Archive:Intro FAQ: Difference between revisions

From Official Kodi Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
>Blittan
(Update wikilink targets following Foundation subjectpage move)
 
(116 intermediate revisions by 15 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
==What is XBMC?==
'''F'''requently '''A'''sked '''Q'''uestions about {{Kodi}} for new users and curious onlookers.


XBMC, formerly "Xbox Media Center", is a free, [http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html open source (GPL)] multimedia player.  Originally for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox Microsoft Xbox™], it is in the process of being ported to Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows (all of which are usable but not as stable or feature complete as the Xbox version just yet).


==What can XBMC do?==
__TOC__
{{-}}
== General FAQ ==
:{{Big|''See also: '''All platforms FAQ''' for FAQs that apply to all versions of {{Kodi}}.''}}
{| style="width: 100%;"
{{FAQ|1=XBMC|2=What_is_it
| Question = What is {{Kodi}}? What is XBMC?
| Answer  = XBMC is the old name for what is now known as {{Kodi}}. XBMC is still the proper name if you are referring to an old version of the program (e.g. “[[Releases#Release history|XBMC v13.1]]”), but since the release of version 14 (codenamed "[[Archive:Helix|Helix]]") on {{#dateformat:2014-12-22|mdy}}<ref name="helix" />, both the application and the project that produces it are named '''{{Kodi}}'''.


*XBMC can be used to play/view the most popular video/audio/picture formats, and most other multimedia formats (including many more less known formats).
{{Intro|Kodi}}
Including:
}}
* ''Video'' - DVD-Video, VCD/SVCD, MPEG-1/2/4, DivX, XviD.
* ''Audio'' - MP3,AAC.
* ''Picture'' - JPG, GIF, PNG.


Which can all be played directly from a CD/DVD in the XBox DVD-ROM drive or from the XBox's built-in hard-drive, XBMC can also play multimedia from a computer over a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network local-network] and media-streams directly from the internet.
{{FAQ|1=features
| BGcolor  = WhiteSmoke
| Question = What can Kodi do?
| Answer  = {{Main|Features and supported formats}}
{{#lst:Features and supported formats|intro}}
}}


*XBMC can play DVD-Video movies (with and without menus) from ISO/IMG images and even ZIP/RAR-archives.
{{FAQ|1=Team_Kodi|2=Team_XBMC
*XBMC has playlist and slideshow functions, a weather forecast feature and many audio visualizations.
| Question = Who is Team Kodi?
*XBMC can in addition run [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_(programming_language) python-scripts] written for XBMC as plugin widgets.
| Answer  = {{Main|Archive:Team Kodi}}
*XBMC has a simple and user-friendly user-interface, it's easy to use, it's convenient, flexible and offers a great price/performance ratio.
{{#lst:Archive:Team Kodi|intro}}
}}


All these features enable the XBox™ running XBMC to fully function as a multimedia-jukebox.
{{FAQ|1=Kodi_Foundation
| BGcolor  = WhiteSmoke
| Question = What is the Kodi Foundation?
| Answer  = {{Main|Kodi Foundation}}
{{#lst:Kodi Foundation|intro}}
}}


'''Notes'''
{{FAQ|1=help|2=bugs|3=troubleshooting
*XBMC is a non-profit hobby project that is only developed by volunteers in their spare-time for free.
| Question = How do I get help or report a bug?
*XBMC does require a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox#Modding_the_Xbox modded Xbox] to run on or it will not function), (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modchip modchip] or [http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox-tutorials.php?p=151|#151 software exploit/hack]).
| Answer  =
*For a complete list a functions and features see the [[XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs| supported features/formats list here]].
* '''[[Troubleshooting]]''' ⇐ Start here
* '''[[HOW-TO:Submit a bug report|How to submit a proper bug report]]'''
* '''[[forumtopic:111|General Support subforums]]'''
* '''[ircs://irc.libera.chat:6697/kodi #kodi]''' [[wikipedia:IRC|IRC]] chat channel on Libera.chat
}}


==What features does XBMC have?==
{{FAQ|1=donate|2=contribute
See the [[XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs| complete list of supported features]].
| BGcolor  = WhiteSmoke
| Question = How can I help and/or donate?
| Answer  = {{See also|Development}}
* [https://kodi.tv/donate/ Donate]
* [https://kodi.tv/contribute/developers/ Submit a patch]
* [[HOW-TO:Help with quality assurance testing|Help with quality assurance testing]]
}}


===Does XBMC support or feature ''this'' and ''that'' function...?===
{{FAQ|1=Technical_FAQ
See the [[XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs| complete list of supported features/formats here]] or try it yourself and find out!
| Question = Where can I find an FAQ for more technical questions?
| Answer  = {{See|Archive:All platforms FAQ}}
}}


You might also want to look in the [[Xbox_Media_Center_Online_Manual|manual]].
{{FAQ|1=PVR_(Live_TV_and_DVR)
| BGcolor  = WhiteSmoke
| Question = Can I watch Live TV and handle PVR/DVR functions in {{Kodi}}?
| Answer  = {{Main|PVR}}
{{#lst:PVR|intro}}
}}


===Exactly which media formats can XBMC play? ===
<section begin="free content" />
See the [[XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs| complete list of supported features/formats here]], if it is not listed there then XBMC does not support it (yet)!
{{FAQ|1=free_content
| Question = Where do I get all the movies and TV shows from?
  | Answer  = {{Kodi}} does not provide any video content or video streaming services. If you bought a "Kodi" player that was advertised as a streaming service than you probably have been misled by a seller trying to make a quick buck. Kodi is a more akin to a video player, like your DVD/Blu-ray player. The main aim of Kodi is to work with video files you have on your own computer or local network (e.g. a file server or NAS). Kodi can also access online videos using add-ons, but these add-ons are almost always made by the community and come from a third party service/source, and do not come preinstalled from official versions of Kodi.


==== What media codec versions can XBMC play? ====
While there are many legal video third party '''[https://kodi.tv/addons add-ons]''' and services that work with Kodi, be aware that some less reputable online sellers might try and bundle or market unofficial/unsupported piracy/bootleg add-ons. Such add-ons/services are not endorsed, encouraged, or supported by [[Archive:Team Kodi|Team Kodi]] or the [[Kodi Foundation]]. Please do not ask about services that are explicitly for bootleg video content on official Kodi websites, forums, or other support channels. For more information, see our '''[[Official:Forum_rules|forum and community rules]]'''.
Again, See the [[XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs| complete list here]]
}}
<section end="free content" />
|}


==Does XBMC support High Definition (HD) resolution media? ==
== References ==
Yes and no, but the answer is a little more complicated than that, see bellow:
<references>
===XBMC for XBox===
<ref name="helix">[[User:Natethomas|Betzen, Nathan]] ({{#dateformat:2014-12-22|mdy}}), [https://kodi.tv/article/kodi-140-helix-unwinds/ Kodi 14.0 - Helix Unwinds], [https://kodi.tv/blog Kodi Blog].</ref>
In general, it '''can not''' play native [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_video HD] format videos, but '''can''' upscale SD or lower format video to HD resolutions
</references>


A standard XBox (with the XBox HD AV Pack) is capable of ''outputting'' HD signals.
XBMC can quite easily upscale all low-resolution videos (like retail DVD Movies) to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/720p 720p]or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1080i 1080i].


Unfortunately, the XBox's 733Mhz Intel Pentium-III CPU, is to slow to play [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_video native HD] video (Microsoft® and DivX® recommends a 2.4 Ghz PC + 384MB RAM for 720p MPEG-4 playback!).  This means that you might only get maybe 10-20fps (frames per seconds) displayed which would appear so jerky because of all dropped frames that it will be un-viewable.
[[Category:Guides]]
 
==== Upgraded Processor ====
It is possible to upgrade the processor in an XBox (for example, with the [http://www.friendtech.com DreamX-1400 from FriendTech], to one which is at capable of decoding some native HD videos
(i.e. those encoded with MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 ASP (H.263) at up to 720p).
[http://www.upgrade123.com/catalog/index.php FriendTech do offers trade-in]). Note! You must enable/setup your HDTV settings in Microsoft dashboard, (on NTSC Xboxes).
 
=== XBMC for Linux, XBMC for Mac, and XBMC for Windows ===
Since all the components in a personal computer running Linux/Mac/Windows operating-systemms can be upgraded, the limit of resolution that XBMC is able to playbackl will only be dependent on the exact hardware in your system, (the CPU to be specific as XBMC uses software decoder to decode all video streams).
 
=== List of standard supported HD resolutions ===
On a standard XBox the following HD formats are supported:
* 480i/480p/576i/576p output at 480p (Not Scaled).
* 480i/480p/576i/576p output at 720p (Upscaled).
* 480i/480p/576i/576p output at 1080i (Upscaled).
 
The following video resolutions are '''NOT''' supported, at any output resolution:
* 720p
* 1080i
 
These will attempt to play, but will drop so many frames as to become, to intents and purposes, un-watchable.
 
===Does XBMC support Blu-ray or HD DVD playback with out without menus?===
No. There is not yet any C/C++ open source software out there yet capable of fully playing back Blu-ray or HD DVD so we can not add the code from somewhere in any case. [http://www.ffmpeg.org FFmpeg (the open source codec-suit that XBMC uses)] will probably relativly soon be able to decode all audio and video codecs used in both Blu-ray and HD DVD, but even when that happens you
still have to get around the DRM encryptions used by the disc formats and there is not yet any C/C++ open source software library capable of that on-the-fly, nither is there any C/C++ open source software library out there capable of displaying Blu-ray or HD DVD menus. XBMC need C/C++ open source software libraries for all of these things to fully support Blu-ray or HD DVD playback.
 
==Where can I suggest/request a new feature or function to be implemented into XBMC?==
You can log a NEW feature/function request in our [http://trac.xbmc.org RFE Request Feature Tracking System], (we recommend you [http://forum.xbmc.org/register.php register] and login on [http://trac.xbmc.org trac]). Just make sure that you first remember to search for existing "Feature Requests" before logging a new request! You should take note that we guesstimate that 99% of all ''new'' requests XBMC users post have already been requested before so it is imperative that you search thoroughly! You may also post a copy of your suggestion in the feature-suggestion section of our community-forums if you want it open for discussion, however, again you must search there too before you can post, (we do not enjoy reorganising duplicate posts). Please respect that your request only counts as a suggestion, there' s no guarantee that it will implemented soon or ever. Known that almost all users think their own ideas is the most important, and a very common comment is: "''if you only add these features then XBMC will be perfect for me''". Note! Only one feature per [http://trac.xbmc.org RFE Request] and Forum Thread is allowed (for easier manageability).
 
==When will ''this'' and ''that'' feature or function be supported by XBMC?==
Tomorrow, in a year, never... who knows! XBMC is a non-profit hobby project that is only developed by volunteers in their spare-time for free, none of us get paid to develop new features/functions/formats/codecs for XBMC meaning we foremost prioritize the ''things'' we ourselves what to see and use in XBMC. XBMC development is driven by the tasks that are important to the individual developers. If there is a feature that is important to you, the best way to get it implemented is to undertake the task yourself, otherwise you as an end-user of who do not yourself contribute source code patches to the XBMC project have no rights to demand new ''things'' to be implemented and get no guarantees that some specific ''thing'' will be prioritized before something else, you may however suggest/request for ''things'' and if you ask nicely then maybe someday a developer might like your idea and implement the ''thing'' you asked for, (we recommend that you read this article on [http://www.catb.org/%7Eesr/faqs/smart-questions.html How To Ask Questions The Smart Way]). We do appreciate your ideas, opinions and feedback if they are presented in a good way, so it is possible to lobby for something specific, just don't be a jerk about it, arrogant and 'pushy' people will most likely just be ignored (or even banned if they step over the line which we consider to be acceptable). Known that almost all users think their own ideas is the most important, and a very common comment is: "''if you only add these features then XBMC will be perfect for me''". If you can not accept the possibility that your ''thing'' might never make it into XBMC then you just have to bite the bullet and learn how to program C/C++ to be able to code it yourself, (see the "[[Appendix D: Development Notes]]" section of this manual).
 
==Can I update the auido/video codecs in XBMC myself?==
No. XBMC relies on a built-in open source codec-suit called [http://www.ffmpeg.org FFmpeg]. XBMC codecs get updated on a regular based by the developers of Team-XBMC when FFmpeg programmers adds support for newer or updated codec formats and file container formats, please see [[Codec and Format requests]] for more information.
 
==Where can I request/suggest a new codec-decoder or file-format to be implemented into XBMC?==
The answer (and explanation) to this question is so long that we had to put it in separate page, see; [[Codec and Format requests]].
 
==When will ''this'' and ''that'' codec-decoder or file-format be added and supported by XBMC?==
The answer (and explanation) to this question is so long that we had to put it in separate page, see; [[Codec and Format requests]].
[[Category:FAQ]]
 
==Is XBMC, The XBMC Project, or Team-XBMC affiliated with Microsoft in any way?==
No, XBMC, The XBMC Project and its members are not in any way affiliated with Microsoft in any way. [http://xbmc.org XBMC] is only a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software software program] that is made by [http://www.xbmc.xbox-scene.com/wiki/index.php?title=Team_XBMC_and_Others Team-XBMC] (ie, the members of the [http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmc The XBMC Project]) as a free [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-party_developer third-party] product that any person can install and run on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox Xbox™ game-console hardware] (which is manufactured and sold by [http://www.microsoft.com Microsoft Corporation]).
 
XBMC, The XBMC Project (and its members, Team-XBMC) and the services (including developer tools, resources, download areas, files, source code, product information, documentations and communication forums, collectively called "Services") provided by us has nothing to do with [http://www.microsoft.com Microsoft] by any association or affiliation what so ever.
 
XBMC is not approved by Microsoft to run on the Xbox, in fact installing/running XBMC on your Xbox may very well void your warranty! [http://www.microsoft.com Microsoft] does however have similar products to XBMC for the Xbox called "[http://www.microsoft.com/Windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/devices/xboxextenderkit.mspx Media Center Extender for Xbox]" (a.k.a. "Xbox Media Center Extender Kit") and "[http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/m/musicmixer/ Xbox Music Mixer]", which are both very limited feature/function-wise in our own humble opinion.
 
 
[[Category:FAQ]]

Latest revision as of 06:04, 9 October 2022

Frequently Asked Questions about Kodi for new users and curious onlookers.



General FAQ

See also: All platforms FAQ for FAQs that apply to all versions of Kodi.

What is Kodi? What is XBMC?
Link

XBMC is the old name for what is now known as Kodi. XBMC is still the proper name if you are referring to an old version of the program (e.g. “XBMC v13.1”), but since the release of version 14 (codenamed "Helix") on December 22, 2014[1], both the application and the project that produces it are named Kodi.

What can Kodi do?
Link
Main page: Features and supported formats

Kodi can be used to play almost all popular audio and video formats around. It was designed for network playback, so you can stream your multimedia from anywhere in the house or directly from the internet using practically any protocol available. Use your media as-is: Kodi can play CDs and DVDs directly from the disk or image file, almost all popular archive formats from your hard drive. Kodi will scan all of your media and create a personalized library complete with boxcovers, descriptions, and fanart. There are playlist and slideshow functions, a weather forecast feature and many audio visualizations. Once installed, your computer will become a fully functional multimedia jukebox.

Who is Team Kodi?
Link
Main page: Archive:Team Kodi

Team Kodi is the formal group of people who develop and maintain Kodi, the Kodi websites and perform other administrative roles that facilitate its feasibility and growth.

What is the Kodi Foundation?
Link
Main page: Kodi Foundation

The "Kodi Foundation" is the non-profit organization that oversees the Kodi project and is registered in the US.

How do I get help or report a bug?
Link

How can I help and/or donate?
Link
See also: Development

Where can I find an FAQ for more technical questions?
Link
See: Archive:All platforms FAQ

Can I watch Live TV and handle PVR/DVR functions in Kodi?
Link
Main page: PVR

Answers to some common questions regarding Live TV, PVR and Radio which may help you understand the requirements for setting up and using this powerful component of Kodi.


Where do I get all the movies and TV shows from?
Link

Kodi does not provide any video content or video streaming services. If you bought a "Kodi" player that was advertised as a streaming service than you probably have been misled by a seller trying to make a quick buck. Kodi is a more akin to a video player, like your DVD/Blu-ray player. The main aim of Kodi is to work with video files you have on your own computer or local network (e.g. a file server or NAS). Kodi can also access online videos using add-ons, but these add-ons are almost always made by the community and come from a third party service/source, and do not come preinstalled from official versions of Kodi.

While there are many legal video third party add-ons and services that work with Kodi, be aware that some less reputable online sellers might try and bundle or market unofficial/unsupported piracy/bootleg add-ons. Such add-ons/services are not endorsed, encouraged, or supported by Team Kodi or the Kodi Foundation. Please do not ask about services that are explicitly for bootleg video content on official Kodi websites, forums, or other support channels. For more information, see our forum and community rules.

References

  1. ↑ Betzen, Nathan (December 22, 2014), Kodi 14.0 - Helix Unwinds, Kodi Blog.
Retrieved from "https://kodi.wiki/index.php?title=Archive:Intro_FAQ&oldid=243176"