New RasPi Model 2 B+

kayleigh · 2015-02-10, 01:58 PM

I have one of the new Model 2 B+ RasPi boards on order - it should ship today, I hope.

Has anyone started doing any testing with one yet? I'm curious about video streaming PVR front-end performance with the plugin.

I'll report on my new setup and performance one I get things configured & running.

W3bbo · 2015-02-10, 04:11 PM

The Model 2 B+ is absolutely fantastic and no comparison to the first generation. I'm using the latest ARM7 OpenElec distribution connected to a NPVR backend and performance is close to identical to when running Kodi on my main PC. Note that all of these results are with a wired network connection, haven't tried wireless. Boot up time is in the region of 20 seconds or so.

Video streaming is quick and responsive on startup and when skipping, the board can even decode MPEG2 in software (without the MPEG2 license key) without showing any real slowdown (although I have now installed the codec key for the best possible performance). Menus are still responsive even with a video playing in the background.

Hooked mine up to a HP MCE remote control which works almost perfectly out of the box (I'm going to re-map one or two keys such as the guide button displaying codec info rather than the EPG) and it has now replaced an old laptop that I was previously using as a NPVR client in the kitchen.

The only problem I have is that I will fairly frequently get a "tuner unavailable" error attempting to watch live TV, re-trying the operation normally works but hopefully I'll be able to get to the bottom of this to gain better family acceptance.

NYPlayer · 2015-02-10, 08:37 PM

Openelec 5.02 Takes care of this on the RPI "tuner unavailable.

psycik · 2015-02-10, 09:26 PM

W3bbo Wrote:The Model 2 B+ is absolutely fantastic and no comparison to the first generation. I'm using the latest ARM7 OpenElec distribution connected to a NPVR backend and performance is close to identical to when running Kodi on my main PC. Note that all of these results are with a wired network connection, haven't tried wireless. Boot up time is in the region of 20 seconds or so.

Video streaming is quick and responsive on startup and when skipping, the board can even decode MPEG2 in software (without the MPEG2 license key) without showing any real slowdown (although I have now installed the codec key for the best possible performance). Menus are still responsive even with a video playing in the background.

Hooked mine up to a HP MCE remote control which works almost perfectly out of the box (I'm going to re-map one or two keys such as the guide button displaying codec info rather than the EPG) and it has now replaced an old laptop that I was previously using as a NPVR client in the kitchen.

The only problem I have is that I will fairly frequently get a "tuner unavailable" error attempting to watch live TV, re-trying the operation normally works but hopefully I'll be able to get to the bottom of this to gain better family acceptance.

Are you running Kodi natively on it and using the PVR client?

W3bbo · 2015-02-10, 10:37 PM

@NYPlayer - thanks for the tip - upgraded to 5.03 and will see if this cures the tuner unavailable issue.

@Psycik - yes, running Kodi with the PVR Client option to access the NPVR content.

Also managed to get the guide button working with a quick edit of the Lircmap.xml file

mvallevand · 2015-02-11, 12:43 AM

This is OE 5.0.3, it is a lot better then the RPi and for the first week of release OSMC and OpenElec with Kodi 14.1 are pretty stable but I think some work needs to be done. I watched 3 hours of Grammy's on Sunday in timeshift mode without tuner errors. Speed is more than adequate it really zooms compared to the original. Iit is not close to being as fast or smooth as the Chromebox but the video quality is certainly almost as good. I can't test HD Audio right now due to renovations.

The cost of the RPi is often under-stated mine was $68 US ($40 + 20 shipping + taxes) but it also needs a good memory card, USB micro B and solid power supply so that may be another 20-30 bucks and that still needs a case, input device and maybe mpeg and vc1 licensing. The Pivox XS and several Android boxes are cheaper. I now remember I forgot to turn off my HDTC for demo next time I will show 1080i. Note I don't have enough power (colour square in boxes) on any of the 5 USB power supplies I have and one is rated 3.1 amps.

Here's a crappt demo video http://youtu.be/07WS6J4Vih4 the HDPVR doesn't like it http://youtu.be/07WS6J4Vih4 Ignore the audio it is way ahead of the video

Martin

Martin

stustunz · 2015-02-11, 03:37 AM

$48 us free shipping
case costs me $3 us free shipping
usb cable is like $3 us although normally have one laying around
i power mine off tv
no need for remote as i use tv remote

mvallevand · 2015-02-11, 03:52 AM

I have read lots and lots of problem post on the RPi2 and many people tell you need to get a better PSU and USB cable, sorry wasn't meaning to cause any grief just passing on my real-life experience. I spent many hours on Sunday trying to get mine to not kernel panic trying all the USB power devices I have including my TV most won't send the rated 2.5 amps.

Martin

lost@c · 2015-02-11, 07:37 AM

stustunz Wrote:$48 us free shipping
case costs me $3 us free shipping
usb cable is like $3 us although normally have one laying around
i power mine off tv
no need for remote as i use tv remote

All same here except I haven't bothered with a case. Just stuck it to the back of the TV with some double sided foam tape. Powered from TV USB, TV remote controls it via CEC. X-NEWA so just like the main TV in the lounge. Pi2 just arrived but haven't tried it yet. (weekend job) Imagine it will be "just better"

stustunz · (This post was last modified: 2015-02-11, 09:58 AM by stustunz.)

yeah i must admit i havent actually ordered my rpi2 yet but will be buying a few when i get back and thats the price i will be paying if not lower.
hope it works as well as b+ does on xnewa dont use the pvr addons in kodi they are just annoying to much rubbish scanning everytime you start