Because of this, Kodi always is linked to piracy, despite being a legal software that does not contain pirated elements. Since there are many users who use it to stream movies, series, music, illegally and for free, it has caused it to be the subject of many anti-piracy measures, causing many accessories to stop working and the download repositories to be sold. Forced to close frequently.
That is why, if we are looking for a way to transmit content and organize the content of our hard drive, it is possible that we could consider an alternative to this popular multimedia center.
Essential functions of a multimedia center
When choosing a multimedia center for our computer, it is important that it has a series of basic characteristics, which are essential to be able to get the most out of it. For example, you must have support for all kinds of formats files, because surely we need to watch videos, listen to audio or view photos. For this reason, the compatibility of such popular formats as AVI, MPEG, MP3, MP4, MKV, JPEG, PNG, etc., is essential.
They must also have support from streaming services most popular like Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Spotify, etc. As with Kodi, it is interesting that they support the possibility of adding new sources through add-ons from which to watch movies and television shows legally.
In addition, although it is not essential, it is recommended that can be used on most possible devices so that we can synchronize them with each other. In this way, together with the possibility of using it on our Windows computer, we may also want it to be compatible with Android or iOS devices so that it works on our mobile, tablet or Smart TV.
Kodi Alternatives
Next, we are going to talk about different applications that have the necessary characteristics to become authentic alternatives to Kodi, with which we can enjoy all our own and third-party content legally.
plex
We are talking about an application capable of grouping all the multimedia content that interests us. This can be from our own collection to different types of streaming content, such as watching live television, programs, movies, series, listening to podcasts or reading the news. All this gathered in a single application and on different devices. In addition, it has its own service for movies, series, music, etc., which we can comfortably view from our computer legally and free of charge.
The application has both a Server and a Client. The first allows you to create a multimedia server to play files stored on your computer on other devices such as your tablet, mobile phone, Smart TV or even your console, as long as you have an Internet connection. The second allows us to play the content added to the server anywhere. All the content that we include in the application will automatically add the corresponding file, such as the cover and the plot of the film with a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
Plex has a free version that allows us to access a catalog of more than 1000 films legally and that we can . This version is the one that allows us to create a server that will allow us to play any type of multimedia content from any application, although we can also use the Plex application, a paid application available for iOS and Android, since the version available for smart televisions is completely free. If we want to access all the content available through Plex from a computer, it will not be necessary to install any application since the same web version that allows us to access the catalog also allows us to view all the content. The Plex server application is not only available for Windows, but we can also find a version for macOS and Linux.
We like
Plex is an excellent platform for accessing all the multimedia content that we have stored on our PC from another device or any other computer connected to the same network, offering much greater versatility than Kodi offers us. The application to create the server is completely free and the content is accessible from Plex and from other applications such as VLC.
We do not like it
The application for mobile devices and some smart televisions to access the available content is paid, although we can use other aesthetically inferior options that are completely free.
Stremio
It is an open source, free and cross-platform application. From it, we will see everything we want such as television programs, movies, sports, listen to music, etc. We can see all kinds of streaming content, making use of plugins (add-ons) developed by Stremio to access a wide catalog of audiovisual content, ensuring maximum security.
It is also compatible with services such as Netflix, Movistar, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, among others. The application itself will allow us to receive notifications that we can configure so that they notify us every time new episodes or movies are added that may interest us. In addition, it does not have ads or annoying banners and is compatible with Chromecast. Stremio is compatible with computers with Windows, macOS and Linux, as well as mobile devices with Android and iOS that we can download from .
Pros
Stremio has been, for many years, the best-known alternative to Kodi, a platform that offers us practically the same functions as this one, including the possibility of accessing streaming video platforms. In addition, it is completely free and available for mobile, Windows, macOS and Linux.
cons
The user interface is not the best of all and the possibility of sharing content on a local network, as we can do with Plex, is not available, this being its main negative point that it shares with Kodi.
mediaportal
We are talking about a free and open source program that we can use to turn our computer into a multimedia center. Its interface will be extremely familiar to us because it is inspired by the famous Windows Media Center. Through it we can enjoy playing all kinds of content, such as videos, music and photos. We can also use it to play our DVDs and Blu-rays, as well as listen to music and even make slideshows.
As with Kodi, this application is compatible with a wide variety of add-ons that will allow us to listen to Internet radio, see movie times, sporting event results, download YouTube videos, among others. In addition, it allows streaming media, radio and TV to any HTPC/PC connected to the network and using a remote control. If we want to use MediaPortal to turn our PC into a multimedia center, we can download it for free from .
Positive points
Open source and completely free application with which we can turn our PC into a multimedia inside in a few steps. In addition, it is also compatible with plugins to extend its functionalities.
negative aspects
The user interface suffers from the same thing that most open source applications do and that is none other than the design, a design that is not very functional and does not invite you to quickly learn how to use the application.
emby
This open source multimedia center allows us to organize and store our files so that we can access them from practically any device. It has the possibility of installing add-ons for its customization, offers support for Chromecast, a DLNA service to play content and complete parental control. It also has Cloud synchronization, manage our DVR and make use of its library for our recordings.
Within the application we will find a wide variety of live video channels, we will be able to synchronize libraries with the client installed on the mobile, as well as record television programs. In addition, it offers compatibility with all types of systems such as Windows, macOs and Linux on computers, Android and iOS devices and other devices such as Amazon FireTV, Apple TV, PlayStation and Smart TV. If we want to enjoy all the possibilities that Emby offers, we can download it for free by clicking on .
In favor
One of the main advantages that this alternative to the popular multimedia center offers us is the different organization functions that it allows us to carry out with our multimedia content. In addition, it is compatible with a multitude of devices with which we can use it in order to fully enjoy our moments of leisure. We will also have live channels for viewing in real time.
Against
On certain occasions and if we are not very experienced users in the use of these software solutions, content synchronization may be a little difficult for us. In addition, this configuration is somewhat complicated due to the user interface that the program offers us by default.
J River Media Center
This software may not be as well known as the previous options. But it can also be considered as a complete multimedia center that can be used as an alternative to Kodi. It has different support tools for audio, video, images and TVas well as compatibility with different devices that are connected to a network through DLNA, allowing you to play your content.
Among its features it also has the possibility of configuring DirectShow filters. In this way, it aims to guarantee the best reproduction of high-quality videos. It also allows us to play videos and music from streaming services such as YouTube or Netflix. In addition, it is compatible with most live television tuners, allowing us to record their content in high definition.
However, unlike other options, we are talking about paid software that costs $59.98 for a lifetime license, putting it at a clear disadvantage compared to other options. It is compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux and allows .
Pros
Here we are going to find tools and functions related to a multitude of multimedia content formats such as music, television channels or videos. We have the possibility of configuring the application to reproduce from it the contents of the most popular streaming portals of the moment, all of this in a simple way.
cons
Contrary to what happens with most of the titles that we have talked about in these lines, in this case we find a software solution that is paid to be able to benefit from all the functions that it offers us. The lifetime license can be purchased for almost $60.
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