[Solved] Black/black screen with audio when trying to watch HD channels on pi

[spleencheesemonkey]

As per title.

Here is a kodi log.  Hope it's the right one.  I tried to watch BBC1HD at about 22:29.  Non HD channels work without issue.

https://paste.kodi.tv/opatufajuj

Thanks in advance.

[mvallevand]

I don't have any experience with XBian so my first suggestion would be to try LibreElec and see if you have the same problem.

VNC seems to be generating some noise in the logs too, I'd turn that off too.

Martin

[spleencheesemonkey]

I don't have any experience with XBian so my first suggestion would be to try LibreElec and see if you have the same problem.

VNC seems to be generating some noise in the logs too, I'd turn that off too.

Martin

Thanks for your response. I wouldn't know where to begin with trying LibreElec - I presume it's a distro with kodi on it?  That would be like starting from scratch.  Not something I want to do right now but may well cross that bridge in due course!  Thanks for the suggestion.

I was using VNC to control the pi - saved me going up and downstairs.

[mvallevand]

Yes LibreElec is the most optimized Kodi platform for the RPi. You can be booting it with Kodi from an SD card in minutes.

I assume the black screen is on the TV not via VNC, but I'd still avoid it.

Martin

[spleencheesemonkey]

Yes LibreElec is the most optimized Kodi platform for the RPi.  You can be booting it with Kodi from an SD card in minutes.

I assume the black screen is on the TV not via VNC, but I'd still avoid it.

Martin

Thanks, Martin.  That sounds promising.  

Yes, the black screen was on the TV (and VNC!)  From what I've read so far it could be related to H.264 or perhaps even the m3u/m3u_plus feed from my IPTV provider.  I'll keep playing and check out LibreElec if I end up pulling my hair out.  Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

[mvallevand]

If you post your zipped NextPVR logs we can see if there are any server side issues with your provider.

VNC could certainly be messing up the h/w video playback chain.

Martin

[spleencheesemonkey]

If you post your zipped NextPVR logs we can see if there are any server side issues with your provider.

VNC could certainly be messing up the h/w video playback chain.

Martin

Even if the VNC service is enabled but not in use?  The problem manifests itself even when I'm not using VNC. 

Logs attached.  Hope that's what you're looking for.

*****Edited to add that I can play HD/FHD channels on the combined backend/frontend downstairs without issue.

[mvallevand]

I don't know what your edit means, but looking at the logs I don't see anything that NextPVR or Kodi is doing wrong. Perhaps you have too many channels that is an ongoing user issue that can kill performance with Kodi.

Too many means more than you watch.

Martin

[spleencheesemonkey]

I don't know what your edit means, but looking at the logs I don't see anything that NextPVR or Kodi is doing wrong.  Perhaps you have too many channels that is an ongoing user issue that can kill performance with Kodi.

Too many means more than you watch.

Martin

My edit was to try and explain that the media centre downstairs (x86_64 machine) can play all of the channels, (standard definition, HD and 4k) without any problems.  It is connected to a different manufacturer and model of TV though (if that makes any difference).  Interestingly though, the pi was, before a reinstall a couple of days ago, able to play the HD channels.
I really appreciate you taking the time to look at the logs.  They mean very little to me.

[spleencheesemonkey]

I don't know what your edit means, but looking at the logs I don't see anything that NextPVR or Kodi is doing wrong.  Perhaps you have too many channels that is an ongoing user issue that can kill performance with Kodi.

Too many means more than you watch.

Martin

I installed LibreElec and the same problem persists.  I've tried reducing the number of channels significantly to no avail.