How to Install Kodi on a Raspberry Pi

by TechWizTime

21K2039

Intro: How to Install Kodi on a Raspberry Pi

Kodi is a media center program that can stream movies and tv shows directly through your raspberry pi. This can be from your main PC or through various sites on the internet. This Instructable will give you the knowledge on how to install Kodi on a Raspberry Pi.

If you enjoy this Instructable, consider checking out my TechWizTime YouTube Channel
And for a good source of Raspberry Pi products, check out my Raspberry Pi Amazon List

Let's get started!

STEP 1: What You Will Need to Get Kodi Up and Running


Hardware
  1. Raspberry Pi 3
  2. 5V 2.5A Power Supply
  3. 8GB+ Micro SD Card (Recommend Samsung)
Software
  1. OpenElec
  2. Win32DiskImager
  3. 7zip

NOTES: The Raspberry Pi 3 requires a 2.5A power supply so make sure you have one that is capable. I highly recommend Samsung Mico SD Cards due to a technology called Wear Leveling which greatly increases the life span of the memory card.

STEP 2: Preparing Your Micro SD Card for the Raspberry Pi

Firstly, we need to download the correct OpenElec image from the OpenElec website for your particular device.

  • Raspberry Pi builds cover the following models: Model A / B / B+ / Zero.
  • Raspberry Pi2 builds cover Model 2 and 3.

NOTE: You can choose between the Stable release or the Beta release. The Beta release often has the latest version of Kodi where as the Stable release is an older version of Kodi.

If you are on a Windows based PC, choose the download with .gz as the extension. This is the easiest format to extract from using a tool like 7zip.

Once you've downloaded and extracted the OpenElec image, you will need to install Win32DiskImager in order to prepare your Micro SD Card. Once Win32DiskImager is installed, launch the application and click the folder image.

Now you must select the OpenElec image that was extracted previously. Next, we need to choose the drive letter the Micro SD Card was in. Make sure you select the right drive letter as you could loose all your data.

Now click WRITE and wait until the process finishes. Click OK and EJECT the Micro SD Card and put it in your Raspberry Pi.

STEP 3: Setting Up OpenElec on Your Raspberry Pi

Boot up your Raspberry Pi and you will need to be connected to your home internet network in order for any updates to go through. After waiting for a little while (maybe 1-2 minutes), you will be presented with a SETUP screen.

Most of these can be skipped by just clicking next. You can give your OpenElec install a Hostname so it can be found on your home network or leave it as default. Next you can enable SSH and Samba. SSH should only be enabled if you know what you are doing and are going to use it.

Once this is all done, you'll be greeted with a Thank You screen and you are all done! Now you can install any addons and setup any networked media shares.

If you enjoy this Instructable, consider checking out my TechWizTime YouTube Channel
And for a good source of Raspberry Pi products, check out my Raspberry Pi Amazon List

8 Comments

Lucas Arnott 7 years ago

Android Ultra HD Kodi is one of the most powerful streaming devices
provides up to 4K Ultra HD videos from Kodi / XBMC, YouTube, and other video
sites! I am using Gostremer G5+ Quad core 4k ultra HD Linux TV box which has
lots of features with amazing picture quality.

dhaykus0418 7 years ago

Talk about coincidence, I'm actually working on something exactly like you've done here. I've laser cut my case out of briliant red transparent acrylic from a design I found on Thiniverse. I just need to locate an adapter with enough power.

Very helpful instructable.

TechWizTime 7 years ago

As long as the USB Power adapter is capable of 2.5 amps stable, then you should be okay. This one here on amazon would be perfect :) http://amzn.to/2fU7pgP

dhaykus0418 7 years ago

Okay, thanks for the link. It actually took me to the memory card but i did see the CanaKit adapter I think that you're talking about. I'll have to look into getting one ordered up when I order some more acrylic for my laser projects.

Thanks again.

DJmalo11 7 years ago

is this cheaper then getting a firestick?

TechWizTime 7 years ago

Similar in price but you can do more with a Raspberry Pi. I would say the Fire Stick is an all in one solution where as a Raspberry Pi is customisable.

DJmalo11 7 years ago

what was the total cost making this?

TechWizTime 7 years ago

If you are not worried about a case, you could get the Pi + Power Supply here: http://amzn.to/2fUaAVz for $39.99 and a 32GB Samsung Evo + memory card here: http://amzn.to/2fU7pgP for $13.73 and you are looking at less than $55. If you've already got a HDMI cable spare, you are set! The only other thing you might want is a Mouse/Keboard/Controller. Here's some other things you might want to add on to that:

Amazon Basics HDMI Cable = $10.69 : http://amzn.to/2fDG6rC

Clear Case = $5.95 : http://amzn.to/2eYfWya

White & Red Case = $7.42 : http://amzn.to/2fUaflW

Logitech MK270 Wireless KB/M = $19.95 : http://amzn.to/2fU8ZiM

Xbox 360 Wired Controller = $26.99 : http://amzn.to/2geVUVn