Note: this is NOT a ‘what a crap update’ post. It is a genuine question/discussion as I weigh up the pros/cons, or gains/losses, in upgrading from v16 Jarvis to v17 Krypton and very specifically on Windows.
I’ve been using Kodi/XBMC since XBMC on my modded original Xbox.
Today, I have Kodi v16 on 2 dedicated Windows 10 HTPCs plus my main work/gaming PC.
I run a MySQL database and have the video and music files all stored on a Windows Server 2012 R2 server.
I use the default Confluence skin and the only addons I use are OzWeather, YouTube, and HD-Trailers. My primary usage is playing my own media from my server. I use media Companion to create/manage TV Show/Movie metadata.
I do not use Live TV or PVR.
These systems are used myself, wife, and son.
I’ve spent the last couple of weeks testing out Kodi v17 Krypton, in particular, getting used to the new estuary skin. As a result, I’m really on the fence as to whether I upgrade as I weigh up the benefits of new functionality in v17, versus what I lose.
While I know there is a multitude of change/updates/improvements in v17 over v16, as I focus on what is relevant to:
- Windows (i.e. the updates/improvements for Android and Linux are irrelevant)
- My usage scenarios (i.e. updates/improvements to Live TV and PVR are irrelevant)
Now, I know someone is going to be thinking ‘well, don’t update if you don’t want. No-one is forcing you to!’
Yes, I know.
To the first line in the post, this post is a ‘thinking out loud and discuss/validate my thoughts with community’ post. Not a ‘the devs didn’t put enough good stuff in just for me – you suck’ post.
So, the key changes I think I’m left with are:
- Estuary skin
- Improved Music Library
- Windows 10 Store app
Estuary (vs Confluence)
I’m really trying to like Estuary. I’m not a skinner or modder. I like to use the default as it is usually the fastest, cleanest, easiest to upgrade/maintain. The only changes I’ve ever made in previous versions were the enhancements from the OzWeather addon and choosing different List types and number of values returned in some lists! That said, going from Confluence to Estuary, there are just lots of little things that irk me. Estuary just feels ‘under-baked’ to me. The controls and icons all feel… less refined. Most of the default lists have you scrolling down a list in the middle of the page, and then content updating on the left and right edges. Your eyes are constantly ping-ponging side to side. It is a very ‘un-ergonomic’ UX.
Funnily enough, the nail in the coffin for me was that the enhanced weather pages for OzWeather that I rely on (radar maps) are not available for Estuary.
I’ve also tested rolling back to Confluence on v17 and for the most part it all works as desired, but it does then make me wonder about ‘why upgrade’?
Music Library
OK, scraping is definitely faster 
Visualizations aren’t on by default so had to go and fine them, install them, and then enable.
Music playback visually under Estuary seemed a completely overlooked feature. I loved Confluence because I could play an album, have visualizations going (looks good and stops burn-in) and have track/album info visible. This was a mess under Estuary. So going back to Confluence, like the section above, I question whether there is much benefit.
Windows 10 Store app versus MSI
OK, I like Store apps because I don’t have to maintain them (auto-update) and the devs have a mechanism to collect telemetry and crash data automatically. All Good. For now, I’m going to file this under ‘maybe in the future’ but for now, I like a slower more managed change process given the fallout (family tech support) if things break
In general I can play back all the content I have on v16, including the latest HEVC/x265 encoded video files and if I’m not going to jump on the Estuary skin bandwagon just yet, there doesn’t seem to be much reason to update at this time.
Can anyone suggest any key features that are new in v17 that I haven’t considered? Thanks!