Installing XBMC - Kodi on Kubintu

[ronshor]

I heard about the XBMC - Kodi Media Center and wanted to install it. So I searched for it on the Muon Software Center and installed it from there.

When I started working with the program I noticed that it's an old version and for some reason I can't install Add ons on it , so I went to the XBMC website and read the instructions on how to download it. According to their instructions it's supposed to be done through the PPA.

Right now I'm a bit confused.... why do I need to use the PPA if I have it on Muon Software Center ? How can it be on both places ?

And by the way, do you think that it can be risky to install these Add ons that people are making for the program ?

[Feathers McGraw]

The version in the PPA is just newer than the one in the repositories. Ubuntu is released in versions where all of the software is compatible so that you don't get dependency problems.

Versions in the Ubuntu repos (see http://packages.ubuntu.com/trusty/xbmc ) are:

• Preise (12.04): XBMC 11.0
• Trusty (14.04): XBMC 12.3
• Utopic (14.10): XBMC 13.1

The PPA you're talking about ( https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/ppa ) seems to have version 13.2 for precise and trusty, i.e. it provides the latest XBMC for older versions of Ubuntu. Which version of Ubuntu are you using?

If you enable the PPA, apt will pull in updated dependencies from the XBMC PPA too when you upgrade XMBC, so everything will work smoothly.

Most addons should be fine if they're popular ones like iPlayer, personally I wouldn't install the more obscure ones without having some way of verifying what it does.

[oshunluvr]

Curious - why not run KODIbuntu?

[vinnywright]

@ hear we have (on Kubuntu-14.104)

vinny@vinny-Bonobo-Extreme:~/Pictures$ apt search xbmc 
Sorting... Done
Full Text Search... Done
libnfo1/trusty 1.0.1-1 amd64
  an NFO file parser/writer library

minidlna/trusty-backports 1.1.2+dfsg-1~ubuntu14.04.1 amd64
  lightweight DLNA/UPnP-AV server targeted at embedded systems

xbmc/trusty,now 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1 all [COLOR=#ff0000][installed][/COLOR]
  XBMC Media Center (arch-independent data package)

xbmc-bin/trusty,now 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1 amd64[COLOR=#ff0000] [installed,automatic][/COLOR]
  XBMC Media Center (binary data package)

xbmc-eventclients-common/trusty 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1 all
  XBMC Media Center (Event Client Common package)

xbmc-eventclients-dev/trusty 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1 all
  XBMC Media Center (Event Client Dev package)

xbmc-eventclients-j2me/trusty 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1 all
  XBMC Media Center (Event Client J2ME package)

xbmc-eventclients-ps3/trusty 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1 all
  XBMC Media Center (Event Client PS3 package)

xbmc-eventclients-wiiremote/trusty 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1 amd64
  XBMC Media Center (Event Client WII Remote support package)

xbmc-eventclients-xbmc-send/trusty 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1 all
  XBMC Media Center (Event Client XBMC-SEND package)

vinny@vinny-Bonobo-Extreme:~/Pictures$ apt show xbmc
Package: xbmc
Priority: optional
Section: universe/video
Installed-Size: 41.5 MB
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers <ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com>
Original-Maintainer: Debian XBMC Packaging Team <pkg-xbmc-maintainers@lists.alioth.debian.org>
[COLOR=#ff0000]Version: 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1[/COLOR]
Replaces: xbmc-data, xbmc-live, xbmc-skin-confluence, xbmc-standalone
Provides: xbmc-data, xbmc-live, xbmc-skin-confluence, xbmc-standalone
Depends: xbmc-bin (>= 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1), xbmc-bin (<< 2:12.3+dfsg1-3ubuntu1.1~), mesa-utils, x11-utils, fonts-liberation, fonts-dejavu-core, python-imaging, python, python-support (>= 0.90.0)
Breaks: xbmc-data (<< 2:11.0~git20111222.22ad8e4), xbmc-skin-confluence (<< 2:11.0~git20111222.22ad8e4), xbmc-standalone (<< 2:11.0~git20111222.22ad8e4)
Download-Size: 15.9 MB
Homepage: http://xbmc.org/
Bugs: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+filebug
Origin: Ubuntu
APT-Manual-Installed: yes
APT-Sources: http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ trusty/universe amd64 Packages
Description: XBMC Media Center (arch-independent data package)
 XBMC, recursive acronym for "XBMC Media Center", is an award winning free and
 open source software media-player and entertainment hub for all your digital
 media. XBMC is available for Linux, Mac OS X (Leopard, Tiger and Apple TV)
 and Microsoft Windows, as well as the original Xbox game console. Created in
 2003 by a group of like minded programmers, XBMC is a non-profit project run
 and developed by volunteers located around the world. More than 50 software
 developers have contributed to XBMC, and 100-plus translators have worked to
 expand its reach, making it available in more than 30 languages.
 .
 While XBMC functions very well as a standard media player application for
 your computer, it has been designed to be the perfect companion for your
 HTPC. Supporting an almost endless range of remote controls, and combined
 with its beautiful interface and powerful skinning engine, XBMC feels very
 natural to use from the couch and is the ideal solution for your home
 theater. Once installed, your computer will become a fully functional
 multimedia jukebox.
 .
 This package contains all the architecture independent data needed to have a
 working XBMC.

works good and Add-ons do work ,,,,some, some not, and it can be a trick to get them to install (on any ver. of xbmc) I do not remember the magic recipe but having net up is mandatory ,,,I think their is a setting "enable addons" ,,,,,poke around .

add ons updating ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,



pick an add on ,,,,,,,,, install it ,,,,,,then enable it ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,



system info summery, we have the LAN add. so net is up .,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,



keep poking around

VINNY



VINNY

[ronshor]

Curious - why not run KODIbuntu?

As I understand KODIbuntu is for PC's that doesn't have operating system.
I'm installing KODI- XBMC on my system in order to watch TV on my PC.

[ronshor]

I'm using Kubuntu 12.04 and therefore I'm getting version 11 through the Software Center.
I still don't get it though, if a newer version for Kubuntu 12.04 exists on the PPA why can't the Software Center have it as well ?
If I download it it from the PPA would it be an unstable version for my system (12.04 ) ?

The main problem I have right now is that I cant install any Add-ons. I checked and the system is connected to the Internet.
These are the messages I get when I turn the program on

[Feathers McGraw]

When you chose a Long Term Support release you opted for software that is very stable at the cost of being slightly older. When you change a shared library that is a dependency for more than one program, you introduce the chance that the new version of the library will unearth some kind of bug in that other program, even when you know it works fine with the one you're trying to upgrade.

12.04 isn't even the latest LTS release, 14.04 has been out for ages... you can upgrade to 14.04 without doing a total reinstall if you like - you'll have to do it sooner or later anyway and it sounds like you'd like to have newer stable versions of the software you use.

[Wheel Inventor]

XBMC is done all hail the Kodi

http://kodi.tv/xbmc-13-2-gotham-final-release/

XBMC 13.2 Gotham – Final release

Here it is. One of the last versions ever that will be using the XBMC name, as we are renaming XBMC to Kodi. All our future releases will be using the Kodi name...

As 'Feathers McGraw' told the Ubuntu repositories only have the XBMC - They don't have the latest version, Kodi.

Searching xbmc: http://packages.ubuntu.com/search?ke...ll&section=all
Searching kodi: http://packages.ubuntu.com/search?ke...ll&section=all




Stable Release Updates (SRU)

I'm using Kubuntu 12.04 and therefore I'm getting version 11 through the Software Center.
I still don't get it though, if a newer version for Kubuntu 12.04 exists on the PPA why can't the Software Center have it as well ?

The 'Software Center' is showing the applications from the enabled/added repositories /1/. Ubuntu package management /4/:

Ubuntu features a comprehensive package management system for installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software. In addition to providing access to an organized base of over 35,000 software packages for your Ubuntu computer, the package management facilities also feature dependency resolution capabilities and software update checking.

Several tools are available for interacting with Ubuntu's package management system, from simple command-line utilities which may be easily automated by system administrators, to a simple graphical interface which is easy to use by those new to Ubuntu...

The Ubuntu stable release policy /2/ is:

Once an Ubuntu release has been completed and published, updates for it are only released under certain circumstances,...

Stable release updates will, in general, only be issued in order to fix high-impact bugs....

Better or worse

If I download it it from the PPA would it be an unstable version for my system (12.04 ) ?

Only you can judge it . Is the latest version good or bad in your system. I only can told how it is working at my system.


Kubuntu 12.04.5 & Kodi

Reading the HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux /3/ and adding the 'Kodi' repository to the Kubuntu Precise. After the repository is added the installation can be done through the apt/aptitude...or with the 'Software Center'.

at here - I don't use 'Software Center'.

Log of sudo apt-get install kodi Thu Feb  5 21:00:43 2015
...
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  kodi kodi-bin libafpclient0 libcec2 liblockdev1 libmicrohttpd5 libnfs1
  libsdl2 libshairplay0 libshairport1 libtinyxml2.6.2 libva-intel-vaapi-driver
  python-bluez
0 upgraded, 13 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 39.2 MB of archives.
After this operation, 88.2 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue [Y/n]
...

Links

1. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Ubuntu
2. https://wiki.ubuntu.com/StableReleaseUpdates
3. http://kodi.wiki/view/Installing_XBMC_for_Linux
4. https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/servergu...anagement.html

[claydoh]

I'm using Kubuntu 12.04 and therefore I'm getting version 11 through the Software Center.
I still don't get it though, if a newer version for Kubuntu 12.04 exists on the PPA why can't the Software Center have it as well ?
If I download it it from the PPA would it be an unstable version for my system (12.04 ) ?

The main problem I have right now is that I cant install any Add-ons. I checked and the system is connected to the Internet.
These are the messages I get when I turn the program on

A PPA is a repository that needs to be added to your system - it can't know about the updated packages until the package management system connects to it and gets all the info. You do not manually download and install the deb files from there.

Personally, I would recommend installing the latest Kodi, while it does not really look different, it is a heck of a lot more polished under the hood. Luckily, the media center is not something that is likely to take your system down if it were to crash, at least not in my experience.

I have been running xbmc/kodi for a number of years now with no issue, going back to a 12.04 system - the 900 mhz netbook running Lxde via a vga cable originally, hooked up to my 23 inch monitor, external speakers, and ain ir remote. (I do not have an actual TV).

Finding and managing repos and addons can be annoying sometimes (imo) but there is a wealth of information available via the kodi website, wiki, and forums

[ronshor]

I finally managed to install the Add ons but they dont work because I'm using an older version of XBMC.
So, it seems like I have two options right now either to upgrade my system to 14.04 or to use the PPA on 12.04 and risk the stability of my system (even if it's a remote one it's still a risk )
The reason I haven't upgraded to 14.04 yet is because I read somewhere that there could be some software and hardware problems with it ( just as you would have with any new version ) so it's better to wait ... if you can assure me that everything is fine I might choose to upgrade.

By the way, how come Firefox is being updated all the time if I'm still using Ubuntu 12.04 ?

[Wheel Inventor]

Special Cases

By the way, how come Firefox is being updated all the time if I'm still using Ubuntu 12.04 ?

SRU

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/StableReleaseUpdates

...
10. Special CasesThe Technical Board resolution on Landscape provides a general rationale for the types of special cases that may be approved here in future.


10.1. New micro releases


For some packages it is acceptable to upload new upstream microreleases to stable Ubuntu releases. See /MicroReleaseExceptions for details.
...

MicroReleaseExceptions

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/StableReleas...easeExceptions

[claydoh]

Firefox is built and maintained by Ubuntu, , kodi is not.
There are certain rules and restrictions on new software versions being put in the Ubuntu official repos, and Firefox is one of those pieces that sees regular updates (for obvious reasons)

I'd suggest adding the kodi ppa, as that is maintained by the kodi folks themselves , and is known to be stable and maintained.

[ronshor]

The PPA you're talking about ( https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/ppa ) seems to have version 13.2 for precise and trusty, i.e. it provides the latest XBMC for older versions of Ubuntu. Which version of Ubuntu are you using?

If you enable the PPA, apt will pull in updated dependencies from the XBMC PPA too when you upgrade XMBC, so everything will work smoothly.
.

Where do you read on the PPA page that it has version 13.2 for precise 12.04 ?
According to XMBC-Kodi website the PPA is going to install version 14.1 - Kodi, or maybe I don't understand something here ...

http://kodi.tv/download/

http://kodi.wiki/view/Installing_XBMC_for_Linux

[claydoh]

Where do you read on the PPA page that it has version 13.2 for precise 12.04 ?
According to XMBC-Kodi website the PPA is going to install version 14.1 - Kodi, or maybe I don't understand something here ...

http://kodi.tv/download/

http://kodi.wiki/view/Installing_XBMC_for_Linux

It *is* confusing, because the ppa does list an xbmc 13.2 package, as well as a Kodi 14.1 for precise, f you filter the display for the correct *buntu release:
https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+ar...filter=precise

However, the Kodi packages will replace the xbmc ones (which is correct, since Kodi 14.x is the upgrade for xbmc 13.x), and the xbmc one there would not be installed anyway (afaik). I do not know why the xbmc package is still there.

[ronshor]

Okay, got it now !

Many thanks to anyone who tried to help on this thread !