[Doorpro]

Hello all,

I'm new here and love these forums so hopefully my questions will be simple for someone here because even though I've been looking around and have most of the Information needed to perform the task that I want I have always found it best to ask those who know about a particular product.

Ok, I have all my MP4 movies on a huge external HD and run them to my TV using my WDTV box which is ok but since finding Kodi I now know that it really isn't what I want and kodi features are easier to use.

My question is, what is the best way to hook my external HD up to my TV and still use Kodi and at the same time remove my WDTV box. I don't want TV shows or anything pirated, I simply want to want all of my HD content with the Kodi home page up on my large TV screen and hopefully use my existing remote control, possible?

regards,
Doug..

[DarrenHill]

Welcome to the forum

What I'd recommend you do is have a look in the hardware section here, as there are a number of threads in there (look in the sticky'd ones at the top first) offering advice on hardware for Kodi. But from what you describe (which sounds very similar to my own usage case) I'd recommend a Raspberry Pi3 running LibreElec or OSMC. You can then either hook your drive directly to it (presuming it's a self-powered drive, or else you may need a powered hub too) or access the drive via your network.

The advantage of the Pi (aside from being relatively cheap) is that it has CEC (wiki) built-in, so in many cases (if your TV has the facility, which many modern ones do) you can operate it via your TV remote control.

[kimkl]

@darren has a good point
But if you have a limited budget, you could if you have a Router with a USB port hook it up to that and then map it as a Network drive, Works very well in Windows or any Linux Distro
And since kodi is being used you do not have depend on your Routers DLNA/Media Server Because you just add the Network Drive in Kodi as it was any normal folder.

And since Team Kodi Knows their stuff, you can play any format in Kodi i have not found a single Format that will not play.
And if you have Surround no problem Kodi can upmix from 2.0 Stereo to your 5.1 or 7.1 what ever you have.

This is just meant for a small budget, and depends on you having a Router with USB connection
Otherwise go with Darren's solution he knows his stuff very well.

I hope i am not bugging in, so there for no jokes from me today
Thank You
Sorry Darren just saw you did mention the Network Drive solution sorry bout bugging in then.

[bry]

Both viable options. @Doorpro keep in mind sometimes using a router as a Nas will reformat the drives. Would hate to see you lose data.

[kimkl]

@bry Thank you for that update
Bry is correct and a small note
The Asus needs special attention or that will happen, but can be prevented by making a top folder i call mine mnt i can then move the Video files into the mnt folder, if i do not do that it will reformat my drive.
My D-link i am using as a Switch Dir845L does not need special attention it mounts what ever i feed it BUT only 1TB Max or it will crash the Router, might have been fixed on new Versions
But my old Dir845L is sooo slow when moving files to and from.

So bry is correct can happen with some Routers
Thank You bry

[kimkl]

I think your best option is to go with some of Darren's first choices, because if you have an old Router like one of mine there is the HD limit and the slow transfer and taking HD off line connecting it to PC then Connecting it to Router again, really is annoying.

So your prob better off with Darren's Top Solution
Thank You

[nickr]

Why not buy a Chromebox or pi and simply plug the external drive into it?