Official Kodi Wiki - User contributions [en]

Archive:Linux FAQ

2015-03-22T23:12:01Z

Paperd: /* What are the differences between Ubuntu + XBMC, XBMCbuntu, and OpenELEC? */

{{mininav| [[Linux]] {{l2| [[FAQ]] }} }}

{{notice|1= {{bigger|1= The Linux FAQ is going though a major overhaul and some things might be missing. For a copy of the old version see '''[http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Linux_FAQ&oldid=76795 here]'''.}} }}

{{XBMC FAQ}}

'''F'''requently '''A'''sked '''Q'''uestions for XBMC running under Linux-based operating systems.

__TOC__
{{-}}

== General FAQ ==
:{{big|''See also: '''[[XBMC all platforms FAQ]]''' for FAQs that apply to all versions of XBMC.''}}

=== Supported Linux distributions ===
:* Team XBMC provides precompiled binaries for Ubuntu from the '''[[Team XBMC PPA]]'''. In the future there will also be precompiled binaries for Debian and Steam OS.
:* Team XBMC recognizes '''[[OpenELEC]]''' versions of XBMC as "pretty damn awesome".
:* Generally speaking, as long as XBMC is compiled per recommended guidelines (see '''[[HOW-TO:Compile XBMC for Linux]]'''), those builds are considered "kosher".
:* XBMC builds that use external ffmpeg/libav are not supported and are strongly discouraged.

=== Supported hardware ===
For x86 hardware:
{{collapse top}}
:{{#lst:Supported hardware|Linux}}
{{collapse bottom}}

=== How to install or update XBMC for Linux ===
{{Main|HOW-TO:Install XBMC for Linux|XBMCbuntu}}

For an easy to use fresh installation of both XBMC and OS you can use '''[[XBMCbuntu]]'''. XBMCbuntu can be installed from a DVD or USB thumb drive.

; Ubuntu:
{{#lst:Team XBMC PPA|repos}}

; For other supported distros, see [[HOW-TO:Install XBMC for Linux]]

=== How to update XBMCbuntu ===
{{See|XBMCbuntu FAQ}}

=== XBMC for Linux version ===
: The current stable version of XBMC for Linux is {{Current version}}. This is the same code that all of the other platforms (Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, etc) are using.

=== What version/nightly build/beta of XBMC am I running? ===
: XBMC main menu > System > Lower submenu > System info. '''Note the build date.'''

=== Programs and tools to help with XBMC ===
: For a list of programs and tools to help with XBMC, such as renaming files, managing media, file sharing, and more, see '''[[Supplemental tools/Linux]]'''

=== How to autostart XBMC in desktop mode ===
:{{editor note|this needs filling out}}

=== What are the differences between Ubuntu + XBMC, XBMCbuntu, and OpenELEC? ===
:{{editor note|this needs filling out}}

* '''Ubuntu + XBMC:''' This setup will give you the full Unity desktop environment that has enough software installed to be a general computing solution.
* '''XBMCbuntu:''' Comes ready to boot straight into an XBMC session, but still gives you full access to Ubuntu's vast software repositories. The default desk top is LXDE and not much software is installed.
* '''OpenELEC:''' An appliance distribution. Getting software other than what is provided in the basic distribution will be a little difficult, but not impossible.

== Troubleshooting ==
{{see also|Troubleshooting}}

=== Getting more help with XBMC for Linux ===
:* '''[http://forum.xbmc.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=52 XBMC for Linux specific help forum]'''
:* '''[irc://irc.freenode.org/xbmc #xbmc]''' and '''[irc://irc.freenode.org/xbmc-linux #xbmc-linux]''' [[w:IRC|IRC]] chat channels on irc.freenode.org.

=== Userdata folder and logs ===
:{{Main|Userdata folder|Debug log}}
:{{editor note|this needs filling out}}

=== Audio issues ===
:For most audio issues, including configuration examples, see '''[[Audio]]''' and '''[[Audio troubleshooting]]'''.

=== Video tearing on Nvidia GPUs ===
: When XBMC is used with Nvidia hardware, tearing will occur when the X composite extension is used.

:* '''Solution 1:''' Enable "Unredirect Fullscreen Window" in Compiz Config Settings Manager. [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=11145045#post11145045]
:*# Install CCSM (Compiz Config Settings Manager): <code>sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager</code>
:*# Open Compiz Config Settings Manager
:*# Check the option "Unredirect Fullscreen Window", which should be under the "Composite" section.

:* '''Solution 2:''' Disable the composite extension.
:::'''1.''' Add this to the end of /etc/X11/xorg.conf: (make a new file if xorg.conf doesn't exist)
<pre>Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection</pre>
:::'''2.''' Then log in with a gnome classic session (without the composite extension compiz doesn't work).
:::'''3.''' Also make sure to set Vertical blank sync to Always enabled in XBMC.

:* '''Solution 3:''' Disable the use of the SDL backing store - this is a bug in Ubuntu which will probably be fixed in due time but could cause tearing right now: http://askubuntu.com/questions/450593/how-do-i-eliminate-screen-tearing-on-14-04-and-xbmc-with-nvidia-331/450673#450673

=== Why can't I update XBMC on Ubuntu 13.04, 13.10, or other release? ===
: The precompiled binaries from the Team XBMC PPA only work with Ubuntu releases that are still getting support. When Ubuntu drops support for a version then our PPA stops making a binary for it. Simply update Ubuntu itself and then XBMC updates should work again. If you don't want to update Ubuntu that often then we recommend using a long term support (LTS) version of Ubuntu, such as 14.04, which will be supported until 2019.

{{Gotham updated}}

[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:FAQ]]
[[Category:Linux|*]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting]]

Archive:Linux FAQ

2015-03-22T23:08:09Z

Paperd: /* What are the differences between Ubuntu + XBMC, XBMCbuntu, and OpenELEC? */

{{mininav| [[Linux]] {{l2| [[FAQ]] }} }}

{{notice|1= {{bigger|1= The Linux FAQ is going though a major overhaul and some things might be missing. For a copy of the old version see '''[http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Linux_FAQ&oldid=76795 here]'''.}} }}

{{XBMC FAQ}}

'''F'''requently '''A'''sked '''Q'''uestions for XBMC running under Linux-based operating systems.

__TOC__
{{-}}

== General FAQ ==
:{{big|''See also: '''[[XBMC all platforms FAQ]]''' for FAQs that apply to all versions of XBMC.''}}

=== Supported Linux distributions ===
:* Team XBMC provides precompiled binaries for Ubuntu from the '''[[Team XBMC PPA]]'''. In the future there will also be precompiled binaries for Debian and Steam OS.
:* Team XBMC recognizes '''[[OpenELEC]]''' versions of XBMC as "pretty damn awesome".
:* Generally speaking, as long as XBMC is compiled per recommended guidelines (see '''[[HOW-TO:Compile XBMC for Linux]]'''), those builds are considered "kosher".
:* XBMC builds that use external ffmpeg/libav are not supported and are strongly discouraged.

=== Supported hardware ===
For x86 hardware:
{{collapse top}}
:{{#lst:Supported hardware|Linux}}
{{collapse bottom}}

=== How to install or update XBMC for Linux ===
{{Main|HOW-TO:Install XBMC for Linux|XBMCbuntu}}

For an easy to use fresh installation of both XBMC and OS you can use '''[[XBMCbuntu]]'''. XBMCbuntu can be installed from a DVD or USB thumb drive.

; Ubuntu:
{{#lst:Team XBMC PPA|repos}}

; For other supported distros, see [[HOW-TO:Install XBMC for Linux]]

=== How to update XBMCbuntu ===
{{See|XBMCbuntu FAQ}}

=== XBMC for Linux version ===
: The current stable version of XBMC for Linux is {{Current version}}. This is the same code that all of the other platforms (Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, etc) are using.

=== What version/nightly build/beta of XBMC am I running? ===
: XBMC main menu > System > Lower submenu > System info. '''Note the build date.'''

=== Programs and tools to help with XBMC ===
: For a list of programs and tools to help with XBMC, such as renaming files, managing media, file sharing, and more, see '''[[Supplemental tools/Linux]]'''

=== How to autostart XBMC in desktop mode ===
:{{editor note|this needs filling out}}

=== What are the differences between Ubuntu + XBMC, XBMCbuntu, and OpenELEC? ===
:{{editor note|this needs filling out}}

* Ubuntu + XBMC: This setup will give you the full Unity desktop environment that has enough software installed to be a general computing solution.
* XBMCbuntu: Comes ready to boot straight into an XBMC session, but still gives you full access to Ubuntu's vast software repositories. The default desk top is LXDE and not much software is installed.
* OpenELEC: An appliance distribution. Getting software other than what is provided in the basic distribution will be a little difficult, but not impossible.

== Troubleshooting ==
{{see also|Troubleshooting}}

=== Getting more help with XBMC for Linux ===
:* '''[http://forum.xbmc.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=52 XBMC for Linux specific help forum]'''
:* '''[irc://irc.freenode.org/xbmc #xbmc]''' and '''[irc://irc.freenode.org/xbmc-linux #xbmc-linux]''' [[w:IRC|IRC]] chat channels on irc.freenode.org.

=== Userdata folder and logs ===
:{{Main|Userdata folder|Debug log}}
:{{editor note|this needs filling out}}

=== Audio issues ===
:For most audio issues, including configuration examples, see '''[[Audio]]''' and '''[[Audio troubleshooting]]'''.

=== Video tearing on Nvidia GPUs ===
: When XBMC is used with Nvidia hardware, tearing will occur when the X composite extension is used.

:* '''Solution 1:''' Enable "Unredirect Fullscreen Window" in Compiz Config Settings Manager. [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=11145045#post11145045]
:*# Install CCSM (Compiz Config Settings Manager): <code>sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager</code>
:*# Open Compiz Config Settings Manager
:*# Check the option "Unredirect Fullscreen Window", which should be under the "Composite" section.

:* '''Solution 2:''' Disable the composite extension.
:::'''1.''' Add this to the end of /etc/X11/xorg.conf: (make a new file if xorg.conf doesn't exist)
<pre>Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection</pre>
:::'''2.''' Then log in with a gnome classic session (without the composite extension compiz doesn't work).
:::'''3.''' Also make sure to set Vertical blank sync to Always enabled in XBMC.

:* '''Solution 3:''' Disable the use of the SDL backing store - this is a bug in Ubuntu which will probably be fixed in due time but could cause tearing right now: http://askubuntu.com/questions/450593/how-do-i-eliminate-screen-tearing-on-14-04-and-xbmc-with-nvidia-331/450673#450673

=== Why can't I update XBMC on Ubuntu 13.04, 13.10, or other release? ===
: The precompiled binaries from the Team XBMC PPA only work with Ubuntu releases that are still getting support. When Ubuntu drops support for a version then our PPA stops making a binary for it. Simply update Ubuntu itself and then XBMC updates should work again. If you don't want to update Ubuntu that often then we recommend using a long term support (LTS) version of Ubuntu, such as 14.04, which will be supported until 2019.

{{Gotham updated}}

[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:FAQ]]
[[Category:Linux|*]]
[[Category:Troubleshooting]]

Quick start guide

2015-03-06T06:04:01Z

Paperd:

{{mininav|[[General topics]]|[[First time user]]}}
Congratulations, new user, in your choice of [[w:media center|media center]] software: [[Kodi|{{Kodi}}]]!

<section begin="intro" />This guide is designed to get you up and running with {{Kodi}} in the shortest time possible, and was written with the most typical use cases in mind.<section end="intro" />
For more in depth information please refer to the [[Main Page|{{Kodi}} online wiki manual]]

The {{Kodi}} interface is designed with the '[[w:Home cinema|Home Theater]]' in mind. This means it is best viewed on a large-screen TV while you sit on your couch [[10-foot user interface|10-feet away from that TV]], rather than on a small monitor while you sit at your desk.
Because everything is designed with the home theater experience in mind, the best way to interact with {{Kodi}} is with a remote control, rather than a computer mouse. If it helps, think of {{Kodi}} as the ultimate DVD-player/set-top-box.

== Installing {{Kodi}} ==
{{main|Installing}}
{{#lst:Installing|intro}}

If you haven't already done so, download {{Kodi}} from '''http://kodi.tv/download/''' or see the installation guides here:
{{#lst:Installing|OS}}
See the '''[[Installing]]''' page for additional guides.

== Adding files ==
{{See also|File sharing|Media sources}}
While you can just use {{Kodi}} with plain file views, adding/scanning files to the library will add rich features such as cover art, summaries, thumbnails, trailers, and more.

To just quickly add files see [[Adding videos to the library/Adding media sources]].
=== Adding videos to the library ===
{{main|Adding videos to the library|Video library}}
{{#lst:Video library/Adding media sources|adding video}}

=== Adding music to the library ===
:''See main page: '''[[Adding music to the library]]''' and '''[[Music library]]'''''
In order to be able to include information on your music collection in the library, {{Kodi}} needs your music to be tagged. When your collection is scanned, {{Kodi}} stores all the tagging information (artist, album, year, genre, etc) in the database which allows you to efficiently search and manage your music collection.
Today most media applications and players (e.g. iTunes / iPod) organize music by this ID tag information.

{{note|Your audio files ''must'' have a valid ID tag for them to work properly in the {{Kodi}}music library.}}

=== Adding pictures ===
Adding sources for your [[pictures]] follows the same method as adding other media sources. From the Home Page navigate to Pictures, select Add Source and browse to the location of your picture files.

== Using a remote control ==
{{main|Remote controls}}
{{#lst:Remote controls|intro}}

== {{Kodi}} add-ons ==
{{Main|Add-ons|Add-on manager}}
{{#lst:Add-ons|intro}}

{{#lst:Add-on manager|HOW-TO install}}

== Changing the look and feel of {{Kodi}} ==
{{Kodi}} is unlike many contemporary media and gaming centers, in that it can be easily customized to look completely different using ''[[skins]]'' while still remaining equally as useable and providing access to all your videos, music, and more.

To get new skins, go to: {{highlight|System -> Appearance -> Skin -> Skin Confluence|bordered=yes}}

You will be provided a list of currently installed skins and an option to "Get More..." where you can download additional skins.

<gallery caption="The same home screen using different {{Kodi}} skins" widths=200px heights=113px>
File:Confluence_ss.png|Confluence - the default skin
File:Aeon Nox - glass home.jpg|Aeon Nox
File:Immersive.jpg|Immersive
File:Titan.jpg|Titan
File:Welo.jpg|Welo
File:Transparency.jpg|Transparency
</gallery>

== Important note about the Context Menu ==
{{main|Context menu}}
As you read this wiki and experiment on your own, you will quickly learn about the value of the '''''[[context menu]]'''''.

To use it, while highlighting an item, press the {{keypress|'''C'''}} key on the keyboard. If you are using a mouse, you can right click while hovering over an item. With remote controls, this is normally the {{button|guide}} button.

== Alternative guides ==
{{main|Video management#Alternative guides}}
{{#lst:Video management|Alternative guides}}
{{Frodo updated}}

==See also==
* [[First time user]]

[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Quick Start Guide]]
[[Category:First time user]]

Adding music to the library

2015-03-06T05:56:40Z

Paperd: /* Scanning Your Music Into the Music Library */

{{mininav|[[Music library]]}}
{{cleanup}}
<section begin="intro"/>{{Kodi}} adds music to the library by [[Adding music to the library#Scanning Your Music Into the Music Library|scanning]] music files to extract identifying information from tags in the files. In order to be able to include information on your music collection in the '''[[music library]]''', {{Kodi}} needs your music to be tagged. When your collection is scanned, {{Kodi}} stores all the tagging information (artist, album, year, genre, etc) in the database which allows you to efficiently search and manage your music collection.<section end="intro"/>

Your audio files '''MUST''' have a valid ID tag for them to work properly in the {{Kodi}} music library. There are third party applications available for download from the internet that allow you to add and manage ID tags in your music files.

== See also audio streams ==
{{see also|Internet_video_and_audio_streams}}

== Scanning Your Music Into the Music Library ==
[[File:XBMC12_Scan_Music_Library.jpeg|right|500px]]
To scan your music collection into the Music Library, follow these steps:
# Make sure you are not in '''Library Mode''' (checkmark on the left).
# Browse to the location of your music collection and bring up the the [[Music library#Context Menu|Context Menu]]. The selected item can be a music file, a folder containing music files, or a folder containing other folders.
# Select the option labelled "Scan Item to Library". {{Kodi}} will then scan the selected music source into the library database.
Once the scan is complete, you can browse your collection by selecting '''Library Mode'''.
{{-}}
[[File:Update_Library_startup.png|left|500px]]You can simplify the library maintenance by selecting the option "Update library on startup" (Menu System > Settings > Music > Library). This way, each time you start your {{Kodi}}, the sources will be scanned and library updated with the new contents. You can still, off course, scan manually the sources as explained just before.
{{-}}

== Sources for Music ==
{{main|Media sources}}
{{Kodi}} gives you the ability to listen to music from a variety of sources, click here for more information and examples of [[Types of Media Sources|Types of Media Sources (link)]].<br />
Some examples of sources that allow you to easily access all your digital music collection:
* '''On your computer or a [[NAS (Network Attached Storage)]] device/system, which supports [[SMB]] file sharing'''
* '''Stored directly on the hard drive'''
* '''On CDs/DVDs'''
* '''Streamed from the Internet'''
For information on how to configure remote file shares, please click [[Configuring PC Shares|here (link)]]

== Ripping CDs ==
{{main|Ripping CDs}}
{{#lst:Ripping CDs|intro}}

== Applications to edit music Tags ==
Your audio files '''MUST''' have correct audio tags to use the Music Library mode. Without tags you're limited to the file view in {{Kodi}}. There are several tools out there that will allow you to manipulate music ID tags.

* [[Supplemental tools/Linux#Music tools]]
* [[Supplemental tools/Mac OS X#Music tools]]
* [[Supplemental tools/Windows#Music tools]]

== Technical Explanation: File tags ==
''Skip this section if you're not interested a technical explanation of this subject. You don't need this information to use what is explained in the previous section.''

For many categories, such as genres and artists, {{Kodi}} supports multiple values in the one field. By default it uses the character sequence " / " to divide the entry into multiple values. This divider may be changed via [[advancedsettings.xml]].

=== Artist Tags - Resolving Compilations and Multiple Artists ===
{{Kodi}} reads the ''Album Artist'' tag in ID3, Ogg, APE and MP4 tags and uses it if available to assign an artist to the album (independently of the track's artist information). This is the "Album Artist" tag (in ID3 this is represented by the "TPE2" tag; in vorbiscomment (ogg) files "ALBUMARTIST", "ALBUM ARTIST" and "ENSEMBLE" are all supported). Multiple artists for either a track or album artist can be specified in "Artist1 / Artist2 / Artist3" format.

If no ''Album Artist'' tag exists, {{Kodi}} will use the first (primary) artist from the tracks as the ''Album Artist''. Essentially we do a string comparison of all the track artists, and assign the common artists as the ''Album artist''. This is generally the TPE1 tag in ID3.

As many users don't yet use the ''Album Artist'' tag, {{Kodi}} has an additional filter system for identifying compilation albums, where each track normally has a different artist. As {{Kodi}} scans a folder, it does the following:

# Identifies albums based on ''Album'' name alone in the folder and groups the songs that have the same ''Album'' name together as an album.
# Runs through each album's assigned songs. If there is 2 or more tracks with the same ''Track'' number, the group of songs must come from 2 or more albums, so the ''Album'' name is ruled out as a possible compilation.
# If any of the songs assigned to the ''Album'' name have an ''Album Artist'' tag, then {{Kodi}} assumes the user knows what they're doing, and this album is also ruled out from being a compilation.
# If two or more songs assigned to the ''Album'' name then have different primary artists, then the ''Album'' name is considered to be a group of songs from a compilation, and the ''Various Artists''" tag is assigned as the album artist.
# Otherwise, if all the songs have the same primary artist but don't have the same full artist list (eg a song or two has an additional artist) then the album is assigned the primary artist as it's ''Album Artist'', and we assume the additional artists are guest artists.

=== Ratings in ID3 tags ===
Ratings in ID3 tags are read via the POPM field, and (if this doesn't exist) in a custom (TXXX) field named "RATING". For the RATING field, we accept 1-5 as valid ratings. For the POPM field things are more complicated, as there is no established standard in place. We currently most closely respect what Mediamonkey does, and also have some support for what Windows Media Player 11 does. The POPM tag takes a value from 0..255, with 0 meaning no rating, 1 the worst, and 255 the best. We currently map these as follows:

{| class="prettytable"
|-
|
'''POPM value'''
|
'''Star rating'''
|-
|
0
|
|-
|
1
|
'''*''' This is a special case for Windows Media Player
|-
|
2-8
|
|-
|
9-49
|
'''*'''
|-
|
50-113
|
'''**'''
|-
|
114-167
|
'''***'''
|-
|
168-218
|
'''****'''
|-
|
219-255
|
'''*****'''
|}

== Embedded Album Art ==
{{Kodi}} supports embedded album art in files with ID3 tags, WMA tags and MP4 tags only. It does not support embedded album art in APE, Ogg or FLAC tags currently. To have album art for these formats, see the [[Thumbnails]] portion of the manual.

== Album art and thumbnails ==
{{See also|Thumbnails}}
{|
| valign="top" |
There are a number of ways to get thumbnails to display in Music.<br />
Album art can by obtained via [http://www.allmusic.com Allmusic.com] and described in the [[My Music Navigation and Control#The Context Menu|The Context Menu]] section. Music tags can also contain art for that specific song, as can be seen in [[Preparing your Music]].<br />
If you want a custom thumb, you can add a .jpg file to your music directory. The .tbn file can be either a .JPG or a .PNG file (with transparency) that you simply rename the extension from .jpg/.png to .tbn.<br />
The size of the picture can be anything from 64x64 to 256x256 in pixel-size (you may want to use a larger pixel-size if you use {{Kodi}} in 720p/1080i HDTV resolution to get a sharper image).<br />

'''Examples:'''<br />
In this example audiofilename.mp3 will use audiofilename.tbn as thumbnail:
Music\path\'''audiofilename.mp3'''
Music\path\'''audiofilename.tbn'''
|
[[File:mymusic.jpg|right|500px]]
|}
The same goes for playlists, [[Cue sheets]], SHOUTcast, and [[HOW-TO: Play Internet Streams|internet-stream files]], eg:
Music\path\'''audioplaylistname.m3u'''
Music\path\'''audioplaylistname.tbn'''
Music\path\'''cuelistname.cue'''
Music\path\'''cuelistname.tbn'''
Music\path\'''shoutcastlinkname.pls'''
Music\path\'''shoutcastlinkname.tbn'''
Music\path\'''audiostreamname.strm'''
Music\path\'''audiostreamname.tbn'''

If you store each of your music-albums or artists in a separate subfolder to keep things organized, you can also make the folder have a custom thumbnail image. To do this you need to rename your .jpg thumbnail as folder.jpg and place it in the folder (the size of the picture can be anything from 64x64 to 256x256 in pixel size).<br />

'''Example:'''<br />
Music\path\album\'''folder.jpg'''

Now your album/artist folder will have a lovely custom thumbnail-image.

You can via [[advancedsettings.xml]] change the default filename of the image that {{Kodi}} uses for music folders. See the [[advancedsettings.xml#<musicthumbs>|<musicthumbs>]] tag. for more information.

== NFO files ==
{{main|NFO files}}
{{#lst:NFO files|intro}}

== Cue sheets ==
{{main|Cue sheets}}
{{#lst:Cue sheets|intro}}

[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Music library]]