RaspEX Kodi Files

RaspEX Kodi 64 bit for Raspberry Pi 5 with LXQt 2.1 and Kodi 21.2 Media Center with some Video Add-ons :: Build 250730

NEWS 250730 ABOUT RaspEX Kodi
I've made a new version of RaspEX Kodi 64 bit especially for the new Raspberry Pi 5. This version is based on Raspberry Pi OS (Raspbian) and Debian "Trixie" (upcoming Debian 13). The LXDE Desktop is replaced with LXQt, which has a more "modern look" than LXDE. "Historically, LXQt is the product of the merge between LXDE-Qt, an initial Qt flavour of LXDE, and Razor-qt, a project aiming to develop a Qt based desktop environment with similar objectives as the current LXQt". I've upgraded Kodi to version 21.2 ("Omega"), which was released 250125. Everything works very well. In this RaspEX Kodi version you can run Kodi 21.2 within/on the LXQt Desktop if you want. You can also start Kodi 21.2 directly from LighDM's login screen. 

REPLACEMENT 
This RaspEX Kodi Build (250730) replaces all other RaspEX Kodi builds.

RASPBERRY Pi 5 
RaspEX Kodi is made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB and 8GB). It can not be used on a Raspberry Pi 4 (or any other Raspberry Pi model than Pi 5). In RaspEX Kodi I've added the LXQt 2.1 Desktop with many useful applications such as NetworkManager. Makes it easy to configure your wireless network. 

INSTALLED PACKAGES
Study all included packages in RaspEX Kodi Build 250730: https://raspex.exton.se/kodi-250730/raspex-kodi-64bit-installed-packages-250730.txt

MORE ABOUT RaspEX Kodi - LOGIN etc
Running RaspEX Kodi Build 240215 you'll end up at LighDM's login screen. Log in as user "pi" with password "raspberry". You cannot log in as root (superadmin). The password for root is "root" (if you should ever need it). After the first boot you shall use NetworkManager for configuring your network connection. Just click on the network icon to the right in the panel and choose your wireless network. The big difference between Raspberry Pi OS and RaspEX Kodi is that Kodi 21.2 is pre-installed in RaspEX Kodi together with some useful Add-ons. While you are logged in to the LXQt Desktop you can use Synaptic Package Manager to install all extra packages you may need. Since RaspEX Kodi is based on Raspbian/Debian you'll have about 30000 packages to chose between. When logged in as user pi you can use Sudo to become root. Examples: sudo su and sudo pcmanfm-qt. While logged in to the LXQt Desktop you can (of course) go on to Kodi directly. Just open Kodi like any other program. 
NOTE: You can also log in to Kodi directly from LightDM. 

ABOUT Kodi and the YouTube Add-on
It is NORMALLY not possible to directly watch YouTube videos on Kodi anymore. You need to create and use the API. To create the API key and make it work can be rather complicated. I've found two good instructions for it. 
1) https://raspberrytips.com/youtube-api-keys-kodi/
2) https://github.com/anxdpanic/plugin.video.youtube/issues/439#issuecomment-1509319017
IMPORTANT NOTE 1: Some (most) Add-ons need the YouTube Add-on to work. So I simply had to make YouTube work. Finally I managed to make the API keys work permanently. I have thus included the YouTube Add-on in RaspEX Kodi. 
IMPORTANT NOTE 2: For Kodi to work you'll have to run two commands:
1) sudo chown -R pi:pi .kodi
2) sudo chown -R pi:pi .kodi/*
Watch this screenshot: https://raspex.exton.se/kodi-250730/raspex-kodi-chown-kodi-250730.jpg
If you don't run the just mentioned commands Kodi will crash.

INSTALL EXTRA REPOSITORIES in Kodi
You can quite easy install extra repositories. Read about the best Kodi repos in July 2025: https://troypoint.com/best-kodi-repositories/
I've tried some. The best one is Scrubs V2. Read about how to install Scrubs V2: https://troypoint.com/scrubs-kodi-addon/

Used KERNEL
6.12.40-exton-v8-16k+ (for Rpi5).

PASSWORDS
pi/raspberry and root/root

HOW DO I INSTALL RaspEX Kodi in Windows?
Just like any other Raspberry Pi system. I.e.: Unpack the downloaded ZIP file (raspex-rpi5-64bit-kodi-21.2-lxqt-2810mb-250730.zip) and transfer the IMAGE file (raspex-rpi5-64bit-kodi21.2-lxqt-8000mb-250730.img) to your Micro SD card of at least 16GB. For that you shall use Rufus 4.7 in Windows. 

READ MORE
https://raspex.exton.se/raspex-kodi-64-bit-especially-made-for-the-new-raspberry-pi-5-with-the-lxqt-2-1-desktop-and-kodi-21-2-omega-build-250730/

ALL EXTON DISTROS
Sixteen (16) OTHER Exton distributions you may like: 
All with English as System Language (locale). They can be downloaded from SourceForge.net - "Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory". 
READ MORE: https://www.exton.se/download/

READ ABOUT MY OTHER BUILDS WITH ANDROID
https://andex.exton.net - Run Android on PC's 
- latest is AndEX 11 (Android 11)
https://raspex.exton.se - Android for Raspberry Pi 
- latest is RaspAnd 16 (Android 16)

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