Exiting Kodi into Emulationstation

cyberhomie

I have RetroPie (4.0.4) and Kodi (16.1 via Retropie Setup) installed on Raspbian on a RPi 3. Everything works fine when using HDMI. When I use the composite out, I am having trouble when exiting Kodi, getting back to RetroPie/Emulationstation. I get either No Signal from my TVs or get a badly distorted/flickering screen when using my vehicle's screens. I am assuming that when exiting Kodi and launching emulationstation, it is trying to use a composite - incompatible resolution. Kodi seems to work fine either booting straight to it or launched from emulationstation. Emulationstation seems to work fine when I boot straight to it. Again, the problem seems to only be when exiting Kodi to emulationstation while using the composite out.
I appreciate any help.

BuZz

Are you forcing a composite mode in /boot/config.txt ?

if you ssh in and run tvservice -c "PAL 4:3" does that help ?

cyberhomie

I am trying to force the SDTV using the following in the /boot/config.txt:

sdtv_mode=0
sdtv_aspect=1

The tvservice -c "PAL 16:9" command makes the screen flicker, but nothing else. I have tried the other combinations as well NTSC, 4:3.

BuZz

maybe it's to do with PAL/NTSC switching - can you make sure your kodi mode and the mode in the config are the same (both pal or both ntsc)

cyberhomie

@BuZz Where would I check that? I haven't specifically set anything.

Curious, when Kodi "Quits", what commands are being run? I noticed somewhere that you could specify a resolution for Emulationstation. I am curious if maybe something is being passed then in a script or something, that isn't when it initially starts up or doesn't effect it when using HDMI.

cyberhomie

Ok this might help. I am using the tvservice -s (Status) command check what its doing.

When I initially boot into Emulationstation:

pi@TruckPi:~ $ tvservice -s
state 0x40001 [NTSC 4:3], 720x480 @ 60.00Hz, interlaced

When I go to Kodi from Ports>Kodi:

pi@TruckPi:~ $ tvservice -s
state 0x40001 [NTSC 4:3], 720x480 @ 60.00Hz, interlaced

When I quit Kodi to return to Emulationstation:

pi@TruckPi:~ $ tvservice -s
state 0x40005 [DVI CEA (1) RGB lim 4:3], 640x480 @ 60.00Hz, progressive

So something must be telling it to use "[DVI CEA (1) RGB lim 4:3]" somewhere. Any idea where to look?

cyberhomie

Anyone have any ideas where I might look for the command or script that Kodi runs to launch Emulationstation when it is Quit?

BuZz

I think I have the answer.

The Kodi launch script calls sudo tvservice -p >/dev/null 2>&1 to switch the resolution back to "the preferred" mod, which I think it is getting wrong in your case. This could be argued that it is a firmware bug as the composite should be the preferred mode in your case. If you edit /usr/bin/kodi and remove this line (towards the end), it should solve it.

Just to check also, you don't have an hdmi cable plugged in at the same time or ?

@Rascas Perhaps this could be worked around, by not calling tvservice -p if for example the current mode is a PAL/NTSC mode ?

BuZz

@cyberhomie instead of editing the file directly, you could copy it to /usr/local/bin/ and edit it there - which would take priority over the shipped script - you would need to manually keep it up to date as needed though until this is resolved in the Kodi launch script.

cyberhomie

@BuZz I commented that line out and it works!

No, I don't have HDMI plugged in, nor using any forced HDMI argument in the config.txt.

cyberhomie

@BuZz said in Exiting Kodi into Emulationstation:

@cyberhomie instead of editing the file directly, you could copy it to /usr/local/bin/ and edit it there - which would take priority over the shipped script - you would need to manually keep it up to date as needed though until this is resolved in the Kodi launch script.

@BuZz I tried initially doing a separate file, but didn't seem to have any effect. Maybe I needed to change it's permissions? Otherwise commenting the line out on the main file did work.

Thanks!

JordiMayor

This is not my case... System appears to be "looped" <green led on the raspberry is showing activity>, but the screen in KODI where exit option is displayed is showed on my TV.

Please, any suggestion will be very useful. My system do not return to emulationstation when I run KODI. What to do?

Thank you very much !!!

markyh444

@JordiMayor I'd recommend starting a new thread on the forum listing details on your setup in not rather than hijacking a solved thread from October.