Archive:Kodi v14 (Helix) FAQ
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Kodi v14 (Helix) FAQ |
INCOMPLETE: This page or section is incomplete. Please add information or correct uncertain data which is marked with a ? |
Frequently Asked Questions for upgrading to Kodi v14 (codename Helix) from a previous version. Includes how to enable some of the new features, where some controls got moved to, etc.
General FAQ
- See also: All platforms FAQ for an FAQ that applies to all versions of Kodi.
What his Kodi? What is Helix?
Main pages: Kodi name change FAQ and History of XBMC
Kodi is the new name for XBMC media center. "Helix" is the codename for version 14, just as "Gotham" was the codename for XBMC v13. You will often see "v14" and "Helix" used interchangeably in the community. It might be a little confusing with so many new names being used, but this is simply the new version of XBMC. As long as you call it version 14/v14, then everyone will know what you are talking about.
You can download Kodi v14 "Helix" by going to http://kodi.tv/download/
Changelog
- See: Kodi v14 (Helix) changelog (and add-on developers should also see Helix API changes)
What are some of the major new features?
- See Kodi v14 (Helix) changelog for a condensed list of large and important changes
- Examples include:
- Different selectable keyboard layouts for the on screen keyboard.
- faster library scraping
- updated ffmpeg including things like h.265 support
- software decoding defaults to multithread decoding
- more control over add-ons and their updates in the add-on manager
- "big font" size in Confluence
- H.265 and 4K support on some Android devices
- Freescale i.MX6 support
- ATSC sub channels for PVR in the US
- PVR window changes for easier navigation
- Archives (zip, bin, etc) files can be directly browsed
Upgrading
Because v14 physically moves the location of your settings and add-ons during the upgrade, please backup those files before upgrading (while you are still on v13 or newer). While this isn't required for normal use, you will need the backup file if you ever want to downgrade to v13. Plus, really, it's always a good idea to backup regularly. And call your mother sometime. |
How do I upgrade to v14?
Note: Always backup your settings before upgrading, just incase!
- In most cases you can just install Kodi v14 over XBMC v13.
- After you install Kodi v14, you can then uninstall your old XBMC v13 install. XBMC v13 must be manually uninstalled in most cases since the upgrade has a new application name, depending on your OS.
- Android: Do not uninstall XBMC v13 before installing Kodi v14. Doing so will erase your settings before the upgrade takes place.
- Apple TV 2 (black)
- HOW-TO:Install Kodi for iOS
- Linux
- XBMCbuntu -> KodiBuntu upgrade
- Mac
- Windows
- OpenELEC and other pre-made Linux distros - Wait for them to push an update for v14
PVR add-ons for Ubuntu
- PVR add-ons for Ubuntu need to be reinstalled as they will have new names.
MySQL
Main page: MySQL/Upgrading
- As long as your MySQL server is set up to allow XBMC/Kodi to make new databases for the upgrade itself (see MySQL/Upgrading) then you don't need to do anything for upgrading a MySQL set up for Kodi. Even if you use "XBMC" in your advancedsettings.xml file, you can leave this the same and everything will still work.
What happens if I don't like Kodi v14, can I just install XBMC v13 again?
Main page: Migration
- You must restore a backup of your userdata and add-ons, as the v14 upgrade will physically move the location of those files.
Where did it this or that go?
Play button on remote no longer pauses
- Custom keymaps might need to be adjusted to use the action ID
playpause
instead ofplay
. "Play" alone has new behavior to only play and not pause. This can be done with a basic text editor and going into your userdata folder and into the keymaps folder.
On-screen-keyboard is missing
- Skins that have not been updated to v14 might not have working on-screen-keyboards. You can switch back to the default skin, Confluence, in order to enter text, or wait for an update for your skin to be completely compatible with v14.
Live TV
- The Live TV home menu option has been renamed to just TV.
Userdata folder
- The userdata folder's parent settings folder has been renamed from "xbmc" to "kodi" (or .kodi for some OSes).
Troubleshooting
Main page: Troubleshooting
What are some of the known issues in Gotham?
- See: Common issues
What might break when upgrading to v13? (add-ons, skins, remotes, etc)
- Most things from v13 will work in v14. However:
- Some add-ons may not work, prompting Kodi to ask you to disable them. You can keep using them if you wish (by choosing not to disable them), but doing so is unsupported.
- Some skins might not be updated for v14 Helix when you update. Be sure to check the relevant section of http://forum.kodi.tv for your skin to see if an update is planned.
- Skins that have not been updated might not show the on screen keyboard.
- Some skins might not be updated for v14 Helix when you update. Be sure to check the relevant section of http://forum.kodi.tv for your skin to see if an update is planned.
- Should your repo appear empty, or you are missing the new subtitles services, you may need to trigger a Force refresh on the Kodi add-on repository.
- The default username for remote smartphone apps is now kodi and might need to be changed in the settings of those remote apps. You can also change the username back to "xbmc" or use a custom username (and optionally, a password) in Service settings.
Where can I get more help?
- The general and platform specific FAQs, the Kodi support forums: http://forum.kodi.tv, and/or the #kodi IRC chat channel on irc.freenode.org.