Raspberry Pi User Guide, 3rd Edition

Chapter 2

Getting Started with the Raspberry Pi

NOW THAT YOU have a basic understanding of how the Raspberry Pi differs from other computing devices, it’s time to get started. If you’ve just received your Pi, take it out of its protective anti-static bag and place it on a flat, non-conductive surface before continuing with this chapter.

To use your Pi, you’ll need some extra peripherals. A display will allow you to see what you’re doing, while a keyboard and mouse will be your input devices. In this chapter, you find out how to connect these to the Pi, along with a network connection in the case of the Model B. You also learn how to download and install an operating system for the Pi.

Your Mileage May Vary

The information and instructions in this book give you all you need to get your Raspberry Pi up and running and to make the most of its capabilities. Be aware that some of the software for the Raspberry Pi is evolving so quickly that what you see on your screen may differ slightly from some of the images in the book.

Connecting a Display

Before you can start using your Raspberry Pi, you need to connect a display. The Pi supports three different video outputs: composite video, HDMI video and DSI video. Composite video and HDMI video are readily accessible to the end user, as described in this section, whereas DSI video requires some specialised hardware.

Composite Video

Composite video, available via the yellow-and-silver port at the top of the Pi and known as an RCA phono ...