Archive:Raspberry Pi FAQ

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This is the Frequently Asked Questions for XBMC running on the Raspberry Pi. Template:XBMC FAQ


General FAQ

See also: XBMC all platforms FAQ for FAQs that apply to all versions of XBMC.

How well does it work?
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  • Editor note: short write up on general feel/limitations? Maybe also link to more "in-depth"/longer write-ups/reviews?

Installing XBMC on the Raspberry Pi
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Is XBMC for Raspberry Pi different from normal XBMC?
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  • The current version of XBMC for Raspberry Pi is based on pre-Frodo (version 12) and is based on the same code as XBMC for all the other supported platforms. This is an unstable development version.

How do I find out what version of XBMC am I running?
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  • XBMC main menu > System > Lower submenu > System info. Note the alpha version and/or build date.

Video and audio formats the Raspberry Pi can playback
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  • H.264 (up to High Profile) encoded videos are supported up to 1080P using hardware video decoding.
  • The Raspberry Pi Foundation offers additional video codecs licenses for purchase. At the moment you can purchase MPEG2 and VC1, both with support up to 1080P. Others may be available in the future.
  • DVD ISOs and DVD menu navigation is early in development and might not always work.
  • XBMC on the Pi will struggle with DTS audio tracks. Use passthrough (with a compatible TV and/or receiver) when possible.

Video and audio output on the Raspberry Pi
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  • Video output via HDMI up to 1080P (the GUI will be rendered at 720P, but video will play up to 1080P).
  • Video output via the component video (RCA) jack will be in SD.
  • USB audio is currently not supported.
  • DTS and AC3 audio passthrough audio is supported (and recommended, as it will reduce CPU load on the R-Pi)

Enabling additional video codecs
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  • Editor note: I think each of the three main OS/XBMC distros have their own settings utility that can do this from within the XBMC GUI? Note that here somehow, maybe link to an additional HOW-TO page with screen shots? Should we also note manual configuration as well?
  • You can buy additional video codecs (VC-1 - used in some bluray discs, and mpeg2) from http://www.raspberrypi.com

Accessing media
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See also: Adding videos to the library and File sharing
  • You can connect to media that's being shared from a computer, HTPC, or NAS device on your local network.
  • You can access media on the main SD card or from the USB ports (hard drives, USB stick drives, hubs, all supported).

Add-ons and skins
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  • XBMC for Raspberry Pi is a full version of XBMC and will be able to use all non-platform specific add-ons and skins. More feature rich (CPU demanding) skins like AEON Nox might not run smoothly, so keep to "lighter" skins.
  • Recommended lite skins include: Confluence (default skin), Metropolis, Quartz, Quartz Reloaded, Slik, xTV-WAF.

How to properly shutdown/disconnect
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  • It is not possible to use traditional "shutdown" on the Raspberry Pi. The only way to power it off is to disconnect the power.
  • ALWAYS select the shutdown command in XBMC before powering off the Raspberry Pi. Failure to do so can corrupt the XBMC library databases, other databases, or even other OS files.
  • Most users leave the Raspberry Pi on all the time, as it uses very little power (the cost of electricity for a year is about the price of a hamburger).

Remotes for Raspberry Pi
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MySQL library sharing
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  • If you are using MySQL library sharing features, please note that your library will only sync with the Raspberry Pi if all your other XBMC instances are running the same development alpha version (how to check). XBMC on the R-Pi is using a v12 alpha build (pre-Frodo), while most other installs are likely running the last stable build, v11 (Eden). The other installs need to be upgraded to the same alpha version, with the normal risks that an alpha version brings.

Troubleshooting

See also: Troubleshooting

Getting more help with XBMC for Raspberry Pi
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Userdata folder and logs
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See How-to:Submit a proper bug report for bug reporting details and Debug log for how to post the debug log.
  • Userdata folder:
    • OpenELEC: /storage/.xbmc/userdata/
    • Raspbmc: /home/pi/.xbmc/userdata/
  • Debug log:
    • OpenELEC: /storage/.xbmc/temp/xbmc.log
    • Raspbmc: /home/pi/.xbmc/temp/xbmc.log

Performance: video buffering, stuttering, choppiness
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  • Switch to a different network protocol (especially if you are using SMB), i.e. NFS, FTP, WebDAV, etc.
  • Try sharing the media on another device to rule out a device-specific (or network) issue.
  • Turn off thumbnails, XBMC > Settings > Video > File and deselect 'generate thumbnails'.
  • Make sure the video is using the h.264 codec (up to High Profile. Hi10P will not work), or (if purchased from the Raspberry Pi Foundation) Mpeg2 or VC-1.
  • Movies with DTS audio tracks stutter. Either you transcode DTS to AC3 or you use passthrough if your equipment allows it.
  • If your TV/receiver supports it, AC3 can also use passthrough to reduce the work on the CPU.
  • If RSS feed is enabled, disable it in settings. This makes the main menu a bit faster.

Power supply issues/requirements
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