FAQ

FAQ

What does "PPI" stand for?

Player Process Info — Kodi's own name for its playback information overlay (the Player process info entry of the video OSD). TinyPPI is a compact, richer replacement for it.

Does TinyPPI work on LibreELEC, Android, Windows or a PC?

No. It requires CoreELEC 22 or later on Amlogic hardware: the readings come from the Amlogic driver and from the side-data InfoLabel only CoreELEC 22 publishes. On anything else the add-on refuses to open its views.

Does it work with CoreELEC 21 (Omega)?

No. CoreELEC 22 introduced Player.Process(video.sidedata), which every Dolby Vision and HDR reading depends on. Versions before 22 are rejected.

Does TinyPPI slow down playback?

It is designed not to. The overlay reads each value once per 100 ms refresh and only writes window properties that changed; side data is parsed only when it changes; per-title facts are read once a second. The service starts its heavy work five seconds after Kodi so it does not compete with start-up. The web dashboard builds nothing while no page is connected.

Why does my skin reload once after installing or switching skins?

TinyPPI registers two font sizes in the skin's Font.xml and asks Kodi to reload the skin so they take effect. It happens once per skin (and again after a skin update replaces Font.xml).

Can I use it with a 720p skin?

No. The overlay is laid out for 1080i; skins with a 720p folder are refused.

Which key should I use?

Anything free during fullscreen playback. A color button on the remote is a good choice. Use NotifyAll(script.tinyppi,open_overlay) for the fastest response — see Launching and Keymaps.

Can I open the overlay and the VS10 dialog from different keys?

Yes. Map one key to NotifyAll(script.tinyppi,open_overlay) and another to NotifyAll(script.tinyppi,open_dialog) (or RunScript(script.tinyppi,dialog)). Launch mode only affects RunAddon(script.tinyppi).

Why does the aspect ratio differ from what Kodi shows?

Kodi reports the coded frame (a letterboxed 2.39:1 film in a 16:9 frame reads 1.78). For Dolby Vision, TinyPPI uses the RPU's L5 active area to compute the ratio of the visible picture. Without L5 data it shows Kodi's value.

Why does a profile 7 FEL disc show profile 7 although CoreELEC converts it?

The side data is captured before CoreELEC's own conversion, so TinyPPI shows the stream as the file carries it. The converted flag in the metadata view's Stream section tells you a conversion happened.

Why is the "Bit depth" 12-bit for FEL?

A full enhancement layer reconstructs a 12-bit picture. MEL and single-layer profiles are 10-bit, SDR 8-bit.

What is the difference between FEL and MEL?

Both are Dolby Vision enhancement layers on profile 7 discs. A FEL (full enhancement layer) carries real picture data that extends the base layer to 12 bit; a MEL (minimal enhancement layer) carries next to nothing. TinyPPI colors the tag green (FEL) or orange (MEL) by default.

Why are there no VS10 modes for HDR10+ or HLG?

The VS10 engine does not accept them as inputs; the driver has no mode group for either. The same applies to Dolby Vision titles that also carry HDR10+ metadata. See VS10 Output Modes.

Why does switching HDR10 → Dolby Vision briefly go to SDR?

The driver cannot switch directly between those outputs. TinyPPI performs two complete switches through SDR, as you would by hand.

Does the web dashboard need internet access?

No. Everything — the page, its icons and the posters — is served by the add-on from the box. Posters come from Kodi's own texture cache.

Can I open the dashboard from outside my home?

Not directly, and you should not forward its port. Use a VPN into your home network. Under a non-home host name the dashboard asks for the token even for reading.

Can several people use the dashboard at once?

Yes — up to six live pages. All of them are fed by one snapshot builder, so five open tabs cost the box the same as one.

Does the dashboard change anything on my TV picture?

Not by reading. Only the controls (VS10 switching, remote, playback, watched marks) act on the box, and all of them need the token.

Where can I report wrong IMAX entries or add titles?

Add your own to addon_data/script.tinyppi/imax_titles.txt; propose general additions as an issue or pull request. See IMAX Detection.

In which languages is TinyPPI available?

English, German, Arabic, Hungarian and Simplified Chinese. The dashboard uses the same strings. Want to add one? See Translations.

Can I fork TinyPPI?

Yes — the code is AGPL-3.0-or-later. A fork needs its own name and artwork, because the TinyPPI name, logo and artwork are not covered by the code license. See License and Credits.