R360 Linux PC: Raspberry Pi pricing change and possible delay

ld13 said:
All stuff one would probably rather buy separate (as It'll be cheaper).
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Only thing I'd consider buying from them would be an SD card, unless I know that the Sandisk ones I have (all high-speed ones though) will work. The charger - any recent phone will use the same charger.
 
ld13 said:
What accessories would you be interested in?
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A case would be nice - I'm aiming to plug this in the TV as a "Smart TV"/HTPC option. Other than that, wireless connectivity would be nice. SD cards are not an issue, not sure about power cables. Would they be necessary while plugged into a TV?
 
froot said:
You can use a USB-mini-usb cable to plug the Pi into the TV (other way round) as a power source.
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Ah, good point. Why a mini-USB though? I though I saw a full USB port on that board (my TV has a full sized USB-in port).
 
So if a non-magnetic port means no ethernet connection then... why do they make non-magnetic ports?

Or am I missing something?
 
stevovo said:
So if a non-magnetic port means no ethernet connection then... why do they make non-magnetic ports?

Or am I missing something?
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Good question.... all I've got is a crappy answer with something of the lines of "no friggin' idea".
 
stevovo said:
So if a non-magnetic port means no ethernet connection then... why do they make non-magnetic ports?
Or am I missing something?
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As I understand it, the magnetics (transformers) assures a better connection that is more clean so to speak (no physical connection between LAN cable and Pi that could allow noise into the device). In some cases your 'magnetics' is built into the circuit board itself and not the jack. The Pi was designed with the assumption that the magnetics would end up embedded in the jack.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong here.

Verbatim from the comments:
It doesn’t mean no network connection at all on all devices, but this board has been designed for a magnetic jack. The magnetic bits mean better signal integrity, better filtering and shorter transmission distances for data.

“Magnetics” in ethernet jargon reffers to the pulse transformers that sit between the ethernet chip and the ethernet socket. These transformers provide isolation to protect from voltage differences between ethernet devices and also block any DC bias currents from making their way onto the ethernet line.
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Magnetic Modular Jacks incorporate wire-wound components (magnetics) in standard RJ45 jacks. These integrated magnetics, resistors and/or capacitors filter common-mode noise to provide signal integrity, protect PHY chips, provide DC isolation and offer low-mode conversion

http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/781

you can see nice x-rays pics of the 2 jacks

stevovo said:
So if a non-magnetic port means no ethernet connection then... why do they make non-magnetic ports?

Or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Accessories:

I would like some sort of PoE break-out adapter. I want to have a couple of these RPi's around the house connected with just the Cat 5 Ethernet cable. 2pairs for Ethernet Rx &Tx signals and 2pairs for 5v power.

That way I can have one 5v supply at my home router and break-in onto each of the Cat 5 cables to the RPi's. Or just get a little PoE switch for the RPi's and some 5v break-out at the in the roof or wherever it is.
 
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/desktops/raspberry-pi-testing-done-cleared-for-sale-50007577/

Raspberry Pi testing done, cleared for sale

By Joe Svetlik on 8 April 2012, 9:00am

Raspberry Pi -- the £22 computer that looks like a circuit board -- is very nearly ready to go back on sale.

It's passed EMC testing without needing any tweaks, the Raspberry Pi Foundation announced on its blog. The mini PC had been on lockdown in Panasonic's facility in South Wales (that I'd imagine resembles a Bond villain's lair) for testing all week, but now that's done there are only a couple of hurdles before it'll be back on sale. And from the sounds of things, these hurdles are considerably lower than the previous ones.

The Raspberry Pi still has to be looked over by RS Components, who makes the device, and element14/Premier Farnell, but, in the words of the blog post, "that's a piece of cake compared to what we've been doing all week." As well as gaining its CE credentials, the tiny computer also complies with FCC regulations for the USA, as well as the Australian and Canadian equivalents. So things should back in full swing very shortly.

Since being announced at the end of February, the device has attracted a huge amount of interest. It's aimed at schools looking to get kids interested in programming, but I wouldn't be surprised if it gets a huge following among people just interested in seeing what they can do with it. The initial batch sold out in just two hours, then subsequent shipments were delayed due to the wrong type of networking jack being soldered onto the credit card-sized computer. A little over a week ago it joined the queue at the CE testing centre.

The Pi's creators originally thought it would be sold as non-CE certified, as it's not a finished end product, but it's gone along with the decision to certify it anyway.

There's no word on when we'll see the little guy go on sale, but here's hoping it's days rather than weeks.

Will you be taking a bite of the Raspberry Pi? And what will you use it for? Let me know in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.
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bit-tech follow-up:
The Raspberry Pi foundation has confirmed that customers who pre-ordered the much-delayed device from partners Farnell and RS Components should start to receive them next week, following the completion of compliance testing.

The $35 credit card-sized computer, built around a Broadcom system-on-chip and designed to offer an affordable 'tinkerbox' for the enhancement of computing education, hasn't had an easy route to retail. Manufacturing began in January, but shipments were delayed while tax issues were resolved and a distribution network organised with partners Farnell and RS.

When the device finally did go on sale in February, high demand shut down both websites and panicked the retailers into demanding Conformité Européenne (CE) certification before any boards could be shipped to customers. Disappointment led to an angry backlash as consumers, many of whom had been waiting since the original estimated release date of September last year, saw the launch pushed back once more.

Thankfully, the delays look to be finally coming to an end. The Foundation's spokesperson, Liz Upton, has confirmed the Raspberry Pi boards have passed the emissions tests required to obtain a CE mark, making them legal for sale in the UK. 'Given that we've had the [anechoic testing] chamber for the whole week, we've used the time to make sure that alongside the CE requirements, the Raspberry Pi also complies with FCC regulations (USA) as well as CTick (Australia) and what we’ve been calling "that Canadian thing."'

While testing was completed last week, the paperwork has taken somewhat longer. 'Our partners hope to begin shipping units to those at the front of the queue around the start of next week,' Upton explains, giving hope to those who braved the unintentional DDoS on the suppliers' websites and actually managed to place an order hope for the future.

Boards are also being shipped to a 'small number of developers we have pre-selected outside the Foundation this week,' thanks to newly-appointed educational coordinator Myra VanInwegen. These developers are believed to be selected based on their experience with computing in education, and will help drive the development of the platform ahead of its full-scale 'commercial' roll-out as a boxed product for schools and universities later this year.
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