I'm using this Raspberry Pi 3 (RPI3) for HD Video and it is excellent. The maximum resolution is 1080. Don't expect 4K resolution.. Make no mistake 1080 looks great. ZERO lag. Audio and video are great.
Here's my setup:
I used the software (and excellent instructions provided) to load LibreELEC 7.0.3 (this is the operating system that runs on the RPI3). Following the excellent instructions, the RPI3 booted right up.
LibreELEC 7.0.3 is an OS that has one function and that is to run the Kodi (version 16) application. Kodi is an excellent way to watch TV, movies, etc. Kodi supports addons (somewhat like a browser extension in Firefox or Chrome). If any of this sounds complex, don't shy away. Trust me, I was no expert in any of this (I only found out that a Raspberry Pi existed a few weeks ago). YouTube to the rescue. There are so many YouTube videos on the Raspberry Pi, LibreELEC 7.0.3, Kodi and Kodi addons that you are only limited by your patience and your imagination. Take the easy path and follow the instructions and software that the nice folks at CanaKit put together for you. Actually following instructions would have cut considerable time from my setup. I told you I was no expert.
Now, here's the backstory as to why I needed to order this RPI3 and run LibreELEC 7.0.3 to get the Kodi application. Just after Thanksgiving (2016), I purchased a Samsung SUHD K-series. Great picture, but I soon realized I couldn't set favorite channels or change channels directly with the Samsung TV. I needed to use the cable box (not a fun experience). I had been using Kodi to watch TV on my computer, but wanted the same experience on my Samsung TV. The RPI3 running LibreELEC 7.0.3 (the operating system) which runs the Kodi application is just perfect, in my opinion.
And I almost forgot to mention - the Samsung K-series remote recognizes the Kodi application on the RPI3. I'm still not quite sure how that got setup, but the Samsung remote navigates through the Kodi application perfectly. Another point in favor of this RPI3 kit.
One final point on the setup. Those little silver thingys in the box are heat sinks. Peel the adhesive backing off and gently press them in place on the RPI3. You can't make a mistake. The larger heat sink sticks to the larger chip (or square) on the RPI3 and the smaller heat sink sticks to the smaller chip on the RPI3. Trust me, it'll be obvious where to place them. I've had more problems putting on my DMV license tag than putting these two heat sinks in the right places. So I don't scare you off, we'll just call them two little silver thingys you need to peel and stick on the board of the RPI3.
I wish I would have started with the RPI3 running OpenELEC and Kodi instead of trying to screen mirror via a few different hardware solutions which don't work as well as the RPI3/Kodi and shall remain nameless. Screen mirroring is a nice idea, but I wanted to use the TV's remote to set/change channels. Screen mirroring is nice if your computer is near your TV and the computer's keyboard/mouse are available to you while you are watching TV. The RPI3/Kodi setup acts like it is a part of the TV since I can change channels in Kodi with the Samsung's remote. I finally have the TV viewing experience I wanted. Thanks CanaKit and RPI3.
If you want to use the RPI3/Kodi to watch live TV then the following is important. For completeness, the RPI3 connected to my Samsung TV is talking to the computer in my home office which is running NPVR (open source). NPVR is the backend software that does the recording and provides the channel guide (called Electronic Program Guide). You'll also need a TV tuner. Have no fear, Amazon sells the SiliconDust HD Homerun Prime, which is an awesome product, itself. The SiliconDust HD Homerun Prime connects into my cable modem and connects to my home network. Nothing to worry about. SiliconDust makes setup easy. In my setup, I defined the channel list on the SiliconDust HD Homerun Prime. Over 100 available cable channels and I only let the SiliconDust HD Homerun Prime pass through 27 channels to me for viewing. So nice.
Again, don't let any of this information scare you away. I learned all I needed about setting up NPVR from YouTube :(once I actually figured out that NPVR was what I needed). Here's a good test. If you can currently watch TV on your computer, you are well on your way to connecting this RPI3 up to your TV to watch TV and movies. Your TV does need an HDMI connector since that is the video output of the RPI3. The RPI3 is getting the TV/movie signal via the network connection. It has no cable coax connection.
If you really want to get inspired, search online under the topics of Kodi and addons. You will be amazed.
I really wish someone else had written this review about a month earlier. I probably would have spent more time binge watching and less time struggling with hardware and software during my Christmas week off. I sincerely hope this review helps someone.
Have fun!
| Processor | 1.2 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 32 GB LPDDR2 |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth |
