[noggin]

Raspberry Pi2: Recommended Set-up:

• Easiest is to get one of the kits on Amazon, eBay, etc. for $70. Usually comes with Pi2 card + mSD card (8GB or 16GB recommended) + case + power supply. Some kits also include wi-fi dongle, HDMI cable, etc. Or, put together your own; its easy.

Just one dumb question if I may: I don't see any controller device in that list, so how do you actually control the thing? Is there an IR remote, or do you need to plug in a keyboard/mouse, or is it controlled from an application running on another device on the network, or what?

If you have a reasonably modern TV then CEC control (where your TV remote sends remote control signals down the HDMI cable to the Pi 2) is often good enough. Otherwise you can buy a large number of IR remote+receiver combos (FLIRC + any remote you have, MCE RC6 IR USB receiver and remote etc.), use an RF keyboard and trackpad like a Rii, or set up with a USB keyboard and mouse and then use a remote app on your Android or iOS device.