LibreELEC: everything you need to know about this multimedia center

LibreELEC

If you have one Raspberry Pi (or other ARM systems) or an x86 PC, and you want to set up a multimedia center, then you can count on the project LibreELEC. With it you can have all your multimedia content in a single center from which to select and play it easily.

Another option at alternatives like OpenELEC, OSMC, and others operating systems for Raspberry Pias well as the famous emulators that you also have available for the famous SBC.

What is a multimedia center?

Media center, multimedia center

Basically a multimedia center, or media-center, is a software that gathers everything you need to always have your galleries of images, audios, and videos at hand, being able to manage and play them whenever you want to enjoy all the multimedia you need from the comfort of your living room sofa.

Multimedia centers can get this content from a local storage medium, such as an internal hard drive, a USB stick, a memory card, etc., or from remote sources by accessing the Internet.

Some media center implementations also have features for other tasks such as displaying television channels, radio stations, and even installing small apps or addons to extend its capabilities beyond that. In short, they are complete operating systems with everything you need (drivers, players, content managers, codecs, ...) so that you can enjoy entertainment and leisure like never before.

One of the first software of this type was Microsoft Windows Media Center, a version derived from Windows with some functions to enjoy multimedia from the TV or HTPC in your living room. After that, the number of similar projects increased to be integrated into a multitude of devices such as video game consoles, PCs, smart TVs, etc.

You currently have very diverse projects like MythTV, OpenELEC, OSMC, Kodi, etc.

About LibreELEC

LibreELEC

LibreELEC stands for Libre Embedded Linux Entertainment Center, a fork of the OpenELEC project. Therefore, it has many similarities with that other. That is to say, it inherits many of the characteristics of this one, although with some modifications. But stick with the JeOS principle to keep the system as simple as possible.

Of course, it is a GNU / Linux distro that use Kodi to work, exactly the same as OpenELEC. And if he separated from this other project it was only due to some creative differences between its developers, deciding to take another path to create his own project. Among the differences is the greater number of tests they do before releasing the stable version in LibreELEC.

It currently has a large development community and many followers, keeping the system very up-to-date and reaching a position LibreELEC at the helm, despite arriving later.

More information - LibreELEC Official Website

Differences: LibreELEC vs OpenELEC vs OSMC

LibreELEC it is an alternative to OSMC and OpenELEC. But, with so much choice, users have a hard time choosing the best of all. But the truth is that any of them would be a great choice. However, there are small details that have put LibreELEC in the lead.

  • OpenELEC is somewhat more complicated to install than LibreELEC.
  • LibreELEC is quite well maintained and up to date compared to other projects.
  • If you use a Raspberry Pi, LibreELEC runs very well on it.
  • LibreELEC does not have certain security problems that other projects such as OpenELEC have presented.
  • Kodi is not an option over others such as OpenELEC or OSMC, since they also use it, but it can be an advantage over other somewhat rarer projects that do not use Kodi.
  • It is much simpler than OSMC, which is a very complete distro, although this limits the capabilities of the "ELEC".

Install on your Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi 4

Whether you are looking install LibreELEC On your Raspberry Pi as on another computer, you can follow these simple steps:

LibreELEC is available for Raspberry Pi SBC boards in its different versions, Odroid C2, WeTeK Core, Rockchip RK3288 / RK3328 / RK3399, LePotato, Khadas VIM (AML S905X), Slice / Slice 3, and x86-64 PCs. In addition, you must remember that you can download the image and install it manually or use the official app to make your work easier ...
  1. Download the LibreELEC USB / SD Creator app from the official website.
  2. Select the version for your operating system Linux, macOS or Windows.
    • Windows: just download the .exe and double click to run it.
    • MacOS: You can double click on the downloaded .dmg image or drag it to Applications. Then you can launch the app.
    • Linux: once you have downloaded the .bin image, follow these commands:
      1. cd ~ / Downloads
      2. chmod + x LibreELEC.USB-SD.Creator.Linux-64bit.bin
      3. sudo ./LibreELEC.USB-SD.Creator.Linux-64bit.bin
  3. Once downloaded, from the app itself you can choose the version of LibreELEC you want to download, and create the medium USB or SD card installation without having to use third-party apps like Etcher and the like. Its simple graphical interface has no mysteries, you will see that it is super simple.
  4. Once the media is created, insert it into the device where you want to run it and voila ... For example, insert the SD into your Raspberry Pi and starts for the first time LibreELEC. Remember that if it is a PC you must choose the appropriate boot medium in the BIOS / UEFI ...

¡Now to enjoy of all multimedia content without complications!


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