Raspberry Pi Off-grid Gaming & Movies 

Singing along with RetroPie Quick Start Guide.  See also How to Install Kodi on RetroPie

Initially configure RPi with a network connection and the trackpad, keyboard or gizmo you plan to use with RetroPie. 

Install Steps 

1. Download and flash latest RetroPie.  ~5 mins (depending on internet speed)
   Raspberry Pi Imager is simplest - RetroPie is under "Emulation and Game OS"

2. Boot da Pi, it will expand disk and start RetroPie

3. Initial "Welcome" is used to configure controller .... Tricky!  Will probably be done multiple times!
   Note:  Controller config takes some getting used to!   if you screw it up rerun via Start Button->Main Menu->Configure Input 
   Hints:
   - Hold any button to start the configuration OR to skip a button during the config process 
   - Helpful to record/draw a keyboard layout map of config to remind of what buttons do what!
   My Config:
   - D-PAD UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT == Direction Keys UP,  DOWN, LEFT & RIGHT
   - START == KEY AUDIOPLAY (Center play/pause button of Left Audio button set)
   - SELECT == KEY RETURN (Also right center button between direction keys)
   - BUTTON A/EAST  == KEY AUDIO NEXT (Right button on Audio button set)
   - BUTTON B/SOUTH == KEY VOLUMEDOWN (Bottom button on Audio button set)
   - BUTTON X/NORTH == KEY VOLUMEUP (Top button on Audio button set)
   - BUTTON Y/WEST == KEY AUDIOPREV (Left button on Audio button set)
   - LEFT/RIGHT SHOULDER == NOT DEFINED (Skipped both for now)
   - LEFT TRIGGER == KEY LEFT CTRL
   - RIGHT TRIGGER == KEY RIGHT GUI (Windows Key on right bottom)
   - LEFT/RIGHT THUMB == NOT DEFINED (Skipped both for now)
   - LEFT ANALOG UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT == NOT DEFINED (Skipped all for now)
   - RIGHT ANALOG UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT == NOT DEFINED (Skipped all for now)
   - HOT KEY ENABLE == KEY ESCAPE

4. RetroPie Config (Center/only Icon at this point, use A Button to enter configuration, use ENTER button w/in Configuration Menus. 
   // I DON'T MESS WITH OTHER OPTIONS ON THIS SCREEN! //
   - AUDIO:  Set to HDMI 1 
   - RASPI-CONFIG ... Minimal changes
   > System Options:  Change Password & Hostname
   > Localization Options:  Timezone, Locale = en_US.UTF-8 and US Keyboard
   > Interface Options:  SSH Enabled (ssh is still handy)
   - RetroPIe Setup ... update everything
   > Update:  Will take time to update RetroPie Packages and OS Packages 

5. Before exiting RetroPie Setup Script:  Update & Install a couple of Optional Packages
   (there are many many more).   See also: https://thepi.io/how-to-install-kodi-on-retropie/

   • Select Manage Packages->Manage Optional Packages->
     - Update all installed optional packages (may take some time)
     - Install Kodi  for music and videos.   See also https://retropie.org.uk/docs/KODI/
     - Install dosbox for old dos games.  See also https://retropie.org.uk/docs/PC/ 

6. Boot!   Pretty sure you MUST!  Use Menu->QUIT->Restart System

*** Disclaimer ... The RetroPie File manager details below MAY work  but it is cumbersome
Personally, I now use Samba on the CamperPi and simply drop games and media onto shared drive ...
I need to retrace my steps and document that setup some point ***

See Also:  https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Transferring-Roms/ or  Midnight Commander underpinning.

Copy in a few games, movies & music to test things out.   

There are probably easier ways to load files to RetroPie but pulling files from an FTP server works best for our library of games, movies and music.   The step by step below uses RetroPie File Manager to copy files from our server followed by some shuffling around to add things to Kodi Library or appropriate RetroPi ROM directories.  

Downloading Test Media

Building a legal library of music, movies and games is a totally separate discussion ... We'll start with one free movie, song and game downloaded from  the Internet Archives:

• Movie:   Reefer Madness is fun.  MP4 from https://archive.org/details/reefer_madness1938

• DOS Game:  Bio Menace.  DOSBOX zip from https://archive.org/details/BioMenace

• Arcade Game:  Super Tank from MameDev:  https://www.mamedev.org/roms/supertnk/

• Music:  Glenn Miller (78rpm recording) from https://archive.org/details/78_in-the-mood_glenn-miller-and-his-orchestra-joe-garland_gbia0026102a

Transferring Files

Select RetroPie (Configuration), then File Manager ... it's a side-by-side (Source->Destination) interface

Step by Step to Copy file from A to B (You'll get the hang of it!)

1. Set Left pane (source)
   - fcn-F9 (PullDn) the Left-FTP link ... Standard FTP Syntax:  "ftp://<user>:<pw>@<ftpserverIP>"
   - Navigate to source of music, movies or games

2. Tab to Right (local destination) pane
   - Highlight directory and <return> to set

3. Tab back to left, Highlight file (or directory) and fcn-F5 to copy files  

Unzip or Move?

Downloaded games will typically be zipped (archive of multiple files).  In the case of DOS games, like Bio Menace, you'll need to unzip them into appropriate RetroPie directory (DOSBOX uses /RetroPie/roms/pc).  Arcade games will often be moved and stored as zip files, they are unzipped when they are played.  Super Tank is a Mame game, it's zip file simply needs to be moved to /RetroPie/roms/mame-libretro directory.  Lots to learn here!

If you select a zip file in the Left (source) pane and copy (fcn-F5) the zip archive will be copied.  If you select the zip file and hit <enter> you will open the zip and be able to copy/move individual files.

Lots of options here, it really depends on the game.  Some DOS games will require you to run a DOS install under DOSBOX, arcade games seem to be copied as zip files.

Exiting out of this mess

• fcn-F10 to exit File Manager

• Hit gamepad B to exit RetroPi Configuration

• BOOT!   Gamepad START->QUIT->RESTART SYSTEM

Minimally have to restart EmulationStation to have new games show up on RetroPie GUI.  

August 2023 - Couple of notes from experience

• Hardware positioning:  The Jensen HDMI interface was overly complex and a problem.  CamperPi is now plugged directly into TV and Velcro'ed to the back of TV.

• Usage:  Really not used very often, I rarely sit inside the camper.   Probably only useful when camper is on shore power.  When boondocking it's a good idea to be fugal with power usage.  Solar charging is very important and typically not available during inclimate weather.

 May 2022

• Razin-Frazin CamperPi failure on first solo/cold camping trip of the year!   

  • Movie Froze after approx 5 mins ... all movies failed, retropie games seemed fine

    • Guessing that it was hdmi_blanking mode from March.   Undid this and movies played fine (camper in driveway) 

    • Reset hdmi_blanking=0  in  /boot/config.txt

    • Removed consoleblank=300 in /boot/cmdline.txt

March 2022 

• Messed around with ScreenSavers and turning off monitor when not in use - the following seemed to do the trick!

  • Ended up in my own howto @ https://tech.tpedersen.net/raspberry-pi/pi-in-the-sky/putting-raspberry-pi-monitor-to-sleep-dpms 

    • added hdmi_blanking=1  to /boot/config.txt

    • added consoleblank=300 to /boot/cmdline.txt

    • Set Retropie Screensaver behavior to 'black' (not sure if this really helped!)

Random Links, Notes, struggles, etc

• https://raspberrytips.com/retropie-beginners-guide/

• Useful RetroPie chatter

  • Official Forum @ https://retropie.org.uk/forum/

  • On Reddit @ https://www.reddit.com/r/RetroPie/

Kodi multimedia formats @ https://kodi.wiki/view/Features_and_supported_formats#Format_support

-----------------

Notes on generations/attempts

Initial project used Kodi as a base and attempted to get Kodi gaming working - was truly a struggle.  If you DO use Kodi as a base, https://libreelec.tv/ is probably the best path.  Settled on this distro for our MoviePi's - it simplified life considerable 

Can't recall where following came from, but looked to be handy/keeper!

The HOTKEY ENABLE button will allow you to easily perform actions while in a game:

Hotkey + Start

Exit

Hotkey + Right Shoulder

Save

Hotkey + Left Shoulder

Load

Hotkey + Right

Input State Slot Increase

Hotkey + Left

Input State Slot Decrease

Hotkey + X

RGUI Menu

Hotkey + Y"Emulation 

Reset

Very random stuff follows!

had to enable ssh and update the system before getting dosbox or kodi installed

error:  E: Repository 'http://raspbian.raspberrypi.org/raspbian buster InRelease' changed its 'Suite' value from 'stable' to 'oldstable'

N: This must be accepted explicitly before updates for this repository can be applied. See apt-secure(8) manpage for details.

Fix:

turn on ssh via raspi-config (seems ok to change pi pw)

then 

sudo apt update -y

then 

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get -f install

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

------------

Weird audio issues when working with 3.5mm audio jack

https://www.reddit.com/r/retroflag_gpi/comments/kbd8jh/how_do_i_fix_failed_to_find_mixer_elements_if/

Winter attempt to create a smaller, lighter and lower power version ... notes to self at this point ...

*** I'm pretty excited about this one ... RPI 0w + 128g microsd running RetroPie w/ Kodi 'Port' connected via 5v, 550mA power supply is serving up Movies, Games and Music without breaking a sweat!  NO THROTTLING, 25-30% CPU during Movie Playback! *** How can this be ?!?! 

Deep Dive into Raspberry Pi Zero 2w Power Consumption ...
@ https://www.cnx-software.com/2021/12/09/raspberry-pi-zero-2-w-power-consumption/
Raspberry Pi Zero W power analysis @ http://robertthewombat.com/power-requirements-for-the-raspberry-pi-zero_w/
Script to monitor voltage @ https://jamesachambers.com/measure-raspberry-pi-undervoltage-true-clock-speeds/
Script to Check Power Supply @ https://bia.is/2019/02/02/raspberry-pi-check-your-power-supply/

more Pi Power Analysis HERE

Hardware

• Rapsberry Pi Zero w w/ official case

• Long usb cable, will try to use Built-in USB jacks in camper

• 128g MicroSD to replace portable ssd

• Touch-ups in step-by-step

  • Turn-on/Set Wifi while in Rapsi-Config initially for  SSH setup

  • WiFi will be off when Offgrid

  • edit /boot/config.txt, add hdml_blanking=1

  • edit /boot/cmdline.txt add consoleblank=300