experience with pi

[reven]

just a quick post about my experience with the pi so far.

setup

• NPVR 2.5.9
  
• RaspberryPI model B revision 1
  
• RaspBMC RC5 downgraded xbmc to 0929 build
  
• npvr addon build: sub3-xbmc-pvr-addons-573ca4d
  
• DVB-S/S2 with FTA and encrypted channels using oscam
  
• MPEG2 + VC1 license for RPI
  

what works well

• SD channels, perfect, plays in sync, runs for hours without any issues
  
• super easier to configure, just specify ip address
  

what doesnt work well

• HD channels, stutters for a few seconds then just freezes and needs to be stopped. UPDATE: appears to be issue with raspbmc/rpi cant handle the 1080 ts files, cannot playback ones recorded by 4tr either
  
• tuning time is pretty slow, takes a while to start a tv channel (maybe 5-10 seconds), not sure if this is NPVR specific or RPI specific
  
• currently no signal quality in the XBMC stream info (pushing "o" button during live tv)
  
• channel logos?
  
• timeline in xbmc looks odd, doesnt have the grid lines/background colour on most entries (probably xbmc issue not npvr addon issue)
  
• Add timer text is missing when you select a program in the timeline (probably xbmc issue not npvr addon issue)
  
• when playing back a recording a error message saying "This channel cannot be played. Check the log for details." is shown, once you click "OK" recording plays normally.
  
• Aspect ratio for SD channels is wrong, should be 16:9 but appears to be 4:3 and have to switch zoom mode to "Stretch 16:9"
  

i had a few setup issues, but that was just my specific setup and mostly around encrypted channels, but once i got past those NPVR was fairly easy to setup (most people wont be decrypting channels).

couple of feature requests

• add a concept of "user" to nextpvr, in my house there is 4 adults and 1 kid, ideally i would like to have 4 users each with their own recordings/schedules. this is a complex issue, esp around conflicts and recording the same show, but will likely become more and more requested. i want my son to have a pi in his bedroom with his recordings (no access to game of thrones/dexter etc, just thomas etc). dont expect this anytime soon, but would love to see it one day
  
• merge SD and HD channels into 1 channel. configure the client to "support HD channels", and if that is set to true, send the HD feed, if its set to false, send the SD feed. probably need an option for scheduled recordings too, "Use SD Source?" (default false, can always transcode recordings). this will be helpful for low powered clients that cant support HD streams, or if running over wifi and network cant handle HD
  

all and all im impressed, sub once again has done a great job in not a lot of time, xbmc addon is pretty solid and NPVR is pretty easy to setup (easier than mepo, 4tr and tvheadend IMO, all of which ive recently used)

thanks sub

[agerdin]

[*]MPEG2 + VC1 license for RPI

reven, do I need the VC1 license to playback DVB-S ts streams? Currenly i only have the MPEG2 license. What is VC1 used for?

We have also made a VC-1 licence available for purchase in the store. This is Microsoft’s video codec, and we don’t expect as many of you to require it as require MPEG-2, but there is a significant volume of material out there in this format which we thought it’d be nice to have the option to view on the Raspberry Pi.

\\Agerdin

[KRA]

just a quick post about my experience with the pi so far.
[*] merge SD and HD channels into 1 channel. configure the client to "support HD channels", and if that is set to true, send the HD feed, if its set to false, send the SD feed. probably need an option for scheduled recordings too, "Use SD Source?" (default false, can always transcode recordings). this will be helpful for low powered clients that cant support HD streams, or if running over wifi and network cant handle HD
[/LIST]

all and all im impressed, sub once again has done a great job in not a lot of time, xbmc addon is pretty solid and NPVR is pretty easy to setup (easier than mepo, 4tr and tvheadend IMO, all of which ive recently used)

thanks sub

Nice post

I really like your merge sd/hd source with options, it would be super handy for thin clients and recordings.

I have a question regarding RPi and xbmc, I've seen some videos of it, and gui seems really slugish, is that still the case ?

[sub]

[*]MPEG2 + VC1 license for RPI

reven, do I need the VC1 license to playback DVB-S ts streams? Currenly i only have the MPEG2 license. What is VC1 used for?

No you don't need VC1 for watching TV broadcasts. He's just saying his setup has it.

[reven]

yeah VC-1 isnt needed for PVR, im just a programmer and use to writing up tasks/tickets with all the info listed

the pi is pretty fast now, with all the tweaks they have made and changes to xbmc i wouldnt call it sluggish anymore. it will never be as fast a real computer, and occasionally has slow downs, can't handle video in the background of menus, but for the most part its fine. def recommend people buying one (theyre really cheap)

[Lucas_24]

I've been running GB/NPVR for about 8 years now. I was initially drawn in by the client (MVP) functionality, and have never really used a PC as a client. About 3 years ago I switch to NMT devices, and although the software portion worked great, the hardware quality was less than desirable. I bought 2 devices and was never able to run both simultaneously as one was DOA and I've had 3 failures since. Given the 1 month warranty on refurbished devices, I had to pay for most of the repair work done.

I've been patiently awaiting an alternative client device and was very excited to see XBMC support in NPVR and after a little research discovered the pi supported XBMC (I actually bought 3).

I'm running the latest RaspBMC and the latest NPVR client. So far everything seems to work ok, although I'm still getting accustomed to XBMC. I struggled with Video playback until I realized I provided the wrong serial number when ordering my codec. So far my results are simiar to reven's:

SD works great
OTA HD stutters every 5 seconds or so.

[BrainStormer]

I'm testing out the RaspBMC RC6 Test builds and it seems even faster. I also noticed some hints there will be DTS and AC3 License for hardware decode at some point.

[BrainStormer]

The NextPVR Plugin is now included in the 20121014 and later nightlies for the RPi.

[sub]

Thanks.

Still waiting for my RPi to be delivered.

[BrainStormer]

Plus the short wait to get the codec licenses