pikvm/docs/v1.md

DIY PiKVM V1 Instructions

!!! tip "So many choices!" There are many different options with sub-items, so you can choose what will suit you.
However, we marked the recommended way by sign ✮ ✮ ✮

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Required parts

1. MicroSD card minimum 8Gb class 10.

2. Official USB-Micro Power Supply.

3. Raspberry Pi board:

   • ✮ ✮ ✮ Raspberry Pi 3.
     
   • ... or Raspberry Pi 2.
     Does not support H.264 even with HDMI-CSI bridge.
   • ... or Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.
     Compact and cheap, but not so reliable solution because of lack of the wired Ethernet. Note that the better way to use Pi Zero is making PiKVM V2 - it supports more USB features.

4. Video capture device:

   • ✮ ✮ ✮ HDMI-CSI bridge based on TC358743 chip.
     Supports H.264 video encoding on Raspberry Pi 3, automatic resolution selection and the lowest possible latency.
   • ... or HDMI-USB dongle.
     Only heavy MJPEG video, no resolution detection, big latency compared to HDMI-CSI. Some users report hardware problems: the dongle may not work in the BIOS or simply stop working after a while. It's a black box, and no one knows what's inside it. If you have problems with it, it will not be possible to fix them.

5. The Pico HID Keyboard & mouse emulator:

   {!_pico_hid_parts.md!}

6. Board-specific parts:

   !!! success "✮ ✮ ✮ "Nothing special for Raspberry Pi 2 or 3"

   ??? note "Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W"

    ??? note "✮ ✮ ✮ HDMI-CSI bridge"
   
        * *x1* [Raspberry Pi Zero Camera Cable](https://www.amazon.com/Arducam-Raspberry-Camera-Ribbon-Extension/dp/B085RW9K13). *Not compatible with Auvidea B101*.
   
    ??? note "... or HDMI-USB dongle"
   
        * *x1* USB-A socket to USB-Micro adapter (female-male).
   

7. Optional features:

   ??? success "✮ ✮ ✮ ATX controller to manage the target host's power"

    {!_diy_parts_atx.md!}
   

   ??? note "PS/2 Keyboard & mouse"

    The use of PS/2 is intended for advanced users. Check out the additional list of details in advance
    in the [corresponding paragraph](pico_hid.md#ps2-keyboard-mouse) of the Pico HID manual.
   

   ??? note "VGA video capture"

    If you want to capture VGA from your server instead of HDMI,
    buy the [VGA-to-HDMI converter](https://aliexpress.com/item/3256801728005613.html).
    Some converters have issues with not supporting all resolutions and refresh rates.
   

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Setting up the hardware

1. Video capture device:

   ??? success "✮ ✮ ✮ HDMI-CSI bridge"

    {!_diy_setup_video_csi.md!}
   

   ??? note "... or HDMI-USB dongle"

    ??? note "Raspberry Pi 2 & 3"
   
        {!_diy_setup_video_usb.md!}
   
    ??? note "Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W"
   
        Connect the USB dongle to USB-to-Micro adapter, and connect it to the USB port marked as `USB` (not `PWR`)
        on the Pi Zero board:
   
        <img src="../_diy/usbcap_zero2w.jpg" width="400"/>
   

2. The Pico HID and ATX controller:

   Connect all the parts according to this scheme:

   ??? success "✮ ✮ ✮ With ATX controller"

    ??? example "Simple wiring diagram"
        <img src="../v1/v1_breadboard.png" />
   
    ??? example "Electrical schematic diagram for advanced users"
        <a target="_blank" href="../v1/v1_scheme.png"><img src="../v1/v1_scheme.png" /></a>
   

   ??? note "... or without ATX controller"

    ??? example "Simple wiring diagram"
        <img src="../pico_hid/basic_breadboard.png" />
   
    ??? example "Electrical schematic diagram for advanced users"
        <img src="../pico_hid/basic_scheme.png" />
   

3. Flash firmware to the Pico HID.

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Wiring with the target host

!!! warning "Under construction"

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First launch and usage

{!_diy_first_launch.md!}