While the primary goal of the Raspberry Pi is to get inexpensive ($25-$35), programmable computers into the hands of people everywhere, it also looks pretty handy as an HTPC. We reported a while back that it's capable of 1080p playback over HDMI, and we're now seeing that capability put into practice — namely, with support for XBMC and AirPlay wireless streaming. XBMC is open-source media center software that was first developed for the original Xbox, and the tiny computer can use it to output 1080p video via the OpenMax API. Also demonstrated was an AirPlay application, with a YouTube video streaming smoothly from an iPad to a TV after a few seconds' delay. Production started on the Raspberry Pi a couple of weeks ago, so you should be able to get your hands on one relatively soon.
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That little thing is truly awesome.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 3:05 AM EST reply Recommend (9) Flag actions
I’m already work the gather to XBMC360 for over 2 years already with the original modd on xbox…there’s several option as old XBMC and new, aswell there’s little brother to discoverover he’s called PM||| working pretty much the same as does to XBMC watch mine video on youtube
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 4:44 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Why? The CPU on there was created to be a GPU. So there’s not much impressive, beyond what they have already done.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 8:30 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Well probably the cheapest hardware to run XBMC previously was apple TV 2 and that would only do 720P at 3 times the cost of this. I’m pretty impressed with it, a nice silent tiny streaming box for 35$ bargain.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 12:47 PM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions
I know we’re supposed to be all blasé about the future and all, but a $25/$35 piece of hardware roughly the size of a credit card can play 1080p video over HDMI.
If that’s uninteresting and old news, I want to live your life. You’re clearly on the bleeding edge of technological progress. What’s it like out there on the fringe?
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 2:59 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
So could I stick this in my vintage amp and make it AirPlay??
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 3:11 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
yes but please don’t. Just mount it in an altoids tin behind the receiver.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 8:41 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Just watching the video now – does anyone know if the audio is over HDMI? I can’t see anything in the audio socket? If it is this is definitely getting a place hanging behind my TV!
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 4:25 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes the audio is through HDMI :-)
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 5:02 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Sweet. I remember this question a while back on the raspberry pi forums, I don’t think anyone was really sure at the time. It really is a must have then – Raspberry Pi with XBMC and a NAS, wouldn’t bother with the USB drives. Will have to get the model B though, $35!
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 6:27 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
This is cool and the price is amazing! But why Raspberry?
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 5:01 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
because raspberries are awesome
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 5:07 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Why Apple ….
This is buy for me. Raspberries much cheaper compared to apples :)
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 5:19 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions
“Why Apple” – Because Steve Jobs had previously worked in an Apple Orchard.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 11:39 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s a good name. Antithetical to “International Business Machines”, which was the whole point.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 7:35 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I heard a podcast which included an interview with someone designing this, maybe even the big cheese. He said there’s a tradition of naming computers after fruit, citing Apple and Acorn. Is Acorn a fruit? Are there any other examples? Maybe they don’t hit production. Anyway, that’s what he said.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 5:09 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions
Been waiting so long for a standalone XBMC device. I thought we saw XBMC running on realtek hardware at CES 2011 and still nothing came of it.
I really hope this has potential to become a commercial box of some sort.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 7:56 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s great that it’s NOT commercial, otherwise this would be a $75-90 box. It’s commercial quality however, the head of the project conveniently works for Broadcom.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 8:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Computing distilled to a minimum. There is something exquisite about this.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 8:33 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Hey, a Jayhawk! Rock Chalk!
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 10:29 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Well, that’s disappointing.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 5:57 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
You get a Raspberry, You get a Raspberry, You get a Raspberry, You get a Raspberry, You get a Raspberry!
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 11:52 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
lol, i love the video library he has.
funny
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 3:22 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
My Acer AX3200 (XBMC Linux HTPC) died recently. I haven’t been able to build a new computer due to lack of money. If this thing pans out, and it is available for purchase in a month or two, I’m definitely buying it!
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 4:29 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Can’t wait to get one of these. The system diagram alone is enough to make me want one:
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 4:39 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I love how brilliant the desinger is in using micro usb for power.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 8:42 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Maybe someone can turn this into a mini console. It would be at least as powerful as last-gen consoles.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 4:58 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
It would probably emulate N64/PS1 games adequately, it’d big win is with media obviously, the CPU really isn’t very powerful, it’s a 700mhz ARMv6
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 8:28 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
w00t! My original Xbox running XBMC is still the best media device I’ve ever seen – and now I can get somethign that’ll handle 1080P for 35 quid? Superb. Just awesome. I’ll be getting one of the first ones of these…
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 5:34 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Ay word if xbmc will bitstream hd audio in this thing?
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 5:38 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Very important to me too.
However, that XBMC performance looked awful..
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 9:18 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Yes, brand new unoptimized platforms usually are. I used the ATV2 when it was brand new and it slowly got better. Now it’s about 3/4th the speed. We’re not sure yet how much we can optimize because there’s better things to do with re: porting it to R-Pi. The team will do it’s best effort to get it up to speed. This is basically at ‘Proof of Concept’ stage. – Keith, the narrator of the above video and Team XBMC member.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:43 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
Technically, correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t all digital audio bitstreamed? DTS, AC3, etc?
If by that you mean DTS-HS and various codecs, as soon as XBMC supports it, we will strive to get the same support on every platform.
Posted on Jan 25, 2012 | 7:41 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
I want this, and I want it overclocked to 1.5ghz.
Posted on Jan 22, 2012 | 8:29 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
What about the IR receiver? There should be some sort for remote control if the “Media Center” is one of the main purposes.
Also, is it possible to increase the RAM, even if it means using a soldering iron? 256MB a bit [too] less (??).
Cheers!!
Posted on Jan 23, 2012 | 10:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions
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