Software update: LibreELEC 11 beta 1

The developers behind the Libre Embedded Linux Entertainment Center have released the first beta release of version 11. LibreELEC was founded after a large number of developers at OpenELEC left due to disagreements and started their own business. This Linux distribution is based on Kodi and can turn a computer into a full-fledged HTPC. It can also be installed on a Raspberry Pi or a separate media player. LibreELEC version 11 includes the switch to Kodi version 20 and there is support for add-ons in the Google Chrome browser. Furthermore, some older Amlogic models, for which support had previously lapsed, are supported again. The release notes for this release can be found below.

News

With the new release cycle we add a Generic-Legacy image supporting nVidia cards, Chrome Browser add-on, and older hardware. We also reintroduce support for older Amlogic devices (S905, S905X/D, S912). If you use them make sure to read the paragraphs below.

LibreELEC 10.0 installs will not automatically update, but you can manually update. Older LibreELEC installs must make a clean install due to the Python 3 changes since Kodi v19.

Raspberry Pi

• 50/60fps b64 HW decoding may need force_turbo=1 or core_freq_min=500 in config.txt to avoid AV-sync-issues/skipping
• Kodi at RPi4 runs in 4096×2160 instead of 3840×2160 on 4k TVs after fresh installation. Configure Kodi as described at the wiki and optionally add hdmi_enable_ekp60=1 to config.txt and enable HDMI UltraHD Deep Color in your TV’s HDMI port configuration to get 4kp60 modes

Generic (x86_64)

The Generic image now runs the same GBM/V4L2 graphics stack we have long used with ARM platforms. It now supports HDR with recent AMD and Intel GPUs. We have added a Generic-Legacy image that runs the older X11 graphics stack used in LE v7-v10. You can update between the GBM and X11 images without issues.

Use the Generic-Legacy image if:

• You need support for nVidia GPUs
• You need support for the Chrome Browser add-on
• You see graphical glitches on older hardware, eg NUC 6th Gen

NB: In the last year nVidia has made progress in their support for modern graphics standards. Drivers are now mesa/GBM compatible but still have dependencies on Wayland which we do not use, and Kodi has no plan to support proprietary NVDEC decoding (but VDPAU remains). We still recommend users avoid investing in nVidia GPUs.

AllWinner

Support for the Orange Pi 3 LTS board is still “work in progress” and there are known problems.

Amlogic

Support for Amlogic S905, S905X/D, and S912 devices resumes. b64 playback and seeking is solid. HEVC playback is okay and seeking recently improved from 2/10 to maybe 7/10. HDR works with HEVC/VP9 media on S905X/D and S912 devices. Multi-Channel PCM and Pass-Through audio works on HDMI up to 7.1 channels. With typical 1080p oriented media collections the AMLGX image is quite usable and provides access to the latest Kodi release and compatible add-ons. To be crystal clear: the AMLGX image is not perfect, but cost-of-living is high and $0 updates to old hardware are more appealing to users than $150+ purchases of new hardware. If we resume support (with caveats) fewer old boxes end up in landfill. There’s also an increased chance of people contributing improvements to smooth the rough edges that exist.

To set expectations, here’s the ‘No’ list:

• No support for updates from older LE releases (clean install is mandatory)
• No support for internal eMMC install except WeTek Hub/Play2 and SBC boards
• No support for SSV6501 and S908CS WiFi chips
• No drivers for in-box DVB tuners
• No hardware deinterlacing
• No HDR to SDR tone mapping
• No formal support for newer S905X2/D2/Y2, S905X3, S922X, A311D devices (read below)

The reason for not formally supporting newer hardware generations is all about hardware decode drivers and user expectations. Amlogic hardware video decoding requires the “VDEC” driver for older GXBB/GXL/GXM hardware and “HEVC” driver (driver, not codec) for newer G12A/G12B/SM1 hardware, and both generations prefer a later iteration of “multi” decoder firmware. The current upstream driver code attempts to mix both drivers in a common codebase with partial success and does not support multi firmware blobs. As a result, the current drivers work well on older hardware, but bugs prevent 10-bit and 4K output on newer hardware, and users with newer and (on paper) more capable hardware generally have higher expectations and more demanding media. To avoid negative feedback and user frustration; if you have newer Amlogic hardware our recommendation is to run Kodi on the Android install that shipped with the box. If you choose to run AMLGX images on newer hardware; expect 1080p maximum output, and minimum interest from developers if you post known issues in the forums.

AMLGX has a different boot and SD card preparation process, ie no renaming of device-tree files, so PLEASE READ THIS WIKI ARTICLE for more info on differences between AMLGX and legacy images.

DVB Addons

DVB Add-Ons are currently deactivated. Digital Devices and TBS currently have no support for recent kernels so we are out of options. If you require support for those devices please stay at LE10.