RASPBERRY Pi 2

[jchoong]

Yes i know that, but i want real life usage not some quote off their site. I believe u already have it running Kodi? Any pause when you navigate the menus?

I can't answer your question as I don't have a Pi B to compare with.

I have the Pi 2 running OpenElec/Kodi and its smooth moving around the menu.

 

[kennlee]

I have just installed openelec and running from a usb stick. Seems to work ok. But intermittently the navigation will hang like the system is busy processing something. Also download video option always gives a script error.
Do you have this problem too?

Think I may try raspbmc next to see if it's better. Have you compared both? Which one do you think is better?

 

[jchoong]

I run my OpenElec/KODI from a Class 10 micro-SD. Not sure whether via a USB stick will make a difference in access speed.

My Pi 2 is also connected directly to my router - so has the maximum speed from my 300 Mbps Starhub broadband plan.

Also, after installation of KODI, and on initial run, there tend to be disruptions to navigation as a lot of addons, etc are being updated.

Worthwhile noting that the past 2 days (CNY) holidays, internet has been very slow due to overloading.

I tried Raspbmc for a short while but prefer OpenElec (which I also run on a ChromeBox). I believe the author of Raspbmc is no supporting this app anymore as he is working on OSMC (same as KODI but has a more difficult UI - I also tried it but don't think I will keep it).

I have never tried downloading a movie from KODI (this option is available? I thought it is only on Showbox or Popcorn) as I always stream to watch.

By the way, have you tried Yatze remote on your smartphone? Works very well.

 

[kennlee]

I used a usb wireless keyboard as my remote. At the file press C to open the file option. Only some app support download. I watch dailymotion for Korean TV shows and streaming is horrible. So I download the videos to watch later. Works well when I was using a win7 kodi as htpc.

 

[jchoong]

Presumably your PC is hooked up directly to your router. How is your Pi 2 connected to internet?

Where did you get the addon for "dailymotion" where you stream/download your Korean TV series. I can give it a try on my Pi 2.

BTW, I am on OpenElec 5.0.3. Believe there is a bug in 5.0.2.

Edit: I still can't figure out how you download movies/videos via Kodi. Normally, under Video/File, you can only access attached storage (thumbdrive, sd card, etc), HDD or network storage, etc. Right? Am I missing something?

 

[kennlee]

Dailymotion is in kodi repository
Once in the dailymotion just do a search for any and in the result list open option. If you are using a keyboard it's the C key.

 

[gregory_choo]

Dailymotion is in kodi repository
Once in the dailymotion just do a search for any and in the result list open option. If you are using a keyboard it's the C key.

DramaGo & Drama24h are good addons for watching korean dramas, in HD720P and normally the speed is fast, no buffering

 

[jchoong]

kennlee, I got the DailyMotion addon installed. Do you have a particular Korean movie (and stream) that you want me to test on my Pi 2?

I don't normally watch Korean movies or dramas; the very few times I did, I watch on the Azdrama add-on (which I use mainly for HK tv dramas and Chinese movies - resolution is so-so only).

Edit: I went into DailyMotion on my Pi 2 and streamed a Korean movie - Walking Girl - 1, and it ran OK. Oh, I also saw the option to "download" (I normally download movies/dramas via torrents; my Kodi is only for streaming).

 

[kennlee]

Were you able to download? I watch running man from daily motion.

 

[jchoong]

I ran Running Man - an episode that is about 1hr 35min long - for about 5 mins, and there was no stuttering on the Pi 2. However this video is in SD. I did not try to download the movie.

Also, I have now moved my Pi 2 from my study (running directly off the server) to my living room (connected to Lan via home-plugs). The relocation would result in slower streaming speed on the Pi 2, but it still seems OK.

Earlier, I tried with a couple of HD movies and there were some stuttering; maybe it is due to heavy traffic today (Sunday). Will try again on a weekday.

 

[gregory_choo]

I ran Running Man - an episode that is about 1hr 35min long - for about 5 mins, and there was no stuttering on the Pi 2. However this video is in SD. I did not try to download the movie.

Also, I have now moved my Pi 2 from my study (running directly off the server) to my living room (connected to Lan via home-plugs). The relocation would result in slower streaming speed on the Pi 2, but it still seems OK.

Earlier, I tried with a couple of HD movies and there were some stuttering; maybe it is due to heavy traffic today (Sunday). Will try again on a weekday.

you need about 2Mbps for 720p video, 4mbps for 1080p video. home plug is more than capable to support it. if video is not smooth, either it is due to source problem or the configuration of kodi

 

[jchoong]

Don't mean to challenge you but presumably your numbers are in MBps (mega bytes per sec) vs the Mbps (mega bits per sec) that is generally used by the telcos? If I can recall correctly from what I have read, most experts say you need at least 30 Mbps to run 1080p. Of course software can mess up things as well.

But you are right in saying that, frequently, the source is indeed the problem. Nevertheless, with stuttering, the viewing experience is very frustrating and unacceptable. From my 3 months experience with my Chromebox that runs OpenElec/Kodi, it has essentially been stutter-free.

 

[gregory_choo]

Don't mean to challenge you but presumably your numbers are in MBps (mega bytes per sec) vs the Mbps (mega bits per sec) that is generally used by the telcos? If I can recall correctly from what I have read, most experts say you need at least 30 Mbps to run 1080p. Of course software can mess up things as well.

But you are right in saying that, frequently, the source is indeed the problem. Nevertheless, with stuttering, the viewing experience is very frustrating and unacceptable. From my 3 months experience with my Chromebox that runs OpenElec/Kodi, it has essentially been stutter-free.

Just to share knowledge.

It is small 'b' - Mbps meagbits per sec

If you install realtime network monitor on you pi, you should be able to see the number.

The other way is to do a simple calculation. The size of a good 1080p video files is normally 2Gigabyte. Run time is normally 90 minutes. The answer is 3Mbps (mega bits per sec)

If pi2's video is stuttering, something is wrong with the setup. If the link is not fast enough due to source, the video will stop and the buffering xx% will pop up on top of the screen.

When you are playing 1080p video, press "o" on the keyboard, it will show the framerate and no of dropped frame. What is the number you see on your set?

 

[kennlee]

Seems it would be my setup causing the stutter in that case. Since I am using wireless that's a distance away from the router. I will try a long lan cable this weekend to see if the streaming is better.

 

[gregory_choo]

I just found Element 14 in SG where you can get all your Raspberry devices and accessories.

Buy Raspberry Pi | Accessories For Raspberry Pi | element14

how much is your pi2 from element14, including gst and delivery charge?

 

[lockweld]

I can't answer your question as I don't have a Pi B to compare with.

I have the Pi 2 running OpenElec/Kodi and its smooth moving around the menu.

Hi, thanks for your reply. most likely will be getting this from sg element14. Initially when i placed it in my cart like 3 weeks ago it was $45, not sure why it has gone up to $47.60 now. Gonna get a few pieces haha.

 

[rainbatt]

Price increase? Thot was out of stock.

 

[jchoong]

Just to share knowledge.

It is small 'b' - Mbps meagbits per sec

If you install realtime network monitor on you pi, you should be able to see the number.

The other way is to do a simple calculation. The size of a good 1080p video files is normally 2Gigabyte. Run time is normally 90 minutes. The answer is 3Mbps (mega bits per sec)

If pi2's video is stuttering, something is wrong with the setup. If the link is not fast enough due to source, the video will stop and the buffering xx% will pop up on top of the screen.

When you are playing 1080p video, press "o" on the keyboard, it will show the framerate and no of dropped frame. What is the number you see on your set?

Thanks for sharing the info. From my experience, in real life scenario, I could never get a good steady 1080 stream - even if from my NAS - when my measured speed is less than 20 Mbps. And I have tried on many different models of media boxes. Anyway, its academic.

 

[jchoong]

how much is your pi2 from element14, including gst and delivery charge?

I don't have the invoice anymore. I vaguely recall that with GST, it was close to $50. And if you order only the Pi 2, you have to pay quite a bit extra for delivery (unless you self collect). When I added the casing and the 2amp power supply, the delivery charges amounted to only a few dollars.

Element 14 has stock; the other shop - RS - is still waiting for their stocks to arrive. And their prices are about the same.

Edit: My purchase of the 3 items from Element 14 was about $76 delivered.

 

[gregory_choo]

Thanks for sharing the info. From my experience, in real life scenario, I could never get a good steady 1080 stream - even if from my NAS - when my measured speed is less than 20 Mbps. And I have tried on many different models of media boxes. Anyway, its academic.

I used to stream 1080p video smoothly on singtel's 3Mbps ADSL link, and over home WIFI. It was a 1GHz single core A10 TV stick. It is possible as long as the right apk is used.