Tried turning your Raspberry Pi into a media center but feeling disappointed?
Missing the important channels, like Netflix and Amazon Video, on your Raspberry Pi? Fancy installing Plex for accessing content on your home network.
Fortunately, Kodi isn’t all about illegal add-ons. Here’s how to install Netflix, Amazon Video, and Plex on your Raspberry Pi.
You Need a Raspberry Pi 3
Before you go any further, make sure you’re using a Raspberry Pi 3 or later. We’ve used the Raspberry Pi 3 B+. While the Raspberry Pi 2 is okay, the later models are superior for streaming and decoding data from Netflix and Amazon Video.
Reality check: if you’ve ever tried to get Netflix or Amazon Video add-ons working on a Raspberry Pi-based Kodi box, you’ll know how tricky (and frustrating) it can be.
Typically, these problems are due to a combination of poor add-ons (or ones that will only work with desktop PC Kodi installations) and the low spec of older Raspberry Pis. If you’re using a Raspberry Pi 3 B+, the following steps will allow you to access your existing Netflix and Amazon Video subscriptions via Kodi.
Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi With OSMC
To get Netflix, Amazon Video, and Plex working with minimal effort, you’ll need to use OSMC (Open Source Media Center). OSMC is one of several Kodi versions available for Raspberry Pi How to Choose the Best Version of Kodi for Raspberry Pi How to Choose the Best Version of Kodi for Raspberry Pi Not sure how to get started with Kodi for Raspberry Pi? Here are your best options for an awesome home media center. Read More
Download the installer from osmc.tv, which automates the process of writing OSMC to your microSD card. (You can alternatively download the disk image and install on your Raspberry Pi How to Install an Operating System on a Raspberry Pi How to Install an Operating System on a Raspberry Pi Here's how to install an OS on your Raspberry Pi and how to clone your perfect setup for quick disaster recovery. Read More in the usual way.)
Work through the installer, making sure to select the most recent OSMC build. You might also like to set up your wireless network when prompted.
Once installed, insert the SD card in your Raspberry Pi, connect it to your router via Ethernet (you can set up Wi-Fi once everything is configured) and your TV’s HDMI port, then connect the power cable.
Downgrade OSMC for Better Stability
Although you have installed OSMC, a specific version that isn’t available to write as an image to your microSD card is required. This “nightly build” is stable enough to run the Netflix add-on which you’ll install later.
First, open the Terminal or connect to OSMC via SSH and enter:
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.listIn the file, append this line to the bottom; this adds a new source.
deb http://download.osmc.tv/dev/gmc-18 gmc-18 main
Press Ctrl + X to save and exit. Next, add the GPG certificate to validate the source:
wget -qO - http://download.osmc.tv/dev/gmc-19/public/pubkey.asc | sudo apt-key add -The next step is to update the sources list:
sudo apt updateYou can then run a kernel upgrade:
sudo apt dist-upgrade -yFollow this by downgrading to a new build.
sudo apt install rbp2-mediacenter-osmc=17.8-433 -yThis may take a while, so be patient. Once this is complete, install pip:
sudo apt install python-pip python-crypto build-essential -yFollow this by installing these dependencies:
sudo apt install python-all-dev python-setuptools python-wheel -y
sudo apt install python-crypto-dbg python-crypto-doc python-pip-whl -yThese dependencies will ensure that everything you’re about to install will work as intended.
Install and Configure Plex for Local Media Streaming
Want to stream video, music, or photos from another device on your network? You’ll need the Plex server The Best Prebuilt, DIY, and NAS Solutions for a Plex Server The Best Prebuilt, DIY, and NAS Solutions for a Plex Server Looking for the best Plex server? Here are some of the best budget, prebuilt, and DIY ways to run a Plex server! Read More installed on your PC, and the client add-on installed on your Raspberry Pi.
With OSMC running on your Raspberry Pi, browse to Settings > Add-on browser > Install from Repository > Video add-ons. Scroll through the list until you find Plex, select, and Install. Click OK to confirm and wait while this finishes.
Once done, use the Restart option to reboot the Raspberry Pi.
While that’s happening, why not check our Plex guide Your Guide To Plex - The Awesome Media Center Your Guide To Plex - The Awesome Media Center If you have a lot of locally-saved movies and TV shows, you need to install Plex. And this is the only guide to getting started with Plex you'll ever need to read. Read More for information and tips for this great streaming solution?
Install and Configure Amazon Video on Raspberry Pi
Want to stream Amazon Video on your Raspberry Pi? Here’s what you need to do.
Staying in the terminal (or SSH client), it’s time to install the Amazon Video add-on. Begin using a wget command to download the ZIP file directly from GitHub:
wget https://github.com/Sandmann79/xbmc/releases/download/v1.0.2/repository.sandmann79.plugins-1.0.2.zipWith this done, switch your attention to your TV and navigate to Settings > Add-on browser > Install from Zip File. You’ll be informed that installing isn’t possible from unknown sources, so select Settings, then check the box against Unknown sources. Confirm the decision by selecting Yes, then go to the home screen and return to the Install from Zip file option.
Here, select Root filesystem, then find your way to home > osmc > repository.sandmann79.plugins.
Select this, and wait as it unpacks, then browse back and find Settings > Add-on browser > Install from repository. Go to Sandmann79s Repository and find Video add-ons. From here, select Amazon VOD (the alternative called “Amazon” is for German users).
Select Install, then confirm with OK. Note that some additional add-ons will be installed (see above image). Leave it to finish, then reboot your Raspberry Pi. When it restarts, it’s time to configure the add-on. Browse to Settings > Add-on browser > My Add-ons > Video Add-ons, and select Amazon VOD.
Go to Configure, and in the General view change the Playback option so that Input Stream is selected. Then, in the Connection view, select Sign In and input your Amazon account credentials. If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Amazon account, you’ll be prompted to enter the code that has been sent to your device.
With this done, you’ll be ready to watch Amazon video content! You’ll find Amazon VOD listed under Add-ons.
Install and Configure Netflix on Raspberry Pi
Let’s look at streaming Netflix on the Raspberry Pi next.
To install a Netflix client on your Raspberry Pi, you’ll need to perform some minor configuration first. In the terminal, enter:
pip install pycryptodomexThis is a dependency required to run Netflix. The add-on needs to know where this is, so add a symbolic link:
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/Crypto /usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/CryptodomeNext, download the add-on itself from GitHub.
wget https://github.com/kodinerds/repo/raw/master/repository.netflix/repository.netflix-1.0.1.zipReturn your attention to the TV and browse to the ZIP file: Settings > Add-on browser > Install from Zip File. Under Root filesystem, find home > osmc > repository.netflix-1.0.1.zip, and select Install.
Wait for the notification, then go back and browse to Settings > Add-on browser > Install from repository > Netflix Addon Repository, and then Video add-ons. Here you’ll find Netflix; select Install, choose the most recent version, then OK.
With this done, restart your Raspberry Pi. When it reboots, you’ll need to configure the add-on with your Netflix credentials.
Open Settings > Add-on browser > My add-ons > Video add-ons > Netflix, select Configure, then find Account. Under Switch Account, enter your credentials.
You’ll also need to configure the InputStream module. In Settings > Add-on browser > My add-ons, find VideoPlayer InputStream and select InputStream Adaptive.
Choose Configure, then set Max Resolution general decoder and Max Resolution secure decoder so that they match the resolution of your TV.
Click OK to confirm and exit.
Lastly, Install and Configure Widevine CMD
So far, you’ve installed Plex, Amazon Video, and Netflix. You’re almost set, but before you can watch anything, the Widevine CMD decryption module must be downloaded. You cannot do this manually, however; instead, it needs to be done by the Amazon or Netflix add-on.
Choose either add-on, select a video, and play. You’ll instantly be notified that the Widevine CMD needs to be downloaded. Note that as this is a proprietary module, it is not open source.
Select Install Widevine and follow the instructions.
A Chrome OS recovery image much be downloaded from which the Widevine CMD is extracted. This can take a while to download and extract, so let the Raspberry Pi work at its own pace, following any requests OSMC displays to complete installation.
Once Widevine CMD is installed, it’s a good idea to reboot your Raspberry Pi one last time.
Your Raspberry Pi Is Now the Ultimate Media Center
That’s it: you can now stream Netflix and Amazon Video on Raspberry Pi, and it can easily stream video from another computer on your network via Plex. In short, your Kodi-based Raspberry Pi media center is awesome again.
If you’re interested in live streaming YouTube with your Raspberry Pi How to Live Stream to YouTube With a Raspberry Pi How to Live Stream to YouTube With a Raspberry Pi Here's how to turn your Raspberry Pi into a portable web-connected camera that can live stream to YouTube! Read More instead, check out our helpful guide.
Got another Raspberry Pi handy? Here’s how to set up your Raspberry Pi as a Plex media server How to Turn a Raspberry Pi Into a Plex Media Server How to Turn a Raspberry Pi Into a Plex Media Server Here's how to install Plex server on a Raspberry Pi, configure it, and start streaming movies, TV shows, music, and more. Read More .
Explore more about: Amazon Video, Media Center, Media Server, Media Streaming, Netflix, Plex, Raspberry Pi.
You should also run the following command before installing Netflix. This ensures your build tools for Python are up to date!
pip install --ignore-installed
Then start with the Netflix install at:
pip install pycryptodomex
I've successfully downloaded and installed OSMC with the Amazon Prime plug in. I can stream Amazon video, but is there any way to download those videos instead of streaming them real time (my Android phone's app lets me download up to 25 videos)? I know I'm an edge-case, but I live in rural America where metered bandwidth is the only Internet choice. I do have "free" bandwidth during some early morning hours which I could open up Internet access to my Pi. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
The Netflix part won't work anymore since johtru repository been down a long time.
Do you know the solution?
Hello,
I got it working today by replacing the "Netflix repository" by the "castagnaIT repository"
Apart from changing
wget https://github.com/kodinerds/repo/raw/master/repository.netflix/repository.netflix-1.0.1.zip
by
wget https://github.com/castagnait/repository.castagnait/raw/master/repository.castagnait-1.0.0.zip
everything in this tutorial remains the same
Hope this helps
Hi,
I'm trying to install the Netflix addon, but when I try to click on Netflix addon repository (under Install from repository menu) I get saying "Could not connect to repository" and yes, the RPi is connected to the internet.
Hello!
Is it possible to install an addon for sky go??
Thanks in advance!
Hello!
Just tried this now, in may 2019, and the gmc-18 repository seems to no longer have a valid signature.... So I can't downgrade OSMC.
Though I managed to install Netflix, it won't run stable (I used the latest OSMC image available at the date I'm writing this comment). When I access lists like Popular Now, the whole systems reboots.
When going through the tutorial, I get an error when I run "sudo apt-get update"
I get this error message: The following signatures were invalid: EXPKEYSIG 326674E68C015D46 Greg McCarthy
I guess I could try and find a way to configure OSMC to update regardless of a valid signature or not.
Any suggestions?
i get stuck at this point "wget -qO - http://download.osmc.tv/dev/gmc-18/gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -"
in terminal it says invalid option -- '0' and no valid OpenPGP date found
continuing on from there it says update can't be done because the public key is not available, can't be done securely and therefore disabled.
any ideas?
I had this issue, then realized the -qO is on O as in ox, not a zero
First of all thank you for this lovely article, good detailed job.
Socondly I'd like to say, that for an Linux Expert it is kind of weird to still be using the depreciated apt-get command. I don't know since which debian build the command changed. I also would like to add the reason why u should use apt instead of apt-get, the major argument in my opinion is the installation process bar at the bottom. However I would love to read an article on that issue.
Hi Hannes. Since the article was published we've stopped using apt-get, and once updated that will be reflected in the new commands :)
First of all thank you for this lovely article, good detailed job.
Socondly I'd like to say, that for an Linux Expert it is kind of weird to still be using the depreciated apt-get command. I don't know since which debian build the command changed. I also would like to add the reason why u should use apt instead of apt-get, the major argument in my opinion is the installation process bar at the bottom. However I would love to read an article on that issue.
are you sure it can work on pi zero? I have no luck of amazon prime and netflix on pi zero w! somebody says widevine is not possible on arm6 chip( zero w has just one processor). But when it can play youtube flawlessly, it should be able to play amazon and netflix as well. unless they have created this complication.
I was looking to watch amazon,netflix on kodi 18 on raspberry pi zero. on raspberry pi 3, they are a success. Even the vivaldi browser is capable of streaming on rp3. it wont launch on rp0.
any breakthrough let me know. do not take weeks to reply. I want reply in hours.
hence the request.
You should try actually reading instead of whining and demanding. Before you go any further, make sure you’re using a Raspberry Pi 3 (or even a Raspberry Pi 3 B+) for this. While the Raspberry Pi 2 is okay.
Use
> pip install pycryptodomex==3.7.0
insted of
> pip install pycryptodomex
Version 3.7.1 and higher is incompatible to ARM.
Thanks for this, handy as it was not working
the right syntax for the netflix dependancy is :
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/Crypto /usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/Cryptodomex
and not :
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/Crypto /usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/Cryptodome
Thought this looked wrong and was giving me a error saying missing dependancy. Adding it now and testing
None of this works any more..
Thanks anyway
What an awful way to spend a weekend, as usual with linux nothing works, conflicts everywhere, always patching things, hardcoding stuff, this is why you pay for the overvalued Apple TV xD
Great tutorial though, thanks guys! you are awesome.
Thanks for the tutorial, I followed it carefully but when I try to install the Netflix add-on, I manage to choose the version, but then I get a message "The dependency on script.module.pycryptodome version"
Any advice?
Hey there,
thanks for the tutorial! It worked fine for me when I first installed it until I played around too much with other Plugins and my Kodi wouldn't play any video anymore. I upgraded to the latest version, which restored playback functionality but broke the netflix addon. Now however I can't downgrade to 17.8-225 anymore, as it supposedly got removed from the repository... :/
But to asnwer the other questions here: 1080p netflix playback worked on my raspberry pi but it was stuttering, so I set the 720p stream as default.
The problem with dependency plugins not being installed is to be expected and is a problem of the nightly build of kodi. You have to go into the official Kodi repository and install them all manually. It's 5 of them I think. Some of them depend on each other so you have to find the right order. If one fails, just continue with the others and come back to the ones that failed later. At least this procedure worked for me...
That netflix repository is down :(
I believe you can run at 1080. I Only used 720p as it was playing through a "HD ready" TV.
Interesting, can you stream to 1080p or limited to 720p only for Amazon & Netflix?