Raspberry Pi / TVHeadend

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821 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1113016 21-Aug-2014 17:51

...

The tuner I got (TradeMe link above) is cheap and easy to use, and they're really quick with delivery - as in next day if you order early enough. I did have to download the Linux firmware, but it took all of about 5 minutes to find and install. I'd be happy to link it if you would like.

...

Please link it.

I might get a tuner and play around with it too:)

I didn't think a Raspberry PI would be capable of this.

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tarlen

47 posts

Geek

#1113044 21-Aug-2014 18:12

Please link it.

I might get a tuner and play around with it too:)

I didn't think a Raspberry PI would be capable of this.

Try this one: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yistckfxi9xf9km/AAD2qv-real0c6G2fRASQgy-a

Assuming that link works, that's the exact file I'm using. It's worth noting that there are a couple of firmware files around, and one of them is reportedly causing some crashes. This is the good one.

I'm continually surprised what pis are capable of. This has solved a really annoying issue in my house, and I had no idea it would be so simple and powerful. :-)

tarlen

47 posts

Geek

#1113045 21-Aug-2014 18:16

Heh. The other file at that link, quite unintentionally, is the script tvheadend uses to download the Freeview EPG data. It's a little tricky to get it running, so I'll provide instructions for that tomorrow, but it's useful to have.

SpookyAwol

594 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1113083 21-Aug-2014 19:06

Id be interested to hear too - just started messing about with a pi +
Perhaps a new thread? :)

JWR

821 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1113150 21-Aug-2014 20:44

tarlen:
Please link it.

I might get a tuner and play around with it too:)

I didn't think a Raspberry PI would be capable of this.

Try this one: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yistckfxi9xf9km/AAD2qv-real0c6G2fRASQgy-a

Assuming that link works, that's the exact file I'm using. It's worth noting that there are a couple of firmware files around, and one of them is reportedly causing some crashes. This is the good one.

I'm continually surprised what pis are capable of. This has solved a really annoying issue in my house, and I had no idea it would be so simple and powerful. :-)

Thanks! Got the download.

So many smart people doing things with a PI!

tarlen

47 posts

Geek

#1113313 22-Aug-2014 09:51

SpookyAwol: Id be interested to hear too - just started messing about with a pi +
Perhaps a new thread? :)

I will do that. The extra tuners and USB hub are sitting on my desk right now, so I hope to get everything set up in it's final state tonight, and I'll write a "tutorial" post sometime this weekend!

It will also be a good way for me to keep track of everything I've done in case I need to do it again.

trig42

5604 posts

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#1113324 22-Aug-2014 10:06

Please do, sounds really interesting.

xontech

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1113334 22-Aug-2014 10:29

JoshWright: I've done the same with Tvheadend on a Model B. I eventually gave up, because I could only watch non HD channels. HD channels like TV One just glitch out and look horrible. This is on RaspBMC, but the same thing has happened on Raspbian. How do you guys avoid issues like this?

I had the same issue to begin with. For me it turned out being trying to view over G wireless. Once I upgraded my home network to gigabit wired and N wireless I rarely have the issue.

Also seems to depend on the hardware spec of the device you are trying to view the stream on. My Raspberry PI (TVheadend client), iPad, PC and Mac are all fine, my iPhone (5) struggles with the HD channels.

tarlen

47 posts

Geek

#1113338 22-Aug-2014 10:33

Also seems to depend on the hardware spec of the device you are trying to view the stream on. My Raspberry PI (TVheadend client), iPad, PC and Mac are all fine, my iPhone (5) struggles with the HD channels.

I have no issues on my Pi client, Mac or iPhone 5S, but my iPad 3 can't keep up with the HD streams. I do intend to try on my wife's much newer iPad Mini, which is two generations newer, and I think it should work. :-)

But yes, all the Pis on my network are wired ethernet, and the wireless is either N or AC depending on location in the house. The actual wifi speeds I see in the house (measured on my Macbook Pro) range from 250Mbps to 1300Mbps. Since the TVHeadend server is a Pi, wired at 100Mbps, I don't expect to see any network related issues. :-)

outdoorsnz

486 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1113383 22-Aug-2014 11:15

A bit late in the reply as I see you've ordered a hub, but have you tried increasing the usb power from 600ma to 1.2a on the raspberry pi b+?
See:
https://projects.drogon.net/testing-setting-the-usb-current-limiter-on-the-raspberry-pi-b/

With my b+ pi I managed to do away with hub. Powers external non powered 2.5 hdd and two powered drives no troubles. Using a 2A power supply.

I was using a pc with a old satellite tv tuner in it, xmbc as the front end. Will def look into your links. Very interesting.

Thanks

Regards
Scott

tarlen

47 posts

Geek

#1113387 22-Aug-2014 11:21

outdoorsnz: A bit late in the reply as I see you've ordered a hub, but have you tried increasing the usb power from 600ma to 1.2a on the raspberry pi b+?
See:
https://projects.drogon.net/testing-setting-the-usb-current-limiter-on-the-raspberry-pi-b/

With my b+ pi I managed to do away with hub. Powers external non powered 2.5 hdd and two powered drives no troubles. Using a 2A power supply.

Now that's very interesting. Thanks for sharing that.

In my case it won't work as the physical size of the USB tuners mean I can't actually plug them in next to each other on the B+, meaning I effectively only have two usable ports (diagonally opposite each other).

But if it weren't for that, it's definitely something I would try!

outdoorsnz

486 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1113394 22-Aug-2014 11:31

Now that's very interesting. Thanks for sharing that.

In my case it won't work as the physical size of the USB tuners mean I can't actually plug them in next to each other on the B+, meaning I effectively only have two usable ports (diagonally opposite each other).

But if it weren't for that, it's definitely something I would try!

No troubles. Why don't you use a small usb extender or a male to female usb cable?

tarlen

47 posts

Geek

#1113395 22-Aug-2014 11:32

No troubles. Why don't you use a small usb extender or a male to female usb cable?

Right now, it's because I have the powered hub, and only have one extender, which is 1m long. :-D

tarlen

47 posts

Geek

#1113748 22-Aug-2014 21:18

Well, it's all set up, and I must say it's working wonderfully. I have the Pi B+ in my cupboard, connected to a powered USB Hub, with a 2.5" USB hard disk, and 3 Mini USB DVB-T tuners. Here is a picture of three of my devices playing three channels, one through each tuner (TV2, TV3 and Prime).

I've managed to get it showing 4 channels at once, but the Pi client starts stuttering a little when there are 3 HD channels going at once. It's perfectly fine with 2 HD channels and 2 SD channels at the same time.

As a bonus, here is a picture of my cables... er, cabinet with the distribution Pi in it:

Cabinet

I'm reasonably happy with how it's all set up in there. It could be tidier, but the way the electrician brought the networking and TV cables into the cabinet means I can't use the top quarter of the unit (above the patch panels), and also that the patch cables aren't as tidy as I'd like them.

It's also worth noting I have been monitoring heat in there, with the modem and NAS, and it's not even getting slightly warm. Regardless, there is ventilation in the door.

As promised I'll do a full write over the weekend.

Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement!

richms

26393 posts

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#1113762 22-Aug-2014 21:27

Are you happy with limiting yourself to 3 of the muxes at once tho?

Richard rich.ms

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