Stream to 3D Streaming with Kodi Media Player

Kodi

Kodi is a free, open-source media player software application developed by the XBMC Foundation. It allows users to play and view most streaming media, such as videos, music, podcasts, and videos from the internet, as well as all common digital media files from local and network storage media. Kodi is highly customisable through a wide variety of skins and add-ons, supports a range of remote controls, and features an extensive library management system. It's designed to be used with home theatres and is compatible with many operating systems and hardware platforms, making it a versatile choice for a multimedia hub.

In addition, Kodi offers excellent support for 3D media, including playback of various 3D formats. It integrates 3D capabilities seamlessly into its user interface, allowing users to navigate menus and access content while in 3D mode. Additionally, Kodi supports 3D subtitles, ensuring that users have a fully immersive experience when watching 3D movies or TV shows. This comprehensive support for 3D media, including both UI elements and subtitles, positions Kodi as a strong choice for anyone looking to set up a 3D media playback system.

Kodi and 3D Playback

Kodi's ability to play back a variety of 3D formats makes it a versatile media player for experiencing immersive video content. The support for SBS and Top/Bottom formats, as well as Anaglyph, means users can enjoy 3D movies and videos on both dedicated 3D-capable devices and standard 2D displays with the appropriate glasses. This flexibility ensures a broad compatibility with the various output formats provided by Stream to 3D, catering to users regardless of their hardware setup.

Supported Devices for Kodi Installation


Kodi can run on a wide range of devices, including PCs (Windows, macOS, Linux), smartphones (Android, iOS), and dedicated media devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick. The Fire TV Stick is particularly popular for Kodi users due to its affordability, portability, and ease of installation. It supports Kodi without needing to root the device, allowing for a wide array of streaming services and media playback in a user-friendly, compact format. For comprehensive installation instructions and device support, refer to the official Kodi wiki.

Setting Up for 3D Viewing

To ensure the best 3D viewing experience with Kodi and Stream to 3D, consider the specific requirements of your chosen 3D format. For SBS and Top/Bottom content, make sure your display device supports these formats. Anaglyph 3D content, while more universally compatible, will require red-cyan glasses for viewing on standard 2D screens.

Video Streaming with Kodi and Stream to 3D

Kodi can play internet video and audio streams through STRM files, which are simple text files containing URLs to the stream. These files allow you to add internet streams to Kodi as if they were local media. You can create a STRM file by saving a text file with the stream's URL and changing the file's extension to .strm. Kodi supports various protocols like HTTP, MMS, and RTSP for streaming. Additionally, STRM files can be included in Kodi's video library with metadata, such as cover art and summaries, for a seamless integration. For a more detailed guide, please see the official Kodi documentation on Internet video and audio streams.

Stream to 3D supports video streaming primarily through HTTP, offering a straightforward method to enjoy 3D content. For RTSP streaming, Stream to 3D integrates with Media MTX, a separate media server that facilitates RTSP streams. This additional layer enables more complex streaming setups but requires extra configuration. For comprehensive details, refer to the Media MTX GitHub page.

Media MTX is actually very easy to setup for use with Stream to 3D, just download the release zip for Windows and run the "mediamtx.exe" application while Stream to 3D is running. In the Settings/Streaming menu of Stream to 3D, select the RTSP Streaming protocol. RTSP streaming with Stream to 3D will then operate with  the Media MTX defaults, without further configuration.

To integrate Kodi with Stream to 3D for real-time 2D to 3D conversion and streaming, the main activity is creating an STRM file containing the Stream to 3D provided streaming URL. This URL is always displayed on the Stream to 3D main screen Settings Summary as "Streaming URL" in the Output section. The creation process of the STRM file is straightforward:

  1. Open a text editor and type in the streaming URL provided by Stream to 3D as the first line.
  2. Save the file with a .strm extension, for example, StreamTo3D.HttpVideoStream.strm.

This STRM file can then be opened with Kodi, enabling you to stream converted 3D content in real time.

Place the STRM file in a location Kodi can access, such as a local hard drive or a network share (SMB/SAMBA, XBMS, UPnP). Kodi can then open the STRM file like any video/audio file from the "Videos" or "Music" section, depending on the stream type.

Example: Fire TV Stick with Kodi, LG 3D TV and Stream to 3D

To use Stream to 3D with Kodi on a Fire TV Stick and stream to an LG 3D TV, follow these steps:

  1. Install Kodi on Fire TV Stick: To install Kodi on a Fire TV Stick, enabling developer settings on the device is necessary. This involves turning on both ADB Debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources in the system settings. Various methods like the Downloader app, ES File Explorer, or adbLink can be used for the installation process. For detailed steps, the official Kodi wiki provides comprehensive guidance on each method​ (Kodi Wiki)​.
  2. Create a STRM File: On your laptop running Stream to 3D, generate a streaming URL. Then, create a .strm file with this URL. To create a .strm file for Kodi, start by opening a text editor and entering the URL of the Stream to 3D video stream. Save this file with the extension .strm instead of .txt. For example, if your Stream to 3D provides an HTTP stream URL, your file content will look like:

   http://<ip address of computer running Stream to 3D>:80

 Once saved, this .strm file can be placed in a directory that Kodi scans, allowing Kodi to access and play the stream directly as if it were a local file.

  1. Transfer STRM File to Fire TV Stick: To transfer a .strm file to your Fire TV Stick, you can use apps like ES File Explorer or adbLink. With ES File Explorer, after installing it on your Fire TV Stick from the Amazon Appstore, you can then transfer the .strm file from another device on the same network to the Fire TV Stick. Alternatively, adbLink allows for file transfer over a network by connecting to your Fire TV Stick using its IP address. This method requires adbLink installed on your computer and the Fire TV Stick’s developer options enabled.
  2. Set a Fixed IP Address for Your Laptop: To ensure the streaming URL remains constant, set a fixed IP address for your laptop or use the machine's name. To set up a static IP address, you'll need to access your router's configuration page and find the section for LAN settings or DHCP reservations. Here, you'll input the MAC address of the device you want to configure and the desired static IP address, then save the changes. This process can differ slightly based on your router's brand, so consulting the router's manual or support site for specific instructions is advisable. For a more detailed guide on setting up a static IP address, you can refer to the information provided at WhatIsMyIPAddress.
  3. Access STRM File on Kodi: Open Kodi on your Fire TV Stick, navigate to the location where you placed the .strm file, and open the .strm file by clicking on it to start streaming.

Click here to go to the Usage and Configuration home page.