XBMC Bundle for Raspberry Pi

doctorcdf over 3 years ago

The XBMC bundle for Raspberry Pi is simple out-of-the-box solution that turns your Raspberry Pi into a powerful media centre for the home or office.

It contains all the hardware and software you need, but note it does not contain the Raspberry Pi minicomputer. If you don’t already have a Raspberry Pi, the Raspberry Pi Starter Kit is a perfect complement.

Included in the XBMC bundle is an SD card that already has the necessary software installed on it. The software is Raspbmc, an open source Linux distribution created by Sam Nazarko that brings XBMC to your Raspberry Pi. To help you get up and running quickly a straightforward user guide is included and there is also a video tutorial that can be found at URL.

To control your Raspberry Pi in XBMC mode the bundle includes an ultra Mini Keyboard and Integrated Mouse Pad that wirelessly connects to the Raspberry Pi. For the connection to the Internet and your TV or monitor, we’ve included an HDMI cable and Ethernet cable. After you have set it up the first time, you can either use the Ethernet cable or WiPi; a wireless USB dongle designed to work seamlessly with your Raspberry Pi.

Features

Software

- SD card, pre-installed with the Raspbmc software that brings XBMC to your Raspberry Pi

User Guide and Introductory Video

- straightforward instructions and introductory video to set up your Raspberry Pi and begin using XBMC.

Ultra Mini Keyboard and Integrated Mouse Pad

- Wireless remote control for XBMC running on your Raspberry Pi

HDMI Cable

- To connect the Raspberry Pi to your monitor or television

Ethernet Cable

- To connect your Raspberry Pi to the Internet

Unboxing Video

Terms & Conditions

Testers will be selected on the basis of quality of applications: we expect a full and complete description of why you want to test this particular product.
Testers are required to produce a full, comprehensive and well thought out review within 2 months of receipt of the product.
Failure to provide this review within the above timescale will result in the enrolee being excluded from future Road Tests.

Comment List

Former Member over 11 years ago

I was one of the road testers. Here are my thoughts:

The HDMI cable and SD card are standard fare, nothing too exciting there. You can pick up better ones for a few more dollars or cheaper ones for a few less dollars at your local big box store. Or, you might already have a few laying around. However, these are nice to bundle along with a Raspberry Pi for someone who might not have them, like some of my students.

The nice feature here is the wireless keyboard. It's a little bigger than a cellphone but has full mouse features. It is definitely one of the better small size wireless keyboards I have used. It is very solid and if you are used to texting, it works great. I lent the bundle out to my students for a few days at a time and all them felt very comfortable using the keyboard. They liked it a lot better than the old USB keyboards I was able to salvage and give to them.

The operating system worked without any problems. I made a few copies of the SD card to give them out to more than one student at a time and so they would all have the opportunity to go through the set up. None of them reported any problems that were related to the operating system (we are having trouble connecting to the school's wireless network with the Raspberry Pi, but that happens with any OS we use; wired networking works without a problem. Our network is set up to automatically change permissions and access based on the kind of device that connects and it seems that it doesn't know what to do with a Raspberry Pi).

Overall, the students really enjoyed it. The keyboard and ease of using the OS gave them something they could quickly show off to their friends so people could see the usefulness of the Raspberry Pi.
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dweb98 over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

Sure Stuart:)
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Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to dweb98

No worries Don, thanks for letting me know though.
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dweb98 over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

Sorry, I don't have any of the Hardware, you mentioned. Would if I could, though...

Don
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dragonstyne over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

Not a problem at all Stuart, glad to help. Most likely a separate blog but, it will probably be linked to here.
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Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to dragonstyne

Sorry for the assumption Steve; will the write up be published on here?
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dragonstyne over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

I'm not one of the RoadTesters. I was fortunate to get one early for testing. I will be doing a write-up on it though.

-Steve
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Former Member over 11 years ago in reply to dragonstyne

Cheers Steve, and for the quick responses! I look forward to reading your review in due course.
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dragonstyne over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

You're welcome stuart glad to help.

-Steve
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dragonstyne over 11 years ago in reply to Former Member

You're correct no drivers were needed for the Xbox or the PC.

-Steve
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XBMC Bundle for Raspberry Pi

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