Author Topic: Raspberry pi (Read 3324 times)

UncleBuck · « **on:** November 10, 2015, 10:07:22 am »

I was looking at another thread about what computer to buy as a show computer. I noticed that several folks are using the Raspberry pi to run their shows. I'm not familiar with this and would like to know how it works. I currently run my show with my laptop and plug my FM transmitter into the computer. I'm using the LOR software. My question is how does the Raspberry work and will it support the LOR software and how do you use it to transmit the music.

aERonAUtical96 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2015, 10:40:18 am »

The PI is a small, linux based computer. small power draw. Typically runs headless (no monitor). You can control the PI through a command shell from any other computer (if you have network capability on the PI... either wifi or hardwired network). The PI does have an HDMI output, so you can hook up a monitor if necessary (i.e. network disabled on the PI). Supports standard USB devices for mouse and keyboard (I have a logitech wireless keyboard with mouse embedded).

It will not run the LOR software since I believe that is windows based. The application that most (probably ALL) people run is the Falcon Pi Player (FPP) (You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

UncleBuck · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2015, 12:14:55 pm »

Wow, thanks for the info!! I'm a simple minded guy and just don't know a lot about computers. I think I will stick with my old laptop in the garage hooked up to my FM transmitter, USB dongle and run cat5 to the controllers. That's worked for 4 years and I'm sure if start to get fancy I'll back myself into a corner that I cant get out of. Thanks for the info. <fp.

aERonAUtical96 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2015, 01:10:56 pm »

Understand... but it really isn't that scary

The guys over at Falcon have really put together a nice package, extremely user friendly that is well documented. I knew I was going to go to the FPP at some point, but my show computer not starting up upped that timeframe. I had to scramble and in less than a couple of hours I was up and running.

For this year, I would say stick with what you are comfortable with... but consider playing with the PI after the first of the year. You will be surprised how much you will learn and impress others when you show them your show runs off a computer that is 3x4 inches.

There is tons of support from both this forum and over at falcon... so you will be able to fight your way out of that corner

jnealand · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2015, 08:39:59 pm »

We are not talking about a lot of money so I would recommend that you get your show running and get the Pi and start playing with it in December so you can try it out before you take your display down.

lrhorer · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2015, 01:10:22 am »

What model transmitter do yo have? The Vast V-FMT212R is supported out of the box. FPP is indeed quite easy to set up and run. As mentioned earlier, you don't need a display, and the entire unit can fit into a CG-1500 enclosure along with a USB / DMX adapter (I use a DMX King), a V-FMT212R, and a Lynx Express. Control of FPP is via a simple Web interface using any web browser.

Here are a couple of pictures of mine without the V-FMT212R mounted. The Raspberry Pi is almost hidden by a little 4 port USB hub.

Here is a shot with the case closed. The two antennas are a Rosewill RNX-N250UBE Wireless-N adapter ($16 right now at NewEgg), also supported out of the box.