User Tools

Site Tools


unix:desktops:xfce:kodi

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision
Previous revision
unix:desktops:xfce:kodi [2025/01/17 18:31] rodolicounix: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. 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. 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> <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. 
 + 
unix/desktops/xfce/kodi.1737160318.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/01/17 18:31 by rodolico