Projects / Kodi

Kodi

Audio & Video

A media center that organizes personal videos, music and photos for remote-control use in the living room.

Use with conditions
Last updatedRelease 2025-10-31
Open source licenseGPL-2.0-or-later; component licenses are listed separately
PlatformsWindows · Linux · macOS · Android; other devices have their own versions
DeploymentDesktop / Mobile

About this project

Kodi is a media player and entertainment application designed for browsing personal media collections. It can scan material into a library with covers, descriptions and background artwork. Its interface is intended to remain usable at television viewing distance and supports remote control operation. Playlists, photo slideshows and music visualization provide different ways to present the selected collection.

Movies, television series, music and photographs have their own organization features. Series can be presented by season and episode, while music uses information such as tags and smart playlists. Live television and recording require a supported PVR backend. Skins and add-ons extend presentation and related functions, so those features can involve components beyond the main media library.

Native applications cover systems including Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. Kodi supplies the player and management interface, but the project explicitly states that it does not supply media or media sources. Users add their own material or configure third-party sources themselves. The application and the content eventually played through it therefore have separate roles in the overall setup.

Decision guide
01

Why it is worth a look

  • Manage and play personal media
  • Interface for televisions and remote controls
02

Before you use it

  • The homepage has version 22 beta news; this record uses the official repository's stable 21.3-Omega
  • Live TV and recording require a compatible PVR backend; installation does not automatically provide programming
  • Start with one media folder and verify third-party add-ons separately
Manual setupModerate
With an AI agentLow
DeploymentDesktop / Mobile
Additional requirementsNot verified

Use an officially listed operating system and architecture; Have application installation permissions and sufficient local storage; Some requirements have not been verified. Check the official setup instructions.

03

What it can do

  • Manage and play personal media
  • Interface for televisions and remote controls
  • Connect separate PVR backends and add-ons

Who it fits

Good for

Local home media libraries and living-room playback

Not a fit

Judgment: Users expecting paid films or television content, or unconfigured live TV, immediately after installation

Getting started

  1. Choose the device's stable release on the official page
  2. Add one personal media folder after installation
  3. Check scanning and playback before expanding media sources

Alternatives to consider