Getting Started

Setting up your HiFive

To get started with the Doctor Who HiFive Inventor Coding Kit, go to HiFiveInventor.com/redeem and enter the code included with your HiFive Inventor board.

HiFiveInventor.com is an online learning, programming and collaboration environment. With your account, you can access lessons that teach how to program the HiFive Inventor board with the blocks programming language or micropython. There are even BBC Dr. Who themed courses. Once the courses are completed, you can let your imagination run wild and create unique projects with the HiFive Inventor.

Connecting the Accessories to your HiFive

Your HiFive Inventor comes with a speaker that you can connect using the alligator clips and the edge connector on the bottom of the board.

NOTE: In order to access the feature described in this section, you’ll need to remove the RED part of the plastic casing protecting your HiFive Inventor. Ask a guardian or teacher if you need help taking it off.

To connect the speaker to your HiFive, simply attach each end of the alligator clip to the pins with the matching labels. For example, attach one end of the black alligator clip to the pin labeled GND on the speaker and the other end to the pin labeled GND on your HiFive Inventor. Do the same thing with the red alligator clip for the pins labeled 3V and use the green alligator clip for the pins labeled 0.

Connecting your HiFive to a Computer

Connecting over USB

To connect your HiFive Inventor to your computer, just plug it in via a USB connection. Once connected, your computer will have a removable drive called “HiFive.” If your computer does not have a USB A connection, you will need to purchase an adapter or a USB C to USB micro cable from a retailer such as Amazon. Once connected. your HiFive Inventor will greet you with the message on the LED display, “Welcome to HiFive - BBC Learning & Tynker!” Press the programmable buttons to see a sample of the things you can do with the LED display. If your HiFive Inventor has been previously used or programmed, click here to deploy the original program to the board.

Connecting over Bluetooth

To connect your HiFive Inventor to your computer or tablet over Bluetooth, power the HiFive with the battery holder. Add 3 AA batteries to the battery holder and connect the battery holder to the HiFive. Once connected. your HiFive Inventor will greet you with the message on the LED display, “Welcome to HiFive - BBC Learning & Tynker!” Press the programmable buttons to see a sample of the things you can do with the LED display.

If your HiFive Inventor has been previously used or programmed, you will need to deploy the original program to the board using USB.

And that’s it! Now that you’ve attached the speaker to your HiFive and the HiFive to the computer, now you can get started programming your HiFive to play music and other audio! Login to the dashboard to get started exploring the programming lessons.