Playing Blu-ray on RPi 3

[venkatcr]

I installed a RPi 3 (B) yesterday and experimented with multiple OSs. I first started with Openelec, switched to OSMC and then to Libreelec. Openelec and Libreelec are nearly identical and work the same way. For now I prefer Openelec/Libreelec over OSMC because my mouse works better with that!

The system worked flawlessly with music, ripped movies and networking requirements. However, I found one flaw - all the three OSs refused to play Blu-rays. I tired .ISO, simple image copies....no luck. There is a lot of stuttering and huge time gap between audio and video signals.

I am searching the Net for a solution. If anyone has a readymade solution, I will be obliged.

Thanks

 

[saikatbiswas82]

ISOs are bit demanding. Maybe rpi is not capable enough to play those. I use my pi for audio applications only.

For this very reason, I recently got my Chromebox for htpc purposes. It does the job without any issues. This is just for reference.

http://www.hifivision.com/showthread.php?t=64490

One more thing - if you are looking for SBCs only for a media player, you might check out Hardkernel Odroid C2 as well.

Sent from a handheld device. Some typos may creep in

 

[sam9s]

I installed a RPi 3 (B) yesterday and experimented with multiple OSs. I first started with Openelec, switched to OSMC and then to Libreelec. Openelec and Libreelec are nearly identical and work the same way. For now I prefer Openelec/Libreelec over OSMC because my mouse works better with that!

The system worked flawlessly with music, ripped movies and networking requirements. However, I found one flaw - all the three OSs refused to play Blu-rays. I tired .ISO, simple image copies....no luck. There is a lot of stuttering and huge time gap between audio and video signals.

I am searching the Net for a solution. If anyone has a readymade solution, I will be obliged.

Thanks

Rpi does not have the juice, to play full ISO image. it will also not play very high bitrate MKVs. Technically Kodi and all forks, can play ISO and they do play flawlessly, but they need hardware to back it up. I use Kodi/SPMC on Shield TV Pro.

 

[manoj.p]

RPI3 has no issues playing bluray iso's, including 3D iso's. I am running those over network without issues. Try the Milhouse builds for raspberry pi.

Are your bluray iso rips decrypted using a software like anydvd or dvdfab? If not, then RPI will not be able play encrypted bluray iso's.

 

[venkatcr]

No encryption. I made these ISOs myself. Let me try the Milhouse build. If that works, that will be great.

Thanks

 

[manoj.p]

The one other thing i can think of is whethet the movies were mpeg-2 or vc1 coded. If they were, then the sw decoder of RPI is used which gives choppy performance.

Solution for that is to buy the license key from RPI website. That enables hardware decoding and gives smooth performance. Rpi did this to keep the board costs down. Check whether the blurays have those encodings and decide whether to buy the license key.

 

[venkatcr]

I have got the Milhouse version of Libreelec running and the experience has been quite good till now. It has played all my video (non Blu-ray) without a hitch. Have to go home and try the Blu-rays (ISO and full copies). If that runs well, I can gift a fully assembled RPi to my wife.

If only I can understand how to add a web browser, that will make my day. I don't think there is a web browser for RPi.

Thanks Manoj. I am keeping my fingers crossed till I reach home. The Milhouse version has a better and more intuitive UI. Far better that Openelec and Libreelec.

 

[MaSh]

Sounds interesting. Any link where this version can be downloaded from? Although I have had no issues playing any format of video or audio on my OSMC, except for iso files, I don't mind trying a new version.

MaSh

Sent from my Redmi Note 3

 

[regeHA]

Sounds interesting. Any link where this version can be downloaded from? Although I have had no issues playing any format of video or audio on my OSMC, except for iso files, I don't mind trying a new version.

MaSh

Sent from my Redmi Note 3

Index of /builds/master/

 

[venkatcr]

Also head over to

OpenELEC Testbuilds for RaspberryPi (Kodi 15.0) Part 2

to understand the installation process.

Worth trying.

 

[venkatcr]

it Worked! The Milhouse build played all my Blu-ray 'discs' without fail excepting one. And, that I think is a media error.

I tried ISOs and full disc copies, and they are all worked flawlessly. I ended up seeing two movies!!

Tomorrow I am going to connect it to my home theater and see what happens.

Thanks everybody for the great help.

 

[manoj.p]

Glad it worked.

For web browser, I believe there is an add-on. However, it runs outside Kodi. Not a seamless experience. You can try it that way.

 

[venkatcr]

Just a few hours ago, I connected the RPi to my HT system and played an ISO copy of the Entrapment Blu-ray. I was blown away by the results.

The RPi started by offering me a full menu, and played the whole movie without a hitch. The sound was superb as was the video. I could hear every bird chirp, every creak, and every breath of Sean Connery as he kept sighing at the antics of Catherine Zeta-Jones. Every nuance of expression on his face was clearly visible as was the change in moods that he expressed through his eyes. I know Sean is a great actor, but after today, I felt he has excelled himself in this movie.

Sean has a strictly British way of pronouncing words.For example, sue (as suing somebody) is pronounced as 'soo' by him. 'I am a thief. So, soo me', he says when Virginia realises it was he who stole her clothes. Vase is pronounced as 'waas'.

All the subtle nuances of his dialog delivery was clearly audible.

The combination of RPi and Milhouse Libreelec is a very satisfying way of watching movies. For under 4K it beats any media player hollow.

Have to figure out a way of building a box for the RPi to hold all the heavy cables and connections, a disc player and a HDD!!

The only place the RPi struggled was when I chose a chapter near the end. It corrupted the screen for a few seconds till it reached the track and started playing from there.

Thanks

 

[regeHA]

I guess its safe to say "welcome to the Pi fan club".

 

[manoj.p]

Yep. its a very nice little box and does it beautifully.

If it could bitstream TrueHD/DTS-HDMA, it would have been perfect. Oh well, still works like a charm for everything else for less than 50 USD.

 

[sam9s]

I guess its safe to say "welcome to the Pi fan club".

Yes ... Game on!! ...

 

[sam9s]

Yep. its a very nice little box and does it beautifully.

If it could bitstream TrueHD/DTS-HDMA, it would have been perfect. Oh well, still works like a charm for everything else for less than 50 USD.

But it can output 7.1 PCM via HDMI

 

[venkatcr]

But it can output 7.1 PCM via HDMI

I will be happy with PCM or Passthrough. Will try both today and see what my Marantz is getting.

Not yet fully a fan. If I can install a browser, I will open a temple for RPi!!:yahoo::lol: I want to wean my wife away from her damn iPad.

Thanks

 

[sam9s]

Browser as in via KODI???, well you can, with a browser plugin for KODI or openELEC, if thats what you are looking for.

 

[MaSh]

I will be happy with PCM or Passthrough. Will try both today and see what my Marantz is getting.

Not yet fully a fan. If I can install a browser, I will open a temple for RPi!!:yahoo:[emoji38] I want to wean my wife away from her damn iPad.

Thanks

Pi has a pass through option. In my case all stereo audio is sent to the digi+ then to dac->amp->speakers. Anything more than stereo is routed to the hdmi which goes to my receiver.

What do you mean by browser? Browser on mobile or Pi? You can open a browser on mobile iport and browse through your library. You can also install kodi remote or any app like allconnect to play music, music or stream YouTube.

MaSh

Sent from my Redmi Note 3