Single board media server (kodi)
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I dream of a single board media center running exclusively free software.
Now I am using a Lenovo T500 running Trisquel on which I have installed Kodi and my current use-case is:
1) I watch tv shows through kodi's apps streaming tv channel via the ordinary internet connection (i.e. from dr.dk)
2) I watch videos from my external hdd
3) I search the web and sometimes stream video from e.g. cloudtube or invidious via a browser
(4) I ocassionally use tor browser to search the web)
It seems that Olimex' A20-OLinuXino-LIME2 running Kodi is the best candidate.
Q1: Is this correct or am I missing a better solution?
Q2: If I am right, what would be a good OS to use?
Q3: is there a better solution than Kodi?
I too have considered in the past the possibility of using a SBC to fulfill certain needs. It's important to consider that while the AllWinner A20 is a well supported board, it doesn't have FLOSS GPU support. I consider it better than Raspberry Pi though, if you are willing to accept it for what it is.
In terms of power you are better off with the T500. That being said, I think you might do fine with Debian on that board if you tweak things around a bit for better performance.
As for the Tor Browser, my understanding is that there is no current ARM support (haven't checked in a while, Debian's repos might have a different answer). If you don't mind using another browser you can still install and run Tor.
GNUser, one reason I don't wish to use my T500 is that I have already broken one and perhaps the second one is also damaged. I think it is because of too much dust which makes the fan less efficient.
Also, the T500 makes a little noise which at times is annoying.
In terms using an sbc as media center, do you think that gpu is the main obstacle here?
> while the AllWinner A20 is a well supported board, it doesn't have FLOSS GPU support.
Weird. [1] lists Mali-400 as A20's GPU and [2] mentions Mali-400 as one of the GPUs supported by libre Lima driver. Perhaps You last checked it before Lima was out?
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali_%28GPU%29
[2] https://wiki.debian.org/PanfrostLima
GNUser (and anyone else),
on my search for a free software OS image for Pine A64+ I just found your post (from 2015) on the armbian forum: https://forum.armbian.com/topic/422-free-as-in-freedom-image/
Have you had any success?
On Debian's freedombox pages a number of single board computers (sbc) capable of running exclusively free software are listed: https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Hardware
Based on my prior searching, I suppose this is a full or at least near full list of such devices, but if not, please inform me.
I have tried to run kodi on an Raspberry Pi 2 and a BeagleBoneBlack (BBB). As I was later explained, BBB is not at all suitable for that task. The Raspberry Pi is often seen as recommended for that task, but I was really not impressed by its performance.
Which factors are most important for an sbc's performance as media center?
Which of the listed devices will most likely be well-suited for a media center?
Is there a light alternative to Kodi?
I don't know much about SBCs' performance as media centers, but I'd definitely choose a 64-bit ARM board over a 32-bit one (provided that both run blob-less, of course!). Also, the specs are given on the page You linked, so You can just pick a board with more RAM, faster ethernet and more/better cores...
I know, this narrows the choice down to Pine. I don't mean to advertise it - perhaps there are other similar boards, that just weren't listed there? Search for RK3399 or RK3288.
As to Kodi alternatives - I have no idea about this stuff.
Pine offers these sbc:
* Pine A64-LTS, Rock64, RockPro64 and Pine H64.
The latter (H64) is not on Freedombox' list of compatible hardware. I wonder if that is that because it does not run exclusively free software or because the list has not been updated (H64 is Pine's latest scb).
From koszkonutek's links (above), it appears that Mali gpu's used by Pine will work with free software (i.e. Lima or Panfrost drivers). But from Pine's description of their sbc's it seems that only RockPro64 and H64 has a (mali) gpu.
Don't A64-LTS and Rock64 have a gpu?
Pine's sbc's are described as follows:
Pine A64-LTSPINE A64-LTS is Long Term Supply version of the Pine A64 Single Board Computer powered by Allwinner “R18” Quad-Core ARM Cortex A53 64-Bit Processor. The PINE A64-LTS board equips with 2GB LPDDR3 system memory and 128Mb SPI boot Flash, there is also optional eMMC module (up to 128GB) and microSD booting capability. It provides PI-2 GPIO Bus, Euler GPIO Bus and many others peripheral devices interface such as UART, SPI, I2C, for makers to integrate with sensors and devices. The PINE A64-LTS committed to supply at least for 5 years until year 2025 and one year limited warranty.
Rock64ROCK64 is a credit card size 4K60P HDR10 Single Board Computer powered by Rockchip RK3328 Quad-Core ARM Cortex A53 64-Bit Processor and supports 4GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 memory. It provides eMMC module socket, MicroSD Card slot, Pi-2 Bus, Pi-P5+ Bus, USB 3.0 and many others peripheral devices interface for makers to integrate with sensors and devices. Various Operating System (OS) are made available by open source community such Android 7.1, Debian, and many more to come.
RockPro64ROCKPro64 is the most powerful Single Board Computer released by Pine64. Its powered by a Rockchip RK3399 Hexa-Core (dual ARM Cortex A72 and quad ARM Cortex A53) 64-Bit Processor with MALI T-860 Quad-Core GPU. The ROCKPro64 is equipped with 4GB LPDDR4 system memory and 128Mb SPI boot Flash. There is also an optional eMMC module (up to 128GB) and microSD slot for booting. The board is equipped with a PCIe x4 open ended slot, 1x USB 3.0 type C Host with DP 1.2, 1x USB 3.0 type A Host, 2x USB 2.0 Host, Gigabit Ethernet, PI-2 GPIO Bus, MiPi DSI interface, eDP interface, touch Panel interface, stereo MiPi CSI interface, as well as many other peripheral device interface such as UART, SPI, I2C, for makers to integrate with sensors and other peripherals.
Pine H64PINE H64 is latest Single Board Computer by Pine64. Its powered by an Allwinner “H6” Quad-Core ARM Cortex A53 64-Bit Processor with MALI T-722 GPU. The PINE H64 is equipped with 4GB (3GB usable space) LPDDR3 PC-1600 system memory and 128Mb SPI boot Flash. There is also an optional eMMC module (up to 128GB) and microSD slot for booting. The board is equipped with an onboard build-in 11n Wifi/BT, 1x USB 3.0 Host, 2x USB 2.0 Host, Gigabit Ethernet, PI-2 GPIO Bus, Euler GPIO Bus as well as many other peripheral device interface such as UART, SPI, I2C, for makers to integrate with sensors and other peripherals.
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