*** Official Kodi (née XBMC) Thread ***

I have no issues with my pi2 running openelec, works great.

I haven't tried it but I think they have just got full res 3d working on it too.
 
jellybeard999 said:
I'm looking to replace my HTPC with 2 new devices running openelec; 1 upstairs and 1 downstairs. Are there any downsides to the Pi2 at the moment that I should consider? Any file formats that don't play?

I've a single x265 file which I'm aware may not play, but otherwise most of my media is flac, h264, divx, mpg2 etc which my HTPC has handled fine.

Downstairs - 1080p and HD audio passthrough
Upstairs - 720p TV with built in speakers

I'm going to set up my server with a shared database and tv server.

I've looked at the brix etc and am tempted, but for the extra outlay, i'm not sure what benefit it would bring.
Click to expand...

I am also looking to replace my zotac nvidia ion.

I have been looking at the brix and it seems like a good fit but i also have come across the nvidia shield which seems to be a better deal.

I prefer to install my own OS such as openelec and nvidia shield although good hardware seems stuck with a android OS, therefore long run product life cycle might be short.

I don't know if i should just stick with the Zotac intel d510 nvidia ion but it has been running really hot and poor fan design. I have had it now for 3 years now
 
lixxus said:
I prefer to install my own OS such as openelec and nvidia shield although good hardware seems stuck with a android OS, therefore long run product life cycle might be short.
Click to expand...

Same. A lot of the mini PC boxes seem to have issues with UEFI BIOSes and installing other OS too which puts me off.

A pi2 is at an almost disposable price, and until 4k etc becomes mainstream, should tide me over I'm thinking.
 
jellybeard999 said:
Same. A lot of the mini PC boxes seem to have issues with UEFI BIOSes and installing other OS too which puts me off.

A pi2 is at an almost disposable price, and until 4k etc becomes mainstream, should tide me over I'm thinking.
Click to expand...

use flux usb installed its compatible with creating gpt uefi boot installations
 
Raspberry Pi Zero! Just (£4)
BCM2835 (same as Pi 1) but up-clocked to 1GHz, so 40% faster
512MB of RAM
micro-SD Slot
mini-HDMI
micro-USB for data
micro-USB for power

possibly ideal super small kodi box, for peanuts
 
Will the zero have the grunt to stream 1080p if used for Kodi though? From what I know the pi1 struggled, and it's only really with the pi2 that kodi doesn't crash. 720p you might be fine though with the 40% increase.

I'm sure it's been linked before but what adapter do I need to be able to use my TV remote to control Kodi? The app is great apart from when I come to use the on-screen keyboard. My TV has a 'magic wand' controller that would make things so much easier if they are compatible.
 
The Zero doesnt have ethernet but has USB so a good USB wireless dongle will be fine. However from experience, some are better than others. I struggled to get 1080p to stream through the wireless with the dongle I had, but after a Google search, some people on the OpenElec forums had tested loads of different chipsets and noted some good ones. An eBay search and £4 later I bought a dongle that worked great with 1080p.

The Pi1 had enough power for 1080p video through the ethernet, it struggled early on due to decoding DTS but later patches sorted it.

Just tried to find the MagPi magazine and no-one in my area stocks it, got home to find everywhere online has now sold out. Kill me now! :)
 
maj said:
Will the zero have the grunt to stream 1080p if used for Kodi though? From what I know the pi1 struggled, and it's only really with the pi2 that kodi doesn't crash. 720p you might be fine though with the 40% increase.

I'm sure it's been linked before but what adapter do I need to be able to use my TV remote to control Kodi? The app is great apart from when I come to use the on-screen keyboard. My TV has a 'magic wand' controller that would make things so much easier if they are compatible.
Click to expand...

...pulse 8 usb cec adapter for non native cec devices

...good question does Pi zero support cec
 
Last edited:
Guys whats the best Kodi Streaming box to buy ? with 4k and at least 8gb of onboard memory and the fastest cpu and gpu combo ?

Price is no issue.
 
The NUC is always the goto choice, id say the way the Nvidia Shield is shaping up makes it the new front runner. I have a couple of boxes running Kodi, but looking at adding the Shield TV to replace the one in the living room.
 
FerretBoy said:
Does it do 24p and HD sound?
Click to expand...

The nightly builds of Kodi have sorted the 23.976 issues.

The Kodi devs have stated they are currently working on the HD Audio, and have said its on its way. Once they have that boxed off I think it will be the perfect HTPC when you think of everything else it does.

Once the HD audio is sorted it replace my HP 260 G1
 
Last edited:
I got my Pi Zero today. Free with the MagPi mag, must had been lucky as I called W H Smiths yesterday and the guy said he just ordered 15 more since they sold it in the first hour, so he'd hold me back 2. He called this morning and said only 1 arrived!

So I've just been playing with Kodi, latest OpenElec 6.0 build, and it works really well. I dont actually think its running at the full 1Ghz yet, seems to default to 700Mhz currently, I assume its recognised as a Pi1 still. The GUI runs fairly smooth, may struggle on some of the more intensive add-ons and you probably cant run any on the heavy skins.

The USB port doesnt supply much power, I pretty much struggled to run a simple wireless mouse and the wifi dongle through a hub, even the hub plus wifi dongle struggled, however just the wifi dongle worked great.

I was able to stream a 15GB (17Mbps) MKV file through the wifi no problems, well for 15minutes anyway.

The price does add up if you need to buy the extras, which is why I couldnt recommend the Pi2 over something like a Amazon Fire Stick, however with the Pi Zero being like £4, it means you can most likely get a pretty good setup for under £10. e.g. £4 Pi, £4 Wifi dongle, £1 USB OTG cable, £1 Mini HDMI adaptor. You shouldnt need power as the TV's USB should easily power it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom