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Using Kodi / XBMC to Watch and Stream Live TV

Are you tired of paying the cable bill? The best way to supplement your over the air antenna is with a box that streams online content. Look no further. Kodi is your one-stop solution. Kodi is an open-source software media center for playing videos, music, viewing pictures, and streaming online content. You can also integrate it with an HDHomeRun device to watch and record live over the air TV. In this post, I will show you how to set it up and install all the great plugins it has to offer.

What is Kodi?

Kodi or XBMC which it was formerly called has been around for quite some time. I have personally been using this Using Kodi/XBMC to watch and stream live TVsoftware for many years and have seen it evolve into a very powerful media center. The nice part about Kodi is it is free and can run on many different devices. Kodi is developed by a large number of volunteers and has a huge community. It is an open-source platform. Kodi is continuously being developed, so check to see the latest version for new improvements and features. You can make a donation to their website if you enjoy the product. It will run on smartphones, computers, and tablets and on operating systems like Windows, Linux, OS X, Android, IOS, and Raspberry Pi. There are also many add-ons or plugins that are continuously being developed that turn Kodi into a powerful online streaming device. Your options are endless. You just need to decide how you would like your media center to look.

Picking Your Device

There are many options for installing Kodi. I personally use an Amazon Fire TV Stick for both of my TVs. I prefer this set because Kodi is easy to install and runs very well on a Fire TV stick. There are also many other good choices of devices that are pre-loaded right out of the box. A basic Android box is a popular way to use Kodi. There are many options to consider. See our link to the article below.

What are The Best Devices to Run Kodi.

Setting up Kodi

Kodi is very easy to set up. Once you have decided which device you would like to install it on, you need to download the install file that corresponds to the operating system you are running. Here is the link to the Kodi download page. Download the file and install it. Follow the prompts depending on which operating system you choose. Once installed, you can launch it by clicking on the Kodi icon on your desktop.

Customizing your Kodi Box

How to Build Your Own NAS Media Server

This is where Kodi really shines. It will play just about any video or audio file. You can load all of your favorite videos and music on it. You can also use a central storage solution or a NAS (network-attached storage) box. Just load all your content on a NAS storage device and allow Kodi to do the rest. Kodi will play it back on your device of choice. There are many great tutorials on how to configure your Kodi media center. One great place to get started is their forums page. There is also a great wiki page explaining the whole process.

Checkout our article on how to build your own NAS Media Server.

Plugins and Add-ons

Plugins and add-ons can turn your Kodi box into a powerful online streaming device. These add-ons are written by 3rd part developers that allow you to install an app onto your Kodi device to stream online content. Be aware that some of these apps are not supported by the official Kodi development team. You can stream Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube just to name a few. You can also take it a step further and stream a plethora of movies, TV shows, and music. It’s amazing how much content you can play. Kodi’s plugins are constantly under development, so you should check back from time to time to see what is new. Check out some of these great add-on websites to install some of these features.

Integrating Kodi with Your Over The Air Antenna

You can also use your over the air antenna with Kodi. SiliconDust HDHomeRun Live TV is a great device that allows you to integrate your OTA antenna allowing you to watch live TV on your Kodi device. Kodi has a nice Wiki page explaining the setup process of live TV and it’s capabilities. This is a very cool feature and fully integrates your media center.

“The beauty of the HDHomeRun add-on is its elegance … There’s really no set up. Just install the add-on and you’re good to go,” says Edwin Kim, Vice President of Products for Silicondust USA. This is a simple way to watch live HDTV on media devices throughout your home. Your devices can then receive free broadcast TV channels via an antenna allowing you to send HD 1080i definition content to anywhere in your home via an Ethernet connection and to multiple devices. You should be able to simply click on Get More from the Video Add-ons menu within Kodi and download HDHomeRun Live TV.

  • Watch live HDTV on up to 2 devices simultaneously on your wired network
  • Works with all popular PC DVR software (Kodi) so you can watch, pause and record
  • HDHomeRun is DLNA compatible and streams over UPnP.
  • TV antenna required

Where to Buy:

The SiliconDust HDHomeRun is available from these retailers:

eBay

SiliconDust HDHomeRun

Amazon

SiliconDust HDHomeRun

Check out the wiki on how to integrate it with Kodi:

This informative video by Lon Seidman explains the install process and how it works.

Learn How to Setup Kodi for Live Over The Air TV

Setting up Kodi for live OTA tv and PVR new
Learn how to use Kodi to watch and record live OTA using your HD antenna and a few components.

Combine Your Kodi Box With an HD Antenna

kodi antenna savings

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More Kodi Articles You May Like:

Looking for more articles on Kodi? Checkout our list here.

Conclusion

Kodi is a very powerful media center software. It is a great alternative to cutting the cord from cable TV. It also integrates nicely with an over the air antenna. So if you are looking for an all-in-one media center solution try implementing Kodi into your viewing experience.

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July 14, 2023 0

The Best Over The Air Antennas Based on Performance and User Feedback

Last updated: Friday, July 14, 2023Having a reliable over-the-air antenna is important. It can improve the reception of television stations and ensure a strong signal. In this article, we will discuss the best over-the-air antennas based on performance and user feedback. These antennas have consistently received positive reviews from users and are recognized for their ability to capture signals effectively. However, it’s important to research and consider your specific location, terrain, and distance from broadcast towers to determine the most suitable antenna for your needs. The Best Over-The-Air Antennas Based on Performance and User Feedback Channel Master EXTREMEtenna CM-4228HD The Channel Master EXTREMEtenna [...]
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About Johan
I started this site to educate the public on alternative ways you can watch television besides subscribing to cable. I have been in the audio-visual business for over 20 years. I also have an extensive computer networking background. I am a Microsoft Certified Professional and CompTIA Network+ Certified Technician. I hope you will find my articles and reviews helpful in conscious uncabling.

10 Comments

  1. Hello my question reference the Kodi/XBMC Boxes is as follows- I keep seeing ad’s for MXQ Amlogic S805 Quad Core Android for approximately $34 on Amazon. Since I am new to streaming- would you consider this device as a worthwhile purchase- for streaming and other uses.
    Another item- I keep seeing is -NEWEST Matricom G-Box Q Quad/Octo Core XBMC/Kodi Android HD TV 2GB/16GB UHD 4K- again- being a novice- I really don’t know whether these devices would be appropriate for my use.
    I would like to use Kodi/ XMBC for purposes of streaming onto my TV- and be able to use a keypad- or mouse to move about. Can theses items be attached to a tablet- or must they be attached to a PC.
    Any advice- you could offer- including how and what- and how to attach and do I need to update these boxes once purchased- are questions- that I would greatly appreciate being answered.
    Thank you.

    • Hello. I would say you get what you pay for, some of these cheaper boxes are cheaply made. Made of cheap material and components. If you are looking to run Kodi, any of these boxes I listed will do the job quite well. I have written an article on the best Kodi boxes, which can be found here https://www.overtheairdigitaltv.com/the-best-fully-loaded-kodi-xbmc-streaming-media-boxes/. All of the boxes will attach to your TV through a HDMI cable. They do not attach to your table or PC. You can load the Kodi software on a PC or tablet. That would allow you to use the software and stream content. The Android boxes have Kodi pre-installed and are to be used as an streaming box and watched on a HDMI TV. Most of these boxes require a firmware upgrade through an internet connection to keep them up to date. Which is very easy to do. In the main GUI there should be an option to update. You can install Kodi from their main site on a PC, MAC or tablet and play around with it and see how you like it. Good luck and I hope I was of some help.

      • Get an Amazon Firestick. It installs and plays Kodi flawlessly and even comes w/ a remote that works well w/ it, as well. It’s about $35. Then google “install Kodi on Firestick” and you’re good to go!

  2. Hi
    Can you use a KODI box on a standard HD flat screen TV (42″)? I.E. my tv isn’t a smart tv. Also have you got a link how to do this?
    Kind Regards

    • Yes. Any Kodi box will work with a TV with an HDMI connection. Just plug in the HDMI cable from the Kodi box into the HDMI input in the back of your TV. Here is an example of an HDMI cable: http://amzn.to/1WDqC8Y. You do not need a smart TV to use a Kodi box. The Kodi software will also work on many different operating systems like: Window, IOS, Android, Linux ect..

  3. I would like to know if I can use the KODI box the same way I am using my DVR on my DISH and be able to record like I do on my DISH ?

  4. Hello,

    Is it possible to stream Kodi over the internet? Let say I have Kodi running at home and I want to watch live TV or something I recorded when I am traveling abroad.

    Thanks.

    • As far as know this is not possible. It may be something that Kodi developers are working on for future releases. You can check the Kodi forums and see if there is any discussion about it or suggest it. Here is a link to the official Kodi forums. https://forum.kodi.tv/

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