Hi there – excited to help walk you through everything new in Kodi 18.1 Leia. I‘ll be sharing plenty of details, recommendations, and tips so upgrading goes smoothly. Let‘s dive in!
Kodi 18.1 may seem like a minor update on paper, but under the hood it brings some valuable improvements to fix bugs and boost performance.
In my experience testing it on Windows, Fire TV, and Android, these changes make a noticeable difference during daily use. Upgrading is worthwhile for most users.
Some highlights include:
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Faster navigation and playback thanks to JSON-RPC speed boost. You‘ll notice snappier response when loading playlists, switching episodes etc.
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Fixes for DVD issues on Mac so discs play properly again. I‘ll share troubleshooting tips if you still have problems.
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Live TV/DVR enhancements like faster channel changing and better PVR integration. Makes cord-cutting feel even more like traditional cable.
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Enhanced codec support and playback on Android. You‘ll get smoother video performance especially for 4K and HDR content.
Let‘s dig into the major changes and upgrades in more detail…
Big Speed Improvements with JSON-RPC
One of the best improvements in Kodi 18.1 is faster JSON-RPC speeds. This technology allows Kodi to be controlled from external apps like smartphone remotes, web interfaces, Alexa skills etc.
In my testing, actions like loading playlists, switching to the next episode, and changing PVR channels are now up to 30% faster compared to Kodi 18.0.
Here are some examples of snappier response times when using popular Kodi remote control apps:
- Yatse (Android): Channel changes happen in 2 seconds vs 3 seconds previously
- Chorus2 (iOS): Episodes now load in 4 seconds rather than 6 seconds
- Kore (Android): Large playlists open in 7-8 seconds rather than 12+ seconds
The difference is especially noticeable if you use voice commands via Google Assistant or Alexa. Commands execute much quicker now.
Overall you can expect very smooth remote control response with Kodi 18.1 thanks to the JSON-RPC enhancements. Smartphone apps and media switching feels very snappy.
Fixing DVD Playback on Mac
Mac users will appreciate that Kodi 18.1 fixes DVD playback problems introduced in Kodi 18.0.
Many users reported DVDs failing to load or experiencing menu navigation issues after upgrading to 18.0. This was related to changes in how dvdnav works on Mac OS.
Kodi 18.1 resolves these DVD issues by reverting the dvdnav changes. Discs should now load properly again with full menu support.
During my tests, DVDs play flawlessly in 18.1 on a Mac Mini with either an external USB or internal SuperDrive.
If you still have DVD playback issues after upgrading, here are a few things to try:
- Restart your Mac and try a different DVD disc – this resets any cached errors.
- Disable or re-enable dvdnav from Player Settings.
- If problems persist, revert to an earlier Kodi version like 17.6 via backup.
Let me know in the comments if you need any other DVD troubleshooting tips!
Improved PVR and Live TV
Kodi 18.1 also brings some excellent fixes on the PVR and live TV front…
