Raspberry Pi model B+ composite/RCA video/audio adapter

With the release of the Raspberry Pi model B+ the previous arrangement from the A/B of having a 3.5mm stereo audio jack and an RCA for video has been changed to a single 3.5mm jack that includes stereo audio and the composite video.

I kept reading online that the arrangement was the same and the iPod and also the Zune so there are loads of cheap cables and adapters out there that work.

After lots of searching I found a number of cables that looked like they would work, but since they were all cheap no specifications for the wiring were listed.

From the Schematic (http://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/hardware/raspberrypi/schematics/Raspberry-Pi-B-Plus-V1.2-Schematics.pdf) the arrangement needed from tip to base is.

Tip - Audio Left
Band 1 - Audio Right
Band 2 - Ground
Base - Composite Video

It doesn't really matter if the audio connections are reversed as you could just swap the leads, but getting the ground or the composite in the wrong position means no video would be output and in the case of ground no audio also.

So, I went mad and took the plunge to buy a £2.00 adapter from eBay and see if it works.

Here it is plugged into the Raspberry Pi Model B+

RCA/Composite video adapter for Raspberry Pi B+

It covers the HDMI port which isn't a problem. As, when I'm using composite I'm not using HDMI.

I am delighted to say it works perfectly. The wiring is correct. I plugged it into a television and up popped the display from my RetroPie install. Playing Double Dragon on the big screen.

Double Dragon played over composite with stereo audio

The price was only for the adapter, but I had an RCA cable from my kids Karaoke machine, but if you don't have one handy then this one for £1.99 also from eBay would work.

Meaning for £4.00 all in you  have an adaptor for B+ to connect to composite and analogue audio as well as the required connecting cable.

I like that it is a 2 piece configuration as a composite cable can have other uses.  I spliced one before to work with an Arduino and the TV-out Library.

Gathering more bits.

Mini Wireless Keyboard/Touchpad and Nano USB Wifi Adaptor that works with Raspberry Pi

As part of my Christmas presents I got a couple of bits to go with my Raspberry Pi.
As I sometimes take the Raspberry Pi out and about I wanted a mini wireless keyboard/touchpad to pack in my box of wires.

I heard good things about the Rii 2.4GHz Wireless Mini PC Keyboard Touchpad so added it to my wish list. I plugged in the dongle to the Raspberry Pi, turned on the keyboard and it worked first time. No problems at all.  I read some comments that the range is very short. I'm getting about 3 metres from it as I haven't tested any further.  Very happy. Keys are big enough for me to use comfortably and the main keys are all in the expected places.  It also has a laser pointer built in if needed.
Also, the extra function keys beyond [F8] are at [FN],1,2,3,4 so you do get the full 12 functions keys but only the first 8 are shown.
The one I received was in a plain white box.

I also got the Edimax EW-7811UN Wireless 802.11b/g/n 150Mbps Nano USB Adaptor.
Using Raspbian it worked first time with no additional drivers required.

With the 2 of these plugged in I have a full functioning compact computer with only the power and HDMI coming from it.

So, when I'm logging in remotely using Xming and Putty I can put the Raspberry Pi where ever there is a spare socket and work away.

I also got  the beautiful Pibow Colour Raspberry Pi Case.  and the Adafruit Pi Cobbler Breakout Kit. So, very happy with the presents.

Note: Links are to Amazon UK stores where mine came from.  My wife has learned that the best thing is for me to email her actual links rather than having me expect her to known what I'm looking for.
One year a link went from being a processor to a couple of wires. luckily she checked with me before buying.