“Still a total newbi with the PI but I've been messing with it to run KODI with OSMC as a video/audio player. So when I saw this screen I thought great this will work as an interface to stream music off the server into an amp, ordered the screen with stand and a Pi3. This review will be in two parts, first putting the thing together, and second the finished item.
PART ONE
All arrived today, open the instructions page, open the box and first thing I noticed was that the screen was already fixed together for me, great I thought and proceeded to plumb in the Pi3. First problem, how do these ribbon things fix (I said I was new to this) but with a bit of fiddling I worked it out (simple really, but know next time). Ok now the wires, instructions black/purple/white/grey, supplied black/red/yellow/blue (red/purple - near enough, yellow/white - yea OK, grey/blue - whatever), not a problem but figured I'd point it out. Also instructions do not mention the Pi3 in the pinouts bit, quick search of the web and the Pi2 and Pi3 match anyways, but damn these wires are much longer than they need to be.
So that's it all wired up, now for the frame, pull off all the protective plastic and lay it all out. It looks like it'll be a tight squeeze to install it but it has the cutouts so it should just slide straight over the boards mounted on the screen ... the hell it will. Ok so now unscrew all the parts I'd screwed together previously so that I can thread the parts through and add them to the screen, made a bit easier with the longer jumper leads (but they are still too long). And I screw it all back together again, write a new OSMC microSD build, and the ribbon is in front of the card slot (well that explains why that lead is so long).
It's all ready to go, plug in network cable, plug in power and ... AAHHH the damn screen is upside down, did I build it wrong? Keep going perhaps I can change something in software, KODI is running, Confulence skin added but no option to rotate 180 degrees. Back to the web, it seems to be a regular problem with these screens judging by the multitude of links I find, best one though is this one (http://forums.pimoroni.com/t/official-7-raspberry-pi-touch-screen-faq/959). Now wouldn't that be a useful link to have in the Assembly Guide? Just need to add a single line to 'config.txt' and problem solved. So now it all appears to be working KODI is indexing my music and I'm typing this review, not yet got any sound out but I've got sound through KODI previously so less worried about that.
PART TWO
So what do I think of the finished unit, generally I like it, I really do, it's a neat little screen, resolution is good, but it does have some problems. The official power supply is going to poke up behind the screen, you will need a 90 degree microUSB to allow you to hide the cables better (this will apply to other plugs too). The other problem is that the stand seriously limits the use of two of your USB ports (mini dongles only), there is no excuse for this, it could be fixed by changing the shape of one of the legs so that the cables would go through the leg.
FINALLY
Would I buy another one? Yes, if all goes well I'm already looking at another one to give me streamed audio/video in the shed. I've ordered some 90 degree adapters online, but why do I need to go elsewhere for these, I cannot be the only person that has experienced these issues. I gave it three stars, none of the issues are insurmountable but the 'surprises' in the instructions, excessive cabling are problems. I would really like to see what the MK2 version could do to improve things, but this just feels like it needs a few changes.”
“The 7" touch screen is really great ... but as it is a module which most folks will want to build into a project ... why don't they supply a precise drawing, 1:1 mind you, with external dimensions and the necessary internal cutout shape? You'd think it'd be obvious?”
“While the resolution of the touchscreen is not the best, it is easily good enough for use. It is sensitive to the touch - which is very handy for a touch screen - and a perfect accessory to add to your Pi.”
