[mythtv-users] Frontend Recommendation

[Jim Abernathy]

On 11/11/18 10:12 PM, jmk wrote:
> Hi,
>
> A few months ago, my D525 ION-based front-end died after nearly a decade of service. I attempted to replace it with a RPi3 B+, but it’s a significant step down (poor picture quality, issues with video/audio sync, etc). I’ve also been using Kodi on a Fire stick, but I strongly dislike the interface.
>
> I’m wondering if there are options in the $300 range that folks have had good luck with. It looks like the low-end world has moved on from VDPAU. Can the current generation of mini pc’s with i3-7100U processors and Intel HD 620 graphics display 1080 (OTA) video with the same level of quality as VDPAU? My understanding is that Myth doesn’t support VAAPI for de-interlacing, so that would need to be done in CPU. Would something like either of the following provide me with solid playback:
>
> https://www.amazon.com/UN65U-M023M-VivoMini-Barebones-i3-7100U-integrated/dp/B06WV7NB95
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Fanless-Desktop-Computer-Partaker-Barebone/dp/B07FT9W2YX
>
> Thanks,
> Joe

I had a FE fail this year and went on a search like you.  The failed 
device was an Intel NUC 3rd Gen Core i3. It worked great for a Frontend. 
I didn't want to spend much money so I went down the RP3 B+ route with 
Raspbian and Mythtv light.  I could not watch HDTV recordings with that. 
I tested Kodi and it's video/audio was much better.  Then I tested 
LibreELEC which is Linux and Kodi all integrated together and it worked 
great.  BUT you have to get used to Kodi using the kodi-pvr-mythtv 
addon. I keep a linux machine around for lots of things and I run 
Mythfrontend on it because I like managing my recordings that way.

You may end up not going the same way, but I'd test LibreELEC on your 
RP3 B+ before you spend the $300. I replaced my wife's NUC with a RP3 B+ 
and it hasn't been rebooted in weeks.  She hasn't complained once I 
trained her on the Kodi interface. Unfortunately, Mythtv frontend is not 
tuned for the RP3 hardware. I'd prefer that interface for a FE.

Jim A


> _______________________________________________
> mythtv-users mailing list
> mythtv-users at mythtv.org
> http://lists.mythtv.org/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
> http://wiki.mythtv.org/Mailing_List_etiquette
> MythTV Forums: https://forum.mythtv.org