Archive:Intro FAQ: Difference between revisions

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===What is XboxMediaCenter and what does it allow me to do if I run it on Microsoft's Xbox™?===
It can't really do much, except install a virus on your xbox that will render it incapable or rebooting again the next time you turn it on. Until this is fixed, you should not make any attempt to install xbmc
XBMC (XBox Media Center) is a [http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html free open source (GPL)] multimedia-player for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox Xbox™ from Microsoft]. Currently XBMC can be used to play/view most popular video/audio/picture formats such as DVD-Video, VCD/SVCD, MPEG-1/2/4, DivX, XviD, MP3, AAC, JPG, GIF, PNG, and most other popular multimedia formats (plus many more less known formats) directly from a CD/DVD in the Xbox DVD-ROM drive or from the Xbox built-in harddrive, XBMC can also play multimedia-files from a computer over a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network local-network] and even stream media-streams directly from the internet. XBMC can parse DVD-Video movies (with and without menus) from ISO/IMG-images and even ZIP/RAR-archives. XBMC has playlist and slideshow functions, a weather forecast feature and many audio visualizations. XBMC can in addition use python-scripts written for XBMC as plugin widgets. All these features enable the Xbox™ running XBMC to fully function as a multimedia-jukebox. 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. (This, The XboxMediaCenter Project is also known as "XBox Media Center" or simply "XBMC").
 
*'''Notes!'''
**XBMC is a non-profit hobby project that is only developed by volunteers in their spare-time for free.
**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]).
**For a complete list a functions and features see the [[XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs| supported features/formats list here]].
 
===Is XBMC or The XBMC Project and its members in any way affiliated with Microsoft?===
No. [http://www.xboxmediacenter.com 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 memebers, 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 assosiation 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.
 
===Does XBMC support or feature ''this'' and ''that'' function...?===
See the [[XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs| supported features/formats list here]] and/or try it yourself and findout! Also search/browse and read [[Xbox_Media_Center_Online_Manual|this manual]]!
 
===Exactly which video/audio/picture formats and audio/video codec versions can XBMC play?===
See the full [[XBMC_Features_and_Supported_Formats/Codecs| supported features/formats list here]], if it is not listed there then XBMC does not support it (yet)!
 
===Does XBMC and Xbox support HDTV (High Definition TV) resolutions?, and HDTV media?===
Yes and no, but the answer is a little more complicated than that, you see: Xbox/XBMC can output a 480p/720p/1080i signal (if you have a [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/highdefinitionavpack.htm Xbox High Definition AV Pack/component cable]) and upscale all low-resolution videos (like retail DVD-Video/Movies) to 720p (1280x720 pixels progressive) or 1080i (1920x1080 pixels interlaced) in hardware (linear upscale/upconvert). So XBMC have no problems with upscaling for example DVD-Video (720x480 NTSC/720x756 PAL) movies to HDTV 480p/720p/1080i. XBMC is even capable of playing native HD video (video/movies with native resolutions higher than 720x576) like 720p (1280x720) and 1080i (1920x1080), however there is here a big snag/limitation with that and that is that a standard Xbox only has a 733Mhz Intel Pentium-III CPU (processor) and that does not have the processing power to decode those native HD videos fast enough, (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. The only real solution if you want to play videos with native HD resolutions on Xbox is to buy or upgrade to a non-standard Xbox with a much faster CPU (processor), (like example the [http://www.friendtech.com DreamX-1400 from FriendTech]] which has a 1480Mhz Pentium-III that is at least capable of decoding all native HD videos encodec with MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 ASP (H.263) that are have up to 720p in native HDTV video resolution. [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).
*To make this even clearer XBMC capability on a standard Xbox (with Intel 733Mhz PIII CPU):
** 720x480 pixel video output to 480p HDTV (720x480 progressive) = OK! (eg not upscaled).
** 720x480 pixel video output to 720p HDTV (1280x720 progressive) = OK! (eg upscaled).
** 720x480 pixel video output to 1080i HDTV (1920x1080 interlaced) = OK! (eg upscaled).
** 1280x720 pixel progressive video output to 720p HDTV (native 1280x720 progressive) = FAIL!
** 1920x1080 interlaced video output to 1080i HDTV (native 1920x1080 interlaced) = FAIL!
Note! All above that state FAIL don't actually fail to play, it's just that the Xbox CPU is to slow to decode/render the high resolution so it will drop so may frames (producing stuttering playback) that is will be un-viewable.
 
===Can I listen to MP3 music while playing Xbox game (can XBMC run in the background of a game?)?===
No, XBMC can not run in the background of Xbox games, (nor any other Xbox applications, emulators, dashboards or tools). When you lanch/start a game (or other applications, etc.) XBMC get completly cut off so you can not continue using any of XBMC features or functions. Reason for this is that the Xbox can only run one executable/process at a time (so two executables can not share resources on the Xbox), this is a limitation in the Xbox BIOS that we/you can not do anything about. A workaround to this is to use third-party homebrew software on your computer that can converts MP3 files to WMA then transfer those to the Xbox (under "E:\TDATA\FFFE0000\MUSIC\") plus updates Microsoft's soundtrack database ("st.db"), that way it will be just like you ripped those songs from a AudioCD with the Xbox using Microsoft original Xbox dashboard and you will be able to play the songs in all Xbox games that support such Xbox soundtracks. Some application that can do that are; [http://www.xbox-scene.com/tools/tools.php?page=managers Virtual Xbox CD Ripper], [http://www.xbox-scene.com/tools/tools.php?page=managers Xbox Soundtrack Manager] and [http://www.xbox-scene.com/tools/tools.php?page=utils Soundtrack Editor].
 
 
===Can I launch/start/load Xbox games, Xbox applications or emulators from the network (and stream)?===
No, XBMC can not run in the background of Xbox games, (nor any other Xbox applications, emulators, dashboards or tools). When you lanch/start a game (or other applications, etc.) XBMC get completly cut off so you can not continue using any of XBMC features or functions. Reason for this is that the Xbox can only run one executable/process at a time (so two executables can not share resources on the Xbox), this is a limitation in the Xbox BIOS that we/you can not do anything about. Realisticly this will never be possible on the Xbox, as only way it could be made possible was if the network-share client (for example SAMBA) could be integrated or hacked into the Xbox BIOS (ie. the kernel), (and even if that was possible, it would never be something that Team-XBMC would do).
 
 
===Can I launch/start/load Xbox games, Xbox applications or emulators from a ISO/IMG image?===
No, XBMC can not run in the background of Xbox games, (nor any other Xbox applications, emulators, dashboards or tools). When you lanch/start a game (or other applications, etc.) XBMC get completly cut off so you can not continue using any of XBMC features or functions. Reason for this is that the Xbox can only run one executable/process at a time (so two executables can not share resources on the Xbox), this is a limitation in the Xbox BIOS that we/you can not do anything about. Realisticly this will never be possible on the Xbox, as only way it could be made possible was if the ISO/IMG parser could be integrated or hacked into the Xbox BIOS (ie. the kernel), (and even if that was possible, it would never be something that Team-XBMC would do).
 
 
===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://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=87054&atid=581841 RFE Request Feature Tracking System], (you must [http://sourceforge.net/account/register.php register] and be logged-in on SourceForge.net before you can do this). 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://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=87054&atid=581841 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. 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 garantees 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 do appriciate 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 bullit and learn how to program C/C++ to be able to code it yourself, (see the "[[Appendix D: Development Notes]]" section of this manual).
 
 
===Where can I request/suggest a new codec-decoder or file-format to be implemented into XBMC?===
The answer (and explaination) 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 explaination) to this question is so long that we had to put it in separate page, see; [[Codec and Format requests]].
[[Category:FAQ]]

Revision as of 05:59, 29 April 2007

It can't really do much, except install a virus on your xbox that will render it incapable or rebooting again the next time you turn it on. Until this is fixed, you should not make any attempt to install xbmc

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