The Raspberry Pi Thread

Raspberry Pi based always on torrent box

Hi Guys, Just came to figure out the beauty of RSS feeds(too damn late.......I know :() and automating torrent downloads. Now I have a dedicated headless mini-ITX box in a CM Elite 130 chassis running full Windows 10 Pro on a config of fanless Intel J2405 quad core...
techenclave.com techenclave.com

Check out my thread for a similar use case back in 2019. It was @tommy_vercetti who recommended dietpi to me.
 
raksrules said:
I have been interested in getting a Pi from long before but never considered it seriously. Now with work from home, there is some extra time and probably I am also having some mid life crisis so wanted to get something. This is why I am considering getting Pi 4.
I have talked to couple of members here who have been patient enough to help me via PM. But since there may be others with same query, I am opening this thread where people can ask any and all queries.

I will start with few of mine...

  1. For a total newbie, which is the best OS to use with RPi? Is it Raspbian or some other?
  2. Is it possible to setup a new RPi without having a separate monitor / keyboard / mouse ? I have read about putting certain files on the MicroSD to preconfigure Wifi and such.
  3. How does one manage the RPi like installing anything new or checking how things are working? I know people tell SSH but personally it scares me a little as it is all command line. or can VNC work to get into a GUI?
  4. Like we can install softwares using SSH, can we do the same using the GUI environment of RPi (accessed using VNC)?
  5. Does anyone have a guide on how to install a torrent client with web interface, Jelly fin server.
  6. If I want to use an external HDD with RPi, do I need to format it and then use it fresh or my existing NTFS formatted HDD with lots of data work fine without any issues?
Click to expand...

1. Raspbian. Lots of support
2. Yes. All you need to do is put a file called ssh without an extension in the USB/memory card. Then get the IP address of the Pi and login using SSH with default creds
3. SSH for initial use. You can look at webmin equivalents as well
4. Yes, but far easier to use SSH
5. Google. Lots of single scripts as well. If using JellyFin and on the Pi3/4 would recommend to do the hardware accelaration.
6. Would recommend to install OMV for this. I have a NTFS and EXT4 drive connected without issues
 
I am leaning towards buying this kit from Pibox India...

www.pibox.in

PiBOX India Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Jump Start4 Combo With Pi4 4GB, Pi4 Official case,16GB Noobs card, BIS 3 amps Charger, Copper Heatsink, HDMI Cable, Ethernet Cable and Adapters - 2019 Model | Pibox India® - Home for Raspberry PI | IoT products | Audio

PiBOX India Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Jump Start4 Combo With Pi4 4GB, Pi4 Official case,16GB Noobs card, BIS 2.4 amps Charger, Copper Heatsink, HDMI Cable,
www.pibox.in www.pibox.in

Is it right decision? The final price of above kit is about 6200 Rupees (since the price shown is not including GST).

Or some other website or buy stuff separately and only which I absolutely need.
 
raksrules said:
I am leaning towards buying this kit from Pibox India...

www.pibox.in

PiBOX India Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Jump Start4 Combo With Pi4 4GB, Pi4 Official case,16GB Noobs card, BIS 3 amps Charger, Copper Heatsink, HDMI Cable, Ethernet Cable and Adapters - 2019 Model | Pibox India® - Home for Raspberry PI | IoT products | Audio

PiBOX India Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Jump Start4 Combo With Pi4 4GB, Pi4 Official case,16GB Noobs card, BIS 2.4 amps Charger, Copper Heatsink, HDMI Cable,
www.pibox.in www.pibox.in

Is it right decision? The final price of above kit is about 6200 Rupees (since the price shown is not including GST).

Or some other website or buy stuff separately and only which I absolutely need.
Click to expand...
I had the similar PiBox kit when I dipped my toes into this world first with my Rpi 3B+.

I would suggest the basics-
Micro SD Card reader(Not needed if you already have one)
Barebones Pi 4
All metal passive case
Offical Pi charger
HDMI to micro HDMI adapter(I guess you already have a HDMI cable and a TV if you don't have a monitor handy)
el cheapo USB keyboard
32 GB Samsung Class 10 micro SD card


Don't spend money on trying out different combos which we have already done so you can skip the experimentation. :)
 
Marcus Fenix said:
I had the similar PiBox kit when I dipped my toes into this world first with my Rpi 3B+.

I would suggest the basics-
Micro SD Card reader(Not needed if you already have one)
Barebones Pi 4
All metal passive case
Offical Pi charger
HDMI to micro HDMI adapter(I guess you already have a HDMI cable and a TV if you don't have a monitor handy)
el cheapo USB keyboard
32 GB Samsung Class 10 micro SD card


Don't spend money on trying out different combos which we have already done so you can skip the experimentation. :)
Click to expand...


MicroSD Card reader I have since I had to buy that USB Hub for my macbook
Pi 4 - yes need to obviously buy
Metal Passive case - is it is one you suggest few posts back? If this case is used, does it mean no need of heatsink? The case you listed is Rs. 1300. Is it really worth it? As even official case is under Rs. 500.
Official Pi Charger - Is this needed or any 3rd party 3A charger with cable is also ok? I do have my iPad 20W charger which outputs 3A as per what is written but I still will need to buy a USB C to USB C cable.
HDMI Cable - If I want to run headless, is this even needed? Especially if I am going to use DietPi. I know the kit I linked has the cable but I am not sure If I will use it.
USB Keyboard - Do I need this if am not going to use screen and will setup and run headless. I don't have wireless keyboard for now but can borrow from neighbor.
32GB Class 10 MicroSD Card - The kit gives sandisk 16GB, will 16GB not suffice? Apart from loading the OS and running from MicroSD Card, what else is space on MicroSD card used for?
 
raksrules said:
32GB Class 10 MicroSD Card - The kit gives sandisk 16GB, will 16GB not suffice? Apart from loading the OS and running from MicroSD Card, what else is space on MicroSD card used for?
Click to expand...
Dietpi official requirement is 4gb ( while expanding files during installation) rest it uses 1gb approx. but NOOBS need minimum 16gb.
32 gb is safe bet i guess.

case - im thinking to go with aluminum case, selected in some site it was only about 560 rupees. ( may be i will put a link later). else im thinking to go with this https://www.thingbits.in/products/aluminum-alloy-cooling-case-for-raspberry-pi-4

Friendly suggestion: Please stay away form amazon India. bloated pricing.
 
netant said:
Dietpi official requirement is 4gb ( while expanding files during installation) rest it uses 1gb approx. but NOOBS need minimum 16gb.
32 gb is safe bet i guess.

case - im thinking to go with aluminum case, selected in some site it was only about 560 rupees. ( may be i will put a link later). else im thinking to go with this https://www.thingbits.in/products/aluminum-alloy-cooling-case-for-raspberry-pi-4

Friendly suggestion: Please stay away form amazon India. bloated pricing.
Click to expand...

How is the pricing on Pi Box India? Do consider there is GST to be added so final price is in cart only.
The case you linked is same as @Marcus Fenix also suggested. Price including GST Is coming close to amazon price.
And yes if you do find he aluminum case you are mentioning, please do link.
 
raksrules said:
How is the pricing on Pi Box India? Do consider there is GST to be added so final price is in cart only.
Click to expand...
depends on the site, asking extra gst is scam. edit- we call them and get better pricing :), edited few wordings - better worded now.
See this image- this is form a local dealer ( final price for the board he quoted is around 4200 inc tax) , i had one more who is providing even in lesser, but they didn't had Cf card in stock, else would have saving another 300-400/- in the whole kit.
I was about to impulse buy yesterday night itself then stopped.. as i got confused to with with 4gb model or 8gb model which pricing difference is only ~1200/-. but today again decided to go with 4gb, as im not sure i will run x64 but stuffs into that. I will go with DietPi without GUI, so even considering to drop HDMI.
pi.JPG
 
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The PI Box combo that I linked above, I used a coupon in cart and was then able to get final price to 5,639.00 (including GST).

@netant how does one find local dealer? I am in Mumbai. I was not even sure if I can get it locally and with all lockdown here, it is probably impossible unless he can hand deliver at home.
 
raksrules said:
The PI Box combo that I linked above, I used a coupon in cart and was then able to get final price to 5,639.00 (including GST).

@netant how does one find local dealer? I am in Mumbai. I was not even sure if I can get it locally and with all lockdown here, it is probably impossible unless he can hand deliver at home.
Click to expand...
see this - https://www.silverlineelectronics.in/raspberry-pi-4-model-b-4gb-starter-kit.html ( but again out of stock) , this is final pricing.
sorry - when i say local dealer means shops form Bangalore. I search online and called them :) here is SP road we might even get a better deal, specially cases .. but shops are closed now.. and police will paint our back in red if we step out :)

btw 5600/- is good pricing -- if you want those actual items.. i would like to select item by my own, specially want to go with official power adaptor.
 
netant said:
see this - https://www.silverlineelectronics.in/raspberry-pi-4-model-b-4gb-starter-kit.html ( but again out of stock) , this is final pricing.
sorry - when i say local dealer means shops form Bangalore. I search online and called them :) here is SP road we might even get a better deal, specially cases .. but shops are closed now.. and police will paint our back in red if we step out :)

btw 5600/- is good pricing -- if you want those actual items.. i would like to select item by my own, specially want to go with official power adaptor.
Click to expand...

I am doing what you said exactly. Selecting one by one everything (on different websites) for all those included items (or at least what I need bare minimum) and see what price I get compared to this 5600 combo. Chances are some things in the combo may not be used but I feel finding things separately is going to overshoot the 5600 price.

Also in Mumbai, I can get from lamington road but now with lockdown, this is not possible and even on regular days, it is far from my home.
 
raksrules said:
MicroSD Card reader I have since I had to buy that USB Hub for my macbook
Pi 4 - yes need to obviously buy
Metal Passive case - is it is one you suggest few posts back? If this case is used, does it mean no need of heatsink? The case you listed is Rs. 1300. Is it really worth it? As even official case is under Rs. 500.
Official Pi Charger - Is this needed or any 3rd party 3A charger with cable is also ok? I do have my iPad 20W charger which outputs 3A as per what is written but I still will need to buy a USB C to USB C cable.
HDMI Cable - If I want to run headless, is this even needed? Especially if I am going to use DietPi. I know the kit I linked has the cable but I am not sure If I will use it.
USB Keyboard - Do I need this if am not going to use screen and will setup and run headless. I don't have wireless keyboard for now but can borrow from neighbor.
32GB Class 10 MicroSD Card - The kit gives sandisk 16GB, will 16GB not suffice? Apart from loading the OS and running from MicroSD Card, what else is space on MicroSD card used for?
Click to expand...

Passive Case
The passive case doesn't need the tiny finned heatsinks.

This is a case I retired as it didn't cover the USB ports. See the metal protrusions from the body of the case which wick heat away from the CPU and USB controllers to the body of the case itself. The purple stuff are the thermal pads.

1622203692535.png


Official Pi Charger
I guess you can reuse the iPad charger but depending on how long you are running the Pi I would suggest the official charger as its cheaper to replace than an iPad charger. :p

HDMI Cable/USB Keyboard
I didn't suggest an HDMI cable as you have one for sure in your home. Just recommended a HDMI to micro HDMI adapter. Headless is fine but it comes in handy once in a blue moon for troubleshooting. Same for the USB keyboard which I guess you can borrow so you are good there.

32GB Class 10 MicroSD Card
Micro SD cards have sectors which can go wrong due to excessive writes. If you have a 32 GB card and your OS is 3 GB is size then the OS has a lot of leeway through wear-leveling to switch the data to good sectors once it detects some bad ones.

Therefore the card lasts longer.
 
I think i am just going to get the Pi Box combo for 5600 final amount. I have no options around and with lock down extended in Maharashtra good luck getting anything. Might order tonight. Let's see when they deliver.
 
raksrules said:
I think i am just going to get the Pi Box combo for 5600 final amount. I have no options around and with lock down extended in Maharashtra good luck getting anything. Might order tonight. Let's see when they deliver.
Click to expand...
yes, please do.
the local dealer i was in discussion.. few item i wanted was out of stock .. called him up in morning., he said wil update in afternoon & i can order by evening. now when i see. prices are made higher.. now for pi4 kit i selected total coming as 7200/- bummer :(

btw how you get the coupon in that site?
 
netant said:
yes, please do.
the local dealer i was in discussion.. few item i wanted was out of stock .. called him up in morning., he said wil update in afternoon & i can order by evening. now when i see. prices are made higher.. now for pi4 kit i selected total coming as 7200/- bummer :(

btw how you get the coupon in that site?
Click to expand...

I just Googled and got from desidime where it was marked as expired but I still tried and it worked. If you do buy, make sure you use razorpay gateway, not the cash free. I used that first (twice) and I got message card was declined but money from credit card taken. I have emailed their support and hoping money will be returned back soon.

Eventually ordered by paying through razor pay gateway.
 
I went through one video which explains how to install dietpi headless. It pre configures wifi in a file on Microsd card before first boot.
Do I need to do this if I intend to use LAN cable to connect pi to router?

If my assumption is correct, I guess this is what I should be doing..

1. Flash image of diet pi on Microsd card. Don't change any file on it.
2. Put Microsd in pi and also plug LAN cable and charger and turn in pi.
3. Wait for say 2-3 minutes and go to my router's page which lists all devices connected and find the Pi, say it has 192.168.1.121 as ip.
4. Set a static ip for the Pi and bind it.
5. Ssh into the Pi using default I'd password and continue from there.

Anything I mentioned wrong?
 
Last edited:
raksrules said:
I went through below video which explains how to install dietpi headless. It pre configures wifi in a file on Microsd card before first boot.
Do I need to do this if I intend to use LAN cable to connect pi to router?

If my assumption is correct, I guess this is what I should be doing..

1. Flash image of diet pi on Microsd card. Don't change any file on it.
2. Put Microsd in pi and also plug LAN cable and charger and turn in pi.
3. Wait for say 2-3 minutes and go to my router's page which lists all devices connected and find the Pi, say it has 192.168.1.121 as ip.
4. Set a static ip for the Pi and bind it.
5. Ssh into the Pi using default I'd password and continue from there.

Anything I mentioned wrong?
Click to expand...
All your steps look good but the only thing that I am not sure about is SSH. I think we need to install a SSH server e.g. OpenSSH in my case. But I suggest you try it out first.

1622318380946.png
 

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