Here are the specs of the new Pi:
A Broadcom BCM2835 application processor
1GHz ARM11 core
512MB of LPDDR2 SDRAM
A micro-SD card slot
A mini-HDMI socket for 1080p60 video output
Micro-USB sockets for data and power
An unpopulated 40-pin GPIO header
Identical pinout to Model A+/B+/2B
An unpopulated composite video header
65mm x 30mm x 5mm
It seems to be more powerful than the Raspberry pi A & B, so will RasPlex run on one of these??
No doubt this new RPi0 is a more cost effective solution for a dedicated media player than the other RPi models, assuming it can run some future RasPlex version. But for safe long-term usage some kind of casing for the circuit board should also be included in the projected cost, and naturally some PSU will also be needed, unless powered by USB on the TV. These extra costs do apply equally to all the RPi models of course, so they won’t affect the price diffs by much (except for the RPi2 which needs more power). But they do make the price diffs a smaller percentage of total cost.
I will probably get one of these myself once they’re available here in Sweden (else shipping might double the cost of just the board), though that’s mainly because I want to experiment with it (I already have both RPi1 and RPi2 units). But if I had none and were to choose just one, I would definitely go with the RPi2 for its higher performance, which is well worth the price.
----- Added some browsing later -----
I just googled for some info on this, and found that ‘The MagPi’ #40 is available as a PDF download.
Reading this I discovered one horrible limitation of the RPi0, which is that it has NO ETHERNET !!!
All networking will have to be done through an external USB dongle, whether for WiFi or Ethernet.
That cost should be included in any comparison with older models, which all have Ethernet built in.
And this probably adds an externally powered USB hub to the list of required extra hardware, unless you like the idea of supplying network adaptor power through the RPi0 micro USB data port in series with the micro USB adaptor cable.
@dlanor said:
All networking will have to be done through an external USB dongle, whether for WiFi or Ethernet.
That cost should be included in any comparison with older models, which all have Ethernet built in.
@NedtheNerd:
Yes, you did include the WiFi adapter. I never said you didn’t.
My post was not intended to argue against yours, but was just stating my own impression of the new model.
The point of my addendum about networking was merely to make it clear to everyone that for the RPi0 an external networking dongle is not just an option, like it has been for RPi1 and RPi2, which both have Ethernet built in.
I’m not sure the zero is faster than an overclocked B/B+. The CPU is the same. From what I’ve understood, the “40% faster” claim is because it’s overclocked as standard, which is probably possible due to better quality control in the manufacturing process.
It also lacks an audio jack, and you need to add a microUSB adapter, plus either USB-Wifi or USB-Ethernet adapter. So it’s probably not the best board for Rasplex. For other apps, or where space saving is important, it’s going to be a great board. I plan to use one to make a squeezebox with that little Pimoroni DAC board.
Raspberry announced the launch of a new product, the Raspberry Pi Zero which costs only $5!!
…l
It seems to be more powerful than the Raspberry pi A & B, so will RasPlex run on one of these??
The answer is, yes.
After spending a day running Rasplex 1.0.1 (soon to be released) on the new RPi0 I can confirm that it runs Rasplex better than my test RPiB+, even using WiFi (as there is no Ethernet connector, although I did try an old USB to Ethernet adapter which wasn’t recognised, possible driver issue).
I would recommend a decent WiFi adapter, not a nano, something like a DigiTazz 300Mbps which you can get on EBay for less than £5.
The total cost was £10 for the RPi0 and cable kit, WiFi adapter £4.95, 2A power supply £5.95 and Class 10 microSD card £4.95 - total cost for a fully functioning Plex client £25.85, not bad and cheaper than a Fire TV stick (which really is bad for Plex usage).
For anyone who needs an Ethernet connection for their RPi0, the TP-Link UE300 USB3 to Ethernet adapter works out of the box with Rasplex 1.0.1. Got one from EBay for £5.00.
@UrosR said:
Got the Pi zero, usb/hdmi adapters and the wifi adapter. No keyboard or usb ethernet adapter handy.
How do I set up the wifi? Where is the config file on the SD card that I should edit with my network’s SSID/passkey?
Also, do I install the Rasplex using the Pi1 or Pi2 build if I have the Pi0?
thanks
Use the RPi1 build.
On first run skip the setup screens, when the Home screen appears go to System Settings and you will be able to select your WiFi, just use your TV remote to use the on screen keyboard for entering your WiFi password (Rasplex is CEC enabled).
@UrosR said:
Got the Pi zero, usb/hdmi adapters and the wifi adapter. No keyboard or usb ethernet adapter handy.
How do I set up the wifi? Where is the config file on the SD card that I should edit with my network’s SSID/passkey?
Also, do I install the Rasplex using the Pi1 or Pi2 build if I have the Pi0?
thanks
Use the RPi1 build.
On first run skip the setup screens, when the Home screen appears go to System Settings and you will be able to select your WiFi, just use your TV remote to use the on screen keyboard for entering your WiFi password (Rasplex is CEC enabled).
Regards
That is brilliant, thanks. Up and running. Pi & Rasplex noob. Precaching now
Ok, it is great to hear that Rasplex works on a Zero - anyone know where you can actually buy a Zero for $5? The only place that I have found that occasionally has them is the $55 kit at Adafruit and even that is normally OOS. And the $5 board itself seems permanently OOS. Are they not building many of the Zeros?
