Hi, Here are the updates I have recently worked on: - migration to KODI stable 14.0 - Raspbian OS from 24 december 2013 - linux kernel 3.18.1 with touchscreen drivers - updates to Radio and Navigation addons
You can install the build using the tutorial link on the right side of the blog. Please don't forget about the forum for any comments.
I have made a new release of the CarPC software for Raspberry PI. Updates: - RDS radio support(new radio application) - new application for managing everything on GPIO which takes about 3% of cpu(gpio interrupts are now used instead of polling mechanism) - new FM Radio XBMC addon - kernel 3.17.0 - optimised Navit and XBMC priorities to remove hang times
Minor issues: [Radio FM addon]: I tried different ways to set the height of the height of an item in xbmcgui.ControlList but it seems that nothing is working(I have tried adding as a parameter and also using setItemHeight). If you have any other idea please let me know.
In order to have RDS working pin22(GPIO25) from RPI should be connected to Radio(SI4703) GPIO2 pin. This is the full schematic for one SI4703 radio module and two rotary encoders:
Installation instructions are in the README inside the archive. Don't forget to(sudo apt-get update & sudo apt-get upgrade). For any issues please use the Forum to avoid filling this blog with comments.
Have fun and keep your eyes on the road while driving!
In a previous post I have explained how I have interfaced Raspberry PI GPIOs with XBMC, using buttons and rotary encoders. I have reworked the application which controls this and now there are more features available. You can use this post to set up the hardware connections between Raspberry PI GPIO connector and as many buttons and rotary encoders as you like(or you have room for on the RPI GPIO pins).
At this moment my setup has 2 rotary encoders, each of them having also a push button. You can use this tutorial to set up your car steering wheel controls to control this system.
XBMC builtin functions are now supported. For a list of available XBMC builtin functions have a look at this link.
Groups of commands are supported. Commands should be separated by the '+' character. For example: xbmcbuiltin_PlayerControl(previous)+KB_minus will execute both commandsa t once when the corresponding button is pressed, or when the rotary encoder is turned in the correct direction.
Multiple groups of commands are supported. Groups of commands should be separated by the '>' character. When the action is triggered(button pressed or rotary encoder rotated in the correct direction) the commands are executed consecutively. For example: xbmcbuiltin_ActivateWindow(Music)>xbmcbuiltin_ActivateWindow(Videos) When you press the button for the first time XBMC will switch to Music window. When you press it the second time XBMC will switch to Videos window and when pressed again, XBMC will switch back to Music window.
Note: The groups of commands were designed to support multiple programs control. At this moment I am working on external radio support so you can set the volume of radio and volume in XBMC at the same time. This will be available in a future post. This doesn't mean that you can use multiple XBMC commands at once.
To download the latest version, please checkout the Downloads link from the right of the blog, in the openCarPC tools folder. The current version is 1.1.
