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Kodi/XBMC on Armbian with HW Accleration possible?

eckonator

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eckonator

eckonator

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Hi Igor,

thanks for your work and excellent armbian builds!

I have a Cubietruck and wish to have a OS like OpenElec which running only Kodi on the device. Because OpenElec ist no available for Cubietruck, i start to try and play with your armbian builds. But i have no luck, maybe because i am a linux noop. Can you help me to compile Kodi and a Kernel with CedarX to run Movies with hardware accleration on Mali-400?

 

Unfortunatelly i found no ready-to-use Kodi/XBMC-Images for Cubietruck on Internet. There a only 3 years old images based on XBMC 12 (Frodo) and a Kernel for CubieBoard2. This images runs only without working ethernet and only 1GB RAM and i have no idea to fix this.

 

Hope you can help :) I think much people will be happy for a rock solid Kodi Image from yours.

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Igor

Igor

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I am dealing mostly with core base, to provide stable CLI images for server scenarios. Having a full blown Kodi on A20/A10 based board looks like a serious project, too big to be an Armbian sub. Next, personally I am not much involved & interested in multimedia features so I also lack knowledge and experience in this area.

 

Check this:

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=254202&pid=2199415#pid2199415

 

I think this is the best what you can get. Probably not just ready to use.

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tkaiser

tkaiser

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hehe no need for a whole image just packages ;)

 

Unfortunately not entirely true since kernel changes (both patches and config -- see CONFIG_CMA=y especially) are also required. So if all this stuff can be built by using/patching 'our' sun7i kernel sources https://github.com/linux-sunxi/linux-sunxiwe could add another build target (sun7ikodi?) and try to package everything needed as .debs. So any legacy Armbian build for A20 could then be made 'Kodi ready' by installing a different kernel package and the kodi stuff on top.

 

The aforementioned 'we' are people both experienced and interested enough in this stuff (does not apply to me ;) )

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eckonator

eckonator

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Igor, i started with the howto from Kodi forum. But it's not easy because the linked git repo for kernel building is missing some files. So, it is not possible for me to compile the kernel which was recognized. I given up this step so far and tried the other steps. My problem now is to compile this repo on latest armbian: https://github.com/mosterta/libvdpau-sunxi

 

It fails because of missing "cedrus". Is Cedrus not a part of Armbian Kernel? Do you know how can i get Cedrus on Armbian?

 

Sorry for my poor english ;)

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RagnerBG

RagnerBG

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Igor, i started with the howto from Kodi forum. But it's not easy because the linked git repo for kernel building is missing some files. So, it is not possible for me to compile the kernel which was recognized. I given up this step so far and tried the other steps. My problem now is to compile this repo on latest armbian: https://github.com/mosterta/libvdpau-sunxi

 

It fails because of missing "cedrus". Is Cedrus not a part of Armbian Kernel? Do you know how can i get Cedrus on Armbian?

 

Sorry for my poor english ;)

You will achieve nothing if you don't compile kernel with needed parameters, or mosterta's UMP library will not work at all. It's possible to add CMA in armbian kernel 3.4, but i often read diagonally and recently find out there are two other patches to apply, which i don't know how to do. Maybe you know how:

https://github.com/mosterta/linux-sunxi/commit/563e0154269acffaa36ec3b678e4b35cbf7ee1c0

https://github.com/mosterta/linux-sunxi/commit/67de2b9320eeb1fe205d29a49742919c1613da68

The sources from this github and armbian look very different.

About Cedrus, i noticed some recent changes in libvdpau-sunxi . It's depend on Cedrus as separated source now, so you can try to use this in your system:

https://github.com/linux-sunxi/libcedrus.git

But i advice you to install original sources of UMP and libvdpau-sunxi and then mosterta's versions over them. This solve me some problems, but i can't reach workable solution yet, because of this missing patches i guess.

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eckonator

eckonator

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You will achieve nothing if you don't compile kernel with needed parameters, or mosterta's UMP library will not work at all. It's possible to add CMA in armbian kernel 3.4, but i often read diagonally and recently find out there are two other patches to apply, which i don't know how to do. Maybe you know how:

https://github.com/mosterta/linux-sunxi/commit/563e0154269acffaa36ec3b678e4b35cbf7ee1c0

https://github.com/mosterta/linux-sunxi/commit/67de2b9320eeb1fe205d29a49742919c1613da68

The sources from this github and armbian look very different.

About Cedrus, i noticed some recent changes in libvdpau-sunxi . It's depend on Cedrus as separated source now, so you can try to use this in your system:

https://github.com/linux-sunxi/libcedrus.git

But i advice you to install original sources of UMP and libvdpau-sunxi and then mosterta's versions over them. This solve me some problems, but i can't reach workable solution yet, because of this missing patches i guess.

 

Hi RagnerBG,

based on the howto from http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=254202 I start to compile mostertas Kernel. But, no luck - I cant compile the kernel because of some missing files in the GIT Repository (i reported it here http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=254202&pid=2257230#pid2257230) So far, i find out that the OpenPC TV Image is the best solution to run XBMC/Kodi on my Cubietruck (i have HW Accleration and can run DVBPlugins). But the Linix distro from OpenPC TV ist not my favourite, i want to have Debian :wub: . So, my idea was to extract the uImage, script.bin and /lib/modules/ from OpenPC TV and put it into Igos Armbian Image. This works so far: Debian is booting with the Kernel from OpenPC TV. In my opinion the Modul "sunxi_cedar_mod" should work, because it works on OpenPC TV, too ^_^ . But i can't test the graphics on Armbian because i can't compile mostertas XBMC, too. I run into the exact same problems as yours an hang on this issue http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=254202&pid=2247864#pid2247864

 

I can't understand, why it is so difficult to run Kodi on Cubietruck. Unfortunately, I give up my hope and buy a FireTV Box. :unsure:

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RagnerBG

RagnerBG

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Тhat's interesting. This OpenPC TV is based on XBMC, but support vdpau, while original Kodi/XMBC doesn't and use only GL acceleration. Module "sunxi_cedar_mod" is present in Armbian itself and don't need other kernel to work. Some "undefined symbol:" part of my post is fixable (probably), the problem is in UMP version which will not work without kernel patches, that are specifically for this. Why not try to compile the newest 16.0rc3 version of Kodi, as of the last post in previous page and add the patch from the link there? Even if hw acceleration doesn't work it should be able to handle video <=720p.

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eckonator

eckonator

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Why not try to compile the newest 16.0rc3 version of Kodi, as of the last post in previous page and add the patch from the link there? Even if hw acceleration doesn't work it should be able to handle video <=720p.

Which post in previous page do you mean?

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eckonator

eckonator

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Hi RagnerBG!

Good news. Today i sucessfully compiled my own linux kernel for cubietruck with the UMP changes from mosterta (your 2 github links above). After compiling it, i did the same on my Armbian since OpenPC TV Kernel replacement and copied my new Kernel to Armbian and the modules directory to /lib. Armbian was booting fine, but ethernet doesn't work. I have no ideal to fix this, i tried to build my own script.bin, too. But it solves not my problem. Now, i compile a other kernel version with the UMP changes. I hope that one works. I test it tomorrow. If i get this kernel working, next step ist Kodi v16rc3 :)

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RagnerBG

RagnerBG

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The kernel works now, but kodi won't compile on my truck. I thing my knowledge is not enough. My project files (kernel and kodi) can you grap on this link https://git.t3cube.de/groups/cubietruck-kodi- maybe someone has more luck than me?

Did you activate CMA in kernel, along with the UMP patches?

To be honest i am more interested to integrate Kodi in Armbian image, because those images are the best and stable for my device, which is not cubietruck but weird Lamobo-R1 - semi-router, semi-banana pi . But it's A20 too. I don't want to sacrifice all the advantages of Armbian over other kernel just for one program. That's why i am curious how did you manage to integrate those patches? I doubt to be able to reproduce this in armbian legacy kernel, because files i have to modify are just not there, but it could be useful anyway.

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eckonator

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Good Morning RagnerBG,
I see it just like you. Armbian is the best build, so it must be possible to install Kodi on it. I could not find Igors most current kernel, so I searched the web for a relatively latest kernel. And i found this https://github.com/dan-and/linux-sunxi/tree/dan-3.4.106. With this kernel, it was easy to transfer the UMP patches 1: 1. https://git.t3cube.de/cubietruck-kodi/linux-sunxi/commit/f8f180ecdce1ecfa72ada37dfeaae563b680f201After that I had compiled the kernel, then the network was not working. I suspected that my kernel configuration was incorrect. Luckily, I found in Igors Armbian Image on /boot a configuration file for compiling the kernel. I added the CMA Part added to the configuration and compiled again. After that I had replaced the kernel on Armbian SD Card and everything went as desired. My config to compile the Kernel is backupped here: https://git.t3cube.de/cubietruck-kodi/linux-sunxi/blob/master/config.backup. You can try to compile my kernel for your device with this short howto https://git.t3cube.de/cubietruck-kodi/linux-sunxi/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md or you try my ready compiled version on your device https://git.t3cube.de/cubietruck-kodi/linux-sunxi_A20compiled/tree/master

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ThorCubie

ThorCubie

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Hi everybody !
I olso have a Cubietruck and I want to use it with Kodi and tvheadend and other stuff.
I need some help to integrate the ump patch in userpatch folder to build my own kernel with the tools given by Igor.

 

Thanks!!

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tkaiser

tkaiser

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That's why i am curious how did you manage to integrate those patches?

 

By applying them?

 

https://github.com/rellla/lib/tree/ump

 

It seems everything needed are these two patches, then you can build kernel packages and simply try it out. Please report back and have also a look at http://linux-sunxi.org/User:Rellla/Armbian

 

EDIT: Kernel package with patches and appropriate CMA settings: kernel-cma_ump-sun7i_5.06_armhf.tgz Please test and report back.

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eckonator

eckonator

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Hi @all!

For all noops who want to have Kodi on your Cubietruck.

In the other Forum (linked on top in this thread from Igor), the User Tom81 has build a OpenElec Image with Kodi Jarvis. In my opinion it is the fastest end best Solution to get Kodi running on your Truck. You can get the Image on this link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rv9kdo7trwn9807/OpenELEC-A20.Cubietruck.arm-6.0.3-A20.img.gz?dl=0

 

Thanks goes to Tom81.

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Nasko

Nasko

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Okay
Here is my solution:

 

1. Clone Igor's tools for building an image

git clone https://github.com/igorpecovnik/lib

 

2. Download two patches from above:

cd lib/patch/kernel/sun7i-default

 

wget https://github.com/mosterta/linux-sunxi/commit/563e0154269acffaa36ec3b678e4b35cbf7ee1c0.patch

wget https://github.com/mosterta/linux-sunxi/commit/67de2b9320eeb1fe205d29a49742919c1613da68.patch

 

3. Edit lib/config/linux-sun7i-default.config like this:

 

# CONFIG_CMA is not set
CONFIG_CMA=y
 
 
4. Build your image
 
For mine cubietruck I am using following selections from ./compile.sh menu:
 -> cubietruck -> jessie -> yes (graphical) -> default (kernel) 
 
Sample output:
 
[ o.k. ] Started patching process for [ kernel sun7i-default 3.4.104 ]
[ o.k. ] Looking for user patches in [ userpatches/kernel/sun7i-default ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0010-patch-3.4.104-105.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0011-patch-3.4.105-106.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0012-patch-3.4.106-107.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0013-patch-3.4.107-108.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0015-linux-sunxi-3.4.108-overlayfs.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0016-patch-3.4.108-109.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0017-patch-3.4.109-110.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0018-patch-3.4.110-111.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0020-clustering-patch-3.4-ja1.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0020-dev-bananapi-r1.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0021-IDE-led-trigger-to-generic-disk-activity.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0022-a20-temp.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0024-dev-chip-id-and-gmac-fixing-mac.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0025-gpio.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0026-rt8192cu-missing-case.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0027-banana_touch_screen.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0028-nikkov-i2s-spdif-2.0.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0029-HDMI-8ch-and-alsa-fix-2.0.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0029-dev-spi-sun7i.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0030-ap6210_module-cubietruck.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0031-ap6211_module-bananapro.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0050-lircgpio_and_raw.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 0061-w1-fix.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 563e0154269acffaa36ec3b678e4b35cbf7ee1c0.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... 67de2b9320eeb1fe205d29a49742919c1613da68.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... fbtft_for_older.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... fix-gcc5.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... packaging-legacy-with-postinstall-scripts.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] ... rtl2832.patch [ succeeded ]
[ o.k. ] Started patching process for [ u-boot u-boot-default 2016.01 ]
 
 
 
I am testing this approach at the moment and ill let you know if it is working
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RagnerBG

RagnerBG

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I personally tried to build latest 5.07 image the way @Nasko put patches. Patches apply but this version of Armbian is completely unbootable on my A20, Lamobo R1, with or without patches and modifications, while om my OrangePi works fine. So there must be something related to my board only, or bananaPi based only.

But i use @tkaiser kernel patches - kernel-cma_ump-sun7i_5.06_armhf.tgz mentioned above in the topic, which have to have those UMP patches added, over workable 5.06 build. And after some more wasted hours, i can say for sure - Kodi/XBMC can't work on A10/A20 devices in current state, with vdpau, mali driver version etc. as a part of OS (Armbian, but i am sure in other distros too). There is link in the other forum for OpenElec image, which author claim to work with hwacceleration, but i am not tested and have no interests of this kind of usage.

Even with correct setting - CMA, UMP patches, framebuffer version of Mali driver, valgrind removed, all @mostera sources build successful and installed, i still have undefined symbols in libvdpau-sunxi. XBMC build failed with some ffmpeg error. And they use some AML headers which break mali driver and i am not sure how all this even work. There are only two guys in the whole topic claim to see this madness working (but not in Armbian) and i am way before their level of knowledgnment. And some others claim to have XBMC built (which is known to be only 50% of the way) but can't start it after.

I give up. This is unworkable at all and a huge waste of time. Until some new mali driver with working OpenGL video acceleration appear this program can't be run on Linux for AllWinner devices. Since Kodi developers have no intention to add vdpau support for those boards and they have a good reason not to.

Maybe i will try to build it normally (which will probably be adventure too, i think) and try to use external mpv, or mplayer as a last attempt to make it work. Or most likely just use OpenElec image on my OrangePi. But i can only advise anyone who value their time, not to waste it with this.

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Nasko

Nasko

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@Nasko how did your build go? Did it work for you?

 

This being the Cubietruck, I wouldn't put my hopes high for a media player but curious if you had any success

Hi.

 

For now I have tested only mpv with VDPAU and it runs well on my cubietruck A20.

Big Buck Bunny movie is running very well.

 

Sorry. But I didnt had time to play around with XBMC/Kodi

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damien78

damien78

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Hi all,

 

I plan to use kodi and cubietruck. I have a fork with cma patch and powerfull IR remote receiver ( i.e not limited to nec ).

 

On my cubietruck HW accleration work and 5.1 sound but if i pause video kernel bug and i must reboot my cubie.

Have you had this problem?

 

It's  my repo with lmast commit form dan-and fork : git clone -b pwm+cma https://github.com/damien7851/linux-sunxi.git

 

In travis.yml you can view used config.

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Igor

Igor

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Our current Cubietruck kernel is a fork from this source: https://github.com/linux-sunxi/linux-sunxi 

 

and a bunch of patches located here:

 

https://github.com/igorpecovnik/lib/tree/master/patch/kernel/sun7i-default

 

and this  config... we changed to this source since it was not possible to build for sun4 and sun5i with dan-and. To have one source tree for more boards is somehow better.

 

Sources are similar but different. It's worth trying - if you haven't already.

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stefg

stefg

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Hi all, (first post...)

 

Sorry to harp again on the everlasting kodi requests, this time not regarding A20 but S905/Odroid C2 .

I own a banana pi (original) for some time now and came to run armbian headless on it after at some point it was clear, how things were going with A20 video drivers and hardware accelerated Kodi is not likely to happen on these devices. But with the AMLogic boards it seems to be a different story... 

So i got my C2 3 weeks ago, and (of course...) one of the first things i did was trying to run a media center on it. So the C2 ist only widely available for 3 months, and i wasn't expecting too much. And that was right! After going through all the available options in the hardkernel forums i find there is currently not much more than a couple of alpha-quality images for the C2. 

- The official hardkernel ubuntu image (even the last 2.0) is still quite buggy (unable to get a german keyboard on console, package broken... ts,ts), only a bloated desktop image available and only a half hearted kodi-build without working pvr-addons in it (so worthless to me)  

- The hardkernel provided Android is hardly working, has EDID-issues and is nothing more than a demo at the moment. kodi android doesn't work properly 

- Some guy XeoSal offered a C2 optimized - debian build called odrobian ( going the bananian way...). But that dates back to march, seems a one man show and seems half- or fully abandoned

- kodi/libreelec dev WRXtasy has made an experimental Libreelec build, that's not too bad, but has EDID issues as well and only runs at 720p on my rig.

So currently there's 4 "nearly there"-options, but nothing that's usable . Since i neither want android nor openelec/libreelec (b/c I need e.g. an nfs-server running)  it seems natural for me to turn to armbian, which already has a mature userland and anyway is the right approach by not inventing the wheel again and fighting the same bugs for every board over and over.  

 

... But i would need kodi running. (not necessarily a desktop), and i feel the effort to make it happen would be best invested in a project like armbian with an already relatively solid server base. I read that there are 3D accelerated x11 and framebuffer drivers available for the s905/mali for a couple of weeks, and are there a couple of kodi repos for c2/arm64 already available at github...

Do Igor or tkaiser have a general idea about how much work it would be and what needs to be done to produce kodi-packages for armbian (arm64/s905)? I've read that Igors point of interest is not so much multimedia, but maybe there are some other skilled people interested? I would be willing to do what i can (I'm not a professional dev, but operating linux iron for a living as administrator), if there's some guidance. 

 

-  

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