Posts by basilean

hello schmecks,

When you run retroarch command standalone, remember firt to set up LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable for the shell you are using (that means to set it up any time you login back).

(I forgot to mention it before, sorry)

Something like:

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}:/storage/retroarch/lib

Now run the command:

ldd /storage/retroarch/retroarch | grep "not found"

After copy first batch, you could see extra dependencies needed by the libraries you just copied.

I would recommend you to only copy what is not already present on LibreElec, I would prefer native OS libraries.

Another thing you could try, is to specify Lakka image "/usr/lib", in your case I think it is: "/media/root/usr/lib", so it will be something likes:

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}:/media/root/usr/lib

And then try running ldd like:

ldd /storage/retroarch/retroarch | grep "/media"

And whatever cames from the image is what you need to copy.

Hello schmecks, give it a try copying needed libraries from Lakka image.

Check what library is needed:

ldd /storage/retroarch/retroarch | grep "not found"

Get Lakka image and mount it as step 3 on manual procedure.

Create a place to put them:

mkdir /storage/retroarch/lib

Copy them.

Add extra library path in systemd service.

vi .config/system.d/retroarch.service

Environment="LD_LIBRARY_PATH=${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}:/storage/retroarch/lib"

systemctl daemon-reload

Here I found a similar issue for some cores and fix them by this way.

Cores Shared Libraries Dependencies · Issue #1 · basilean/retroarch_install

I found out that few cores needs extra libraries. I need to track them down and include them in the copy. dolphin_libretro.so libzstd.so.1 => not found…

github.com

I don't think so, remember that retroarch systemd service stops kodi, starts retroarch and then starts kodi back when retroarch exit.

Try something like this, it worked for me.

Create a wrapper script to handle environment variables for service.

vi  /storage/retroex.sh 

echo "SYSTEM=${1}" > /tmp/iagl.conf # Manual for list.
echo "ROM=${2}" >> /tmp/iagl.conf # XXROM_PATHXX

systemctl start retroarch

Make it executable.

chmod 755 /storage/retroex.sh

Change service

vi /storage/.config/system.d/retroarch.service

# Comment old exec line.
# ExecStart=/storage/retroarch/retroarch

# Add script output file with vars.
EnvironmentFile=/tmp/iagl.conf

# Customize retroarch init flags to your like!
ExecStart=/storage/retroarch/retroarch -L ${SYSTEM} ${ROM}

Remember to reload systemd

systemctl daemon-reload

When set external command for a list at IAGL, follow this pattern:

/storage/retroex.sh SYSTEM "ROM"

SYSTEM -> Whatever goes with -L indicating core to use, set it manually for that list.

ROM -> It is replaced by iagl with rom path of your choice. Note that is important to use quotes to avoid issues with white spaces.

/storage/retroex.sh fbneo "XXROM_PATHXX"

Hello there!.. Yeah, I would think so, the difference with others approaches is the use of systemd service, you could use environment variables to feed retroarch exec arguments. I preferred way I did because I could use all available emulators without need to create a new addon for missing ones.

I got it now, I will update script to 10G, thank you. One question regarding this, are you using rpi4 or another hardware?

I just tried copying and pasting your script above and it worked fine for me, weird indeed.

Hello Marxon,

Thank you very much for your feedback. I just fixed step 5 on procedure but I didn't find the same issue on the script. What is killing me is that it should have checked that you had 9G of free space, not sure why it failed..

Besides that, let me tell you there is some extra work in progress for some cores (ie: scummvm) that needs shared libraries not present in LibreElec, I already found a way to make it work, just need to put all together.

Cores Shared Libraries Dependencies · Issue #1 · basilean/retroarch_install

I found out that few cores needs extra libraries. I need to track them down and include them in the copy. dolphin_libretro.so libzstd.so.1 => not found…

github.com

Andres.-

Hello fellas!

I was posting when this thread got suggested, I get both working together by this way:

Thread

LibreElec Kodi + Lakka RetroArch

I have been a fan of both distros, LibreElec and Lakka, it's time to have the best of both worlds in one place, I want to have my cake and eat it too.
Teorically, this should work for all architectures, I focused on my rpi4 aarch64.
It totally can be an addon with a helper, I spent a whole day making it work this way described below, right now, I just want to enjoy it. =D

UPDATE: I realized that all tools needed were present ar LibreElec image so I wrote the script below to get it working easily.

…

basilean

February 12, 2025 at 1:56 AM

Hope it help you too!

I have been a fan of both distros, LibreElec and Lakka, it's time to have the best of both worlds in one place, I want to have my cake and eat it too.
Teorically, this should work for all architectures, I focused on my rpi4 aarch64.
It totally can be an addon with a helper, I spent a whole day making it work this way described below, right now, I just want to enjoy it. =D

UPDATE: I realized that all tools needed were present ar LibreElec image so I wrote the script below to get it working easily.

NOTE: Keep a keyboard at hand to configure joystick first time you run it.

NOTE: Share a download directory with zachmorrris IAGL addon to get games.

Option 1: Automagic Script for a Running LibreElec

NOTE: Published at: https://github.com/basilean/retroarch_install

One line install:

wget -q -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/basilean/retroarch_install/refs/heads/main/retroarch_install.sh | bash

Option 2: Manual Procedure Using a GNU/Linux PC

DISCLAIMER: Take a time to read and understand each step, most of the commands used needs to run as root, that means you can criple your PC if done wrong.

1. Download LibreElec image and install it on an SD as usual.
NOTE: Change the image version to your like.
wget https://releases.libreelec.tv/LibreELEC-RPi4.aarch64-12.0.2.img.gz
gunzip LibreELEC-RPi4.aarch64-12.0.2.img.gz

WARNING: Make sure "/dev/mmcblk0" is the SD target. Change it yo suit you.
dd if=LibreELEC-RPi4.aarch64-12.0.2.img of=/dev/mmcblk0 bs=4M

WARNING: Be sure IO transfer is done, await for "sync" command to return.
sync

2. Boot new sd card in the target device. Once Kodi is up, just power it off, remove the card and insert it back in the PC.
NOTE: This is needed to get "storage" resized in the first boot.

3. Download Lakka image and mount it
NOTE: Change the image version to your like, just match architecture with LibeElec and try to be close on release dates.
https://nightly.builds.lakka.tv/6.x/2025-02-07/RPi4.aarch64/Lakka-RPi4.aarch64-6.x-20250207-0af7dae.img.gz
gunzip Lakka-RPi4.aarch64-6.x-20250207-0af7dae.img.gz

Create mount points.
mkdir /media/flash
mkdir /media/root

WARNING: Make sure /dev/loop0 and /dev/loop1 are the targets or change them. Command "losetup" will return assigned loop for each file.
Mount "Lakka" source (flash),
losetup --show -P -f Lakka-RPi4.aarch64-6.x-20250207-0af7dae.img
mount /dev/loop0p1 /media/flash

From there, mount "SYSTEM" source (rootfs)
losetup --show -f /media/flash/SYSTEM
mount /dev/loop1 /media/root

4. Copy retroarch Lakka components into kodi LibreElec "/storage" filesystem.
Create a mount point.
mkdir /media/storage

WARNING: Make sure "/dev/mmcblk0p2" is the SD target partition. Change it to suit you.
Mount SD card "storage" partition target.
mount /dev/mmcblk0p2 /media/storage

Copy binary (72M).
cp -a /media/root/usr/bin/retroarch /media/storage/retroarch

Copy assets (806M).
cp -a /media/root/usr/share/retroarch /media/storage/.config/retroarch

Copy cores (4.9G).
cp -a /media/root/usr/lib/libretro /media/storage/.config/retroarch/cores

LibRetro Database (684M).
cp -a /media/root/usr/share/libretro-database /media/storage/.config/retroarch/database

Filters (3M)
mkdir /media/storage/.config/retroarch/filters
cp -a /media/root/usr/share/video_filters /media/storage/.config/retroarch/filters/video
cp -a /media/root/usr/share/audio_filters /media/storage/.config/retroarch/filters/audio

WARNING: Be sure IO transfer is done, await for "sync" command to return.
sync

5. Create a retroarch systemd unit.
NOTE: kodi.conf has HOME definition used by retroarch.

vi /media/storage/.config/system.d/retroarch.service

[Unit]
Description=Retroarch
After=network-online.target graphical.target
Requires=graphical.target
Wants=network-online.target

[Service]
EnvironmentFile=/usr/lib/kodi/kodi.conf
ExecStartPre=systemctl stop kodi
ExecStart=/storage/retroarch/retroarch
ExecStopPost=systemctl start kodi
TimeoutStopSec=10
Restart=no
StartLimitInterval=0
LimitNOFILE=16384

[Install]
WantedBy=kodi.target

Reload systemd and disable retroarch service. It only is going to run when swaps with kodi.
systemctl daemon-reload
systemctl disable retroarch

6. Create a wrapper script.

vi /media/storage/retroarch.py

from xbmc import executebuiltin
from subprocess import run

executebuiltin('Notification(Retroarch, Loading..., 5000, /storage/.config/retroarch/assets/xmb/monochrome/png/retroarch.png)')
run(["/usr/bin/systemctl", "start", "retroarch"])

7. Create a shortcut in favourites

vi /media/storage/.kodi/userdata/favourites.xml

<favourites>
   <favourite name="RetroArch" thumb="/storage/.config/retroarch/assets/xmb/monochrome/png/retroarch.png">RunScript(/storage/retroarch.py)</favourite>
</favourites>

8. Clear all mounted filesystems and used devices.
umount /media/storage
umount /media/root/
losetup -d /dev/loop1
umount /media/flash/
losetup -d /dev/loop0

Quote from CvH

every Youtube App uses API Keys, thats nothing new

API keys are the gold standard at those services

One thing is an api key to identified application that consumes service... this is complete different... we are talking a personal (user) key that would enable google to track your privacy (searches, videos you reproduce, etc).
This practice attempts freedom, I'm not sure why you try to make it looks as it were ok.

Quote from humpri

Hi basilean,

did you finally find a way to get youtube working without personal API keys?

I would be interessted as well!

Mat

Hey Mat,
Nope, I just quit using youtube through xbmc. I don't feel comfortable using a plugin that lets google to know about usage and link it to my user.
The answers pointing to git howto, makes it clear you have to login into google in order to create keys so really it doesn't solve my question.

I really hope this doesn't become a standard where people develops plugins that serves companies hidden interests.

Hello CvH,

Yes, I know, my point is that using a pool of share keys as it was before, they know you are using a specific app but not who you are.

So, I'm just another guy using kodi or samsung app, even so, if they created a unique serial, I just a number and not a specific person.

That is basic anonymous that I'm asking for that is not fulfilled if I create a key related to my user.

Andres.-

Hello donbrew,

What you said only applies to an android phone.
Using a browser or even on samsung tv client, I don't need to [login|create keys] to watch videos.

While probably they create a random serial to keep track and collect on both, using a VPN, I would be just another unknown, not giving them chance to relate it to my user (becoming paranoid that they are relating IP, UA, cookie and/or another method to get you).

As I stated before, it is a matter of privacy, I appreciate freedom.

Andres.-

Hello cdu13a,

Thank you for your reply but to be truth, we don't really know what google tracks and collects, actually, I think they are better ways to avoid abusing without needing personal keys.
I'm just looking for a better way than creating a fake account just for these keys.

Andres.-

Hello guys,

Like everyone, I found youtube addon is not working anymore without a registered API.
I already read this thread and I have not doubts on how to create personal keys: YouTube Plug-in Thread

I'm not a paranoid guy but kinda like my privacy so my question is:

Do I need to link these keys to a valid google account or is it a workaround to use it anonymous like in my browser?

Thank you in advance.
Andres.-

Hello guys,

Libretro stop working, I'm just getting logs:

ERROR: Add-on 'game.libretro' is not compatible with Kodi

I tried removing "import" lines on addon.xml just to try something but no luck.

I'm using latest: #0203, 03-Feb-2020 but I noticed this few months back.

Any advice or hack to make it work again?

Thank you in advance.

Hey man, I repeated process today, I just needed to comment SHA256 line and it worked like a champ. Original post updated.

Forgot to tell you, also remember to update autostart.sh to new kernel modules location, IE:

cat /storage/.config/autostart.sh

(

cp -v /storage/.config/hid-xpadneo.ko /lib/modules/5.2.0/kernel/drivers/hid/

depmod

) &

Hello guys,
First at all, I love LibreELEC, best mmc ever, thank you very much!
I tried to reply back soon but looked some issue on registration so I'm not sure if xpadneo support was already addressed.

If not, I wrote this recipe to get it working.

At your PC

As root install compilation tools needed

apt install gcc make git unzip wget xz-utils wget bash bc gcc sed patch patchutils tar bzip2 gzip perl gawk gperf zip unzip diffutils lzop libc6-dev libncurses5-dev libjson-perl

Clone repo

git clone https://github.com/LibreELEC/LibreELEC.tv.git

cd LibreELEC.tv/

Create a new package

mkdir packages/linux-drivers/xpadneo

vi packages/linux-drivers/xpadneo/package.mk

PKG_NAME="xpadneo"
PKG_VERSION="master"
#PKG_SHA256="6626c55eeb13a0608a68209f7da29efb11a841aa443bab4d4bef5db8dc04d33d"
PKG_LICENSE="GPL"
PKG_SITE="https://github.com/atar-axis/xpadneo"
PKG_URL="https://github.com/atar-axis/xpadneo/archive/master.zip"
PKG_DEPENDS_TARGET="toolchain linux"
PKG_NEED_UNPACK="$LINUX_DEPENDS"
PKG_LONGDESC="Advanced Linux Driver for Xbox One Wireless Gamepad"
PKG_IS_KERNEL_PKG="yes"
PKG_TOOLCHAIN="manual"

make_target() {
kernel_make -C $(kernel_path) M=$PKG_BUILD/hid-xpadneo/src modules
}

makeinstall_target() {
mkdir -p $INSTALL/$(get_full_module_dir)/$PKG_NAME
cp $PKG_BUILD/hid-xpadneo/src/*.ko $INSTALL/$(get_full_module_dir)/$PKG_NAME
}

Build package
PROJECT=RPi DEVICE=RPi2 ARCH=arm scripts/build xpadneo

If all goes well, new module should be there, you need to match running image with kernel version.

/sbin/modinfo build.LibreELEC-RPi2.arm-9.1-devel/xpadneo-master/hid-xpadneo/src/hid-xpadneo.ko

Quote from modinfo output

...

vermagic: 5.0.13 SMP mod_unload ARMv7 p2v8

...

Quote from Working Image

#0507, 07-May-2019: RPi / RPi2 -- Release post (New 5.0.13 kernel; drop omxplayer)

Copy module

scp build.LibreELEC-RPi2.arm-9.1-devel/xpadneo-master/hid-xpadneo/src/hid-xpadneo.ko root@PI:/storage/.config/

At your MMC

Disable conflicting bt options

vi /storage/.config/modprobe.d/xpadneo.conf

options bluetooth disable_ertm=y

Nasty hardcore to make it "permanent"

vi /storage/.config/autostart.sh

(
cp -v /storage/.config/hid-xpadneo.ko /lib/modules/5.0.13/kernel/drivers/hid/
depmod
) &

chmod 755 /storage/.config/autostart.sh

Add udev rule

vi /storage/.config/udev.rules.d/99-xpadneo.rules

ACTION=="bind", KERNEL=="0005:045E:02FD.*|0005:045E:02E0.*", SUBSYSTEM=="hid", DRIVER=="microsoft", \
RUN+="/bin/sh -c 'echo $kernel > /sys/bus/hid/drivers/microsoft/unbind; echo $kernel > /sys/bus/hid/drivers/xpadneo/bind'"

Reboot to confirm that all works as expected and that should be all.
Keep press X button few seconds until it starts to blink and try pair it, probably you will need to remap keys, so keep a keyboard close.

Hope you find it useful.
Andres.-