Xbmc

The current version of Media Center Master is 2.14. Version 1.32 has been used for many the examples in the wiki, so beware that some of the options may be expanded or look different than various screen shots.

Official/Unofficial Wiki Pages Most of the content on the wiki was written by fans and users like yourself. If a page is marked as Official, then the content was written with official information (usually by the software author).

This is a new addition to the wiki and is currently being revised daily. During this time you may experience a disappearance of a section. It was not deleted, only moved to another area on this same page. If this should occur to you, please look for it's new location in the table of contents at the top of the page. When this guide is complete it will be sectioned out into pages that will be available through the navigation side bar. Your patience is greatly appreciated during this time.

The following information and guides are written using XBMC v10.1, Dharma, and the current version of Media Center Master v1.33.

The XBMC wiki is currently in the process of being revised for the new release of XBMC v11.0, Eden. As of October 12, 2011, there is no official word on when the release date will be. For those users who are just starting out with a media collection, unfamiliar with the terms, how the processing of files from downloading to being archived into a collection works..., it is not suggested to use one of the nightly builds of XBMC 11.0 to see what all the buzz is about. Nightly builds are experimental versions, for users who like living on the edge. They are well known for their bugs, problems, and program lock-ups. It is, also, suggested for a new users not to use the Beta Version when it becomes available. They are early releases of the new version and made available to the public for testing. Beta versions still have bugs, problems. For those users who have a significant other that "needs" to be satisfied, it is highly recommended to start with the stable version of XBMC v10.1 and wait for the official release date to use the new version.

When the official XBMC v11.0, Eden, is released, instructions for updating will be provided on the XBMC site. If it is suggested to do an uninstall of XBMC v10.1, as long as the "remove profile folder" option is not enabled during the uninstall, the library database, and user settings from XBMC v10.1 can be reused with the new version, without having to rescan, and reconfigure the settings in XBMC.

How to: Lists

It is suggested to read through all the sections below these lists before attempting to use the "How to: Lists." The "How to: Lists" is not a set up, configuration guide on it's own, these lists are designed to be used with the information in the sections below the lists.

First Practice Session

1. Have paper and pencil handy for notes: if additional XBMC setting is needed for skin, and what skin is needed for add-ons.
2. If needed, create a new user account, reboot and log into new user account.
3. Create new "Scan/Source" folder/s with just a few movie and/or tv episode files (just the video files, nothing else).
4. Open Media Center Master ensure that it is up to date with current version build. Restart if necessary to update.
5. Use configuration settings listed below for new instance of Media Center Master.
6. Add the "Scan/Source folder through "Set scan folder..." option.
7. Fetch meta-data, images, and create the required .nfo and .tbn files with the "Media Menu>Re-fetch all media titles" option.
8. Download and install XBMC.
9. Disconnect the internet at the computer, or modem, if networked.
10. Add "Scan/Source" folders.
11. Select fetcher to link "Scan/Source" folder to correct "Home Page" button/s.
12. Auto-scan "Scan/Source" folders to build XBMC database with supplied .nfo and .tbn files.
13. Reconnect the internet.
14. Enable "Movies" and "TV Shows" button in Confluence skin settings to view collection.
15. Add a few more movie titles, tv series and episodes (just the video files) to Media Center Master "Scan" folders.
16. Fetch meta-data, images, and create the required .nfo and .tbn files with the "Media Menu>Re-fetch all media titles" option.
17. Scan for new content or Update Library in XBMC to view newly added media by Media Center Master.
18. Repeat the two steps above to use the different methods to add new media into XBMC's database.
19. Experiment with additional settings before changing skins.
20. Choose, install, and change skins (repeat as necessary). Skin selection determines settings in "XBMC" tab.
21. Repeat steps 14 - 17 to add new media in different skins.
22. Pay attention to images and meta-data on pages for possible change to settings in the "XBMC" tab.
23. Choose, install, and change add-ons (repeat as necessary). Some add-ons are skin specific.

Uninstall and Re-installing XBMC for Fresh, New, Practice Sessions

1. Prepare "Scan/Source" folders for XBMC reinstall. Delete all meta-data and image files, leaving only video files.
   • Right click each title, or right click multi-select all titles, in Media Center Master collection window
     • Use the "Clear out meta data" option, and repeat above, then
     • Use the "Delete poster, backdrops, and banner" option.
2. Add more movie titles and tv series and episodes, as needed.
3. Using notes (paper and pencil) enable additional settings in the "XBMC" tab in Media Center Master, if needed for skin and add-ons.
4. Fetch meta-data, images, and create the required .nfo and .tbn files with the "Media Menu>Re-fetch all media titles" option.
5. Uninstall XBMC, be sure to enable "Yes, also delete the profile folder" option.
6. Reinstall XBMC.
7. Disconnect the internet at the computer, or modem, if networked.
8. Add "Scan/Source" folders.
9. Select fetcher to link "Scan/Source" folder to correct "Home Page" button/s.
10. Auto-scan "Scan/Source" folders to build XBMC database with supplied .nfo and .tbn files.
11. Reconnect the internet.
12. Unhide "Movies" and "TV Shows" button in Confluence skin settings to view collection.
13. Choose, install, and change skin (repeat as necessary). Skin selection determines settings in "XBMC" tab.
14. Configure options for user preferences.
15. Choose, install, and change add-ons (repeat as necessary). Some add-ons are skin specific.
16. Configure options for user preferences.
17. Repeat above steps as needed.

Once the user knows what skin and add-ons will be used, the user account and user files used for the practice sessions can be deleted.

Real Set-up

1. Enable required settings in the "XBMC" tab in Media Center Master.
2. Create the required .nfo and .tbn files with the "Tools Menu>Create XBMC movie.nfo meta data for all titles" option.
3. Download and install XBMC.
4. Disconnect the internet at computer or modem if networked.
5. Add "Scan/Source" folders.
6. Select fetcher to link "Scan/Source" folder to correct "Home Page" button/s.
7. Auto-scan "Scan/Source" folders to build XBMC database with supplied .nfo and .tbn files.
8. Reconnect the internet.
9. Choose and install skin.
10. Configure options for user preferences.
11. Choose and install add-ons.
12. Configure options for user preferences.
13. Enjoy.

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Concerning Issues Using XBMC with Media Center Master

There are five (5) common issues that will come up during a set-up of XBMC by users who also use Media Center Master.

• The first issue will come about when adding a collection to XBMC. In Media Center Master the collection of movies and tv series are contained in folders, known as: "Scan" folders. The "Scan" folders, are what, will be added into XBMC. XBMC calls these folders: "Source" folders. In that some users are accustom to the term "Scan" folder thru the use of Media Center Master, and the new term "Source" folder may bring about confusion, this guide will use the term "Scan/Source" folder.

• The second issue will come about when setting options for the "Scan/Source" folder. XBMC requires the user to choose a fetching source. The selection of a fetcher in XBMC is used for more than just fetching meta-data and images. This selection is, also, used to "Set the Contents," type of files contained in the "Scan/Source" folder, which then links the "Scan/Source" folder to the correct button on XBMC's "Home Page" (the first screen shown when the XBMC program opens), "Movies" button or "TV Shows" button.

• The third issue will come about after selecting the fetcher. Depending on what fetcher is selected there will be a list of additional options to appear below that will need to be to set. The first option in the list for both fetching sources will be a "Run automated scan" option. The scanning process will take a longer time with a large collection, if the internet is left connected to the system. In that Media Center Master has already scrapped meta-data and images, with it's fetchers, disconnect the internet from the computer, or at the modem, if networked with other systems, during the set-up of the "Scan/Source" folders. After the "Scan/Source" folders are scanned into XBMC's database, reconnect the internet so XBMC can update Add-ons/plug-ins/scripts, weather data....

• The fourth issue is using the actors/crew member images collected with Media Center Master. XBMC requires these images to be in the individual movie folders. Media Center Master, only, has a setting for all of the images to be downloaded into one folder. This issue has been addressed through the forums and is, already, listed in the Issue Tracker, Issue 780: Ability to use existing Actor images from MCM/MB with XBMC. Should you, also, wish to have a feature like this in Media Center Master, please visit the link and star it for priority consideration (sign in and click on the star next to the issue tracking number).

• The fifth issue is XBMC has a feature to click an icon and view Movie Theatrical Trailers from a movie title page. Settings in XBMC allow for the trailer to be viewed from an on line source, or directly from locally stored trailer files. XBMC requires locally stored trailer files to be named in a specific manner and be saved in the individual movie folders. A "Premium Version" of Media Center Master can be set for downloading, renaming and parsing trailer files for use in XBMC, through the "Trailers" tab.

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Prepare to Practice Installing XBMC

Setting up and configuring XBMC does not have to be a "Hair Pulling Experience." It should be looked at as: "An Exciting Adventure To The Ultimate MultiMedia Experience."

Practice set-up and configuration runs of XBMC should begin with the scan/source folders only containing a couple movie titles and/or a couple tv series with a couple episodes. More movie titles, series, and episodes can be added in as the practice runs proceed. This is suggested for three reasons:

1. Because the Settings & Preferences in the "XBMC" tab deals with skin selection, and there are several skins that come prepackaged with the XBMC installer. Each skin has it's own special characteristics and settings. Be aware of add-ons that are skin specific; some add-ons will only work in certain skins. The BackRow and Transparency! skins are favored over the others, by this writer. Pete uses a modified version of the BackRow skin. When a user is setting up XBMC for the first time, the user does not know what skin will be "the one." After determining what skin will be used, and if additional options in the "XBMC" tab are needed, then Media Center Master can be properly configured to process a complete media collection for XBMC.

2. Just to get started, leaving room for error correction, less time consumption for the learning process, by reducing the rescanning time of scan/source folders. The main issue with XBMC is it has a lot of features for a new user/installer to explore and numerous ways to be customized. There is no doubt in this writer's mind, it is a given, and a known fact by every main household user/installer of XBMC, that a new user/installer will be redoing settings, installing/disabling/uninstalling skins, installing/disabling/uninstalling add-ons. Ultimately in time uninstalling and re-installing XBMC more than one, two, three, four... or, maybe, more times. The number of uninstall and re-install sessions will depend on how particular the user is to getting it, just, right. Thank you, Team XBMC, for the fast installer, and uninstaller.

3. Attempting to avoid a big mess going into more, and more, and more information, deeper subject matter than just a quick set-up by involving additional options available in Media Center Master to reprocess the collection, change, re-do, or un-do XBMC settings after media titles have been processed by Media Center Master and scanned into XBMC (issues relating back to reason #1, in this section; issues relating to the fifth issue, in the above section; and issues relating to the last paragraph in the next section).

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Media Center Master's Meta-data and Image Files vs. XBMC's Database

Media Center Master scans movie titles and tv episodes in the "completed downloads" folder (watch folder), and uses it's fetchers to create .xml, meta-data files, and .jpg, image files. After fetching is complete, and if the options in the "XBMC" tab are enabled, .nfo files are created from the .xml files, and .tbn files are created from the .jpg files. All of the completed files are then moved. Files for movies titles are moved to the movies "Scan" folder, or to another location, and stored in individual movie title named folders. Files for tv episodes are moved to the tv series "Scan" folder and stored in the corresponding tv series named folder that was created by adding a tv series. If a season folder is needed for the episode, it is created. Media Center Master stores all of it's meta-data and image files in folders stored on a user defined location, such as: Operating System drive (c:), extra internal drive, external usb drive, Networked Access Storage, or Network Server.

XBMC is designed to do the same thing as Media Center Master in regards to fetching meta-data and images, with the same principles, basically speaking, with one exception. Instead of creating and storing files, XBMC uses a database for storing meta-data and thumbnails of images. The database is then used for displaying content (meta-data and images) in the user interface. XBMC stores it's database files on the Operating System hard drive (usually labeled C:), in the users hidden folder; %AppData%Roaming\XBMC\userdata\Database. This folder contains the MyVideosXX.db (XX = number assigned to file by XBMC) file which is the database file relating to both movie titles, and tv shows collections.

XBMC will not create any extra files or folders in the movie titles or tv shows "Scan/Source" folders. XBMC will not update, edit, or modify any file in the "Scan/Source" folders during a manual or automated scan, or update. The only time XBMC will modify the contents of the "Scan/Source" folders is when an export of the library is done manually, by the user. During the export library function XBMC will create it's own .nfo file with meta-data from the database for each movie title and/or tv series for importing the meta-data back into another installation of XBMC.

During a scan of the "Scan/Source" folders XBMC uses .nfo files and .tbn files, if found, first, if not, then XBMC uses it's parsing and fetching features to fill it's database.

Once a movie title and/or tv series with images, and a Media Center Master's created .nfo file has been scanned and entered into XBMC's database, the .nfo file and image files are no longer used by XBMC. Any attempt to modify the contents of these files (.nfo files or image files) through Media Center Master in order to view the revisions in XBMC by "rescanning" XBMC's library (options available in XBMC: Update Library, and Scan for New Content) will not work, as expected. There is, however, methods to do this, and more on this subject will be presented in another guide.

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Media Center Master's "XBMC" Tab Settings

These settings are dependent upon the skin selection used in XBMC. It is also important to note some add-ons, are skin specific, require a specific skin to work.

1. "Create XBMC-compatible movie.nfo meta data"
   • Enable this option. This file naming convention is required in XBMC for a folder/file structure where each movie title is contained in separate folders.
   • This option will create a movie.nfo file for movies, a tvshow.nfo file for tv series, and a episode.filename.nfo file for episodes from the default .xml files Media Center Master creates with the scrapped meta-data acquired from it's fetchers.
   • During the set-up configuration of a "Scan/Source" folder in XBMC, the "Use folder names for lookups" option is required with this naming convention.

2. "Resize posters to banner size for T.V. shows (some XBMC skins need this; a backup will be made)"
   • Pay attention to the XBMC skin's images to determine selection.

   For example, if the posters/DVD covers look squashed this setting needs to be changed.

3. "Create movie.tbn artwork from poster.jpg"
   • This option is set enabled as a default during Media Center Master installation. The .tbn extension is required for images in XBMC.

4. "Use [video filename].nfo/.tbn modern style naming"
   • This file naming convention is used in XBMC for a folder/file structure where all movie title files are contained in one folder.
   • Some skins may require this setting. Pay attention to your skin's meta-data and images.
   • The first and third options, also, need to be enabled for this option to work.
   • This option creates movie.filename.nfo/.tbn files for movies, tv series.filename.nfo/.tbn files for tv series, and episode.filename.nfo/.tbn files for episodes.
   • These files will be added to each of the movie title folders, tv series, and season folders.

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Create a New Users Account for Practice Sessions

If the user will be using the same computer that already has a configured instance of Media Center Master installed for the practice sessions, create a new user account. This will allow for the use of a fresh, new, instance of Media Center Master, and will not change any of the current user settings in the other user account. After creating a new account be sure to close all programs, and reboot. The new user account and the user files can be deleted after the practice sessions are completed.

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Configure New Instance of Media Center Master for Practice Sessions

There is no need for a Premium Version License for this instance of Media Center Master. Be sure the new instance of Media Center Master auto-updated to the correct version and build before using. This can be checked through the Help Menu>System information. Locate the line with "Media Center Master: X.XX.XXXXX.XXX (X represents a number), and note the version and build number. Compare the number to the "current version X.XX.XXXXX.XXX/release date" found on any of Pete's signatures located at the bottom of his replies to topics at the forums. If you notice, Media Center Master is attempting to download the same files over and over during auto-update, do an uninstall then reinstall. You will not loose any user settings in either user accounts.

A Premium License Version of Media Center Master, if available, can be used for the practice sessions, if the user wishes to use the premium features. Features such as: Use multi-threaded fetching, Inspect and record video file details, Download subtitles from Subscene.com, and Automatically download trailer videos. Additional settings will be required if a downloading option is selected. The user should use the "Un-license" feature found through: Help Menu>Licensing>Un-license. Select, "Yes" in the next two (2) pop-up windows, then "OK." This will free-up the license for that instance of Media Center Master to use for the practice sessions instance of Media Center Master.

The configuration for the practice sessions instance of Media Center Master is needed only for manually fetching meta-data and images. There is no need to have Media Center Master running any automated processing during the practice sessions. Premium License features and their configuration settings are not included in this configuration set-up.

• Disable, "Application Menu>Use episode-level auto-scan for T.V.shows (can be slow)."
• "General" tab

• User choice, "Minimize to tray."
• User choice, "Show queue abort confirmation prompt."
• User choice, "Remove a/an/the/article stop words in media list."
• User choice, "Show timestamp in log window."
• User choice, "Use themed backgrounds in UI windows."
• Change, all of the "time frames for automation" to "15 days."

• "Artwork" tab

• Enable, "Automatically resize artwork (posters/covers and backdrops/fanart) after a meta-data fetch."

• "Renaming" tab

• Set options as needed to match user setting in other user account.

• "Movies" tab

• Disable, "Download cast thumbnails," and "Download crew thumbnails."
• User choice, "Sort by the original folder instead of by media title."
• Enable, "Confirm search results," and "Unless there is only one result."
• Disable, "Use non-blocking confirmation prompts (timer)."
• Disable, "Auto-shrink WMC Video Library posters to 150x225."
• Enable, "Create blank meta data if no results were found."
• Disable, "Download all backdrops when available."
• Change, "limit to only "5" backdrops" to "1."

• "T.V." tab

• Disable, "Automatically fetch meta-data for episodes in T.V. scan folders (T.V. episode-level auto-scan)."
• Disable, "Also check for missing thumbnails."

• "XBMC" tab

• Enable, "Create XBMC-compatible movie.nfo meta data."
• Enable, "Create movie.tbn artwork from poster.jpg."
• These two (2) options are required for XBMC and should be used for the first practice sessions.
• The other options should only be used, if needed, for specific skins.

• "Netgear" and "NMT/PCH" tabs

• Disable all settings in these two (2) tabs if these products are not used.

• The options in the remaining tabs will not be used and the features are disabled by the default settings.

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Install XBMC

Download the current version of XBMC.

Follow the wizard to install using all the defaults. In the last window enable, "Run XBMC" then click the "Finish" button.

This guide uses the Windows version of the installer.

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XBMC Quick Start Guide

XBMC's quick start guide can be used for additional reference not supplied in this guide.

This wiki guide will supply enough information to get a user through a basic set-up of XBMC and explain how to refresh/update XBMC with new movie titles and tv episodes added into the "Scan/Source" folders by Media Center Master.

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Getting Around, Navigating in XBMC

XBMC can be used with a keyboard and mouse, and remotes. How to get around, navigate, in XBMC can be found through XBMC's Default Controls wiki page.

FYI

• For users who have a smart phone, there are XBMC Remote "Apps" available for downloading to your phone. This writer does not use smart phones and has no knowledge about how the XBMC Remote Apps work.

• For users who do not have a smart phone or remote and thinking about purchasing a remote. There are no remotes built specifically for XBMC. XBMC works straight out of the box with several manufactured brands. The Windows Media Center Edition, eHome, Infrared, Remote is favored by this writer. This is the remote with "the Green Button." There is an XBMC Add-on available called MCERemote that will modify the registry settings in Windows. This add-on makes it easy for users to customize the remote, re-assign button actions to take on different actions.

International Region Settings

These settings are, also, important for correctly displaying Weather Information.

Confluence Skin Home Page>System>Appearance>International

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Adding "Scan/Source" Folders

If Movies and TV Shows are to be added into XBMC, add one folder following these steps, then add the remaining folder and repeat the steps.

XBMC Confluence Skin Home Page>Videos>Add source>Browse>

Step 1

Navigate to the "Scan/Source" folder thru the "Browse for new share" window.

• After clicking on the "Scan/Source" folder, a list with ".." (indicates Parent Folder) as the first item will appear with movie titles or tv shows listed below.
  • The path to the "Scan/Source" folder will be listed above the list.
    • Select "OK."

Step 2

Should you wish to have a different name for the folder when it is viewed in XBMC, rename it.
This will not rename the Windows Operating System folder name.

• Select "OK."

Step 3

Select a fetcher for the type of content contained in the "Scan/Source" folder.
Depending on which fetcher is selected a list of options will appear in the window.
Enable options as required for scanning your "Scan/Source" folder and file structure.

Movies Options

1. "Run automated scan"
   • Enable this option. The scan will be preformed after selecting options below and clicking on "OK."

2. "Use folder names for lookups"
   • Enable this option for Movie titles, they should be in individual folders.

3. "Scan recursively"
   • Enable this option. This will allow the scan to progress from the "Scan/Source" folder into the movie title folders.

4. "Selected folder contains a single video"
   • Option should be disabled from above choice.

5. "Exclude path from library updates"
   • Do not enable this option. If you enable this option your collection will not be updated with new content.

TV Show Options

1. "Run automated scan"
   • Enable this option. The scan will be preformed after selecting options below and clicking on "OK."

2. "Selected folder contains a single TV show"
   • Option should be disabled. TV Shows should be in separate folders.

3. "Exclude path from library updates"
   • Do not enable this option. If you enable this option your collection will not be updated with new content.

Settings

These are settings for the fetching feature. The fetcher are not used during the scan (internet is disconnected), and the settings will not be described.

After the above options have be set, then select "OK."
A "Change content" window will appear, asking: "Do you want to refresh info for all items within this path?
Select "Yes."

Adding Music and Pictures to XBMC is done in the same manner. Remember to start with just a few files in the "Scan/Source" folders to practice, before adding a complete collection. There are plenty of Add-ons to enhance viewing options for both.

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Locating the Movies and TV Shows Buttons on the Home Page

After scanning the "Scan/Source" folders it is necessary to disable a hide option for the Movies and TV Shows Buttons in order to view the media library. By default the skin settings for these buttons are enabled to "Hide the Buttons".

Disable these options through:

• Confluence Skin Home Page>System>Skin>Home window OPTIONS>Hide Main Menu Buttons>Hide - Movies (Videos - Library), and
• Confluence Skin Home Page>System>Skin>Home window OPTIONS>Hide Main Menu Buttons>Hide - TV Shows (Videos - Library)

Settings for options like this vary between the different skins. Some skins "enable to hide," and others "enable to view."

Changing the Library View

This change will need to be done in each Library, Movies and TV Shows.

Enter a Library from the "Home Page." The keyboard controls and Movies Library will be used in the following example. (Using a remote, navigation is by arrow buttons and enter/ok button.)

• Confluence Skin Home Page.
• Navigate to the "Movies" button with up or down arrows, enter to select.
• Use left arrow on keyboard and a slide menu will appear.
• "VIEW: LIST" option will be highlighted, enter to change skin viewing of how meta-data and images are displayed on screen.

• The visual effect is much better when more titles are added.

Note: The "LIBRARY MODE" option is enabled, this option is what allows the viewing of a collection as a library through the use of the Movies and TV Shows button on the "Home Page." Playing with this option can cause a new user problems, and frustration.

The slide out menu is available and accessed in the same manner in all skins.

Other skins have more viewing options.

Removing the ".." Found at the Top of Each Library List

The ".." is known as a parent folder item. It can be removed from the lists by disabling the option setting found through:

Confluence Skin Home Page>System>Appearance>File lists>Show parent folder items

Disabling Subtitles

While playing a video, move the mouse to activate the "On Screen Display" (OSD) settings.

Select Audio icon.

"Enable subtitles" option.

Disable this option and close window, removes subtitle for current video.

Disable this option,

Select the "Set as default for all movies" option.

Confirm choice by answering "Yes" in pop-up window.

Removes subtitles for current video and all future video viewing.

Scan for New Content vs. Update Library

"Scan for new content" and "Update library" will add new movie titles/tv series/episodes to XBMC's database. Both of them do the same thing, just in a different manner.

The following two options are found through the context menu (right click, or "c" on keyboard).

• Update Library

Runs through the complete collection (all scan/source folders) and compares it's finding with the database. Checks for any new video, image, and .nfo files that have been added and rescans those folders.

• Scan for New Content

Runs through a scan/source folder located through Home page>Video>TV Series and/or Movies (whatever you named them), or an individual tv series and compares it's finding with the database. Checks for any new video, image, and .nfo files that have been added and rescans those folders (i.e. the same as "Update Library" but it is restricted to, just, this one folder, source, series).

The following option is found through

Confluence Skin Home Page>Settings>Videos>Library

• Update Library on Startup

Does the same as update library, just does it automatically at startup. It is recommended not to use this setting during practice sessions. As the database becomes larger, this option will cause XBMC to take a longer time to close.

The following option is found through

Confluence Skin Home Page>System>Add-ons>Get Add-ons>XBMC.org Add-ons>Program Add-ons>XBMC Library Auto Update

• XBMC Library Auto Update Add-on

This add-on will auto update the videos and music libraries at specific user defined intervals, only, while XBMC is running.

After the add-on has been installed it can be found through:

Confluence Skin Home Page>Programs>XBMC Library Auto Update

• Highlight it right click or use "c" on keyboard for context menu
  • Select "Add-on settings"
  • Select options for user preferences.
  • Select "OK" to save settings and close.

Automating this process through Media Center Master has already been added as a feature request. See Issue 546: XBMC - API Integration. Should you, also, wish to have a feature like this in Media Center Master, please visit the link and star it for priority consideration (sign in and click on the star next to the issue tracking number).

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Viewing a List of Recently Added Movie Titles and TV Episodes

This method can be used in both Libraries, Movies and TV Shows, and works the same in all skins.

• Confluence Skin Home Page.
• Use arrow, up or down, to highlight "Movies" or "TV Shows."
• Use right arrow on keyboard, a slide menu will appear.
• Use arrow, up or down, to highlight "Recently Added."
• "Enter" to see the list of recently added Movie Titles or TV Episodes.

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Installing Skins

The following sources may help in determining which skin to choose and assist with any skin specific help and support. These are not the only sources for this information. There are several places to look in the XBMC website, and other on-line locations.
xbmc.org/skins
XBMC Community Forum>Help and Support>Skin specific help and Support

XBMC installs with a default skin called "Confluence." The paths used to navigate to where a user will install and change a skin will vary between the different skins. It is, therefore, suggested to go to the xbmc.org/skins page, and choose which skins the user is interested in testing during the practice sessions. Install all of the selected skins through the Confluence skin. This guide will not supply instructions on how to do this for every skin.

Confluence Skin Home Page>System>Add-ons>Get Add-ons>XBMC.org Add-ons>Skin

Choose a skin, click on "Install." A download indicator will appear in the list to the right of the skin name. When downloading is complete, an option window will appear asking: "Would you like to switch to this skin?" Users choice, "Yes," or "No." As mentioned above, skins are different, not only in looks, also, in the way of navigating through them. When all skins have been installed back out of the Add-ons menus to the "Home Page."

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Changing Skins

Navigate to:
Confluence Skin Home Page>System>Appearance>Skin>Skin

Click on current skin name. A pop-up window will appear with a list of installed skins. Selecting a skin name will set it as the new default.

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See Also

Cinema Experience

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XBMC Dharma 10.1 + PVR v2 = XBMC with Live TV

Before getting started with this guide it is important to note the new version of XBMC, Eden v11.0 will include PVR support, but as of now, all of the current downloadable versions of the Eden version of XBMC are experimental, nightly builds. It is also important to note XBMC Dharma 10.1 + PVR v2 is experimental and is not an official release from Team XBMC. In that XBMC Dharma 10.1 + PVR v2 does use Dharma the stable XBMC release, and can be considered the most stablest from the available choices, this guide will use XBMC Dharma 10.1 + PVR v2.

If a user wants to watch TV on a PC, at least one supported tuner card, or a provider that provides IPTV access is required. The tuner hardware doesn't have to be installed on the same computer on which the user wants to watch TV. The computer with the tuner hardware is called the back-end. The computer used to view TV is called the front-end. The back-end and front-end can be on one computer. XBMC will run on the front-end.

XBMC Dharma 10.1 + PVR v2 does not have the capabilities to support a tuner card, or a provider that provides IPTV access, on it's own. It requires support from another program to control a tuner card.⁽¹⁾ This guide will use MediaPortal 1.1.3. MediaPortal is a two (2) part, dual purpose, self supported, program. It works as both; a front-end for viewing TV or IPTV (also known as a TV Client), and a back-end for controlling the tuner card (also known as a TV Server). When the complete program, TV Client (front-end) and TV Server (back-end), is installed on one computer the configuration is called a single seat set-up. MediaPortal's TV Server can also be installed on a single computer, without the TV Client, and configured to support multiple tv cards as a back-end, server. This leaves MediaPortal's TV Client, and it can be installed on other computers, without the TV Server, and configured to support viewing TV or IPTV as front-ends, clients, and use the tuner cards installed on the back-end, TV Server computer. TV Clients can use any tuner card in the TV server that is not in use by another TV Client.

The guide will focus on a single seat (Windows) installation where both the TVServer and XBMC are running on the same machine with a supported tuner card. XBMC Dharma 10.1 + PVR v2 will be used as the front-end, TV Client, and MediaPortal 1.1.3 is installed for the use of it's TV Server, the back-end. However there is one problem using these two programs; the problem is both programs are not written using the same computer code, machine language. The two (2) programs can not communicate with each other. The solution is two (2) fold: a plugin written for MediaPortal, MediaPortal 1.1.x - TVServerXBMC plugin v1.1.3.107, and an add-on written for XBMC, MediaPortal PVR Client Add-on. After installing MediaPortal the plugin will need to be manually installed into MediaPortal's file/folder structure before MediaPortal's TV Server can be configured for use with XBMC. XBMC Dharma 10.1 + PVR v2 already has the Add-on installed, it just needs to be enabled through XBMC's settings for the integrating process. XBMC can then be configured with the Add-on to use the plugin to communicate with MediaPortal and control the tuner card.⁽²⁾

This guide will assume the user is familiar with XBMC Dharma v10.1. It will provide: links for preparing for an installation of a single seat set-up of MediaPortal 1.1.3, how to set-up and configure MediaPortal for scanning channels with a tuner card to view live tv through MediaPortal's TV Client, how to install the MediaPortal 1.1.x - TVServerXBMC plugin v1.1.3.107, how to configure MediaPortal 1.1.3 for using the plugin, and configure the MediaPortal PVR client add-on to, finally, view live tv in XBMC.

The guide will then continue by providing information for configuring MediaPortal to utilize Windows Media Center, TitanTV, or Schedules Direct, Electronic Program Guide (EPG) meta-data for the users localized zip code, (acquired with additional software, mc2xml v1.1), and how to keep the EPG meta-data up to date with a user defined scheduled task event through Windows. The EPG meta-data will be used in XBMC as a when and what to watch guide, with click-able watch now, or record, features. Additional information will also be provided for obtaining channel, station identification, icons, where to install them, and how to configure MediaPortal and XBMC to use the icons in XBMC's Live TV Guide.

⁽¹⁾There are several programs available for this support depending on Operating System used with XBMC and which version of MediaPortal 1.1.x - TVServerXBMC plugin is used, such as: HTS Tvheadend, VDR, and MythTV for Linux Systems, and MediaPortal, and ForTheRecord Argus TV Server for Windows Systems. The ForTheRecord Argus TV Server has been added for the up coming Eden version of XBMC.

⁽²⁾From what this writer has seen in XBMC's Online Manual, wiki, revisions, in preparing for Edens release, the above process is not going to change, much, if any. What will change is the versions for the programs used in these guides. The complete set-up and configurations shown in these guides will need to be repeated with the newer versions for all of the programs.

Downloads required for this guide are all open source.

XBMC Dharma 10.1 + PVR v2

MediaPortal 1.1.3 - Scroll down the page to the "Older Versions" section and use the link to their download site for older versions.

MediaPortal 1.1.x - TVServerXBMC plugin v1.1.3.107

mc2xml v1.1

Also, required is a Supported TV Card.

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