Raspberry Pi: Getting Started with OSMC

After getting the Raspberry Pi 2 (RPI), NOOB SDcard from Element14 started up without a network cable. Only 3 option for the OS is shown as it boot from the NOOB SDcard (yes, it has to be plugged in)

Plugged in the networking cable and restarted RPI. This time, it loaded the remaider of the OS like OSMC and OpenElect.

OSMC (Open source Media Center), is a Debian based Linux operating system. Fomerly known as Raspbmc.  OSMC features an application store for TV use. Kodi is an application included for handling multimedia locally or online on OSMC.

Kodi or formerly known as XBMC, is an open source software (GPL) for handling of videos, music and pictures. Live TV can be viewed via Kodi and its add-ons expand its use. The support of UPnP allows streaming of Kodi to any other Kodi instances. Its like multi screen mirror display.

Here are steps to start off with the OSMC operating system.

Step 1: Boot to OSMC

Boot up the RPI. It goes into the RPI boot screen, press the "SHIFT" key to bring up the editing screen. Click on OSMC for PI2 and press "Enter" and an "x" will appear for the OSMC.

Press "Esc" and it should start downloading OSMC and install. Once done, it reboots to OSMC.

Troubleshooting
After OSMC splash screen appeared, the Samsung TV displayed
"Mode not supported".

What does this mean? OSMC got the wrong resolution or the TV did not support multiple modes automatically.

Troubleshooting Step 1: 

In the same network, open the SSH client (Putty) and connect to the RPI via IP address.
username: osmc
password: osmc

At the command line type:

Identify which mode is being used that is causing the problem.
tvservice -s

Identify which modes are available in OSMC monitor service
tvservice -m DMT

Output that I got:

osmc@osmc:~$ tvservice -s
state 0x12001a [HDMI DMT (39) RGB full 16:9], 1360x768 @ 60.00Hz, progressive
osmc@osmc:~$ tvservice -m DMT
Group DMT has 4 modes:
           mode 4: 640x480 @ 60Hz 4:3, clock:25MHz progressive
           mode 9: 800x600 @ 60Hz 4:3, clock:40MHz progressive
           mode 16: 1024x768 @ 60Hz 4:3, clock:65MHz progressive
  (prefer) mode 39: 1360x768 @ 60Hz 16:9, clock:85MHz progressive

Troubleshooting Step 2:  

Reboot RPI, and as it loads press "SHIFT" until the edit boot screen appears. Click on OSMC and choose "Edit config".

Changed the value to match below. E.g. to use alternative mode, change hdmi_mode from 16 to 4.

Click"OK", and press "Esc". Reboot as normal.

Keep changing the value of the mode until it works and display Kodi with default OSMC skin/template.