xbmc Pi build questions

[steeb]

Brand new Raspbmc build with static IP made no difference

still getting tuner no longer available, when it is available.....?

To be clear this is when changing channels. Initially LiveTV works fine.

I really liked the Openelec build as it seemed more stable for the PVR even though I had no picture!!!

But I have found that the Raspbmc build is far more user friendly for linux idiots! and do like the splash screen.

Any advice as to where I should head next?

cheers

steeb

[mvallevand]

I think that is "normal" at this point, it's safer to stop and change channels from the guide.

Martin

[steeb]

Thanks Martin, as usual,

I do realize that these are early days with this device.

I did see you comment on another thread that you were not convinced yet/at all that the Pi may be a future possible extender...

I find it quite sexy!

I think I have reached the end of the road with it at the moment as it is still quite buggy....

Better than an MVP?

hmmmm Yes I guess as sub moved NextPVR on and the technology of the MVP's couldn't keep up. I still thank you and sub for all the work done there to keep the MVP's going for as long as...

Better than a PCH A series?

Still not sure....

Load time with a Pi seems slightly faster to me from a cold boot.

And of course I am now playing with a new front end in/with xbmc.

Hmmmmm as usual you make my brain actually think!

cheers muchly Martin

steeb

[canadianeh]

I've been lurking around here for sometime. Currently using MediaPortal, but very interested in this NextPVR/XBMC integration project going on.

Anyway, my question is I currently use a couple Hauppauge HD-PVR's which record in H.264. Does the Raspberry Pi have the ability to decode and display HD-PVR recordings? I see references all over to MPEG2, but nothing else.


Thanks!!

[Graham]

I believe that h.264 support is built in to the pi and free of charge ...

http://www.element14.com/community/group...y-pi-users

[mvallevand]

In the general thread on the RPi I posted a link of the RPi running http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post448627 and at ~5:40 there is sample of HDPVR live tv followed by a channel change. I use 720p fixed and one reason is for avoid any issues with deinterlacing on these small devices. I have yet to get audio passthrough of 5:1 working and that might be one reason I am still not loving the RPi like many users.

Although my sample was on a licensed mpeg setup, for the SD analog ATSC samples, definitely no license is required for my HDPVR recordings, with video and audio. I haven't bothered with a VC1 license this is not going to make it onto my main tv.

Martin

[steeb]

Personally I would steer towards Martin's view here. At this point in time. The Pi is fun. If you like playing with gadgets.

Is it a full functioning front end running XBMC with NextPVR as a back-end server. Hmmmm no not yet.

Caveat this is based on wanting a LiveTV experience. Actually most other stuff seems to work really well.

If what I have read is correct? XBMC still has issues handling the LiveTV .ts files as supplied by NextPVR on the back-end?

Certainly my Pi running latest RaspBMC has freezes and channel change issues either using the NextPVR add-on or Martin's X-NEWA. And it is very hard trying to find solutions. So If you expect to do this out of the box, hhhhmm probably not.

BUT early days I guess!

cheers

steeb

[RedR]

Hey,

Sorry to hear of your troubles on the XBMC Pi steeb. I've been using Raspbmc for a few weeks now and have found it is still quite new. I do want to point out though, the work being done on it is steaming fast ahead. So if it does not work atm, it likely will in the very near future. Static IP assignment for example, was broken till a recent release, and from what I've read is now solid. I personally do my static IP assignment on my router for the Pi's, just to avoid any future issue.

I do want to point out, my XBMC Pi setup is running Raspbmc, using the SageTV plugin. As far as the plugin goes, its simple, and I have no issues with playback. My tuners record to a standard mpg2 file via SageTV backend. I do have the mpeg2 license and its enabled. As far as access/playback of my media library vidoes and audio and pics, the Pi is awesome! Have not had a chance to play with other distro's yet, just Raspbmc.

Few things come to mind reading over this thread...

I got the impression your only problem now is playing back live TV? Or just when you change the channel? What about pre-recorded TV shows, do they play fine?

I do know in Raspbmc, it's ideal to enter your mpeg2 and VC-1 license in the GUI, vs. using SSH.

Far as your tuner not being seen, perhaps try uninstalling the NextPVR plugin and reinstalling it? Check your config for the plugin, make sure all the settings are correct. One issue I ran into this relation was using IP vs host name for the SageTV plugin. Reading the Raspbmc forums, for Raspbmc at least they say its ideal to use the IP vs host name. Yet the SageTV plugin this was causing playback problems. When I switched the plugin setting to use the host name, the playback issues were resolved. So what Im suggesting is try the IP or host name in the settings for the plugin and see.


I would suggest looking over the Raspbmc forums on live TV issues. Perhaps there is a solution already, or just a configuration tweak to fix this for you. If you do post about your problem, please read the stickies, and post the information they ask for. The one about testing your power supply on your Pi is VERY VERY important for it does account for 80% of the problems with the Pi.

You are correct, the Pi, and XBMC on the Pi is very new, and still quite green. I've read about many issues, burps in the road, or tweaks ppl have to do with configurations. It often does take some tinkering to get it to work the way you want it to. I do feel however in my case it is a solid enough platform and has been for the last few weeks I've replaced my MVP's in the house with the Pi. So far, the reliability is 100%. The wife is very happy, and I am loving HD finally.

Hope this helps,
RedR

[steeb]

Hi RedR,

many thanks for your post.

I have not had the time recently to fully follow up my Pi build problems with logs on appropriate forums etc. And for anything NextPVR specific I believe sub is out of the country and not on his dev platform for a week or so.

For a windows user IMHO I have to say the RaspBMC build is far easier to use than the OpenElec. I also like the way that the build would appear to update itself on new releases. I also really like the feature to play between the XBMC nightlies and releases in a very simple way. This really helps with testing differences between the builds.

Having said that my only issue is with how XBMC is handling the NextPVR PVR add-on.

• I have not yet managed to get a channel change to work correctly without having to stop the current LiveTV programme and to revert to the EPG to select another programme.
  
• I have found that even though NextPVR handles a glitchy LiveTV programme well on DVB-T and picks it up again fairly consistently, XBMC tends to drop the programme and cause a screen freeze where only re-booting the Pi will solve the issue. This is also true for recordings.
  
• There is still the issue with the NextPVR TV buffer directory not deleting old .ts files.
  

as noted, all early days. Will be very interesting to see how this develops.

cheers

steeb