Looking to showcase your videos in a continuous loop without breaking the bank? A DIY video looper built with the affordable Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is the perfect solution. Low power consumption 5-10W + Monitor 40W average. Whether for art installations, information displays, or just for fun at home, this project offers an engaging and cost-effective way to bring your videos to life.
What You’ll Need
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- Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W: The compact and efficient brain of your video looper.
- Monitor: Any HDMI-compatible monitor will work. Consider repurposing an old one or finding a secondhand bargain.
- MicroSD Card: At least 8GB capacity to store the operating system and your videos.
- Power Supply: A standard micro-USB power adapter for the Pi.
- miniHDMI to HDMI Cable: To connect the Pi to your monitor.
- Pi Video Looper Software: An open-source tool that transforms your Pi into a dedicated video looper.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Prepare the Pi
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- Download the latest preloaded image (v2.8 and above) from the video looper website.
- Use a tool like RaspberryPi Imager to flash the OS onto your MicroSD card
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- When using the Raspberry Pi Imager’s Advanced Options (Ctrl + Shift + X), enable SSH and set up Wi-Fi & User Credentials.
- After completing the setup, re-insert the MicroSD card into your computer and open the video_looper.ini file in the root folder using a text editor like Notepad.
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- Comment out file_reader = usb_drive by adding a # symbol at the beginning of the line, and uncomment the directory line.
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- Search [directory] and change the path to /home/{username}/video, replacing {username} with your actual username, e.g., /home/johndoe/video.
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- (Optional) If your screen runs in portrait mode, you can add the extra arguments ” –orientation 270″ or ” –orientation 90″.
- Save the modified file.
- Finally, insert the MicroSD card back into your Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.
2. Initial Setup & Get WAN IP address
- Connect the Pi to your monitor via the HDMI cable.
- Power on the Pi and wait for the command-line interface to load.
- If you have a keyboard connected, you can use the command “ifconfig” to identify the WAN IP address of your device.
- Alternatively, if a keyboard is not available, you’ll need to log into your router to determine which IP address has been assigned to your Raspberry Pi.
3. Add Your Videos (via FileZilla)
- Download & Open FileZilla
- File > Site Manager > New Site to add new
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- Enter IP & Login Credentials then press connect
- Once connected, access the folder /home/username/videos
- Copy your videos into the folder
- If you are getting access denied for transfer, do SSH into RasberryPi via Putty and “sudo chmod 777 /home/username/videos”
- The Pi Video Looper will automatically loop through these videos in alphabetical order.
4. Enjoy Your Video Looper
- Restart your Raspberry Pi, and it will start playing and looping your videos in full screen.
- Manage your video playlist by adding or removing files from the
video
folder via SFTP.
5. (Optional) 3D Print Pi Zero Case
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To enhance the protection and personalization of your Raspberry Pi Zero setup, consider 3D printing a custom case. The online 3D design repository Thingiverse offers a wide range of case designs, including one at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1165227, which provides a sturdy and form-fitting enclosure for your Pi Zero. Printing a case not only safeguards your device from potential physical harm but also allows you to add a unique, personal touch to your video looper project.
Conclusion
With this DIY video looper setup using the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, a monitor, and the Pi Video Looper software, you can create a dynamic and affordable video display. Follow the steps above, and you’ll have a reliable video looper up and running in no time. Enjoy showcasing your videos in a continuous loop with this budget-friendly project!