Dummies Mini-Guide to Pi2AES 7" Display Case Build

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by purr1n, Oct 15, 2020.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The next few posts are intended to be a mini-guide as opposed to a step-by step. This is intended as a supplement to the the standard pi2AES case build (no display) here which is still relevant: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...-to-pi2aes-throw-away-your-pc-or-laptop.8878/

    DSC03110.JPG

    STUFF WE NEED TO BUY: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...hrow-away-your-pc-or-laptop.8878/#post-288017

    The exception to above that we want the acrylic case for the 7" display instead of the regular one, and of course the official Raspberry Pi 7" Touch Screen Display
    The instructions for assembling the Pi2AES 7" display case can be downloaded here:
    http://www.pi2design.com/uploads/4/8/5/3/48531975/pi2aes_7_display_case_assembly.pdf

    These instructions are very good, but I will offer a few tips to make the process easier.


    DSC03111.JPG
    DSC03112.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2020
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The first step is to dump all the screws and posts, and organize them like this. Don't ask why, just do this.
    DOING THIS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE WILL MAKE YOUR BUILD EASIER.

    DSC03108.JPG

    There are posts of different sizes. What I've done here is line them up (left to right) in when they will be used from the first step to the last step of the build process. Of the screws, there are four which are a bit larger than the rest. Set them aside (up top).

    Doing this ahead of time will speed up the build process significantly with less effort finding the right part or accidentally installing the wrong part.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2020
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The next thing is to test fit which side panel fits your Pi2AES right after we screw the PC board to the first set of standoff posts. The box comes with two versions of the left side panel.

    DSC03368.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2020
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The software download, sdcard, and startup procedures are the same as here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...hrow-away-your-pc-or-laptop.8878/#post-288020

    THIS IS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE AFTER THE FIRST BOOT UP
    DSC03369.JPG

    NOTE THAT VOLUMIO DOES NOT SUPPORT THE DISPLAY FROM THE START. WE WILL STILL NEED AN ETHERNET CABLE FOR THE INITIAL SET UP. The display in Volumio requires a plug-in to be downloaded and turned on.

    We need to go into settings and plugins:
    upload_2020-10-15_11-57-8.png
    upload_2020-10-15_11-54-48.png
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2020
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Next, select Misc on the left column and proceed to INSTALL the Touch Display Plug-in
    upload_2020-10-15_11-59-20.png

    NOTE THAT THE INSTALL FOR THE TOUCH DISPLAY DOES TAKE A WHILE!
    WAIT!


    upload_2020-10-15_11-59-51.png

    Don't forget to go into the Install Plugins Tab and turn on the plug-in!

    upload_2020-10-15_12-10-12.png

    When the install is complete and plug-in turned, the display screen will just pop up with the interface. No reboot was necessary.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2020
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Final notes:
    1. Only the red (+5V) and green (Ground) wires are used for the display. These are also marked next to the pins on the PC boards of the display and RPi. I wouldn't hurt to double check.
    2. There were yellow and green wires included with the 7" display for SDL and SDA, but these did not seem necessary. @Michael Kelly: Can you confirm?
    3. The ribbon cable slot on the 7" display also has a lock. Be sure to pull the lock outward do the ribbon cable can be inserted.
    4. Note the ribbon cable for the display has one side of each end marked with a blue strip. Just follow the pictures in the instructions for proper orientation.
    5. The case only supports the official Raspberry Pi 7" Touch Screen Display
    6. Volumio has an automatic screen off after a certain period of inactivity. Music still plays. A touch on the screen turns it back on.
    7. Reserved for other stuff I may have forgotten.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2020
  7. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    The early Raspberry PI's did not carry the I2C on the DSI ribbon. Pi3 and later have that so the I2C connection is no longer used.
     
  8. scblock

    scblock Friend

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    Very nice, thanks for the write-up Marv!

    For anyone using Roon and RoPieee like me, I have a few things to add to the software piece.

    You'll want to get everything connected and the display attached and ready to go before flashing the SD card with a fresh copy of the OS and booting up for the first time or you won't get the display at all. It looks for the display on first run, and there's no obvious way to enable it after the initial setup. If you already have RoPieee set up your best bet is to just start over with a fresh install. It doesn't take long.

    On the RoPieee web interface select the Display tab and set the Roon Control Zone field to exactly the same as the name of zone name in Roon like in these pictures. Copy and paste if you need to. You'll also need to enable the RoPieee Remote Control extension in Roon itself. It should show up automatically, you'll just need to hit Enable.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    At this point you should get a simple touch screen control with album art and playback controls on the Pi display. Touchscreen controls are pretty limited, and primary control is still within Roon itself or the Roon app on your phone.

    There's also a hidden button at the bottom right corner of the display to adjust screen brightness.
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2020
  9. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Same as with other cases, I suggest leaving the panel with the power plug off for ventilation when using a Pi 4.
     
  10. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    Images not showing. :(
     
  11. scblock

    scblock Friend

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    I'm not sure why that would be, they are direct links to a server that requires no authentication. They weren't behind https though, and the server was returning a bad certificate if you tried. I fixed that problem, fingers crossed that was it.
     
  12. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I think it's me and my new Google Pixel 4A. I've had trouble with some other emails where the inline photos don't show up. Coming from Apple there's a lot of stuff I need to learn!
     
  13. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    after playing with this for the last hour, I think I know the answer, but figured it couldn't hurt to ask... is there any way to flip this thing around so when the display is facing me that the audio cables come out on the other side? I.e., the left panel becomes the right and the right becomes the left?

    --------edit--------

    Actually, even better (for my desk) would a way to rotate the case 90 degrees and have all the thicker audio/network cables come out the back and the thin/flexible power out the side... obviously, this is a major redesign...
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2020
  14. damaged-goods

    damaged-goods Acquaintance

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    Thanks for this guide, looks like a wonderful music player for little money.

    Can the display be switched off/on manually during operation?

    This is good.
     
  15. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    It would require redesigning the case and I would put the display on what I currently look at as the rear, where the SD card is located. Because of the slope I don't think it would block the card. It would increase the depth not just by the length of the pie but also by the cables coming out the back. I don't personally think this would be an issue, and if I did do this it would give people an option.

    I will definitely think about it, as you can see I have done a number of things based on the great feedback from what is easily the best audio forum there is. :punk:
     
  16. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    That would be awesome - this move would tend to hide the heavy cables/connectors sticking out beyond the side of the screen and would present a very clean look from the front. It would even allow people numerous options to "hide" things and incorporate the screen into a case/box of some sort (already thinking about how I could mock this up as an aesthetic match to my Crack build).

    As for the increased depth - if I'm putting a screen on it then the pi suddenly becomes front/center in my audio system (ie., I'm not hiding the box behind everything). Since most audio components are far deeper than even a rotated Pi2AES box (and also have all the cables coming out the back), I don't see the increased depth as a big issue for most using a screen case (but having both options fits all needs).

    I love people/firms are open to ideas... it makes wanting to support firms so much easier...
     
  17. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I must say, your enthusiasm is infectious! Give me the weekend to give it some thought. It's not really a question of capability or design challenge, it's more just fitting it into my fairly busy schedule right now. I do a lot of consulting for network server design companies and things have gotten a little busy with the release of the raspberry pi CM4. It's all good though, that helps pay the bills and lets me play in the audio market.
     
  18. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    Not trying to rush or push you, I know there a priorities beyond this market.

    Thanks!
     
  19. edd

    edd Almost "Made"

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    Yea, I always thought this was a cool case, but 1) it's pricey, and 2) I'd rather not have to purchase internationally. I'd love a lower cost version. CNC'd aluminum is cool and all but not something I'd care to drop that much coin on.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2020
  20. m8o

    m8o Acquaintance

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    Hello, I have a question for any and all who purchased and assembled this display case...

    I'm buying a Pi2Aes, PS, and wanted to buy this screen case. But what gives me pause about this case is it leaves the glass of the edge of the display exposed. I'm worried about it being more fragile and susceptible to cracking if something falls on it / hits it at the edge than a case that 'wraps' the edge of the screen.

    Does this give you any concern? Vs. using something like the following case which surrounds the edge, and of course cutting more away from it than I did here to accommodate the size and connectors of the Pi2Aes.

    [​IMG]

    I believe the orientation 'works' as -- with the Pi2Aes replacing the ApplePi DAC HAT pictured here -- the IIS/I2S over HDMI would be facing up. Correct me if I'm wrong. And I will add what is a great advantage of the PiDesign case is the cable will NOT be connected and hooped from above. That to me is its biggest selling point.

    What do you think? Am I over-worried about the exposed screen the PiDesign Screen Case leaves?
     

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