LibreELEC has released version 12.2.0, a Fork Fork Fork Distribution aimed at creating homemade cinemas based on the KODI media center. The latest output offers prepared images for download to work with USB drives or SD cards, supporting various architectures such as x86 and raspberry pi 2/3/5, as well as devices on Rockchip, Allwinner, and Amlogic chips. The assembly size for x86_64 architecture is 270 Mb.
With LibreELEC, users can easily turn any computer into a media center, simplifying media management as if using a DVD player or TV. The key feature of this distribution is its ‘everything just works’ principle, allowing users to have a fully functional environment by simply booting LibreELEC from a Flash drive. Updates are installed automatically when connected to the internet, eliminating the need for users to maintain the system manually. Additional functionalities can be added through the addon system from a separate repository developed by the project’s creators.
Unlike other distributions, LibreELEC is based on its own developments and not on a package base from other distributions. In addition to standard KODI capabilities, it offers a variety of functions aimed at simplifying user experience. These include network connection configuration, LCD screen parameter control, remote control usage (via infrared port or Bluetooth), Samba server for file sharing, built-in Bittorrent Transmission, and automatic detection of drives.
In the latest release, the following updates were introduced:
- Updated packages with kernel and graphic drivers.
- Improved hardware support on Intel chips.
- Synchronization of components for Raspberry Pi boards with Raspberry Pi OS 21.2.
- Packages with NVIDIA 340.xx drivers were included in the generic-legacy builds.
- TVheadend was updated to version 4.3, requiring installation and configuration of a new package for users transitioning from version 4.2.
- Official builds for devices based on NXP (IMX6/IMX8) and Qualcomm chips were formed.