Operation Manual

If your monitor has a VGA input—a D-shaped connector with 15 pins, typically coloured silver and blue—the Raspberry Pi
can’t connect to it. Adapters are available that will take in a digital DVI signal and convert it to an analogue VGA signal, but
these are expensive and bulky. The best option here is simply to buy a more-modern monitor with a DVI or HDMI input.
DSI Video
The final video output on the Pi can be found above the SD card slot on the top of the printed circuit board—it’s a small ribbon
connector protected by a layer of plastic. This is for a video standard known as Display Serial Interface (DSI), which is used in
the flat-panel displays of tablets and smartphones. Displays with a DSI connector are rarely available for retail purchase, and are
typically reserved for engineers looking to create a compact, self-contained system. A DSI display can be connected by inserting
a ribbon cable into the matched connector on the Pi, but for beginners, the use of a composite or HDMI display is
recommended.
Connecting Audio
If you’re using the Raspberry Pi’s HDMI port, audio is simple: when properly configured, the HDMI port carries both the video
signal and a digital audio signal. This means that you can connect a single cable to your display device to enjoy both sound and
pictures.
Assuming you’re connecting the Pi to a standard HDMI display, there’s very little to do at this point. For now, it’s enough to
simply connect the cable.
If you’re using the Pi with a DVI-D monitor via an adapter or cable, audio will not be included. This highlights the main difference
between HDMI and DVI: while HDMI can carry audio signals, DVI cannot.
For those with DVI-D monitors, or those using the composite video output, a black 3.5 mm audio jack located on the top edge
of the Pi next to the yellow phono connector provides analogue audio (see Figure 1-2). This is the same connector used for
headphones and microphones on consumer audio equipment, and it’s wired in exactly the same way. If you want, you can simply
connect a pair of headphones to this port for quick access to audio.
While headphones can be connected directly to the Raspberry Pi, you may find the volume a little lacking. If possible, connect a pair of powered
speakers instead. The amplifier inside will help boost the signal to a more audible level.
If you’re looking for something more permanent, you can either use standard PC speakers that have a 3.5 mm connector or you
can buy some adapter cables. For composite video users, a 3.5 mm to RCA phono cable is useful. This provides the two white-
and-red RCA phono connections that sit alongside the video connection, each carrying a channel of the stereo audio signal to the
TV.
For those connecting the Pi to an amplifier or stereo system, you’ll either need a 3.5 mm to RCA phono cable or a 3.5 mm to
3.5 mm cable, depending on what spare connections you have on your system. Both cable types are readily and cheaply