RetroELEC Emulationstation/RetroArch/Kodi image for XU4

ring-0 · Post by **ring-0** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:34 am

This is awesome

ANy chance you can publish sources so I can contribute modifications here and there? And rebuild.

What cores are included?

I was working on this with a minimal Ubuntu image and AreaScout's GBM work, but encountered performance and compilation issues with some lr cores. I modified RetroPie to acknowledge the presence of the GBM drive in XU4 boards and adapt some things to it, but it's still a work in progress.

How is N64 emulation with your image? I noticed major issues with DYNAREC and some ROMs.

ring-0 · Post by **ring-0** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:59 am

I wrote this to help mount external storage ROM directories to the /storage/rom mountpoints (it will ignore already mounted directories and also automatically leverage whatever cores are supported by checking for the existent rom directory):

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh

ROMSDEVICE=/media/ROMS

for romcore in `ls /storage/roms`;
do
	if [[ -d "${ROMSDEVICE}" ]];
	then
		ROMDIR="${ROMSDEVICE}/$romcore"
		if [[ -d "${ROMDIR}" ]];
		then
			echo "Mounting ${ROMDIR} to /storage/roms/$romcore ..."
			mountpoint -q "/storage/roms/$romcore" || mount -t none -o bind $ROMDIR "/storage/roms/$romcore"
		fi
	fi
done

Is there a place to call this from boot? a la rc.local

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:08 am

What’s the output of «pactl list sinks»? I will fix it just need to find some time, little busy with work atm

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:33 pm

Ok, so I've tested my XU4 with the onboard audio and I can't reproduce the reported audio issue. I have it connected to my soundbar with HDMI and I have audio in Emulationstation, Kodi and RetroArch with a fresh image.

@ring-0

Sure, you can put it in /storage/.config/autostart.sh. There's also /storage/.config/system.d for custom service units. I have tons of stuff after the transition to Wayland that I haven't commited yet, just really pressed for time but I will try to get around to it.

EDIT: N64 emulation runs great here.

ciroreed · Post by **ciroreed** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:13 am

escalade wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:08 am
What’s the output of «pactl list sinks»? I will fix it just need to find some time, little busy with work atm

Hope it helps

suspended lol, im going to try this out https://unix.stackexchange.com/a/171925/180099

EDIT: file system is read only, and im unable to find the root fs by mounting the sd on my laptop :\\ (im a noob)

Code: Select all

Sink #1
        State: SUSPENDED
        Name: alsa_output.0.stereo-fallback
        Description: Built-in Audio Stereo
        Driver: module-alsa-card.c
        Sample Specification: s16le 2ch 48000Hz
        Channel Map: front-left,front-right
        Owner Module: 10
        Mute: no
        Volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
                balance 0.00
        Base Volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
        Monitor Source: alsa_output.0.stereo-fallback.monitor
        Latency: 0 usec, configured 0 usec
        Flags: HARDWARE DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY 
        Properties:
                alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
                device.api = "alsa"
                device.class = "sound"
                alsa.class = "generic"
                alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
                alsa.name = "Primary (*)"
                alsa.id = "Primary (*)"
                alsa.subdevice = "0"
                alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
                alsa.device = "0"
                alsa.card = "0"
                alsa.card_name = "Odroid-XU4"
                alsa.long_card_name = "Odroid-XU4"
                device.bus_path = "/devices/platform/sound/sound/card0"
                sysfs.path = "/devices/platform/sound/sound/card0"
                device.form_factor = "internal"
                device.string = "hw:0"
                device.buffering.buffer_size = "384000"
                device.buffering.fragment_size = "192000"
                device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
                device.profile.name = "stereo-fallback"
                device.profile.description = "Stereo"
                device.description = "Built-in Audio Stereo"
                module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
                device.icon_name = "audio-card"
        Ports:
                analog-output: Analog Output (priority: 9900)
        Active Port: analog-output
        Formats:
                pcm

ring-0 · Post by **ring-0** » Fri Jan 10, 2020 8:21 am

escalade wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:33 pm
Ok, so I've tested my XU4 with the onboard audio and I can't reproduce the reported audio issue. I have it connected to my soundbar with HDMI and I have audio in Emulationstation, Kodi and RetroArch with a fresh image.

@ring-0

Sure, you can put it in /storage/.config/autostart.sh. There's also /storage/.config/system.d for custom service units. I have tons of stuff after the transition to Wayland that I haven't commited yet, just really pressed for time but I will try to get around to it.

EDIT: N64 emulation runs great here.

Sweet, that is the route I went thru.

Feel free to maintain a devel branch, I can always take a look.

Is there any reason not to include some other cores?

BTW have you observed Emulationstation launching from Kodi getting stuck at the Wayland screen (grey background with mouse pointer).

Completely unrelated but annoying: I can't seem to find a way to keep a consistent profile for the Xbox 360 controller across ES/Retroarch/Kodi (Kodi just works though).

ring-0 · Post by **ring-0** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 2:54 am

Hm, I can confirm persistent issues with weston. Launching ES results in a gray/Weston screen with no process launching.
I wonder how this can be traced.

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:33 am

ring-0 wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 10, 2020 8:21 am
Feel free to maintain a devel branch, I can always take a look.

Like I said, it's a question of having the time to do so.

Is there any reason not to include some other cores?

Which cores?

BTW have you observed Emulationstation launching from Kodi getting stuck at the Wayland screen (grey background with mouse pointer).

Completely unrelated but annoying: I can't seem to find a way to keep a consistent profile for the Xbox 360 controller across ES/Retroarch/Kodi (Kodi just works though).

All three apps have separate controller configuration, so I'm not quite sure what you are asking for.

I've uploaded a new build which reverts to using KMS/DRM for Emulationstation/RetroArch, as it seems Emulationstation has some issues with Wayland/Weston and we don't gain anything from running emulators on an additional graphics layer on the XU4 anyways.

ciroreed · Post by **ciroreed** » Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:03 pm

Why fs (/) is readonly? and how can i solve it?

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:25 pm

You can't. This image is based on LibreELEC, which has a read-only squashfs root. You'll notice that the /flash partition is only 512MB and contains a KERNEL and a SYSTEM (squashfs) file. This layout enables it to boot fast and be upgraded by dropping an image file in the /storage/.update folder. Most relevant things can be configured through Kodi by writing to files in the /storage partition. There isn't any package manager but you can run any distribution by using Docker.

ciroreed · Post by **ciroreed** » Tue Jan 14, 2020 7:18 pm

escalade wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:25 pm
You can't. This image is based on LibreELEC, which has a read-only squashfs root. You'll notice that the /flash partition is only 512MB and contains a KERNEL and a SYSTEM (squashfs) file. This layout enables it to boot fast and be upgraded by dropping an image file in the /storage/.update folder. Most relevant things can be configured through Kodi by writing to files in the /storage partition. There isn't any package manager but you can run any distribution by using Docker.

R.I.P.

edit: nvm i've installed kodi on a raw ubuntu image soo.. gl

thanks!

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Tue Jan 14, 2020 9:35 pm

Use whatever large and unoptimized distro that suits you

ciroreed · Post by **ciroreed** » Wed Jan 15, 2020 3:04 am

escalade wrote: ↑
Tue Jan 14, 2020 9:35 pm
Use whatever large and unoptimized distro that suits you

just got another tv, and i've tried with the RETROElec, but no sound either. I just wana have sound and, I have no clue why im the only one sufering issues

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Wed Jan 15, 2020 5:01 am

You can change Pulseaudio settings in /storage/.config/pulse-daemon.conf.d, this image has Pulseaudio 13 and alsa-lib/alsa-utils 1.2.1. Start reading Pulseaudio documentation, figure it out and let me know what you find. If tinkering is not your cup of tea, perhaps Ubuntu is a better choice

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Wed Jan 15, 2020 9:16 pm

New build is out:

Code: Select all

- Does periodic (weekly) FSTRIM instead of continuous discard
- Optimized cpufreq settings by using conservative governor and switching to performance when starting emulators thus running cool and quiet when not gaming
- Various under the hood plumbing and updates

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Fri Jan 17, 2020 7:35 am

@ciroreed

It seems the latest alsa-lib split out something called the UCM which handles topology for advanced sound setups, perhaps that could be the reason you don't have audio. I've added that and also updated Pulseaudio to the latest git. Could you try the latest image?

If it still doesn't work, I'd be interested in the zipfile that you can find under the SMB share "Logs" on your XU4 after updating.

iep · Post by **iep** » Fri Jan 17, 2020 2:11 pm

Would it be possible to add Wireguard?

Also, off a fresh version of the latest image Kodi isn't starting. It seems to be giving this error:

Code: Select all

/usr/lib/kodi/kodi.bin: error while loading shared libraries: libXrandr.so.2: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:01 pm

Sorry, seems I forgot to do a clean after doing a panfrost build deps got messed up. Doing a rebuild should be ready in a couple of hours. Yes, I will add wireguard.

paher · Post by **paher** » Fri Jan 17, 2020 10:51 pm

I had flashing kodi interface with latest image (from panfrost directory). Downgrade image fixed it

rinku · Post by **rinku** » Sat Jan 25, 2020 1:45 am

I have an issue using twitch addon on kodi, it just crashes when I open a stream. Here's the dmesg output:

Code: Select all

[583870.526037] s5p_mfc_handle_error:468: Interrupt Error: 00000066
[583870.526105] s5p_mfc_queue_setup:915: State seems invalid. State = 109, vq->type = 9
[583870.526114] reqbufs_capture:542: Failed allocating buffers for CAPTURE queue
[583870.526314] vidioc_qbuf:603: Call on QBUF after unrecoverable error

I had this issue a long time ago, just wanted to check if it was fixed. But maybe there's not much to do about it

rinku · Post by **rinku** » Sat Feb 01, 2020 5:33 pm

I updated to latest version, but sound is glitchy in kodi (plays way too fast), and emulationstation doesn't respond to my xbox controller anymore. Reverting back

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Tue Feb 04, 2020 12:23 am

I’ve uploaded a new build could you try that? As for the controller, just set it up again in ES settings.

Nelars · Post by **Nelars** » Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:52 pm

Hello @escalade,

How can I enable my USB WIFI adapter (Generic brand 2.4 Mhz .11n) in the latest version of RetroELEC, if I load up the XU4 with Armbian Bionic the WIFI adapter gets picked up automatically on boot and it works fine. Is it possible to enable same functionality in RetroELEC?

Thank you!

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Fri Feb 07, 2020 2:10 am

You'd need to let me know which kernel driver supports it.

Nelars · Post by **Nelars** » Fri Feb 07, 2020 11:08 am

I believe it is based on kernel 5.4

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 4:28 am

Like I said, I need to know which driver.

Nelars · Post by **Nelars** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 9:43 am

Thanks for your prompt response @escalade...

Unfortunately I don't poses the knowledge to find that out. However, if you are kind enough to point me in the right direction I might be able to get it.

Thank you again!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 10:36 am

You possess the knowledge of the name of your adapter and a browser with google search, so if you are kind enough to spend a few minutes to search for it, I might be able to include it

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:26 am

Uploaded new image:

Code: Select all

- native firefox (x11)
- updated transmission, linked against system ca certs and extended sysctl values
- fixed up fonts
- added wireguard
- libretro core updates

Nelars · Post by **Nelars** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:22 pm

escalade wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 08, 2020 10:36 am
You possess the knowledge of the name of your adapter and a browser with google search, so if you are kind enough to spend a few minutes to search for it, I might be able to include it

Fare enough... see all I needed was directions... I found the Linux driver for the ipTIME USB adapter model N150UA, it can be downloaded from http://contents.iptime.co.kr/~contents/ ... RT3070.tar . Hopefully, you will continue to be kind and try to include this driver in the RetroELEC image if possible.

Thanks again!

Nelars · Post by **Nelars** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 7:20 pm

I meant 'Fair'

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 8:31 pm

So you've got a Mediatek RT3870 wireless chip, I'm not sure but it seems to be supported by this kernel driver: https://cateee.net/lkddb/web-lkddb/RT2870.html

I might be wrong though. If it'a only supported by that out-of-tree driver, then I won't be including it. Maintaining out of tree drivers is a pain in the ass and acquiring something better supported is an easier route. I'm quite pleased with the Odroid wifi adapter, it's not a huge performer but it works. What would be helpful is if you loaded up Armbian and figured out exactly which driver it uses.

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Sun Feb 09, 2020 4:54 am

The new powersaving settings was a bit weak causing kodi/ES to be a bit laggy, so until I have tuned it further both kodi/ES will now run with perfomance governor meaning cpus at max. As a bonus, latest image have the new lightrec dynarec for pcsx rearmed havent tested it yet though.

@nelars

Tey the latest image I added the driver that might work for you.

Nelars · Post by **Nelars** » Sun Feb 09, 2020 6:38 am

Thanks @escalade!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

rfrayer · Post by **rfrayer** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 9:27 am

I gave it a shot but ran into issues with lr-pcsxr not wanting to accept bios in all caps or all lowercase rendering the games slower than a pi zero. Other than that it ran pretty good.

Nelars · Post by **Nelars** » Tue Feb 11, 2020 6:35 pm

@escalade, the wifi driver in the latest image did not work.

Followed your suggestion and loaded armbian and connected the wifi adapter.
The 'lsusb - t' command returns, among other things, "Driver=mt7601u"... Which it may be for the wifi adapter, I hope.

Thank you for your help.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Tue Feb 11, 2020 11:06 pm

Uploaded new image with mt7601 driver added. Also upgraded to glibc 2.31 and fixed pcsx rearmed.

Nelars · Post by **Nelars** » Thu Feb 13, 2020 9:48 am

New img picked up the wlan driver just fine, thank you.
Quick question: the latest img boots directly into the 'amiga' emulator, this behavior is different than before, is that by design? How can I modify the boot sequence to go directly into Kodi?

Thank you

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:56 am

It's not the amiga emulator, you are looking at Emulationstation. Other platforms will show up once you populate /storage/roms with games.

The frontend was switched by mistake, I've uploaded a new image that will start up in Kodi again.

rfrayer · Post by **rfrayer** » Fri Feb 14, 2020 9:09 am

Any plans for an sd2emmc?

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:18 pm

I don't know what an "sd2emmc" is, but I do have an eMMC image in my download folder that I have just updated

Once that's written to your eMMC card, you can update with my regular images as the update process doesn't touch the bootloader.

Ak1rA · Post by **Ak1rA** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 8:29 pm

Hi escalade

I tried RetroELEC-OdroidXU3.arm-9.2-devel-20200214140120-28eddc2.img and RetroELEC-OdroidXU3.arm-9.2-devel-20200214164343-28eddc2.img and I have the same problem. During the first boot the screen is freeze on black backgroung with white "RetroELEC".

Can you help me?

rfrayer · Post by **rfrayer** » Sat Feb 22, 2020 2:13 am

Just out of curiosity are we able to add retro cores ourselves like lr-beetle-supergrafx (TurboGrafx-16), also would this at all be conpatable with gamestarter repo to add Drastic-Ds?

I definately appreciate what your doing here being a step ahead of the game on kodi 18 mized with ES

rfrayer · Post by **rfrayer** » Sat Feb 22, 2020 9:44 am

Ak1rA wrote: ↑
Wed Feb 19, 2020 8:29 pm
Hi escalade

I tried RetroELEC-OdroidXU3.arm-9.2-devel-20200214140120-28eddc2.img and RetroELEC-OdroidXU3.arm-9.2-devel-20200214164343-28eddc2.img and I have the same problem. During the first boot the screen is freeze on black backgroung with white "RetroELEC".

Can you help me?

same here it just hangs at the boot screen on the emmc image

rfrayer · Post by **rfrayer** » Sat Feb 22, 2020 9:52 am

same goes for the sdcard version

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 11:24 pm

@ak1ra

Try the latest.

@rfrayer

Probably, as the guy maintaining gamestarter afaik picks his cores out of my images. You can install your own cores just drop them into /tmp/cores like in LAKKA.

rfrayer · Post by **rfrayer** » Mon Feb 24, 2020 7:09 pm

Still the same (Bootloop) as far as the new image and the old emmc goes.

rfrayer · Post by **rfrayer** » Tue Feb 25, 2020 1:15 pm

ring-0 wrote: ↑
Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:59 am
I wrote this to help mount external storage ROM directories to the /storage/rom mountpoints (it will ignore already mounted directories and also automatically leverage whatever cores are supported by checking for the existent rom directory):
Code: Select all
#!/bin/sh

ROMSDEVICE=/media/ROMS

for romcore in `ls /storage/roms`;
do
	if [[ -d "${ROMSDEVICE}" ]];
	then
		ROMDIR="${ROMSDEVICE}/$romcore"
		if [[ -d "${ROMDIR}" ]];
		then
			echo "Mounting ${ROMDIR} to /storage/roms/$romcore ..."
			mountpoint -q "/storage/roms/$romcore" || mount -t none -o bind $ROMDIR "/storage/roms/$romcore"
		fi
	fi
done
Is there a place to call this from boot? a la rc.local

If the images are updated to actually boot you can make a call to the script in autostart.sh in the .config directory

escalade · Post by **escalade** » Wed Feb 26, 2020 10:42 am

@rfrayer

I think I discovered the issue, uploaded new image that I tested on a blank SD-CARD. I had mistakenly enabled the new encryption/compression features of F2FS that I think wasn't compatible with the XU4 kernel (yet). Sorry it took some time, life needs some focus too

rfrayer · Post by **rfrayer** » Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:17 pm

no big deal trying it out now on an sdcard, looking forward to an emmc.