FYI, LibreELEC 8.95.002 on the RPi3B+ has the same (timeout?) problem with the "Recently added episodes" widget when connected to its own database server, so it's likely a MariaDB problem. I'll enable the log later on.
I'm going install LibreELEC+MariaDB for the RPi3B+ onto a USB connected SSD for a permanent replacement of my current trusty Ubuntu 14.04 MySQL database server (
). It has to be upgraded anyway, but the machine can also be used for new things to come.
Okay, I'll dive into that. I have re-enabled all thumbs now, and after sitting idle for several minutes, Kodi on the Ubuntu PC (which is connected to the MariaDB on the RPi) now normally closes within a second again. Weird...
Okay, good news! The MariaDB is running off the RPi3B+ and the read performance off the SD card is not bad actually.
I did a full export of the MySQL database and imported it successfully into MariaDB using MySQL Workbench (which was moaning about unsupported SQL versions, but whatever).
The one bump in the road now is the "Recently added episodes" section for TV series, which has the all-known rotating wait cursor for about a full minute (will time it better next time) before those thumbs are shown. I have no problems with this on the PC when connecting to a proper MySQL server. All the other sections on the home screen load pretty much instantly. Also I now have a 45-second freeze when closing Kodi on the PC. No idea where that comes from.
vpeter Can you enable a log file for the MariaDB server?
There are the expected micro lags in handling database data when using a "big" PC or a "small" RPi device, but so far if you just blink once, you wouldn't know the difference when using the sql database on the RPi.
It is under Services.
Darn... I know it's a Saturday morning, but I think I need to re-take my LibreELEC exams. 
Thanks for pointing in the right direction. I see the config now.
Klojum look at add-on config/option .. the root password is auto-generated and visible there (along with the Kodi user).
There is only one small problem with that: I don't have or see the add-on's config option. No add-on icon for the MariaDB server in the Program Add-ons section of Kodi. Already rebooted the RPi3B+, but nothing has popped up unless I'm looking in the wrong places.
Right... After midnight, so it is weekend. 
vpeter : I installed the MariaDB on a RPi3B+ from the LibreELEC repository. It installed all okay.
A question, though... what is the password for the database user 'root'? If any?
Is the user 'kodi' already created in the MariaDB database? Because without root access, I can also not create new users and their privileges.
I take it that MariaDB also prevents outside access by default. and accepts only local clients?
Geez.. Haven't even had a chance to try it, hehe. It's on the weekend menu now.
Yep, this is not a dating agency (as far as I know).
Wait for network... How did we overlook that one? 
A broken UTP cable..? Broken switch/router UTP port?
Try a dfferent port.
Can you connect externally with a tool like MySQL Workbench into the QuickNAP?
Power buttons do not simply disappear, so something has gone wrong.
In my experience, setting up a new fresh setup is done quicker than picking through lots of files trying to find the culprit.
So when you do that, and have everything up and running again, make a backup of your LibreELEC setup with the Backup/Restore tool in LibreELEC. It'll save you even more time next time.
Some more details can be found here:
Solved. It is Libreelec. Everything is running under Coreelec
I'd simply use what is working for you. The videos you linked aren't playing on my machine.
You only posted 2 separate log snippets on the Odroid forum instead of a whole, uncut kodi.log file.
Could one of those fine added screensavers in a naughty add-on. Which means your Kodi setup is probably toast by now.
Your signature is currently 7 (ahum) 6 lines in height. It would appreciated if you kept it a bit more compressed to an acceptable 4 lines. Think more horizontal instead of vertical? We prefer to have focus on the post contents, and not how 'impressive' a user's HTPC collection is. Thanks in advance.
On-topic: There is an unwritten rule/suggestion/guideline to only spend a max of $150-200 on HTPC hardware each time That amount should probably be lower in the current Android boxes era. After a few years, specifications change, newer hardware with better specs is needed (AV1 support is probably the next feature), and computer hardware is outdated in 2-3-4 years anyway.
There are a couple of cheap Android boxes you could have a go at. There are also more topics on what the "best" hardware for Kodi on the Kodi forum, such as this one: START HERE - Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Nov. 2018)
Any Kodi build with the same major (stable) version will not change, database-wise. Unless there is a catastrophic failure going on.
During Alpha, Beta or RC releases, that's another matter. Kodi 18 RC4 also had database upgrade.
What sort of contraption are you using for running your MySQL server? And which version is MySQL / MariaDB ?
Yesterday I upgraded LibreELEC with GUI option to 8.2.5 and since then it's no longer working.
What was the previous version? It's possible that your user 'kodi' on the MySQL server does not have sufficient rights to create new databases and/or tables on the server. Perhaps you previously forgot to run the GRANT ALL ON *.* TO 'kodi'; query when setting up the MySQL database. Or something changed in the time between.
(like I'm used to), rebooted, nothing.
Did you double-check for silly errors like typos in opening/closing tags?
Or use the Keymap Editor add-on for key press values.
