Jump to content

Raspberry Pi 2 performance improvements with Kodi addon?


Recommended Posts

Posted

I currently have the original Pi model B and while I use the Kodi addon a ton, it is pretty darn slow with a number of things (but functionally it works great).

 

I just ordered the new Raspberry Pi 2 but looks like it's significantly backordered.  For anyone lucky enough to have a Pi2 already, can you report back on your experience with the Kodi addon.  Is it fast?  Snappy?  Anything slow or noticeable lag about it?  Mainly just looking for some anecdotes, but definitely expecting some significant speed improvements from the new Pi2.

Angelblue05
Posted

Which skin are you using?

Posted

Which skin are you using?

Default Confluence skin that comes with Kodi.  Note this thread is less about looking backwards, I'm just curious to get anecdotes on how things are on the Pi2.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

I've just replaced an old Pi with the new 2 model B. Speed increase is definetly noticeable.

 

Primary use case is watching livetv using openelec and the vnsi pvr client, but I'm also using the (former xbmb3c) mediabrowser addon to watch transcoded tv shows and movies. Transcoding is required, because the pi only has wlan access.

Currently using 1080xfMB3 skin, which is reacting quite snappy.

 

The only negative thing worth noting is the time it takes to open my complete (unfiltered) movie library of 1600 movies - this takes over 1 minutes regardless of skin used.

I have not tested eliminating the wlan bottleneck yet, but I'd expect a big speed increase using gbit lan. As reference - my main htpc (haswell i3) with gbit loads this collection without any noticable delay on the same skin.

  • Like 1
Posted

Interesting to hear, I may get some to replace my kids Roku 3's due to the lack of a non windows Live TV Backend and the fact that Live TV is far better supported in Kodi.

Posted

 Transcoding is required, because the pi only has wlan access.

 

What speed is your WiFi running?

I am thinking about getting a Pi 2 but I was under the impression that it would transcode movies on the fly.

Is that only the case on wired ethernet? As that could be a deal breaker for me.

Posted

@@RobsterUK - if you want to run Kodi, I *really* recommend you get a NUC instead(lowest end you can find) - unless $$ is a huge issue.

 

xnappo

Posted

Thanks for the heads up, and before purchase I will research all options.

 

But if Pi2 will run Kodi OK & play without server needing to transcode, then I think small footprint and low cost is best for the intended use for me. ( I do need to keep cost to a minimum tbh).

Although I must admit the NUC does look good for the money.

Posted

There has been a lot of progress with DLNA and Kodi - you might use that instead.  You can set up your skin just to use it for the 1600 movie collection and use the addon for other aspects..  The DLNA browsing is much faster because there is no Python involved.

 

xnappo

Posted

Thanks for the dlna tip - gonna stick with that for now.

Posted

Yeah, as far as I can tell the only disadvantage is less meta-data and no progress/watched tracking.

dark_slayer
Posted (edited)

Just asking at this point

 

Have we reached the stage where a python library replacement in Kodi is at it's nearest-to-optimum state that we are going to call it quits for non x86 boxes? The only path forward for arm is really a library-backend-native-c project?

 

Upnp doesn't seem like it will ever satisfy my wants/needs by its nature. UPNP has improved some in Kodi, but to be totally honest it feels no better than what hippojay did with PlexBMC years ago. You lose disc art, clear art, actors, watched and resume status, non-server-side-built-already sorts

Edited by dark_slayer
Posted (edited)

The Kodi team has added custom parameters for all art and meta data to the DLNA client. We are working to add these to the server. You will lose some functionality in manual mark watched and a few other features. You will use this to browse into collections but still use the Python code for widgets etc. This will be optional of course.

xnappo

 

[EDIT] Note that things like marked watched may be added later - it will just have to be written differently (looking up currently selected item, finding it on the server, marking watched)

Edited by xnappo
dark_slayer
Posted

So yes to the first two questions :D;)

Posted

I hope you appreciate my efforts on this - I have 0 need for it myself.

dark_slayer
Posted

You always have my appreciation!

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

How about running MediaBrowser as the server? It's been done in Arch but haven't seen it done in Raspbian yet

dragon2611
Posted

There has been a lot of progress with DLNA and Kodi - you might use that instead.  You can set up your skin just to use it for the 1600 movie collection and use the addon for other aspects..  The DLNA browsing is much faster because there is no Python involved.

 

xnappo

 

 

My PI Model B running openElec with the addon shows up in the the mediabrowser web interface as a remote media device, so the way I usually do it is select what I want from my laptop/other device using the web interface and then select the PI as the destination.

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...