Version 5 - CPU over 200%, slow interface

[TheOldPresbyope]

Hi, Rob.

I, for one, am still trying to infer a root cause from the symptoms. Thanks for the reminder about your experience with 5.0.

Regards,
Kent

[Tim Curtis]

The issue only occurs when using the backdrop effects: Animated, Gradient, or Theme. If using Pure Black then no issue.

One suspect would be chromium-browser. One test would be to replace the version used in moOde 5.2 ISO with the one from moOde 5.0 ISO.

moOde 5.0 ISO image

Code:

pi@rp4:~ $ chromium-browser --version
Chromium 65.0.3325.181 Built on Raspbian , running on Raspbian 9.6

moOde 5.2 ISO image

Code:

pi@moode:~ $ chromium-browser --version
Chromium 72.0.3626.121 Built on Raspbian , running on Raspbian 9.9

[TheOldPresbyope]

Yeah, I noticed the difference in versions last night. Trying to fit tests in with holiday weekend activities.

[nosferatu_cat]

Hmm...I followed the suggestions in this thread. I downgraded the kernel. I was already using the pure black background. I'm using Brave as my front end on two different Android tablets. I know, Brave is a Chrome fork. I have the same problem with Firefox. Downgrading the kernel helped a bit but I still find myself loading commands on the stack by reflexively thinking that I didn't hit the tap zone correctly. <g> I'm looking forward to 5.3. Took a look at alternatives today and Moode has the approach I'm looking for.

[TheOldPresbyope]

@Tim Curtis
@rb0135

It took some work, but I managed to downgrade the browser [1] in moOde r5.2.

Code:

pi@moodeHS:~ $ chromium-browser --version
Chromium 65.0.3325.181 Built on Raspbian , running on Raspbian 9.8

I still get high CPU usage on a RPi3B+ with LocalUI enabled, Automatic display of coverview, animated. 

Example

Code:

pi@moodeHS:~ $ top

top - 20:40:26 up  6:44,  1 user,  load average: 1.68, 1.49, 1.41
Tasks: 152 total,   1 running,  98 sleeping,   0 stopped,   0 zombie
%Cpu(s): 50.2 us,  3.7 sy,  0.0 ni, 46.2 id,  0.0 wa,  0.0 hi,  0.0 si,  0.0 st
KiB Mem :   441184 total,    47748 free,   165304 used,   228132 buff/cache
KiB Swap:        0 total,        0 free,        0 used.   115040 avail Mem

 PID USER      PR  NI    VIRT    RES    SHR S  %CPU %MEM     TIME+ COMMAND                                          
18633 pi        20   0  447580 112960  79928 S 199.3 25.6  38:56.68 chromium-browse                                  
18404 pi        20   0  606376  56240  36924 S   4.6 12.7   1:11.38 chromium-browse
...

Same browser on running v5.0 player in same test conditions is consuming 9% - 15% CPU total for the two processes listed.

Regards,
Kent

[1] To get out of version-dependency hell I had to apt-get remove three packages including chromium-browser, apt-get download the same three packages on a running moOde r5.0 and transfer them to the r5.2 player, reinstall a number of libraries which were removed in the first step, and then dpkg -i the three packages I downloaded. Whew!

[Tim Curtis]

Try the following:

In /var/www/css/panels.css add the bolded item transform:translateZ(0); as shown below.

~line #368
#ss-style {position:fixed;top:0;left:0;height:100vh;width:100vw;animation:colors2 60s infinite;transform:translateZ(0);}

Then refresh Browser to load the updated css.

-Tim

[TookaFace]

Hi,

It's better with transform:translateZ(0); with my config, cpu usage is clearly less high (5.2), but still to high to say normal i think.

[rb0135]

The issue only occurs when using the backdrop effects: Animated, Gradient, or Theme. If using Pure Black then no issue.

Tim,

When set to Black, I have already mentioned mine pushes 160%+ but not the 200%+ range

Rob

[rb0135]

Try the following:

In /var/www/css/panels.css add the bolded item transform:translateZ(0); as shown below.

~line #368
#ss-style {position:fixed;top:0;left:0;height:100vh;width:100vw;animation:colors2 60s infinite;transform:translateZ(0);}

Then refresh Browser to load the updated css.

-Tim

Hi Tim,

Whats the reason behind this to try? Do you think the default translateZ is using a lot of CPU and this should curb that?

I will try it, but I cant for a day or so.

Thanks, Rob

[rb0135]

Try the following:

In /var/www/css/panels.css add the bolded item transform:translateZ(0); as shown below.

~line #368
#ss-style {position:fixed;top:0;left:0;height:100vh;width:100vw;animation:colors2 60s infinite;transform:translateZ(0);}

Then refresh Browser to load the updated css.

-Tim

Hi Tim,

Whats the reason behind this to try? Do you think the default translateZ is using a lot of CPU and this should curb that?

I will try it, but I cant for a day or so.

Thanks, Rob

Ok, I have manage to test the CSS addition. It did make some difference, but now the cpu usage bounces between 150-200%+ rather than pegging higher but again when it is 180%+, the PC browser is unresponsive when pressing the play, next track, previous track buttons (same issues experienced originally). It does eventually catch up with the mouse clicks (same when the Pure Back setting is selected).

This is using the stock V5.2 image, on a Sandisk SDHC 10 memory card