Open STRM File

A file with the .strm extension identifies a Stream file mostly used by Kodi, a free and open-source media center. The STRM files contain a URL to a particular media file on the Internet that can be streamed when the STRM file is opened in the compatible media player. Importantly, these are not media files themselves but references to different types of audio and video files, for instance, MP3, MP4, or M3U files.

Kodi and Kodi Addons

Kodi is a popular open-source media player and entertainment center, which can open and stream STRM files. Used extensively for home entertainment, this software supports most audio and video file formats and helps manage media content library efficiently. STRM files created for Kodi are typically intended to point to an internet stream like a radio station or video source.

While the base setup of Kodi is superb, additional components called addons can be installed to provide extra functionality. One such addon is the Internet Video and Audio Streams addon that can help handle STRM files and stream the content inside.

Creating and Using STRM Files

Creating an STRM file is simple and straightforward, all you need is a text editor and the appropriate URL. You can open any text editor, input the URL of the media file you want to stream, and save it with a .strm extension. Importantly, you need to save it in the correct location according to the particular device and platform you are using Kodi on. Here is an official guide on how to do it.

Other Software

Although Kodi is a prominent software using STRM files, other media-related applications also utilize this format. Some of these include VLC Media Player, a highly-versatile cross-platform software that can decode streams referenced by STRM files, and MX Player which is an advanced hardware-accelerated media player used on Android devices.

STRM File Important Information

While STRM files are straightforward and simple in usage, they have a serious drawback of often referring to piracy or unlicensed content online. Using such files could infringe copyright laws, and the end-user may end up facing legal consequences. Always check the reliability and legality of the source. Lastly, unfortunately, .strm files do not support all types of streams (e.g., encrypted streams) and all websites.