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ZXGuesser edited this page Jan 30, 2024 · 49 revisions

Welcome to the vbit2 wiki!

Introduction

VBIT2 generates a raw teletext packet stream from a collection of teletext page files. It can be used in combination with raspi-teletext to provide a teletext signal to a television using only a Raspberry Pi.

VBIT2 can also be used with Vbit hardware inserters via the vbit-py driver.

VBIT2 can be compiled and run on Windows or Linux. VBIT2 has been tested on Buster, Bullseye, and Bookworm (Lite) Raspberry Pi OS.

The getvbit2 install script configures Raspberry Pi OS the deprecated legacy graphics driver so it is strongly recommended not to use the install script on a Raspberry Pi OS Desktop Bookworm install.

Installing

These instructions detail how to get a VBIT2 teletext system running on a Raspberry Pi and generating a teletext signal for your TV with raspi-teletext.

Install Raspberry Pi OS as detailed at the download page.

Get your Pi online using WiFi or wired ethernet.
The first time you run your Pi it will guide you through setting the language and locale, and get you online.

Installing VBIT2

An install script is provided to set things up for you. From a terminal or console window enter:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/peterkvt80/vbit2/master/getvbit2
bash getvbit2

This will download and compile the latest release of VBIT2, raspi-teletext, and start the VBIT2 configuration tool to install a teletext service and set startup options.

If your pi was not already set up for PAL composite video you will need to reboot after exiting vbit-config.

There are a couple YouTube videos of people installing the system

If you already have an older version of VBIT2 installed, please follow the instructions on updating.

Video output

The teletext signal generated by raspi-teletext can only be decoded via (PAL) composite video output on a compatible television. If you see lines of flickering dots at the top of your screen you are probably trying to run VBIT on an HDMI display.

Raspberry Pi models 1-4 are supported with an appropriate composite video cable. The Raspberry Pi Zero models can be used via their unpopulated composite video header connector/solder pads.

The Raspberry Pi 400 and Raspberry Pi model 5 are not supported.