[OJ-K]

Hi
It seems I have a unique problem. All the threads I searched relate to USB powered external HDD. I have a powered Verbatim extenal HDD but I still get the rainbow squares of power supply problems. Sometime yellow but most of the time red, with visible distorting of video. As I understand it, the HDD should take minimal power form the Rpi's USB port?

On it's own, the Pi works fine, video add-ons works fine, it's just when watching videos from the external HDD.

It's a Rpi3 model B with a Rpi Power adapter and a powered Verbatim 1TB external HDD.

Will a powered USB hub make a difference?

Thanks for any help or tips.

[popcornmix]

It seems I have a unique problem. All the threads I searched relate to USB powered external HDD. I have a powered Verbatim extenal HDD but I still get the rainbow squares of power supply problems. Sometime yellow but most of the time red, with visible distorting of video. As I understand it, the HDD should take minimal power form the Rpi's USB port?

Is the warning symbol rainbow coloured:


which means under-voltage or is it yellow (throttling arm due to temperature) or red (throttling arm and gpu due to temperature).?

[OJ-K]

It's mostly solid yellow or red.

It seems I have a unique problem. All the threads I searched relate to USB powered external HDD. I have a powered Verbatim extenal HDD but I still get the rainbow squares of power supply problems. Sometime yellow but most of the time red, with visible distorting of video. As I understand it, the HDD should take minimal power form the Rpi's USB port?

Is the warning symbol rainbow coloured:


which means under-voltage or is it yellow (throttling arm due to temperature) or red (throttling arm and gpu due to temperature).?

[popcornmix]

It's mostly solid yellow or red.

That's a temperature issue. What is the format of the video you are playing?
I suspect they are being software decoded which can get the Pi hot.
If you are using a case then try without the case. A heatsink or case with built in heatsink can help.
The FLIRC case (including the Kodi branded version) are very good.

[OJ-K]

Thank you very much!!!
I started playing around and seems to have sorted the problem by removing it from the case and and getting a bit of ventilation through my TV cabninet. The video files were indeed MKV files.

Thanks again, really appreciate it!

It's mostly solid yellow or red.

That's a temperature issue. What is the format of the video you are playing?
I suspect they are being software decoded which can get the Pi hot.
If you are using a case then try without the case. A heatsink or case with built in heatsink can help.
The FLIRC case (including the Kodi branded version) are very good.