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--- unix:desktops:xfce:kodi [2025/01/17 18:31] – rodolico
+++ unix:desktops:xfce:kodi [2025/01/18 01:21] (current) – rodolico
@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 I wanted a minimal install of xfce4 on an old NUC so I could run [[https://kodi.tv/|Kodi]] on it. This is an alternative to using the excellent [[https://libreelec.tv/|LibreElec]] (a "just enough OS for Kodi" appliance), as I also wanted a web browser for YouTube and PBS.
+===== Initial Install =====
 To do this, I did a [[unix:desktops:xfce:mininstall|]] and added Firefox and Chrome. I also wanted remote control of the desktop via VNC, so I installed x11vnc, and also set the //slim// login manager to auto-login my user.
@@ Line 9: / Line 11: @@
 <code bash>apt install -y kodi x11vnc</code>
-Now, edit /etc/slim.conf
+===== Set auto login =====
+Now, edit /etc/slim.conf. Change auto_login to yes and default_user to the username you want automatically logged in (in this case, username //acme//). The focus_password stanza was left in for context; you do not change it.
+<code conf>
+# default user, leave blank to not pre-load the username.
+default_user        acme
+# Focus the password field on start when default_user is set
+# Set to "yes" to enable this feature
+#focus_password      no
+# Automatically login the default user (without entering
+# the password. Set to "yes" to enable this feature
+auto_login          yes
+</code>
+===== Remote VNC Connection =====
+If you want the ability to remotely log in to the desktop (not just kodi's web interface), x11vnc is a good package for that. **NOTE**: this will significantly affect video playback on lower end machines, but only while you are actually connected.
+  - Log into the user account kodi will be run as (the auto-login above, if you set that)
+  - Add a startup option
+    - Applications Menu
+    - Settings | Session and Startup
+    - Go to //Applications Autostart// tab
+    - Uncheck Screensaver, if desired. This does nothing for this kind of machine
+    - Click the Add button to add a new option
+    - Name: VNC Server
+    - Description: Local VNC Server for remote control
+    - Command: x11vnc -rfbport 5900 -display :0 -forever
+    - Trigger: on login (default)
+    - Click Ok
+  - restart the computer (to test)
+  - Make a vnc connection to the server on port 5900, ie <code bash>/usr/bin/vncviewer kodi:5900</code>
+**Name** and **Description** can be whatever you want; I just put in some decent defaults.
+You should connect to the server and see the UI. Again, **Caution**, when you have an active connection, there will be stuttering on video playback on older hardware.
+===== Autostart Kodi =====
+Autostarting kodi can be accomplished the same was as the x11vnc above. Just change the command to **kodi**
+===== Importing configuration =====
+See [[software:kodi:replicate|]] for instructions for copying the configuration from an old installation to the new server.
+===== Screen Resolution =====
+If your output device is an older TV, there may be problems with screen resolution. Not just when in kodi, but when in the UI itself. Fixing this is a black art, but I have put some notes (not solutions) in [[unix:desktops:quickref|]]
+===== Expansion =====
+The only reason not to use [[https://libreelec.tv/|LibreELEC]] is if you want your media player to be a multi function machine. In my case, I wanted to watch YouTube and PBS, both of which are problematic under Kodi.
+I first installed a couple of web browsers. While Firefox seamlessly integrates with Linux, Chromium offers an alternative. I then created //URL Links// on my Desktop for the sites I frequented, allowing me to use the Minix Neo remote I integrated with Kodi. Turns out, the pointer works acceptably to start one of the links, and several of the keys work with the video playback, so I was happy.