RetroELEC Emulationstation/RetroArch/Kodi image for XU4

[escalade]

New image is out, download here.

Code: Select all

- Kodi 18.5 GBM
- Emulationstation (GLESv1/SDL2) and RetroArch (GLESv3/glcore) on Weston/Wayland
- Starts up with Kodi, but can be changed through kernel command line options frontend=ra/frontend=emulationstation/frontend=kodi/frontend=none
- Polished and simplified systemd units for a smoother startup
- Latest 5.4 kernel from @memeka with optimized and minimalized kernel configuration
- Latest libretro cores
- Fixed Emulationstation menu items, working terminal etc.
- Skyscraper
- glmark2
- Antimicro is included but not started by default

I did manage to get Sway up and running with @memeka's gbm compatibility hack and using output transform "flip180" to reverse the image, but there was other issues. I've settled for Weston as it does the job well and seems the most compatible/stable on ARM. Let me know what you guys think, I'm quite happy with the functionality in this build. Next up is submitting all the changes I've done lately, but it's quite the job and time is limited. Will keep hacking on this for sure

[memeka]

@escalade: did you try CAGE compositor?
https://github.com/Hjdskes/cage
it's also based on wlroots, so I was curious if it has the same issue - meaning the issue is with wlroots, or sway?

[escalade]

I know about it but haven't tried. Worth a shot, I'll have a look tomorrow. Also, I could get RetroArch/Emulationstation running fine, but things like glmark2-es-wayland and weston-terminal was a no go on Sway.

[frtorres]

New image is out, download here.

Code: Select all

- Kodi 18.5 GBM
- Emulationstation (GLESv1/SDL2) and RetroArch (GLESv3/glcore) on Weston/Wayland
- Starts up with Kodi, but can be changed through kernel command line options frontend=ra/frontend=emulationstation/frontend=kodi/frontend=none
- Polished and simplified systemd units for a smoother startup
- Latest 5.4 kernel from @memeka with optimized and minimalized kernel configuration
- Latest libretro cores
- Fixed Emulationstation menu items, working terminal etc.
- Skyscraper
- glmark2
- Antimicro is included but not started by default

I did manage to get Sway up and running with @memeka's gbm compatibility hack and using output transform "flip180" to reverse the image, but there was other issues. I've settled for Weston as it does the job well and seems the most compatible/stable on ARM. Let me know what you guys think, I'm quite happy with the functionality in this build. Next up is submitting all the changes I've done lately, but it's quite the job and time is limited. Will keep hacking on this for sure

First of all, my first message for a big thank you for this XU4 Build. Today I installed and booted kodi ok in a 4K Sony Bravia TV.

Some questions:

1. Is there a chance to have this kodi build working on a 4K display?.. beyond current 1920x1080@60Hz Resolution?
2. I am interested in having my XU4 board to record Dvb-T2 streams (local air TV) in LibreElec. Is it possible to have dvb-t2 drivers available in LibreElec raspberry builds?

Thanks again for this build.

Francisco

[memeka]

1. No. XU4 is limited to 1080p.
Actually most (all?) 4K devices use kodi at 1080p and only show video at 4K. This is because GPU which is used to show Kodi struggles with 4K, but video is bypassing GPU and displayed directly on the output. But in the case of XU4 the output is also limited to 1080p.

[escalade]

@francisco

You have any details what kernel driver and kodi plugin u need?

@memeka

I tried Cage, couldn't get it to run at all it just crashes.

[escalade]

New image is out:

Code: Select all

- Linux 5.4.1
- Systemd 244
- Latest Xwayland git brings multi buffering
- Updated puae and vice libretro cores gives 1 less frame input lag
- Default to KMS for vice/puae/fuse cores as EDID refresh rate switch won't activate in Wayland
- Activated a NEON optimization for puae-libretro
- Fixed installing addons from LibreELEC repository
- Added audiodecoder.sidplay to Kodi

[frtorres]

1. No. XU4 is limited to 1080p.
Actually most (all?) 4K devices use kodi at 1080p and only show video at 4K. This is because GPU which is used to show Kodi struggles with 4K, but video is bypassing GPU and displayed directly on the output. But in the case of XU4 the output is also limited to 1080p.

Thanks @memeka.

I was using SPMC and android kodi build with kodi interface at 4k.

Unfortunately, AFAIK SPMC is not currently maintained.

It is true in kodi... 1080p. Lets see what happens. Thanks for your feedback

[Chromoris]

I no longer see a separate Kodi folder/build. Is this no longer required?

[escalade]

Yes, I decided to make things a bit simpler and build less images. Kodi is now included.

[frtorres]

@francisco

You have any details what kernel driver and kodi plugin u need?

@memeka

I tried Cage, couldn't get it to run at all it just crashes.

Thanks escalade for your response.

Yes I have this DVB-T2 adapter: TBS 5520SE DVB-S2X/ Digital TV Tuner USB Box for Live TV. There are drivers that were included in LibreELEC distro.

Please consider these links:

Original linux drivers from OEM:
https://www.tbsdtv.com/download/index.html?path=4&id=43

Drivers from cvh team member (Libreelec), using these drivers to be included in Libreelec
http://cvh.libreelec.tv/

Latest Libreelec versions usually have a DVB Drivers Configuration Addon to install these cvh drivers with a proper kernel.

Hope this helps.

I can test an image with these drivers. Thanks in advance for considering this.

Best Regards, Francisco.

[escalade]

Looks like I forgot to enable DVB drivers in my image, can you try the latest? I've added crazycat, digital_devices, dvb-latest and dvb-firmware as in the Generic build.

[frtorres]

Looks like I forgot to enable DVB drivers in my image, can you try the latest? I've added crazycat, digital_devices, dvb-latest and dvb-firmware as in the Generic build.

Thanks escalade. I will test it. (RetroELEC-OdroidXU3.arm-9.1-devel-20191205173858-ea8d1e1.img.gz)

Did you include VDR Backend, present in kodi "Services Menu"? Dvb Utils normally present in LibreElec are also important (just to make sure).

Best Regards, Francisco.