Kodi 21: Basic facilities including library

Kodi can confidently be described as a mature product: as of today, version 21 is still one alpha version, But it's already running stable here and looks exactly like the last versions. The setup is simple and can be done in 10 minutes at best. Only corrections and manual additions in the library could take a little more time. But from the beginning, step by step and image by image:

Introduction

First of all: The article may look quite long - but it mostly consists of pictures. Many dialogues are actually self-evident, but we show every step, no matter how small, including a picture, so that no questions remain unanswered and you can see in advance what exactly you have to prepare for.

To Installation: Kodi can be used on a number of devices, tablets, normal desktop PCs, Raspberry Pies, some NAS, smart sticks and so on. But that's not what this is about. What we have on the topic:

Install Kodi on:

• Fire TV Stick 4K Max
• Raspberry Pi
• Fire TV Stick 2020
• Amazon fire hd
• Fire TV Cube
• Other (older) systems

And another word about Code 21: As already mentioned, as of today it is a very early alpha version that must be viewed as experimental. However, nothing will change in terms of the interface and the workflow shown here. Not much has changed in the area of ​​user experience/user interface (UX/UI) for a while, so most of our 80 or so Kodi articles still fit. Here are a few examples for you to zap:

• The most exciting optional settings
• Use intelligent playlists
• create backups
• 15 recommended extensions

But now back to the beginning. So you just installed Kodi...

1. Switch Kodi and metadata to German

Opens the settings via the gear symbol:

You can find the settings for the user interface at Interface:

Select German here and confirm.

Now you should open the view directly Expert switch – why miss out on options?

If you want your library to later show German titles and descriptions, you still have to change the information provider's add-ons. Here as an example for Default movie information provider: Opens from the home page Addon browser in the field of Addon:

Continue with User Addons:

Now All:

The addon you are looking for is The Movie Database Python (By the way, you can find the series version directly below!).

Switches to the desired language:

2. First settings

The most important settings concern Kodi on the network: Will it be seen on the network? Which remote controls are allowed? Does Kodi stream? For security reasons, most network services are disabled by default. And so everything happens in the same area. Otherwise, almost all of the presets in Kodi are fine as is.

Starts under Settings/Services. This is primarily about collaboration with other programs that are running in your home network. Under General you activate Zeroconf and if necessary, give it a better name than just Kodi. Other network players will then find this Kodi installation under this name.

Under steering You can activate the web interface for the browser, which is practical for accessing the library on the desktop, for example. You should also allow remote control so that you can control Kodi on the network, for example with an app on your cell phone.

The UPnP / DLNA You activate the media server so that you can stream the titles from the library using smartphone apps, for example.

You will usually only need further settings after you have had some experience with Kodi and as your requirements grow. It may be worth taking a look at, especially if you use a special monitor or sound setup Settings/System, for example, to turn off screens that are not in use.

3. Build a library

Now the most exciting point: Add media. In the area Movie and in all other empty video areas you will also see a notice that the library is empty - click anywhere on it “To Files” button. Alternatively, you can always take the route Settings/Media/Library .

Let's continue again Files:

Continue over Add videos...:

Now you finally see it “Add video source” dialog. Click on Browse, to search.

If the files local available, i.e. on the computer on which Kodi itself is running, navigate to your media folder. As a rule, the videos should be in Network are, usually as Samba releases Windows network (SMB). Unfortunately, for security reasons, you have not been able to browse the network for some time (by default). Feel free to try it, but probably nothing will happen. So you have to do this manually Add network share take care of.

This is where you contribute now Server & Hosting can The IP address or the name of the computer with the network share. Under Network share The name of the share ends up, which you have to look up on the NAS, for example. On Linux computers you can usually find the answer via

cat /etc/samba/smb.conf

Ausgabe:
[evo]
path = /media/evo
valid users = mirco
read only = no

The appropriate name is above the respective release in square brackets. Ultimately you still have to Password and User name enter for approval. And only then can you open Browse ...

... and now look for the appropriate subfolder. The top level is ideal here; you will make a more precise selection later.

You will then end up back in the higher-level dialog and see the new network share with IP and selected folder - open the entry.

And again you have to look for a network share - but now you specifically select a folder with films or series.

Then give it a descriptive name and confirm again.

Now you can see why films and series need their own approvals. In dialogue set content That's exactly what you're doing - so click on This folder contains and …

... choose accordingly.

The Information provider will then be selected automatically, you should leave it like that. Here the so-called Scraping initiated, i.e. obtaining metadata for the files, such as artwork, content information, duration, rating, cast and so on.

Allows updating.

Depending on the size of your file collection, the process can take a quarter of an hour or longer. But after that everything is pretty:

4. Correct title

Well, mostly it is not everything is pretty. If titles end up in the library with incorrect or incomplete metadata, you will have to correct them manually. For example, the artwork is missing here:

Brings up the title's context menu and selects Information:

Then click on the bottom right Update and …

...may ignore locally stored information.

The search then either spits something out directly or asks you to type in the film title manually - you can then select the correct hit:

If necessary, you can also find missing artwork directly via Select graphic add:

Choose a picture...

... and another title is nice ;)

5. Add title

If files have not been included in the library at all, you have to take the detour again files go. Works in the normal library view – here Movies/Titles – go all the way to the top and click on ..to move up a level:

You will then see the display options for metadata - but click again ..

Now you have the opportunity again files (you are just coming from the “Films” section of the library).

Then open the entry again Movie - which of course is the one folder the network share means... Yes, it's a bit confusing when Kodi's media source and the folder are named the same. But Movie it's just so obvious ;)

In any case, you will then end up in a normal file browser view and can navigate to missing titles. Here, for example, the stupid file name meant that Harry Potter the First could not be found.

Calls up the context menu and selects Add to library.

Now enter the name in whole or in part:

Then choose the appropriate hit...

... and this Potter can also be found in the library. Note: Of course, the selection here shows the German titles, provided you switched the information provider to German in step 1.

For the normal basic use Kodi is now ready to sweeten your evening. The next option would probably be to install a suitable remote control on the smartphone. Or access Kodi as a media server with your favorite music app. Or create multiple user profiles. Or smart playlists. Or install trailer add-ons... It can take a few hours until everything is the way you want it! Hence the link again backup item.

If you want to see how far you can push it, we have here something else for advanced crazy Kodi hobbyists.

And further …

Of course, Kodi also has its own functions for music and photos, but the procedure is identical to the library. Things like gaming, live TV and PVR (personal video recorder) are a little more complex, not to mention sharing a library with other Kodi installations. That means: Click through the settings, there is a lot to discover here.

And if that's still not enough, take a look at the following 15 extensions on – for example for media libraries.

And if you are still looking for the right hardware:

InnoConnect Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB RAM) Bundle 32GB (black)

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(Status: 08.12.2023 05:50 - Details)

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