Raspberry Pi Media Center with Kodi
Transform Raspberry Pi into a full-featured media center with Kodi, streaming, and library management.
Parts List
- Raspberry Pi 4
- MicroSD Card (32GB+)
- HDMI Cable
- Remote Control (CEC-compatible TV remote works)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Install LibreELEC
Download the LibreELEC image for Raspberry Pi 4 from the official website and write it to your MicroSD card using Etcher. Insert the card into your Pi and connect the HDMI cable to your TV or projector. Plug in the power supply and wait for Kodi to boot to the initial setup wizard, which takes approximately 2-3 minutes on first boot.
Initial Configuration
Follow the LibreELEC setup wizard to configure your language, timezone, and network connection via Ethernet or WiFi. Enable SSH in the Services settings if you want remote access for future configuration. Navigate to Settings > Player > Videos and adjust the display resolution and refresh rate to match your TV's capabilities for smooth playback.
Add Media Sources
Navigate to the Videos, Music, or Pictures sections and select Add Source to mount network shares, USB drives, or cloud storage locations. For NAS devices, select the SMB/NFS protocol, enter the device IP address, and provide credentials if required. For streaming, install the YouTube, Netflix, or Plex add-ons from the official Kodi repository to access your streaming accounts.
Install Add-ons
Go to Settings > Add-ons > Install from repository and browse the official Kodi Add-on Repository for useful enhancements. Install the Trakt add-on to track your watching history across devices, and the Arctic Zephyr skin for a modern interface redesign. Configure each add-on by accessing its settings page to link accounts and customize behavior to your preferences.