Raspberry Pi 4B Media server changes

 I have replace the Raspberry Pi 4B and miniDLNA software media server, with a new sytem.

The new system is an IBM Lenovo T61 Thinkpad with SimpleDLNA software.

I decided to save the Raspberry Pi for another project. I purchased a used T61 for $15 from a local used stuff store. The purchase included a docking station and power cord. The software was available online, free of charge for non-commercial use.

I went through the usual learning curve and reduced the system to a single USB hub, the Amazon Basics hub, and five drives. The drives show up in the DLNA system as individual drives on the LG TV and my iPhone's VLC network.  I can add two more drives, later if needed.

One advantage is the software does not rebuild the database as often, thus reducing the time to access when the system is booted. There is also an option to use a web page to display and access the drive contents.

The Raspberry Pi will be the test unit for a blindspot collision detector on my Jeep Renegade Sport. That model of Jeep is notorious for two blind spots in the rear side posiitons of the car. The blind spots require alertness to the presence of traffic in those areas. This in turn, requires a lot of head turning in congested traffic. An ulratrasonic sensor will be used to detect the presence of a car in the blind spot on the left and issue a beeping sound to alert me to the situation. I have no vision on my right side. When perfected, the Raspberry Pi4B will be replaced by a Raspberry Pi Zero W, which costs less than the RPi 4B and is smaller and simpler to implement. The sensor will be attached to the outside of the vehicle, perhaps on the roof  rack on that side, with the RPi placed inside the vehicle and plugged into the cars electrical system.


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