C.H.I.P. - Looks like R-Pi got serious competitor...

Anubis · 11 May 2015, 13:59

It seems that after successful kickstart campaign CHIP might become serious competitor to Raspberry Pi.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...er/description

It looks promising, but imho it is bit misleading advertising, as for 9 bucks you will not get what you get with RPi, you get just processing without ability to connect to anything. You need either VGA or HDMI adapter to make it into mini computer similar to RPi.

gulliver · 11 May 2015, 15:38

I am a bit sceptical about this project:

$9 (well $19 if you want some decent video output) + a huge internatinal shipping fee of $50.

Something is fishy.

Amiga1992 · 11 May 2015, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by gulliver

I am a bit sceptical about this project:
$9 (well $19 if you want some decent video output) + a huge internatinal shipping fee of $50.
Something is fishy.

Nothing is fishy, shipping is 20 dollars to Argentina (dunno where you got 50 from) and that's a number that makes absolute sense, standard USPS shipping of an envelope anywhere in the world is about 13 USD.
Then again, good luck with customs over there, the thing will probably never arrive or you'll have to pay through the nose for import duties.

I backed it with a VGA header, I think this is great and am looking forward to it.

wolfchild · 11 May 2015, 19:38

It's looking like a great project and they've already got backing for a almost a quarter of a million dollars!

I was tempted to buy one but delivery is for next May! That killed the deal for me...

Anubis · 11 May 2015, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akira

Nothing is fishy, shipping is 20 dollars to Argentina (dunno where you got 50 from) and that's a number that makes absolute sense, standard USPS shipping of an envelope anywhere in the world is about 13 USD.
Then again, good luck with customs over there, the thing will probably never arrive or you'll have to pay through the nose for import duties.

I backed it with a VGA header, I think this is great and am looking forward to it.

It all depends how they will distribute. If they do the same as RPi did, then some of local stores will resell them, like Newark Element 14 in my case. This is shipping for 2 items in my order of Raspberry Pie. (RPi & Case)

Your Freight Total $5.78

LuMan · 11 May 2015, 23:10

Perhaps this is the evolution of home computing. We started with easy to access computers, like the ZX80/81, Vic=20, culminating with the pinnacle (

) Amiga.

But now things have moved on. Software may not be enough. There has already been huge steps forward in DIY, easy-entry hardware kits, such as PIC and Arduino. Then the Pi, and now this.

Bring it on, I say. I love my Pi, and love PIC-programming back in the day. I wonder if they'll release an assembler for it so that the hardcore coders can start banging the metal again (please!!

)

gulliver · 11 May 2015, 23:55

@Akira

Well, when first announced, International shipping was $50. I guess they got some complaints and lowered it.

And I am getting my goods thru Chile. Customs fees are honest there. And yes, argentinian fees are outrageous!

15 May 2015, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by gulliver

I am a bit sceptical about this project:

$9 (well $19 if you want some decent video output) + a huge internatinal shipping fee of $50.

Something is fishy.

The only fishy thing is the huge cost when you use USPS to ship worldwide. It is a gigantic ripoff and a pain for those in the US that want to sell overseas. It is a huge issue since a few years now and one of the reasons I've more or less stopped buying stuff in the US. One of the few that is able to get around this is Amazon because they internally ship it to Europe and then distribute from their warehouse there.

It is a really unfortunate situation

alexh · 15 May 2015, 17:25

The RaspberryPi 2 is still clear winner.

The SoC they are using isn't quite as old as the original Pi, but it is very old (but then again it is $19).

I wonder if their VPU supports hardware audio decode or whether is is 100% software based.

15 May 2015, 17:46

According to the A13 datasheet:

VPU: video decoding (Full HD)
supports popular formats, incl. VP6/8, AVS, H.264, H.263, MPEG1/2/4
supports decoding 1920*1080@30fps
supports encoding to H.264MP up to 1920*1080@30fps

fore more: https://linux-sunxi.org/A13

alexh · 15 May 2015, 19:29

They are video formats. Not Audio formats.

A13 has no hardware audio decoder meaning that DTS to stereo downmix will use a lot of CPU power. The Cortex A8 is a lot better than the Arm11 the original RPi had so it probably won't be too bad.

eXeler0 · 15 May 2015, 19:39

Although interesting from a certain point of view... who is this for? Ppl who cant afford a €25 Raspberry?

Amiga1992 · 15 May 2015, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by eXeler0

Although interesting from a certain point of view... who is this for? Ppl who cant afford a €25 Raspberry?

The size makes the difference. I think this would be perfect for small footprint stuff like wearables.

11 May 2015, 13:59	#1
Anubis Retro Gamer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Underworld Age: 51 Posts: 4,058	C.H.I.P. - Looks like R-Pi got serious competitor... It seems that after successful kickstart campaign CHIP might become serious competitor to Raspberry Pi. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...er/description It looks promising, but imho it is bit misleading advertising, as for 9 bucks you will not get what you get with RPi, you get just processing without ability to connect to anything. You need either VGA or HDMI adapter to make it into mini computer similar to RPi.

11 May 2015, 23:10	#6
LuMan Amigan - an' lovin' it!! Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nottingham, UK Age: 55 Posts: 557	Perhaps this is the evolution of home computing. We started with easy to access computers, like the ZX80/81, Vic=20, culminating with the pinnacle () Amiga. But now things have moved on. Software may not be enough. There has already been huge steps forward in DIY, easy-entry hardware kits, such as PIC and Arduino. Then the Pi, and now this. Bring it on, I say. I love my Pi, and love PIC-programming back in the day. I wonder if they'll release an assembler for it so that the hardcore coders can start banging the metal again (please!! )

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11 May 2015, 15:38	#2
gulliver BoingBagged Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The South of nowhere Age: 46 Posts: 2,358	I am a bit sceptical about this project: $9 (well $19 if you want some decent video output) + a huge internatinal shipping fee of $50. Something is fishy.

11 May 2015, 19:38	#4
wolfchild Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Malta Age: 47 Posts: 43	It's looking like a great project and they've already got backing for a almost a quarter of a million dollars! I was tempted to buy one but delivery is for next May! That killed the deal for me...

11 May 2015, 23:55	#7
gulliver BoingBagged Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The South of nowhere Age: 46 Posts: 2,358	@Akira Well, when first announced, International shipping was $50. I guess they got some complaints and lowered it. And I am getting my goods thru Chile. Customs fees are honest there. And yes, argentinian fees are outrageous!

15 May 2015, 17:25	#9
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,337	The RaspberryPi 2 is still clear winner. The SoC they are using isn't quite as old as the original Pi, but it is very old (but then again it is $19). I wonder if their VPU supports hardware audio decode or whether is is 100% software based.

15 May 2015, 17:46	#10
Juppstein Posts: n/a	According to the A13 datasheet: VPU: video decoding (Full HD) supports popular formats, incl. VP6/8, AVS, H.264, H.263, MPEG1/2/4 supports decoding 19201080@30fps supports encoding to H.264MP up to 19201080@30fps fore more: https://linux-sunxi.org/A13

15 May 2015, 19:29	#11
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,337	They are video formats. Not Audio formats. A13 has no hardware audio decoder meaning that DTS to stereo downmix will use a lot of CPU power. The Cortex A8 is a lot better than the Arm11 the original RPi had so it probably won't be too bad.

15 May 2015, 19:39	#12
eXeler0 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Sweden Age: 50 Posts: 2,946	Although interesting from a certain point of view... who is this for? Ppl who cant afford a €25 Raspberry?

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