Archive:Intro FAQ

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See also: XBMC all platforms FAQ

This is the introduction to XBMC Frequently Asked Questions.

What is XBMC?

XBMC (formerly "Xbox Media Center") is a free, open source (GPL) multimedia player that originally ran on the first-generation Microsoft Xbox, (not the newer Xbox 360), and now runs on computers running Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, and iOS.

What can XBMC do?

• XBMC can be used to play/view the most popular video, audio, and picture formats, and many more lesser-known formats, including:

• Video - DVD-Video, VCD/SVCD, MPEG-1/2/4, DivX, XviD, Matroska
• Audio - MP3, AAC.
• Picture - JPG, GIF, PNG.

These can all be played directly from a CD/DVD, or from the hard-drive. XBMC can also play multimedia from a computer over a local network (LAN), or play media streams directly from the Internet.

• XBMC can play 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 run python-scripts written for XBMC as plugin widgets.
• XBMC has a simple user interface that's pleasant and easy to use.

All these features enable your device to function as a full multimedia jukebox.

Notes

• XBMC is a non-profit hobby project that is only developed by volunteers in their spare time, for free.
• For a complete list a functions and features see the supported features/formats list here.

What features does XBMC have?

See the complete list of supported features.

Does XBMC support or feature this and that function...?

See the complete list of supported features/formats here or try it yourself and find out!

You might also want to look in the manual.

Exactly which media formats can XBMC play?

See the complete list of supported features/formats here, if it is not listed there then XBMC does not support it (yet)!

What media codec versions can XBMC play?

Again, See the complete list here

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 RFE Request Feature Tracking System, (we recommend you register and login on our Trac tracking-system, if you are already registered on on the XBMC Community Forum then know it is the same login so no need to re-register). 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 RFE Request and Forum Thread is allowed (for easier manageability).

When will this and that feature or function be supported by XBMC?

XBMC development is driven by the tasks that are important to the individual developers, none of whom are paid for what they do on the project. 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 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. 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 selfish comments are: "if you only add these features then XBMC will be perfect for me" and "I think you should prioritize my idea over anything else". If you make a good argument and present it in a smart way then developer might then like your idea and implement the thing you asked for.

Meanwhile, we recommend that you read this article on How To Ask Questions The Smart Way. 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).

If you are thinking of contributing code to the project, please see "Appendix D: Development Notes".

Can I update the audio/video codecs in XBMC myself?

No. XBMC relies on a built-in open source codec suit called FFmpeg. XBMC codecs get updated on a regular basis by the developers of Team-XBMC when FFmpeg programmers add support for newer or updated codecs and file containers. 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.