The Raspberry Pi model 2, 900 Mhz quad core, 1 GB RAM version is out and of course like many others I am doing my favorite things such as installing Kodi/XBMC.
That is the main thing I love to do with the Raspberry Pi is to install Kodi/XBMC and my favorite video plug-ins such as 1channel, Project free TV, Ice films and so on.
I currently have Kodi installed on two PCs and a Raspberry Pi. The last Raspberry Pi version B+ 512 MB RAM is what I previously ran Kodi Media Center on and it does work, although a bit laggy at times.
The specs of the Raspberry Pi model 2 are four times better in processing power and twice the RAM, so there is no doubt that while the Raspberry Pi B+ model was good the model 2 takes things to a new level.
What does it take to install Kodi on a Raspberry Pi model 2?
The first thing needed is the hardware components and then once they are had than the software components can be loaded to run Kodi.
Here is a list of the hardware requirements.
Raspberry Pi model 2
HDMI audio video cable
USB Wi-Fi adapter or Ethernet connection
Power Supply
8 GB Class 10 SD card.
SD Card Formatter
A input control such as a keyboard or a wireless mouse which is what I like to use. USB infrared remotes are cheap and something I might invest in the future.
The parts above can be bought separately or you can simply buy a premade kit on Amazon. Here is one such kit.
CanaKit Raspberry Pi 2 (1GB) Ultimate Starter Kit (Over 40 Components: New Raspberry Pi 2 + WiFi Dongle + 8GB SD Card + Case + Power Supply and many more)
One thing that may not be included in a kit is a SD Card Formatter. Your computer may have one but a SD Card Formatter is needed to write software to the Raspberry Pi SD Card.
Software needed.
Once the hardware components are bought then the software components can be loaded to run the Raspberry Pi with Kodi.
There are three install packages that can be done to install Kodi on a Raspberry Pi, Openelec, Raspbmc, Xbian.
Each install package has its own positive and negatives. In the past I have always used Raspbmc but for the Raspberry Pi 2 it is recommended to run Openelec. The other packages simply haven’t been updated yet with images for the Raspberry Pi 2.
The Openelec image can be downloaded here. openelec.tv/get-openelec
Be sure to get the correct Image file for your Pi.
After downloading the image it will need to be written to a SD Card. Openelec can also be written to a USB flash drive but the most common method is to write it to a SD Card.
If you never written an image file before it is easy to do. A image file is a preset up operating system that needs to be written to bootable media such as a SD card.
With a image file of an operating system you do not need to go to the whole step-by-step install of loaded drivers and selecting options.
Since the Raspberry Pi 2 specifications are already known the operating system can be pre-written and simply needs to be flashed to a SD card.
I use Win32 Disk Imager to write images to flash drives are SD cards. If you’re using a Mac or Linux then check out the installation instructions from Openelec here.
Win32 Disk Imager can be downloaded here. http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/files/latest/download
Steps to write the Openelec to the SD card.
1…Insert the SD Card into a computer slot
2…Open Win32 Disk Imager and load the Openelec image file
3…Select the drive the Sd card is on. (Be sure to select the correct drive as Win32 Disk Imager will write to what ever drive is selected even a hard drive!!)
Once Openelec is written to a SD card, the SD Card can be taken to the Raspberry Pi and slid into the SD card slot.
At this point it is ready to be hooked up to the TV. To do this connect the HDMI cable to the TV (Sound and video will carry over the HDMI). Connect to the Internet with Ethernet or a Wi-Fi dongle, and connect a way to control input such as a keyboard or like me with a mouse.
After everything is hooked up plug in the power supply and the TV will com up with the Openelec logo.
Kodi Helix logo will follow.
A welcome screen will come up with some simple steps to follow such as setting the language.
If you are using a WiFi dongle to connect to the internet select you router and enter your details.
At this point Kodi is installed and running on your Raspberry Pi 2, but it needs add-ons to really get the most from it. Add-ons are like apps for a smartphone that can be installed to add features to Kodi.
To install the add-ons it is easiest to install a repository such as SuperRepo which will install them for you when selected.
Here are the steps to installing SuperRepo repository There is a video below the screenshots for a visual step by step install of SuperRepo.
1…
System–>File manager
2…
Add Source
3…
Click where it says “None”
Add the following URL http://srp.nu/
4…
In the next box down type in the name SuperRepo
5…
6…
Than click OK
7…
Click on SuperRepo
8…
Install From Zip file
9…
Click on SuperRepo
10…
Choose the version you want it is the same as the version of Kodi you installed.
11…
Click ALL
12…
Click to install
SuperRepo is now installed. To install a plugin / add-on from SuperRepo go back to System–>Stetting
Add-ons
Get Addons
SuperRepo
Video Add-ons
Select the plugin you want to install. Here 1channel has been selected.
After installing the plugin go to Video-> Video Add-ons.
Some pluggins will update the first time they are used but at this point simply find a show / movie you want to watch, select a server and enjoy.
If you have not played with XBMC / Kodi and are thinking of getting rid of cable TV or satellite, defiantly check it out. It is more than awesome.
The post How to install Kodi on a Raspberry Pi model 2 appeared first on Wirelesshack.