ABOUT RaspEX Kodi
RaspEX Kodi Build 190803 with LXDE/Kodi Desktops can be downloaded from SourceForge.net for free. The system is made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 4, but can of course also be used on a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and on a Raspberry Pi 2 Model B. RaspEX Kodi is based on Debian 10 Buster, Raspbian and Kodi Media Center. In RaspEX Kodi I’ve added the LXDE Desktop with many useful applications such as VLC Media Player and NetworkManager. Makes it easy to configure your wireless network. I’ve also upgraded Kodi to version 18.3 Leia, which makes it possible to include useful addons such as Netflix, Plex and Amazon Video. Which I’ve done. Study all included packages in RaspEX Kodi.
Replacements
My first version of RaspEX Kodi from 190124 was a replacement for RaspEX Kodi with OSMC, which was released 190117. Sam Nazarko (founder of OSMC) contacted me 190118 claiming that I was “violating” his rights to the trademark OSMC and the rules in GPLv2. I don’t think I did, but I’m also very tired. Therefore I made a new version (190124) of RaspEX Kodi without any traces of OSMC. I would say that version 190124, 190321 and 190803 are as good as the old one from 190117. I.e. excellent video and sound performance both in Kodi and LXDE. For version 190124 I charged 9 $. This new version (190803) can be downloaded for free from SourceForge.net. People should not refrain from downloading RaspEX Kodi because of the money issue. I want all Linux and Raspberry Pi enthusiasts to enjoy the system. It runs very well on a Raspberry Pi. I.e. fast and responsive. Especially good on the new Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB RAM – released June 24, 2019.
Raspberry Pi 4: How much better is it than the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+?
Raspberry Pi 3 Model 3 B: How much better is it than the Raspberry Pi 2? Raspberry Pi 3 is performing 10 times faster than that of the Pi 1 and around 50 percent better than that of the Pi 2 according to testers.
Raspberry Pi 3 Model 3 B+: How much better is it than the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B? The tiny computer is supposed to be faster and better in every way, including upgraded processor speed, wireless internet, and Ethernet connections.
More about RaspEX Kodi
Running RaspEX Kodi you will immediately end up in X and LXDE as the ordinary user pi. After the first boot you shall use NetworkManager for configuring your network connection. Just click on the network icon in the upper right panel and chose your wireless network. Watch this screenshot. The big difference between Raspbian and RaspEX Kodi is that Kodi 18.3 Leia is pre-installed in RaspEX Kodi together with some really useful addons (Netflix, Plex and Amazon Video). Those addons need Widevine to run. While you are logged in to the LXDE Desktop you can use Synaptic Package Manager to install all extra packages you may need. Since RaspEX Kodi is based on Raspbian/Debian you’ll have about 30000 packages to chose between. When logged in as pi you can use Sudo to become root. Example: sudo su and sudo pcmanfm. While logged in to the LXDE Desktop you can (of course) go on to Kodi directly. Just open Kodi like any other program. NOTE: You cannot run Kodi as root.
Log in as root (super admin)
If you for some reason want to run RaspEX as root you can do so. Just log out from LXDE and in again as “other” from LightDM‘s login screen. Log in as root with password root. NOTE: You cannot run Kodi as root. And you can also not run Chromium as root. I have therefore installed Firefox so you will have a Browser while logged in as root.
Passwords
pi/raspberry and root/root
Kernel
Kernel 4.19.63-exton-v7l+ is used.
How do I install RaspEX Kodi in Windows?
Just like any other Raspberry Pi system. I.e.: Unpack the downloaded ZIP file (raspex-rpi4-kodi18.3-lxde-netflix-plex-amazon-video-2340mb-190803.zip) and transfer the IMAGE file (raspex-rpi4-kodi18.3-lxde-netflix-plex-amazon-video-6400mb-190803.img) to your Micro SD card of at least 8GB. For that you shall use Rufus 3.6 in Windows.
How do I install RaspEX Kodi in Linux?
You can of course also install RaspEX in any Linux system using the dd command. Just open up at terminal and run the following command (as root):
dd if=raspex-rpi4-kodi18.3-lxde-netflix-plex-amazon-video-6400mb-190803.img of=/dev/sdX bs=1M
Note: Change /dev/sdX to for example /dev/sdc, /dev/sde or…
(Check it carefully before you run the above command so you won’t lose important data).
Different Micro SD Cards
For best performance you should use SD Cards of good quality. I can recommend Samsung MicroSD Pro Plus 32GB Class 10. Write speed up to 95 MB/s. Also Samsung MicroSD EVO 16GB Class 10. Write speed up to 48 MB/s. Price 47 $ respectively 10 $ (in Sweden).
Kodi 18 in action – see below…
Wireless connections
The new Raspberry Pi 4 and 3 Model B+, 3 Model B computers has “built in” 802.11n Wireless LAN. Just use NetworkManager to configure your connection. You may have to enable wireless first. Watch this screenshot. Using Raspberry Pi 2 you have to have a Wireless USB Adapter. The only one which works for Raspberry Pi 2 is Edimax EW-7811Un (as far as I know). NOTE: When using WiFi you may have to reconnect after every reboot.
Why can’t I start Kodi?
If you install certain (faulty) add-ons it can happen that you can’t start Kodi anymore. In that case the file profiles.xml (/home/raspex/.kodi/userdata/profiles.xml) is corrupted or empty. Replace it with this file – download. The file shall have this content.
<profiles>
<lastloaded>0</lastloaded>
<useloginscreen>false</useloginscreen>
<autologin>-1</autologin>
<nextIdProfile>1</nextIdProfile>
<profile>
<id>0</id>
<name>Master user</name>
<directory pathversion=”1″>special://masterprofile/</directory>
<thumbnail pathversion=”1″></thumbnail>
<hasdatabases>true</hasdatabases>
<canwritedatabases>true</canwritedatabases>
<hassources>true</hassources>
<canwritesources>true</canwritesources>
<lockaddonmanager>false</lockaddonmanager>
<locksettings>0</locksettings>
<lockfiles>false</lockfiles>
<lockmusic>false</lockmusic>
<lockvideo>false</lockvideo>
<lockpictures>false</lockpictures>
<lockprograms>false</lockprograms>
<lockgames>false</lockgames>
<lockmode>0</lockmode>
<lockcode></lockcode>
<lastdate></lastdate>
</profile>
</profiles>
Error when trying to run Kodi on a Rpi 3
When you try to run Kodi 18.3 on a Rpi 3 Model B+ you will get this error: Unable to create GUI. Exiting.
Fix it by editing /boot/config.txt. Command: sudo nano /boot/config.txt
The last line looks like this: #dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
Change it to look like this: dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
Reboot. After that you can run Kodi 18.3 without problems.
Expand the filesystem on the SD card
If you install many new big programs and/or download large files (for example videos) you may run out of space on the SD card. That is best fixed by running the following command: sudo sh /root/resize_rootfs.sh
NOTE: That’s all you have to do. Just wait for the script to fix everything. If you use a SD card of 32 GB all the space on it will be used afterwards. Watch a screenshot when said command is running.
Running the Netflix add-on
When you try to start Netflix for the first time you will probably see this error message. That’s because you haven’t logged in to Netflix yet. Just log in and that won’t happen again. When logged in to Netflix it will look like this. Sometimes it can happen that a movie start with the “wrong” subtitle. Change it to your liking as this screenshot shows. Germans (in particular) like to dub English movies (and movies in other languages) to German. Change the audio language as this screenshot shows.
Set up subtitles for Netflix
From Kodi’s home screen, go to Settings -> Player settings -> Language – screenshot. Select the languages you want to get when searching for subtitles – screenshot. That’s it!
Bad sound while running Firefox and YouTube in LXDE?
For better sound performance you can/should replace Firefox with Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release). I.e. uninstall Firefox with sudo apt remove firefox. Then get firefox-esr_60.8.0esr-1_armhf.deb and install it with sudo dpkg -i firefox-esr_60.8.0esr-1_armhf.deb.
RaspEX Kodi performance
RaspEX Kodi is a very fast and responsive Rpi system. Much due to very low memory (RAM) usage. About 120 MB as this screenshot shows. I’ve said that RaspEX LXDE Build 181015 is very fast. RaspEX Kodi is even faster especially if you use the new Raspberry Pi 4 to run it. The video and sound quality is also very very good. Even while running RaspEX Kodi on big TV screens. I.e. you can really enjoy Netflix and YouTube running on your Rpi mini computer!
Compatibility :: August 2019
Unfortunately not all systems made for Raspberry Pi 3 and 2 will run on the new Raspberry Pi 4 computer. They need to be upgraded with a new kernel. I therefore have to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspEX BunsenLabs, RaspEX Kodi, RaspAnd Marshmallow, RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2, RaspAnd Oreo 8.1, RaspAnd Pie, EXTON OpSuS Rpi, FedEX Rpi3 and RaspArch. I have until now (190812) only upgraded RaspEX, RaspEX Kodi, RaspArch and RaspEX with OpenCPN. Read about the new Raspberry Pi 4.
SCREENSHOTS
1. Running Kodi
2. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi
3. Netflix running showing very good video quality
4. YouTube running showing very good video quality
5. Choosing program addons in Kodi
6. The LXDE Desktop logged in as root (super admin)
7. Kodi system info
8. VLC running showing very good video quality
9. Root’s Desktop
10. LibreOffice Writer running
DOWNLOAD
This version of RaspEX Kodi has been replaced by Build 191117…
Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation
Kodi is a trademark of XBMC Foundation
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX Pie 9.0 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Pie 9.0 (without GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!
hi Exton, today installed RaspEX Kodi
RaspEX Kodi Build 190803, encountered two issues.
Kodi not opening after install, LibreOffice Writer window not opening full, all ribbon
and menus missing, while LibreOffice Calc,Impress and Draw opening properly
System is running fast, video in Youtube and VLC are of good quality.
Thanks for the effort, awaiting for your reply.
Reinstall LibreOffice. Did you forget to enlarge the system sd card?
Edit a little later: You got me worried so I did a fresh install. Everything works as expected (including LibreOffice and Kodi). Watch this screenshot.
Please reinstall using Rufus 3.6 in Windows or the dd-command in Linux. And/or check your downloaded image with md5sum.
I already asked this questions on the previous version, but I guess it’s no longer seen by users, so I ask again here.
I wonder how I could auto start Kodi at launch with this version or RaspEX.
I updated everything and I am not able to add a network drive (in my case, a folder from my time capsule). If anyone could help, that would be awesome.
Just curious… what is the performance of Netflix on the Pi 4? Do we still have to limit to 720P or can we run full 1080P HD or even 4k if available/supported?
Thanks!
When I run Kodi, I can’t login to AMAZON VOD add-on, it doesn’t load the login screen.
Try to disable it and enable it again.
I try to disable and enable again, but the issue still persist. I tested from a rpi3B+ and from a rpi4 with identical result. The screen of loggin stays loading and never arrives to appear the option of putting user and password.
Would it be possible to import the data from the previous version for RPI3B+ ?
The problem was solved. I copied the .kodi folder from the previous Raspex edition and changed it in the new Rpi4 edition.
Thanks for your project!!
I’m glad that you found a solution and that you posted it here. Thanks.
Tjenna Exton!
Bra jobbat.. verkligen uppskattat / thanks for your hard work and contributions to the Linux community! Have been using Linux for 20 something years and used to enjoy the tweaking to tailor make the system for every computer. But with little ones running around my legs, nowadays I really appreciate the simplicity of an already optimized and ready-to-go disk image. This one works perfectly on an RPi4, but Kodi wont run with the same image installed to a RPi3, so would be nice if you could make your old image available again? Extract from log-file:
ERROR: CWinSystemGbm::InitWindowSystem – failed to initialize Atomic DRM
ERROR: CWinSystemGbm::InitWindowSystem – failed to initialize Legacy DRM
ERROR: CWinSystemGbm::InitWindowSystem – failed to initialize off screen DRM
FATAL: CApplication::Create: Unable to init windowing system
I’ve added this to the INFO site:
Error when trying to run Kodi on a Rpi 3
When you try to run Kodi 18.3 on a Rpi 3 Model B+ you will get this error: Unable to create GUI. Exiting.
Fix it by editing /boot/config.txt. Command: sudo nano /boot/config.txt
The last line looks like this: #dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
Change it to look like this: dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
Reboot. After that you can run Kodi 18.3 without problems.
Brilliant!
Having issues getting Netflix to work with a fresh install. Somewhere along the line it needs to extract some things from a Chrome recovery file that is over 2GB and despite having a 32GB card the relevant partitions don’t have enough space for this operation. How can I give myself enough space to work with?
Please read my INFO site about how to expand the space: https://raspex.exton.se/?p=1185
As a portable mediacenter, this solution is excellent and ticks all the boxes. Thank you for making the effort and sharing this project!
Question: What would be required to make it boot straight into XBMC? And back to the LXDE desktop when XBMC is closed?
Put kodi.desktop in the folder /home/pi/.config/autostart. Should work.
Thank you!
I log on to Amazon VOD, it does recognize my username and password, but all folders appear empty.
Cold you help me on this ?
Sorry I don’t have an account with Amazon. Somebody else?
I have followed the instructions but every time I try to do the first boot, the pi boots, shows the initial welcome screen and then goes blank.
Anybody else have this issue?
Are you using a Rpi3? If so please read this post: https://raspex.exton.se/?p=1185#comment-34985
No, sorry I’m using a RPi4 4GB. I see the initial startup but right after I see the raspberries there is a very brief flash of a welcome window then it goes to complete black. I have tried uncommenting various options in the config file including hdmi_safe, hotplug, hdmi_group, hdmi_modes, config_hdmi_boost at 4 and higher up to 9.
That’s strange since all Rpi4’s are the same. Thousands of people have downloaded this build. If they can’t start the system I should have heard about it.
Tried with another monitor?
It was connected to my Panasonic TV. Worked fine on my monitor. Running tvservice -p fixed the issue temporarily. Completely fixed it just by running an update. Thank you for your help.
Ned,
Good to hear that you got it solved. Thanks for your report too.
Hellow, kodi no run with https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/4inch_HDMI_LCD_(H). Thanks
Hi!
What would be the process of updating Kodi to 18.4 on RaspEX?
The package manager does not detect that Kodi 18.3 is installed.
Thank you in advance,
Traveler
I found it 🙂
Please ignore.
Hi
Installed version 191117 on PI 3B+ using Etcher, system boots ok but no mouse or keyboard.
Added SSH to boot config and connected via PuTTY. lsusb Shows that both mouse and keyboard are connected.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Don
Install again using Rufus this time and/or change keyboard and mouse.