[jwdv22]

Hello all,

This is going to come across as rather noobish, but I have 2 R-Pi's with the MythTV addon working. On my backend Mythbuntu .25 w/ fixes, I am running a quad core, 2 GB of ram and 250GM 7200 RPM drive and 100MB network (aka not Gigabit). I am using a HDHomerun Prime CableCard 3 tuner. So that being said, it takes about 8 seconds to tune a HD channel on the R-Pi frontends, while my backend w/ MythFrontend installed will tune an HD channel instantaneously.

So is this about the same performance anyone else is experiencing? Is it the network or the write speeds on the R-Pis? Mem cache? My main question is are these results typical?

Thanks

[fetzerch]

The slow channel switching is because the player in XBMC Frodo needs 5s for parsing the video streams.
It's going to improve a lot in the next XBMC version.

[jwdv22]

The slow channel switching is because the player in XBMC Frodo needs 5s for parsing the video streams.
It's going to improve a lot in the next XBMC version.

So since I am not a complete noob, should I check out the Gotham builds? I know they're alpha, but if they are relatively stable it might be worth it. Right now I am running RaspBMC, but I assume I'd have to go to an OpenElec build?

*****EDIT ---- Nevermind I found where RaspBMC keeps the nightlies http://goo.gl/j4Eh6 --- /EDIT *****

In your experience, if I am really just using XBMC to tune, and watch my archived tv shows or movies (stored in ATV2 format 720p h264) is the alpha stable enough?

Thanks for any feedback.

Also would I have to update both frontends, especially since I use a shared mysql db library for tv and movie view state etc? Figuring that is a yes

[fetzerch]

The change is was mentioning is not yet available in Gotham.

If you are interested, more details can be found in http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=150887
I've rebased the patch that has been introduced in the thread and you can get it here: https://github.com/fetzerch/xbmc/commit/...76a6.patch

However, I don't know the RPi distros and their build systems.
Performance wise, using the RPi as TV client should work if you don't have too high expectations.
You need the MPEG2 license and I doubt that proper deinterlacing is available on the pi.

[nickr]

You need the MPEG2 license

Assuming the TV is broadcast in mpeg2

[jwdv22]

Thanks for the info.... Like I said I am using 2 RPi's already and both are tuning HD just fine with HDHomerun Prime (MPEG2 license on both RPi's already).

My only complaint is once I choose a channel to watch it takes 8 seconds to tune. Other than that, deinterlace is 100% and 0 video stutter. My setup is flawless except for that one thing. You are right though, because I didn't go in expecting the RPi to be some super HTPC. It does its thing with some delay's but overall I am pleased.

I am really curious as to if anyone had first hand experience with RPi and HD tuning times. Reading through that nightly thread I posted above from the RaspBMC forums it has been implied that Gotham is a lot more snappy.

---

You need the MPEG2 license

Assuming the TV is broadcast in mpeg2

Verizon FIOS is the Cable Provider mpeg2 is the broadcast.

[nickr]

Do bear in mind that the main point of a PVR is to record what you want to watch, and watch it in your own time. Over time you will find yourself doing less channel surfing/live TV and do more recording. You will cease to care how long it takes to tune a channel.

Even with live sports, set it to record and watch the recording. You can then pause to get another beer, answer the phone or rewind to watch that contested point. If you start watching about 20 minutes after the game really starts you can skip past the half time break, or any ad breaks.