OpenELEC
OpenELEC is a lightweight, Kodi-centric Linux distribution designed specifically for media centers and home theater PCs. It comes preconfigured with Kodi media center software and runs well on lower-powered devices.
open-source
kodi
media-center
home-theater-pc
htpc
linux-distribution
OpenELEC: Lightweight Kodi Media Center
OpenELEC is a lightweight, Kodi-centric Linux distribution designed specifically for media centers and home theater PCs. It comes preconfigured with Kodi media center software and runs well on lower-powered devices.
What is OpenELEC?
OpenELEC (Open Embedded Linux Entertainment Center) is a lightweight Linux distribution that is purpose-built as a media center operating system. It comes preconfigured with the Kodi media center software and is optimized to provide a smooth and user-friendly media playback experience on home theater PCs (HTPCs).
Some key details about OpenELEC:
- It is based on Linux and uses a modular architecture, allowing easy customization of included software packages/addons.
- The interface is designed to be controlled with a remote or gamepad from your couch for a 10-foot media viewing experience.
- The OS has a small footprint and lower system requirements, making it well-suited for older or underpowered devices like the Raspberry Pi.
- Setup and configuration is automated and designed to get Kodi running quickly on your HTPC hardware with minimal tweaking needed.
- It is frequently updated to include the latest Kodi releases and improvements for media playback.
- Addons like PVR backends and downloaders can be added to expand media capabilities.
In summary, OpenELEC is one of the most popular choices for enthusiasts looking to convert old PCs or single-board devices into dedicated home media centers. Its auto-configuring Kodi integration and lightweight resource usage make it an ideal starting point.
OpenELEC Features
Features
- Lightweight Linux distribution optimized for Kodi
- Small disk and memory footprint
- Boots directly into Kodi interface
- Automatic updates for Kodi and addons
- Supports Raspberry Pi, generic x86 computers, and other devices
- Active community support
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Easy to setup and use
Great performance on lower-powered devices
Constant updates and improvements
Very customizable
Free and open source
Cons
Limited to just running Kodi
Less flexibility than full Linux distro
Manual updates required for core OS
Limited hardware support
Official Links
The Best OpenELEC Alternatives
Top Gaming Software and Media Center Software and other similar apps like OpenELEC
Here are some alternatives to OpenELEC:
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Plex
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OSMC
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LibreELEC
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Windows Media Center
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Daphile
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Front Row
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EmuELEC
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VortexBox
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Boxee
Boxee is a free, open source media center software designed to play various media files from local storage as well as streaming media services on a home theater PC or television set. It provides an intuitive user interface to easily manage and access your personal media library.Some key features of...
XBian
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GeeXboX
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CoreELEC
CoreELEC is a Just Enough Operating System (JeOS) that is built around the Kodi entertainment center software. It provides a lightweight operating system that is optimized to run Kodi on a variety of devices including Raspberry Pi, smartphones, Chromebooks, Android TV boxes, and more.Some key features of CoreELEC include:Small footprint...
Raspbmc
Raspbmc is a free and open source media center software application developed specifically for the Raspberry Pi microcomputer. It is based on XBMC, a popular cross-platform media player software, but has been modified and optimized to take full advantage of the Raspberry Pi's hardware capabilities.Some key features of Raspbmc include:Intuitive...
Fedberry
Fedberry is a Linux distribution based on Fedora that is specifically optimized to run on Raspberry Pi single board computers. It provides a lightweight, customizable open-source operating system that takes full advantage of the Raspberry Pi's hardware capabilities.Some key features of Fedberry include:Uses the latest stable release of Fedora, tailored...
