these new constructs will work on tuner (dvbs) (S905D)
There is no support for the proprietary DVB drivers used in older 3.14 kernels. They mostly use Amlogic kernel frameworks that don't exist in the mainline kernel, so the drivers need to be adapted.
Solved with a change to the JSON data file that populates the list of available releases .. although this currently means Rockchip release files are not currently listed and must be downloaded manually.
The problem is/was caused by the presence of Rockchip files in the JSON data that the USB/SD Creator (and settings add-on) client read to populate the list of available files. The Rockchip files are using a slightly different file naming convention and this upsets the client. The temporary workaround is to rebuild the JSON file without the Rockchip files - which has been done, and a quick test with the Win/macOS/Linux versions shows the app(s) are working okay again.
I've never seen a Chinese manufacturer spend money on dual IR receivers for an Android box. If there's one thing you can guarantee about them, it's that they're cheap bastards 
Let's go back and answer the actual problem:
a) If you're mounting from systemd the Kodi SMB client settings are completely irrelevant because you're not using the Kodi SMB client. Similarly the the LE settings addon SMB config (for the onboard SMB server) is irrelevant because that also has nothing to do with SMB client configuration.
b) When you access the router share from your PC "with no password" the router is still asking for a username/password and your computer is still providing your logon username/password. You don't see a prompt because the router will accept any username/password. That doesn't mean you cannot provide one. If you don't, you're not authenticated, and you won't see share content.
So either configure the systemd mount file options to include a/any username/password, or connect the USB drive directly to the HTPC.
The IR sensor is on the LHS of that photo. The device at the top is a capacitor.
These days the lifespan of an SD/mSD card is pretty decent, but it won't last forever. There are two type of computer user: those who make backups, and those who didn't lose all their data yet
LE 8.2.5 has the original released firmware for 3B+ while the Alpha(s) have several iterations newer firmware which corrects issues. Holding out for a skin is a valid reason, but from a stability perspective Alpha's are better than 8.2.5 for 3B+
Make a clean install. Move old config in logical pieces until you find what breaks the install.
Mac mini users have been complaining about suspend ever since people first figured out how to get them installed. None of the staff have one or will be rushing to acquire one, so the best I can suggest is; the mini has funky firmware that is not properly supported by the Linux kernel and you should avoid using suspend. It's a sucky answer, but here we are 7+ years since the first reports of suspend issues on Mac mini's so I'm not optimistic you'll get a better one.
Configure one as an NTP server. If you configure it as a DNS server things will definitely not work.
Lakka is an OS, LibreELEC is an OS, you can't install Lakka into LibreELEC.
Use the latest Alpha with updated firmware. Any difference?
That document feels recent, which means it's probably written for the mainline kernel not the ageing fossil that's in current LE release images. Have a play with the balbes150 releases with a 4.19 kernel. Things are a little experimental still, but the GPIO stuff is likely work better.
If you want to install Lakka .. install Lakka
Dial one number higher for Rockchip releases .. although whether LE can run depends on the specific RK chipset in the box.
Audio is currently HDMI only and 2ch, but there's been activity on the DesignWare audio IP in the last coupe of weeks; the same IP is shared with Allwinner and Rockchip hardware. Some work is needed on the Amlogic i2s driver next, but that will probably happen in the next month as long as people don't get too carried away with video stuff which is a bit more exciting.
I've no idea what the differences are with p282 boards. I can make enquiries.
