TV in the Med - on your TV using the internet.

Bigplumbs said:
As I posted above I have bought a Raspberry Pi 3 starter Kit and got it running. I have to say that after about 3 hours I hate it with a passion. I am generally quite good with IT but trying to download Kodi seems impossible to me. I have watched more You Tube videos than I care to and still no joy Typing things into comment lines....... Well where is the comment line. IT HAS GOT ME BEYOND WOUND UP. It would seem that you cant just download direct to the Pi you have to download to an SD on another PC first and do all sorts of stuff. I am off to get a big hammer and smash the little piece of electronics to bits

This is not easy in my view
Click to expand...

OK - sorry, I was going to post full instructions to make it a very easy job.
I can see your problem - you probably just loaded the kit using the software that came with it.
It is much easier if you install the correct build for it.

So here are some very quick notes - you may need further help - please PM me if you do.

Hopefully you have a Windows PC - if so, browse to here
http://openelec.tv/get-openelec/category/7-raspberry-pi2-builds
Download that version of OpenElec (Raspberry Pi 2 and Pi3 [Model B+ 512MB] - Diskimage ) and unzip it to get the .img file.
I use WinRAR to uncompress the file but any unzipper will do.
Store the img file somewhere on your PC
Then get this program for Windows - https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/
And install/load it.
You will need a microSD card reader for the PC - insert the microSD card that came with your Raspberry Pi kit into your card reader.
Use win32diskimager to overwrite the card completely by selecting the the OpenElec img file that you downloaded earlier.

Now put the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi - connect a keyboard and TV and boot it.
OpenElec will boot straight into Kodi.
You just need to follow the on screen instructions and it should be working in seconds.
Then you can follow the notes in my post #33 to get the Addon Installer installed.
Later, you can browse the Kodi Repository for iPlayerwww which is the BBC iPalyer addon for Kodi.

Basically, thats all I do.
You will then end up with a "turn key" box that will do everything that all the other boxes do - and more.

Good luck and please let me know if you have problems.
I'm sure we can get this working.

Mike
 
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Well after taking some deep breaths I have got it to download by simply opening 'Terminal' and typing

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install kodi

Which has worked. Now I have got Kodi but need to install some add ons to get the streaming services to work.

Getting a smart TV or indeed some sort of 'stick' for a standard TV would be easier.

I think Tecky people take a lot of their knowledge for granted. I will persevere as it does help you to learn

Dennis
 
Bigplumbs said:
Well after taking some deep breaths I have got it to download by simply opening 'Terminal' and typing

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install kodi

Which has worked. Now I have got Kodi but need to install some add ons to get the streaming services to work.

Getting a smart TV or indeed some sort of 'stick' for a standard TV would be easier.

I think Tecky people take a lot of their knowledge for granted. I will persevere as it does help you to learn

Dennis
Click to expand...

OK
But I think it would still be best to use the OpenElect build.
I can think of one reason immediately - WiFi - the standard Linux build would have everything but the OpenElec build is designed to interactively manage all the settings.
For example OpenElec creates a menu (inside Kodi) all for itself where you can set things like WiFi connections.
I recommend that you should start again - follow my notes above - and you will see just how easy it is.

Well done getting it to work though.

Mike
 
I have decided to go with amazon fire tv. Basically replacing the pi with fire tv. Only reason being I thought I may want some of the amazon prime bits. Not sure if I do or not yet.

Anyway have to wait until xmas. Apparently I am a nightmare to buy for so have a ban on buying anything for myself until after xmas!
 
TonyR123 said:
I have decided to go with amazon fire tv. Basically replacing the pi with fire tv. Only reason being I thought I may want some of the amazon prime bits. Not sure if I do or not yet.

Anyway have to wait until xmas. Apparently I am a nightmare to buy for so have a ban on buying anything for myself until after xmas!
Click to expand...

A friend who posts on here has an Amazon Fire TV and it does seem to do everything that my Raspberry Pi does.
However (not having one of my own) I wonder how easy it would be to get it to connect to a VPN.
In the Med (outside the UK) we all have to use techniques like VPN's to get BBC iPlayer to work.
I'm on the boat at the moment and have BBC working fine - even iPlayer.
I believe that Kodi is run as an application on the Amazon Fire so I don't know how configurable it is.
Maybe someone on here will be able to say.
 
Mike

I think we may be at cross purposes. I was not just after Kodi I was wanting to have a general play with the Pi I have all sorts of TV in the House from Sky, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Freeview, Freesat, TV on the PC, Hard Drives Chrome casts, Mirroring devices etc etc. So I don't want to wipe all I have in the starter pack before I have any clue of what I am doing.

I have got Kodi installed and downloaded the Netflix add on but now I think I need Chrome to run Netflix and looking at the net it seems chrome will not run. Chromium will but that seems to not now be available. Also I cant seem to get the Movies and TV bit on my main menu on Kodi.

Another odd thing is when I exit Kodi it wont go back to my Pi home screen

Dennis
 
Instead of vpn I intend to use smartdnsproxy and set this up on the router. Will also help with bet365 ;).

Laptop won't really do it. I intend to leave the box out of site to some degree and I don't think the space is big enough.

If nothing else, it shows there are numerous solutions to the initial question!
 
That's why I recommend an Amazon firestick, you can have Kodi up and running in less than 10 minutes, it's a much more consumer focused solution and needs next to no technical knowledge. At 33 quid for the non voice controlled remote version, it's cheap as chips.

*Oops, this was in reply to Bigplumbs post about struggling with Pi - should have refreshed before replying!
 
TonyR123 said:
Instead of vpn I intend to use smartdnsproxy and set this up on the router. Will also help with bet365 ;).

Laptop won't really do it. I intend to leave the box out of site to some degree and I don't think the space is big enough.

If nothing else, it shows there are numerous solutions to the initial question!
Click to expand...

Plus 1 for Smartdns....sooo easy and no more VPN nonsense.
My ps 4 plays bluray, Skygo, UK terristial, netflix et al...oh and Tomb Raider :)
I kinda think that I completely agree with Hurricane, VOD is the way forward but I'm failing to see the appeal or need for the Raspberry thingamejig...probably why I done use Linux.

Interesting thread tho and shows just how many different solutions are out there now.
 
Last edited:
Nigelpickin said:
Plus 1 for Smartdns....sooo easy and no more VPN nonsense.
My ps 4 plays bluray, Skygo, UK terristial, netflix et al...oh and Tomb Raider :)
I kinda think that I completely agree with Hurricane, VOD is the way forward but I'm failing to see the appeal or need for the Raspberry thingamejig...probably why I done use Linux.

Interesting thread tho and shows just how many different solutions are out there now.
Click to expand...

The OpenElec solution/build on the Raspberry Pi takes any Linux complications out of the way.
It boots straight into Kodi.
OpenElec creates its own menu under System thus providing an interactive solution.
The operators don't even know it is Linux running it.
In my case it also integrates to my media centre but I still believe it is a good "turn key" solution that anyone can operate.
I think that you DO need something.
Something cheap that connects to a standard TV.
Smart TVs will never do the kind of thing that Kodi does.
Amazon Fire/Chromecast/Apple TV etc and (say) Samsung Smart TVs work in a commercial environment.
A complete open source solution is free to break the rules etc.
And turns my 9 year old TVs into smart TVs.
 
Ahh So if I remove the starter micro SD card and download via your description and have a go I can simply remove and replace the cards to have the Pi working via the 2 systems. The Pi itself stores nothing then.

Where does it store the WiFi Passwords etc

Dennis
 
TonyR123 said:
I might buy a pi as well and compare them against each other. You can never have too many bits of IT equipment.
Click to expand...

That is true. I just bought a 8 way TP link Ethernet switch to add to the 20 ports I have already as I am running out. I am going to set up a second CCTV system to cover the parts of my garden my first one wont see and access via the IP address. This sort of thing drives me mad occasionally nut it advances the brain. Her indoors does not understand

Dennis
 
TonyR123 said:
I have decided to go with amazon fire tv. Basically replacing the pi with fire tv. Only reason being I thought I may want some of the amazon prime bits. Not sure if I do or not yet.

Anyway have to wait until xmas. Apparently I am a nightmare to buy for so have a ban on buying anything for myself until after xmas!
Click to expand...

I also went the Amazon route on my boat, although Hurricane is usually only 100 meters away and is always very obliging, my concern was wanting to watch something when he was not around and having to sort the Raspberry myself. The remote that comes with the Amazon really is the most simple device I have ever used, and it does not need line of site.

The Amazon connected with a cable to the Dlink (same one Hurricane uses) router and the HDMI output cable running into a splitter that sends a cable out to each TV has worked a treat all summer.

Bottom line, a great TV service that also gives me excellent WIFI, makes a stay on the boat so much better.

Graham
 
I am using this onboard and it is flawless. Since my internet upgrade using an outdoor antenna, etc I now have great wifi and 4G and any TV channel I could ever imagine.

I have LG LED tv's which are simply plugged into the Pi and in the case of the saloon the BOSE surround system and if by magic, we have our very own cinema :cool:

In my opinion it is just getting it set up the first time with all your favourites added so they can be a click and forget sort of thing.

I am currently coding with using a relay board to switch lights, eberspacher, alarm, etc whilst away using the Pi.... people wonder why it has taken me so long to lay my new carpets lol
 
Bigplumbs said:
Ahh So if I remove the starter micro SD card and download via your description and have a go I can simply remove and replace the cards to have the Pi working via the 2 systems. The Pi itself stores nothing then.

Where does it store the WiFi Passwords etc

Dennis
Click to expand...

Absolutely.
WiFi passwords are stored in the operating system (Linux) - nothing actually stored on the Pi.
So you can have as many different "builds" as you like without mucking up the one that you like the most.

Once you have found what you like, you can "mirror" it using win32diskimager to copy a microSD card to your PC and create an image.
Then export it back to a different microSD card - you would then have two operating systems - exactly the same.
This is what I do when I want two RPis - (say one on the saloon and one in the cabin) - essentially, they are the same build but copying the first one saves all the time setting up the second one.
Warning if you want to do this - make sure that the microSD cards are the same size - 8Gb seems to work for most builds - cheap as chips.
Also win32diskimager can take a little longer if you are copying an image.
 
Just wanted to say a huge thanks to Hurricane for posting this up, and the initial links.
I've been extremely interested in the pi for a while, what with all the threads about integrating boat systems etc and the sheer versatility of the thing so dipping a toe in with a media centre seemed a very good idea.
Got the thing set up indoors yesterday, by loading the (I think) 1st 2 or 3 systems on the card (Pixel, kodi and maybe something else?)
Not off to a great start, the pixel thing doesn't run, but the Kodi OS does.
I must admit that I didn't read anything before starting with it, just winged it as I went and very much regret not checking back here to see the latest posts on openelec etc!
Getting addons installed from directly within Kodi is easy, although there are thousands of them and a lot don't seem to work. The Iplayer and ITV catchup ones were very easy though and work really well with extremely good picture quality.
Anyway, after watching countless youtube vids etc, finally got Exodus installed and spent the afternoon watching films and playing around with the system.

To an absolute IT numpty like myself, it's not massively easy to get started and I was very reliant on lots of youtube videos (thousands of them out there too) to get me going. But, even I managed it in the end and am extremely pleased with what it can do.
What swings it for me is the versatility of the pi, streaming audio via bluetooth etc... it's probably faster to list the things that a micro computer can't do than can!

If you just want a plug 'n' play from the box internet TV system, there are probably better options although once set up, this does seem to be a case of just switch on and off you go.
 
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I will second Murv, a very big thankyou to Hurricane for taking the time to post this. I have only just started looking into TV on board following the imminent purchase of our 'new to us' boat. I did a trial run on my laptop yesterday and it was a very easy and straightforward installation.

A Raspberry Pi starter kit will be arriving via Santa this year, along with a few other bits that will start me off on my boat viewing & monitoring project.
 
Thanks guys
Great to hear that you have benefited from my notes.

The big success here though is the Raspberry Pi itself.
I wonder how many people know that the whole Raspberry Pi project was initially designed to promote and teach children - getting them started in computers and electronics.
The idea was to build a board containing a PIC chip (the kind of thing you will see in a washing machine) and use its simple instruction set to create rudimentary programs for kids to learn.
It is simply amazing that the Open Source and other communities have taken this very cheap concept and (for example) made it run Linux so that it can be used to control lots of different projects.

I know of one application (a guy who used to post on here) where his RPi collates all his ships NMEA data and sends it to his iPad/iPhone thus integrating his mobile devices into the boat.
He did this long before the likes of Raymarne and Garmin integrated their systems.
This enthusiasm has enabled the Raspberry Pi foundation to continue to develop the RPi into what we have now.
This little credit card sized micro computer now contains a quad core processor running at 1.2Gkz and 1 Gb of RAM - all for £30.

You probably all know that I am a great fan of the free OpenCPN chart plotter for the boat.
It seems that the Open Source community have made OpenCPN run on Raspberry Pis.
Fancy making your own plotter for the boat ? - the RPi running OpenCPN should do it.
If you are interested you could start here:- http://opencpn.org/ocpn/Install_raspberry-pi
I've not done it myself but it would be interesting to do so.
It wouldn't be as easy as the OpenElec process that I mentioned earlier in this thread but I'm sure it would produce a really great ships plotter.
I think you would need at least a 32Gb microSD card for the charts but memory is really cheap these days.
The biggest problem would be finding a suitable display monitor.
Just food for thought - maybe something to do on those cold winter evenings.
 
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