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| How to access a downloaded file in kodi | |
| How to access a downloaded file in kodi | |
| How to access a downloaded file in kodi | |
| How to access a downloaded file in kodi | |
| How to access a downloaded file in kodi |
Create your own Media Centre with Raspberry Pi and KODI
KODI, free media centre software, and the Raspberry Pi form the perfect way to store and enjoy your whole media collection. With KODI, you can easily manage, play and organise your photos, music, TV shows and movies into a Media Centre.
In this how-to, we’ll show you how to install the software onto your Raspberry Pi, go over the components you need to get started and explain how to control KODI through the app.
Get the popcorn out!
The project
Level: Beginner
Time needed: approx. 30 minutes
Budget: around £60
What you need:Raspberry Pi, SD Card, HDMI cable, any smartphone, screen/TV or projector, power supply, case and a cooling kit.
Can be extended with: a remote control
You also need: PC or USB mouse and keyboard to set up
Preparation – About the components
In order to convert your Raspberry Pi into your own personal Media Centre, you’ll need to complete a few simple installation and setup steps.
The Raspberry Pi
We want the Raspberry Pi to access data on the network so an internet connection is essential. The installation is easier if the Raspberry Pi is already WIFI enabled. So, ideally, you should use a version 3 model or later where this feature is already integrated. Please also note that a LAN cable connection may be required to play some HD resolution movies where there is poor signal strength or speed.
Power
The power supply should provide at least five volts of power, at least two amps (2,000 mA). The Raspberry Pi is very economical, so when you connect external hardware like a mouse, keyboard or USB hard drive, a power supply with less power will quickly reach its limits.
SD card
The SD card should have a read speed of at least 95 MB per second for KODI to run smoothly on the Raspberry Pi.
Case and cooling kit
So that the Raspberry Pi doesn’t get damaged or dusty, we recommend using a case. A simple plastic case is inexpensive and doesn‘t affect the wireless signal.
Since the RPi will probably be running for a long time, we also recommend that you install a cooling kit. You can quickly and easily glue it on to provide efficient protection against overheating.
How to set up KODI
First, you need an SD card to set up KODI on the Raspberry Pi. You can download KODI software free of charge from the company homepage here. Once you’ve selected “Raspberry Pi” under “Choose your weapon”, you’ll see there are a couple of basic distribution options to choose from. We recommend the widely used LibreELEC and OSMC due to its easy installation.
Enter the SD card type and the desired operating system (for example with the Win32 Disk Manager or an installer). Insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi and then connect it to power – the commissioning starts automatically.
Alternatively, you can buy the Raspberry Pi 16 GB NOOBS microSD card and select “LibreELEC” the first time you start.
Start the installation and follow the instructions on the screen. It’s handy at this point to connect a mouse and a keyboard to your Raspberry Pi, then you can switch between the program items using the arrow keys on your keyboard, select using the cursor and confirm using the enter key.
KODI installation accomplished – now what?
After successfully installing KODI, you can start importing your media data. KODI automatically accesses the connected hard drive to display music, videos and pictures and play them in all popular formats.
Now it’s time to add the files you want in KODI. Simply click on the file you want to upload and, for example, choose “Add Pictures”. KODI then prompts you to enter a name for the media source – after doing so you can do the step confirm with “done”. Then click on “Browse” and select a folder with pictures. If you then confirm with “OK”, the images are imported into KODI. The process is the same for music and films.
As an alternative to the network folder, the files can also be stored on a NAS (network attached storage). This method will help you consume less power, handle larger amounts of data at once and can be installed without much effort.
Managing your Media Centre
Important: Before you import the media, make sure that all files are neatly sorted by media type and named consistently. That’s the only way the scrapers of KODI (search programs that search the Internet for information such as DVD cover art or fan-art) can recognise the film or song, add information and display the media library clearly.
Common file names and folder structures for the KODI Media Library:
| Media type | Folder structure | File name | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film | Either all movies in one folder or: per folder a movie + cover + description + fanart etc. | Exact title (year) .file type | Film ->The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).mp4 |
| Series | Series -> (if applicable Season ->) movie files (prefixed: season and episode number) | S0XE0X Name of the episode.file type | Series -> Doctor Who -> S02E03 School Reunion.avi |
| Music | Artist -> Album -> Song name (numbered) | 0X Title.file type | Music -> Oasis -> (What’s the Story) Morning Glory -> 04 Don’t look back in anger.mp3 |
| Images | This is more personal so choose an order that works for you. A meaningful starting point is the year. | Year -> Event -> Numbering / Name.file type | 2016 -> Iceland-Holiday -> 001.jpg |
Control KODI through the app
Finally, you not only have the ability to control KODI by a mouse and keyboard but also through the app Kore or even a remote control. The app is available for both iOS and Android for free download.
For Kore to work the control must be enabled in KODI over HTTP. To do this, select the setting “Services – Web server” in the system menu of KODI. If your smartphone or tablet is now on the same network as the Raspberry Pi, then it should be able to detect all running KODI installations on the network.
Once you‘re connected to KODI, you can browse your Media Centre by using your smartphone as a remote control. In the Kore app, you can search text, browse media, select and start watching your favourite film. So there’s nothing standing in the way of a friendly KODI service on the sofa.
Even your own remote control can be used to control KODI. If your TV supports CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) and it will automatically recognise the Raspberry Pi and you can surf to your heart‘s content.
Cover picture: fotolia, 120301866, Leigh Prater
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