HDMI?
Replies: 6
Views: 1585

Re: VGA/DVI to HDMI?

You will be outputting audio + video on the Pi HDMI socket So I suggest you buy a bunch of HDMI to VGA adpaters with audio split off ... note, if you are worried about power consumption, get the type that come with a USB cable to power them (oterwise you will be wasting money looking for 'custom' po...
by steveb4pi
Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:25 pm
Forum: Off topic discussion
Topic: $5 Linux board with WiFi
Replies: 16
Views: 6570

Re: $5 Linux board with WiFi

It's a chip .. but the Pi Zero is a fully functional computer for the same price ..

OK, so it's got WiFi, so maybe it's aimed at the schools market (where we have the BBC Micro:bit at cost of about £13)

NB I wonder how you enter your the WiFi password ???
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:38 pm
Forum: Beginners
Topic: How would you protect a propietary Python program?
Replies: 10
Views: 3381

Re: How would you protect a propietary Python program?

I don't understand how any 'code obfuscators' is going to stop some-one removing the SDHC card and making as many 'clones' as they like ... Further, the only viable code obfuscator is one that is totally unique (the more sucessful a 'comercial' obfuscator is, the more likley is to run into some-one ...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:21 pm
Forum: Off topic discussion
Topic: PiZero Distrobution Idea
Replies: 83
Views: 13897

Re: PiZero Distrobution Idea

If you have schools requirement, I suggest you contact the Pi Foundation direct .. ... alternatively, just ask the kids to bring them in (i.e. have their parents to order them up :-) ) But I don't think the Pi is what children need ... Whilst micro:bit can't really "do anything the Pi can" (unless i...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 3:42 pm
Forum: Beginners
Topic: Posting data to internet = read anywhere
Replies: 2
Views: 890

Re: Posting data to internet = read anywhere

Just be aware, that if you use you use any device in your home for on-line Banking, eBay / PayPal / Amazon or anything else you can expect the 'script kiddies' to 'spot' a wide open server within 5 mins .. After that it's only a trivial matter to instruct the Pi to 'trawl' all your other devices and...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 3:24 pm
Forum: Beginners
Topic: [SOLVED]12v UPS DIY circuit attiny85 lm317
Replies: 67
Views: 23401

Re: 12v UPS DIY Help

Getting 5.2v from 6v, with an 'off the shelf' LDO Reg. (or DC - DC converter) is going to be hard .(sorry == I mean expensive)
8x 1.2v NMh is 9.6v which should be 'easy'

NB. you need to watch out for any power diodes in the curcuit = sending 1A through a typical Schotty diode can drop 0.5v ...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 2:47 pm
Forum: Beginners
Topic: multi camera on RasPi Zero?
Replies: 3
Views: 2315

Re: multi camera on RasPi Zero?

Unclear your exact cobnnfig, if you mean 2x Pi Camera or 2x USB camera (or 1 of each ...) If 2x Pi camera, the Pi Z v2 has a 'cut down' camera cable (some pins missing) === see cable wiring bottom right here :- https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/camera-cable-raspberry-pi-zero-edition .. so maybe not...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 2:40 pm
Forum: General programming discussion
Topic: High reliability and functionality
Replies: 9
Views: 2177

Re: High reliability and functionality

Yeah, the Pi plus 'clever micro controller chip' is total over kill .. As is any C++ code and even Python ... all you actually need is a simple Temp sensor and a Shell script .. If you are worried about 'reliability', unless you need to sample temps at mS intervals, you can 'moniotor' the first scri...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 2:24 pm
Forum: Off topic discussion
Topic: PiZero Distrobution Idea
Replies: 83
Views: 13897

Re: PiZero Distrobution Idea

Pi Zero has been 'in stock' continuously at both 2 UK distributors for at least the last 6 weeks .. ... and I've been able to buy as many as I've needed at £6.50 (that's £4 for the Pi Zero + £2.50 P&P) each ... So, supply problem over, and the10 off price is £65 ... PS Pi Zero V's Micro:bit is like ...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 2:12 pm
Forum: HATs and other add-ons
Topic: new HAT UPS PIco
Replies: 4
Views: 6267

Re: new HAT UPS PIco

Very nice, but I'll stick with my 5200mAhr Power Bank for now ... Google 'Power Bank Pi USP'
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 12:25 pm
Forum: General discussion
Topic: Can we make new boards by using Rasberry Pi 2/B schematucs ?
Replies: 5
Views: 1062

Re: Can we make new boards by using Rasberry Pi 2/B schematu

Whilst I seem to recall something from the Foundation saying the circuit design was 'open source', the PCB layout ('Gerbers') are not So you would have to do your own layout == fine if you already have CAD system, less so if you have to pay for outside work == or contact the Foundation and see if yo...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 12:19 pm
Forum: Beginners
Topic: [SOLVED]12v UPS DIY circuit attiny85 lm317
Replies: 67
Views: 23401

Re: 12v UPS DIY Help

Re: Power Bank UPS ... Perhaps I wasn't clear, you can't expect 'every' Power Bank' to work as a UPS = even some of those that support 'simultaneous' power 'in and out' drop the output for a few seconds when the input power is lost ... You need to Google 'Power Bank UPS for Pi' for the current 'stat...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 12:03 pm
Forum: Automation, sensing and robotics
Topic: HOW-TO Build an Automatic Power Supply for the Pi
Replies: 39
Views: 42895

Re: HOW-TO Build an Automatic Power Supply for the Pi

Now that we can just use a Power Bank as a UPS the only 'problem' is detecting 'mains loss' and deciding when to shut down the Pi This (should) be easy eonough :- 1) Detect output from the mains power block (i.e. what's being used to 'recharge' the Power Bank) = to do this all we need is a resistor ...
by steveb4pi
Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:40 am
Forum: Troubleshooting
Topic: Rpi 2 Ups DIY
Replies: 10
Views: 2834

Re: Rpi 2 Ups DIY

Google 'Power Bank Pi UPS' .. How it worlks = you plug the output of the Power Bank into your Pi and the standard Pi mains power block plugs into the Power Bank recharge socket... job done :-) Of couse nothing is quite that simple as some Power Banks just don't 'work' as a UPS = some refuse to deliv...

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