Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OSMC

OSMC is a free and open source media center built for the people, by the people.

OSMC

OSMC Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether OSMC is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • OSMC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-27

Features & Specs

  1. Open Source

    OSMC is completely free and open-source, allowing users to modify and improve the code according to their needs.

  2. Wide Device Support

    OSMC can run on various devices, including Raspberry Pi, Vero, and other compatible hardware, making it versatile.

  3. Built-in Kodi

    It comes with Kodi pre-installed, providing a rich media player experience with support for a large number of add-ons and plugins.

  4. Regular Updates

    OSMC receives frequent updates, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and security patches.

  5. Easy to Use

    The user interface is intuitive and straightforward, making it easy for users of all technical levels to navigate and use.

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Videos

Raspberry Pi OSMC Media Player

OSMC Raspberry PI Kodi Media Center Run Through

OSMC Media Center Setup - A Roku Alternative

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about OSMC and what they use it for.
  • How to break free from smart TV ads and tracking
    Yeah I have a couple of recent Samsung OLEDs and they're fine without an internet connection. If I press one of the annoying streaming service buttons on the remote it'll give me a setup popup which needs to be dismissed, otherwise they work fine, albeit without any built in streaming support. I'd read reports that Q-Symphony (audio from the TV speakers and soundbar simultaneously) wouldn't work, but it does. I... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Is there something like "network attached monitor"
    The devices had a small daemon that would periodically send HTTP requests to the central web service and check if it needed to update the content it was displaying and would update content accordingly. The content was displayed through OSMC. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Pay me the buying power to afford the things you got at my age, and maybe then I'll buy these things...
    Downstairs is a Raspberry PI hooked to large hard drive (8TB). That runs OSMC and provides network access for all computers/phones in the house while being hooked up to the living room TV. The IPTV can run through it but I just watch that on my computer. Source: over 3 years ago
  • one day my friend
    Just put osmc on it and use it as media center. Depending on your hardware it can be pretty solid. And there is a lot you can configure. it's basically an os which boots direcly to kodi. Also it supports hdmi-cec so you can use your normal tv remote, it's awesome. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Plexamp v4.2.2 Released
    I have heard good stuff about https://osmc.tv/. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Can someone suggest a Smart TV like distro?
    From what I know there aren't many options for this use case, and those that I know of (like OSMC or Plasma Bigscreen) all run on ARM devices like Raspberry Pi, but not x86/64. I would recommend the same as other commenters: to just use a normal distribution and put something like Kodi on it. You could probably configure the system to automatically start up whatever UI you prefer to make it more seamless. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Performance: RasPlex on 3b vs 3b+
    Instead of RaspPlex you could use OSMC or LibreElec with Plex Addon. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Is osmc.tv blocked in Egypt?
    I got a Raspberry Pi 4 and wanted to install Kodi on it (for watching movies, tv shows, football, etc.) so I chose OSMC as it's best for the RPi. The problem is that I can't even open their website. I checked if the site is down but it's not. Anyway, got a copy from a mirror site but after installing, I can't connect to the Kodi Repo to install any addons, which makes the RPi useless now. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Late Christmas gift ideas for a device to watch movies and tv shows from a flash drive without internet.
    Better buy a vero 4k instead of a Xiaomi. Vero 4k can play any format and has play system already installed. Xiaomi are weak for big HDR or other files. Vero 4k also has their gui in multiple languages and you can do so much on the device. Just plugin your stick in your vero and play your content. You can read and order vero here Https://osmc.tv/. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Kodi: An Open Source Home Theater System
    Kodi is awesome... I'm currently developing a little helper to link RFID cards to specific actions (like play an audio or video file). Everyone who is insterested should definitely take a look at the "all in one" distributions for Raspbery and friends: Libreelec (https://libreelec.tv/) ist a superfast standalone OS that can be flashed and has autoupdate - due to readonly FS it is not as customizable, than... - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • Alternative for Amazon/Google/Apple TV box
    You could try OSMC, it's basically kodi with an os and a new UI. You can put it on a Raspberry Pi or buy their vero 4k box. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Got some cool ideas?
    I use OSMC on mine, which is a custom Debian distro built around Kodi. It works for most things but some of the shows I have must be at a higher bitrate and/or a less-supported format because they get choppy. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Digital Music Storage and Playback?
    On that budget you can afford a Raspberry Pi 3B+ on which to install OSMC and a speedy 1 TB or larger SSD to store all your media, plus cables and power supplies. If you think you need the greater power of the Pi 4 and/or need UHD but can't wait, or just want a pre-installed supported platform, then get a Vero 4K. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Top 10 happiest moments
    Or buy a box that runs kodi (https://osmc.tv/ as an example) plug it into your tv and use NewPipe as your youtube app. The "cast" symbol in NewPipe casts to kodi. You need to have the kodi remote app installed also though. Source: about 5 years ago
  • Reviews of Android TV launcher after Google added ads to the homescreen
    We've got a RPi running the https://osmc.tv/ version of Kodi - other than pressing yes to install updates it hasn't needed touching. There might even be an auto update at 1am type option. It only gets used for local media + radio, twitch and youtube streams though - I don't know about other services. - Source: Hacker News / about 5 years ago
  • Are OSMC devices safe and private?
    There is only one OSMC device which is sold by Sam Nazarko on the osmc.tv site. All of those KODI boxes you are talking about from China are vendors who are misusing the KODI product by selling them as piracy streaming boxes. Source: about 5 years ago
  • Looking for Simple Media Center
    Maybe you should check out osmc Osmc. Source: about 5 years ago
  • I'm looking for a software like Plex/Kodi but not them.
    Big fan of OSMC myself, I think indeed what you are looking for is not a Media Center solution, but a sort of catalogue like EMDB is, have a look. Source: about 5 years ago
  • Kodi on Chromecast Google TV?
    If all you need is Kodi, osmc.tv makes a box called Vero that does Kodi very, very well. Source: about 5 years ago
  • He was right
    Https://osmc.tv/ should work fine with remotes, I've only tried it with an xbox 360 controller though (and that works fine). Source: over 5 years ago
  • Monthly Discussion Topic - March 2021
    My setup is somewhat similar, though I have my drives connected to a Raspberry Pi, which makes the contents available over the entire network. Another Pi is connected to network/TV and acts as a media player (using OSMC). Source: over 5 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of OSMC

OSMC (Open-Source Media Center) has made a notable impression in the realm of media players and streaming platforms, often highlighted for its simplicity and open-source nature. Launched in 2014, it stands out as a prominent alternative to Kodi, frequently being recognized alongside competitors like Stremio, LibreELEC, Jellyfin, Emby, and Universal Media Server. Public opinion regarding OSMC, as gathered from recent articles and user discussions, reflects several recurring themes and user expectations.

Simplicity and User Experience
OSMC is consistently praised for its straightforward user interface, which many users find less cluttered compared to other alternatives like Kodi. Its ease of setup and minimal necessity for tinkering appeal to users seeking a plug-and-play experience. In contrast, for those intending to explore deeper customization, OSMC offers avenues to modify and tailor features to their liking, effectively balancing both novice and advanced user needs.

Integration with Kodi
Many articles describe OSMC as a Debian-based Linux distribution that integrates seamlessly with Kodi Media Center. Users interact with the Kodi interface primarily, while OSMC serves as the underlying operating system. This combination harnesses the strengths of Kodi's extensive media functionalities with the practicality of a dedicated OS, creating a cohesive home theater experience.

Hardware Compatibility
A major advantage noted in numerous pieces is OSMC's broad hardware support, particularly with Raspberry Pi and Apple TV, as well as its proprietary device, the Vero 4K. This compatibility makes it appealing for users looking for a cost-effective media center solution. The Vero 4K is often highlighted for its robust multimedia capabilities, including supporting high-definition formats, which positions it as an attractive option over certain other hardware solutions.

Community Feedback and Customization
User forums and discussion groups reflect that OSMC is a favored choice for tech enthusiasts who appreciate the flexibility of installing additional packages and customizing their media setups without the constraints experienced in systems with a read-only file system like LibreELEC. Additionally, the availability of an app store further enhances its adaptability to user preferences.

Challenges and Considerations
Despite the positive reception, users have reported some challenges, such as website access issues in specific regions like Egypt and occasional performance trouble when handling particular media formats. Some users have noted boot time delays; however, these issues do not appear to overshadow the general satisfaction with OSMC's capabilities.

Privacy and Legal Concerns
OSMC devices maintain a focus on privacy and legality, distancing from unscrupulous practices seen in certain "piracy streaming boxes" misusing Kodi. This emphasis reassures users looking for a legitimate and ethical media center solution.

In summary, OSMC holds a strong reputation as an intuitive and customizable media center platform, appealing to a wide range of users. Its seamless integration with Kodi, coupled with wide hardware support and a focus on user-driven customization, makes it a worthwhile consideration for those seeking an all-in-one media experience.

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Is OSMC good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss OSMC here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.