Basic controls: Difference between revisions

From Official Kodi Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Re-added 'intro', 'SidebladeMenu', 'ContextMenu' and 'InformationPage' section tags)
(Updated for v20)
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{mininav|[[First time user]]}}
{{mininav|[[First time user]]}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Kodi’s interface and controls}}


<section begin="intro" />Kodi is designed to have a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10-foot_user_interface 10-foot interface]. For best results, use Kodi on a TV operated from a couch with a remote control, not with a keyboard and mouse.


This page explains how to use Kodi’s menu and home screen, using the default skin, [[Add-on:Estuary|Estuary]]. <section end="intro" />If you are using a different Kodi skin, you can [[HOW-TO:Change_skins|change back]].
= Introduction =
The interface for the [[Music_navigation | music library]] and [[Video_playback | video libraries]] have their own pages.
'''Welcome new user!''' <section begin="intro" />You have finally installed Kodi on your hardware, launched it, and then probably sat there for a few minutes scratching your head thinking "What is this"? This page will describe the commonly used screens and basic navigation around Kodi. Its aim is to allow you to become familiar with Kodi and prepare you for the upcoming setup pages.<section end="intro" />


= Kodi’s home screen and menu =
This page will not describe how to load your media. That task is covered in subsequent pages. As with most pages of the wiki, this page assumes you are using the default skin '''[[Add-on:Estuary|Estuary]]'''. If you are using another skin, then you have run before learning to walk, so you should change back until you have at least set up Kodi.
When you first run Kodi, you will see the '''Power''', '''System''' and '''Search''' buttons in the top-left corner. Kodi’s '''main menu''' is under these buttons. When a library is highlighted in the main menu, content of that kind is shown on the '''home screen''' to the right.


<gallery mode="packed" widths="600px" heights="338px">
Kodi has been designed around the ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10-foot_user_interface 10 foot interface]'' principle. This means that Kodi is best used with a remote control or keyboard while sitting on your couch watching TV. Mouse support is limited, and disabled in many skins.
File: LeiaEstuaryHomeScreen.png
 
</gallery>
Although this guide applies to all parts of Kodi, some portions have been based on the Video/Movies/TV Shows section of Kodi. To see the specific Basic Controls for Music, see '''''[http://kodi.wiki/view/Music_navigation Music Navigation & Playback]'''''


If you are not at the main menu, you can usually make a '''[[Basic_controls#Sideblade_menu | sideblade menu]]''' appear by pressing {{keypress|left}} on a remote control or keyboard, or by moving the mouse cursor to the left edge of the screen.


==Power==
The following image is a screenshot of the Home Screen when Kodi launches. In this screenshot there is media in the library, but you may not have media in your library yet.


<gallery mode="packed" widths="900px" heights="506px">
File:HomeScreenGuide.jpg
</gallery>
{{-}}
= Power Options =
[[File:Estuary-power-menu.jpg|right|300px]]
[[File:Estuary-power-menu.jpg|right|300px]]
Pressing {{keypress|S}} on the keyboard, or by selecting the Power icon in the top left corner of the home screen calls up the Power Options menu.


Click the '''Power''' button or press {{keypress|S}} on the keyboard to bring up the Power options. The options available here will vary depending on your device.
Depending on your hardware, the Power Options menu may have more or less options to that shown in the image.
 
The options on this menu are from top to bottom:


;Exit
;Exit
:Close Kodi and return to the operating system.
:Exits Kodi to your operating system.
;Power off system
;Power off system
:Turn off your computer.
:Powers down your hardware
;Custom Shutdown Timer
;Custom Shutdown Timer
:Turn off your computer after waiting a set time (in minutes).
:Kodi will shutdown the hardware at the end of the nominated countdown time. Enter the time interval in minutes.
;Suspend
;Suspend
:Put your computer to sleep.
:Suspends your hardware.
;Hibernate
;Hibernate
:Tell your computer to hibernate.
:Hibernates your hardware.
;Reboot
;Reboot
:Restart your computer.
:Restarts your hardware.
;Log off <username> user
;Log off <ProfileName> user
:If you log in to Kodi with a profile, this will log you out.
:If using Profiles, the option to log out the current user and login as a new user is this option. <ProfileName> will display the name of the currently logged in Profile/User.
 
 


== System ==
= Settings =
Main Page: '''[[Settings | System]]'''
The Settings Icon in the top left of the screen provides access to the Kodi Settings pages. Most general use settings are contained in these pages. During your travels with Kodi, you will come across mention of the advancedsettings.xml file. This holds advanced Settings for Kodi and can be modified by the user.


Most of Kodi’s system settings are found here. Advanced users can create and modify Kodi’s [[Advancedsettings.xml | advancedsettings.xml file]] for more options.
For more information on the Settings pages, {{See|Settings}}


== Search ==
For more information on the advancedsettings.xml file, {{see|Advancedsettings.xml}}
 
 
 
= Search & Filter =
[[File:GlobalSearch.jpg|right|300px]]
[[File:GlobalSearch.jpg|right|300px]]
Click the '''Search''' button to search in your library or your add-ons. You can also search on YouTube and The Movie Database.
The Global Search function allows you to search your library, add-ons or some on-line sources for information.  


Some of the search options will ask you to allow Kodi to download and install an add-on.
Some of the pictured options will require installation of an add-on. Simply confirm the installation of the add-on when prompted.


{{see|Add-on:Global Search}}
{{see|Add-on:Global Search}}
Line 52: Line 63:
{{see|Add-on:ExtendedInfo Script}}
{{see|Add-on:ExtendedInfo Script}}


You can search within one library, by typing in the '''Filter''' field in the [[Basic_controls#Sideblade_menu | sideblade menu]]. The sideblade menu is not available when the main menu is open - you must click to select the library first.
 
*The Filter will only filter the selected class of media, so using the filter in '''Movies''' will only return results in the '''Movies''' library.
There are also Search and Filter functions inside each of the Main Menu options which are accessible from the '''[[Basic_controls#Sideblade_Menu|Sideblade Menu]]'''.
*The Filter only works when you have a list of media displayed. If you do not have a list of media to filter, then the filter will return a ''Not Found'' result.


{{see|Advanced library filtering}}
{{see|Advanced library filtering}}
{{-}}
{{-}}


== The main menu ==
Open Kodi’s settings and different media libraries from the '''main menu'''. Some custom skins let you add extra menu items.


You can remove menu items and add them again later. See: [[Add-on:Estuary/Settings#Main_Menu_Items_Settings|Hiding menu items]].


When a library, like '''Movies''' or '''Music''', is selected, the '''home screen''' on the right will show that kind of content. You can browse movies and categories of movie on the home screen, or you can click the menu item to see a list of all content of that type.
= Main Menu =
Menu options are:
All classes of media are separated into their own menu options. The default classes are listed below. Other skins allow you to add additional menu items for, say, Home Movies, Cartoons, Disney etc. See: '''''[[Custom_home_items|Custom home items]]'''''
 
It is possible to remove unwanted menu options and to re-add them at a later date. Very useful for those options that remain unused in your setup such as Live TV, Radio etc. See: '''''[[Add-on:Estuary/Settings#Main_Menu_Items|Hiding Menu items]]'''''
 
As each Main Menu option is selected, the Home Page will dynamically update with information relevant for the selected menu option. The full list of available menu options are as follows:
 
* '''[[Video_library|Movies]]''' - Enter the movie library and view "All movies, by title"
* '''[[Video_library|TV shows]]''' - Enter the TV show library and view "All TV shows, by title"
* '''[[Music_library|Music]]''' - Enter the music library and select how to view the library- artists, albums, songs, genre, etc
* '''[[Music_library|Music Videos]]''' - Enter the music video library and select how to view the library- artists, albums, songs, genre, etc
* '''[[PVR|Live TV]]''' - With a PVR add-on, access Free To Air Television channels with an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) with Pause/Rewind/Fast Forward and Record facilities
* '''[[PVR|Radio]]''' - With a PVR add-on, access Free To Air Radio Channels with an EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
* '''[[Games]]''' - View your games
* '''[[Add-ons]]''' - Access installed add-ons, such as 'Video-addons', Music add-ons, Program add-ons, etc
* '''[[Pictures]]''' - Shows a basic file-based image viewer, as well as picture-related add-ons.
* '''[[Video_library|Vidoes]]''' - Allows you to access the file system of your video Sources. It includes file views, movie library, TV show library, music video library, playlists, and video related add-ons. Users can also use this to navigate to more '''[[video nodes|nodes]]''' in the library, showing movies or TV shows by year, genre, actor, or even custom created nodes for specific people, moods, etc.
* '''[[Favourites]]''' -  Shows all your media that has been tagged as a ''Favourite'' in one easily accessible location.
* '''[[Weather]]''' -  Install a weather add-on to display weather forecasts for your chosen area


* '''[[Video_library|Movies]]''' – See all movies in the video library, sorted by title.
= Home Screen =
* '''[[Video_library|TV shows]]''' – See all TV shows in the video library, sorted by title.
The term '''Home Screen''' can be used to mean the entire screen as depicted in the image in Section 1 above. If it is prefixed by a menu item, say ''Movies Home Screen'' or ''TV Show Home Screen'', then it refers to the section to the right of the Main Menu. The following information refers to the latter.
* '''[[Music_library|Music]]''' – See all music in the music library. You can sort by genre, artist, album, song, or year.
* '''[[Music_library|Music Videos]]''' – See all music videos in the video library. You can sort by genre, artist, album, song, director, studio, or tag.
* '''[[Live_TV|Live TV]]''' – With a Personal Video Recording (PVR) add-on, you can watch free-to-air TV with an Electronic Program Guide (EPG). Live TV can pause, record, rewind, and fast forward.
* '''[[Live_TV|Radio]]''' – With a Personal Video Recording (PVR) add-on, you can listen to free-to-air radio with an Electronic Program Guide (EPG).
* '''[[Games]]''' – Only available in Kodi v18 Leia and later. See your games in the file manager.
* '''[[Add-ons]]''' – See a list of installed add-ons, sorted by type (Video add-ons, Music add-ons, Program add-ons). Here you can install add-ons from the official Kodi repository. See: [[Add-ons]]
* '''[[Pictures]]''' – See your picture albums in an image viewer, and any related add-ons.
* '''[[Video_library|Vidoes]]''' – See all videos and video add-ons. This item has even more nodes to filter content – for example, by year or actor – and you can make custom nodes and playlists.
* '''[[Favourites]]''' – Show all items tagged as favourite.
* '''[[Weather]]''' – See the weather forecast for your chosen area.


== The home screen ==
The Home Screen contains a dynamic list of media relevant for the selected main menu item. The image above displays the following items:
The '''home screen''' dynamically changes to show results for the highlighted menu item, and lets you browse different categories. As an example, here is what you will see when the '''Movies''' library is selected.


;Categories (or Nodes)
;Categories- also known as Nodes
:A quick link to the available categories, or nodes. View your movie library by genre, title, year, country, actor, director, studio, set, tag, and date added.
:A quick link to the available Movie Nodes. It allows you to navigate your Movie library via Genres, Title, Year, Country Actors, Directors, Studios, Sets, Tags and Recently added
:{{see also|Video nodes|Music nodes}}
:{{see also|Video nodes|Music nodes}}


;Movie posters
;Poster views
:See movies that fit certain labels:
:Displays movie titles that fit into the following criteria:
:*In progress
:*In-progress
:*Recently added
:*Recently added
:*Unwatched
:*Unwatched movies
:*Random
:*Random selection
:*Movie Sets


;Genres
;Genres
:See movies of a particular genre.
:Quck icon selection of available Genre's in the library.


;Studios
;Studios
:See movies by studio.
:Quick icon selection of available Studios in the library.
 
 
The other classes in the main menu have a similar selection but designed and named to be most relevant for their class of media.
 


= The sideblade menu =
 
= '''Sideblade Menu''' =
[[File:EstuarySideBarMenu_small.gif|right]]
[[File:EstuarySideBarMenu_small.gif|right]]
[[File:Estuary-player-sidebar-video.jpg|210px|right]]
[[File:Estuary-player-sidebar-video.jpg|210px|right]]


<section begin="SidebladeMenu" />The sideblade menu is accessible from most screens in Kodi except the main menu. You can make it appear by pressing {{keypress|left}} on a remote control or keyboard, or by moving the mouse cursor to the left edge of the screen.<section end="SidebladeMenu" />
{{red|The Sideblade Menu is central to browsing and organising your media, and is accessible from '''most''' screens in Kodi.}}


The sideblade menu is divided into '''View options''' and '''Actions'''.
{{note|The direction you need to press — {{keypress|left}} or {{keypress|up}} — is indicated by the ''Options'' arrow in the bottom left corner of the screen.}}


As an example, here is what you will see on the '''Movies''' sideblade menu.
<section begin="SidebladeMenu" />To invoke the sideblade, either:
* press the {{keypress|left}} key on your remote control
* press the {{keypress|left}} key on a keyboard
* bring the mouse cursor to the left border of the screen<section end="SidebladeMenu" />
 
 
'''Available Options'''
 
The options in the Sideblade Menu vary. Shown below are options for the Movies section.


;'' View options ''


;ViewType
;ViewType
:Choose how Kodi shows the selected media.
:Change current library view.


;Sort by
;Sort by
:Choose how the list is sorted.
:Select how the list of Movies/TV Shows/Episodes are sorted: e.g. ''Title, PlayCount'' etc


;Order
;Order
:Choose if the list is ascending or descending.
:Once the ''Sort by'' is selected, choose the order: ''Ascending'' or ''Descending''


;Filter
;Filter
:Lets you filter the list to search for items.
:Allows you to filter your list on certain criteria: e.g. ''Director, Actor, Ratings, Tags'' etc '''''See: [[Advanced library filtering]]'''''


;All Videos / Watched / Unwatched
;All Videos / Watched / Unwatched
:Choose if Kodi shows all items, watched items, or unwatched items.
:Global toggle that allows you to select what is shown in the list: ''All Videos, Watched'' or ''Unwatched'' videos only
 
;''Actions''


;Update library
;Update library
:Scan the video library for new items.
:Scans the library for newly added Movies, TV Shows, Episodes and Music Videos in the Video Library.


;Go to playlists
;Go to playlist
:Open the party mode playlist.
:Will open the currently playing Party Mode playlist


;''Player icons''
;Bottom Icons- From Left to right
*Pause
*Pause
*Stop
*Stop
*Go to next item
*Skip to next video
*Open the '''Now playing''' screen.
*Open Fullscreen mode: for video this returns you to the playing video, and for music this opens the Now Playing/Visualisation window.
 
 
{{See also|Music_navigation#Sideblade_Menu|label 1=Music Sideblade Menu}}
{{-}}


= The context menu =
= '''Context Menu''' =
<section begin="ContextMenu" />The '''context menu''' gives you quick access to a few key functions. The context menu items change, depending what you have selected.
{{red|The Context Menu is a critical menu that holds numerous options. It is available in most locations.}}


To see the context menu:
The '''Context Menu''' allows quick access to a limited set of functions relevant for the currently selected item.
* on a remote control, long press the {{keypress|OK}} key
* on a keyboard, press {{keypress|C}}
* right-click with the mouse<section end="ContextMenu" />


Here are some example context menus.
<section begin="ContextMenu" />After highlighting an item (eg a movie) the Context Menu can be invoked by:
* long press the {{keypress|OK}} key on your remote control
* Press letter {{keypress|C}} on a keyboard
* right-clicking with the mouse<section end="ContextMenu" />
 
References to Context Menus are scattered throughout the wiki on relevant pages and can be found easily enough in Kodi. As there are many, many types of context menus, it would be uneconomical to list them all here.
 
The following are a few examples of the context menu.
<gallery mode="packed-overlay" widths="500px" heights="283px">
<gallery mode="packed-overlay" widths="500px" heights="283px">
File:MovieSets02.jpg|The context menu in the Movie library.
File:MovieSets02.jpg|The context menu in the ''Movie library''.
File:EstuaryContextmenu3.png|The context menu in the ''Video file browser''.
File:EstuaryContextmenu2.png|The context menu in the [[Add-on:YouTube|YouTube]] add-on.
File:EstuaryContextmenu2.png|The context menu in the [[Add-on:YouTube|YouTube]] add-on.
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 157: Line 190:




=Information=
= '''Information Page''' =
[[File:Artwork-Actors01.jpg|right|500px]]
[[File:Artwork-Actors01.jpg|right|500px]]
<section begin="InformationPage" />Every music video, TV show, and movie has an '''Information''' page, which shows the title’s metadata. There are several options on the bottom of the page, depending on your chosen skin, and the type of video selected.<section end="InformationPage" />
<section begin="InformationPage" />The Information Page is available for each title in the movies, TV show and Music Video library, and for each artist, album and song in the music library. An Information Page may also be available for each recording in the PVR library.
 
This screen will display the metadata for the title. A number of options are available along the bottom of the page. What is displayed will depend on the skin in use and which class of media is displayed (Movie, TV Show, Music Video, Music, PVR)<section end="InformationPage" />


'''NOTE:''' This feature only works for files that have been added to a library. Choosing the Information page for a file in the file browser that has not been added to a library, will perform a data scrape for that title.
This is a Library only feature and will not work on titles not in the library. Attempting to perform this in the File Browser using Videos>Files will commence the scrape process for that individual title. '''''See: [[Updating_or_removing_videos|Update Video Library]]'''''


See: [[Updating_or_removing_videos|Updating a video library]].


To open a title’s Information page, highlight the title, then:
To access the Information Page, navigate to, and highlight the required title. Once highlighted use one of the following methods to view the Information Page:
*Press {{keypress|i}} on a remote control or a keyboard
*Press {{keypress|i}} on a remote control
*Open the [[Basic_controls#Context_Menu|context menu]] and choose '''Information'''
*Press {{keypress|i}} on a keyboard
*Using the '''''[[Basic_controls#Context_Menu|Context Menu]]''''', select '''Information'''




Some of the options available are:
Available option buttons. '''Requires scrolling left/right to access all buttons'''
;Actor’s portrait
;Actors image
:Show other titles in the library with the same actor.
:Clicking on the image of an actor will bring up a listing of other titles, in your library, the actor appears in
:Installing the '''[[Add-on:ExtendedInfo_Script|ExtendedInfo add-on]]''' will show extra actor information from online sources.
:Pressing {{keypress|up}} will provide additional information from online sources. If the '''''[[Add-on:ExtendedInfo_Script|ExtendedInfo add-on]]''''' is not installed, you will be asked to install it
;Play
;Play
:Play the title.
:Commence playback of the title
;Your Rating
;Your Rating
:Rate the title.
:Use this option to apply your personal rating to your media. The display of the User Rating depends upon the library view in use. It is displayed at the top of the Poster as a blue star containing the rating in Poster View. Each type of view displays it differently.
;Trailer
;Trailer
:Play the '''[[TheMovieDB.org#TMDB_-_For_Moves|Trailer]]''' from The Movie Database. If no trailer is found, either the button will not be displayed or you will be offered to install the YouTube add-on to view online trailers.
:Commence playback of the '''''[[Trailers|Trailer]]'''''. If no trailer is available, either the button will not be displayed or you will be offered to install the YouTube add-on to view online trailers.
;Show Fanart
;Show Fanart
:View full screen fanart for the title.
:Full screen display of the fanart attached to the title
;Same director
;Same director
:Show other titles in the library with the same director.
:Displays a listing of other titles in the library from the same director  
;Movie Set
;Movie Set
:Show any '''[[Movie_sets|movie set]]s (series) that the movie is part of. Only shown if the movie is part of a series.
:Open the '''''[[Movie_sets|Movie Set]]''''' that the current movie belongs to. Only visible when the movie is part of a set.
;Choose art  
;Choose art  
:Choose [[Artwork]] for the title.
:Settings page that allows the manual selection of '''''[[Artwork]]'''''
;Refresh
;Refresh
:Re-scan or re-scrape the title. Useful if you have changed information in the NFO File, or if you want to re-scrape for updated information from the Information provider.
:Allows you to rescan or rescrape the title. Useful if you have modified information in the NFO File, or you would like to re-scrape updated information from the site of the Information provider. '''''See: [[Updating_or_removing_videos|Update Video Library]]'''''
:See: '''[[Updating_or_removing_videos|Updating video libraries]]'''.
:Highlighting this button will also display the path to the playable file that {{kodi}} has recorded in the library database. Useful to track down duplicate entries.
:Highlighting this button will display the path to the playable file in {{Kodi}}'s library database. Useful to find duplicate entries.






= Playback controls =
= Now Playing Controls =
For playback controls, see the relevant wiki page.
The Now Playing Controls are covered in more detail in the following two sections...


{{see|Music navigation}}
;Music Player Controls
:'''''See: [[Music_navigation|Music Navigation & Playback]]'''''


{{see|Video playback}}
;Video Player Controls
:'''''See: [[Video_playback|Video Playback]]'''''






= On-screen keyboard =
= On Screen Keyboard =
[[File:OnScreenKeyboard.jpg|right|500px]]
[[File:OnScreenKeyboard.jpg|right|500px]]
Kodi shows an on-screen keyboard when needed, which can be used to type by clicking with a remote control or mouse.
When required, Kodi will display an on-screen keyboard to facilitate data entry. No special selection is required by the user as the keyboard will appear where required.


If a physical keyboard is connected, you can still type with that.
The on-screen keyboard can be used in the following ways:
*Remote control
*Physical keyboard
*Mouse presses
{{-}}
{{-}}
= See also =
=== Remote controls ===
{{main|Remote controls}}
{{#lst:Remote controls|intro}}
=== Keyboard controls ===
{{main|Keyboard controls}}
{{#lst:Keyboard controls|intro}}
=== Favourites ===
{{main|Favourites}}
{{#lst:Favourites|intro}}






=== File Manager ===
= Remote Controls =
{{main|File manager}}
Kodi is best used with a Remote Control. Many types of Remote Controls can be used as listed on the following page.
{{#lst:File manager|intro}}
{{see|Remote controls}}






=== Profiles ===
= Keyboard Controls =
{{main|Profiles}}
If you are using a physical keyboard, the following page lists available keystrokes to control Kodi.
{{#lst:Profiles|intro}}
{{see|Keyboard controls}}




Line 247: Line 271:




{{updated|18}}
{{updated|20}}
[[Category:FAQ]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Karellen]]
[[Category:Karellen]]
[[Category:Video library]]
[[Category:Music library]]
[[Category:First time user]]
[[Category:First time user]]
[[Category:Quick Start Guide]]
[[Category:Quick Start Guide]]

Latest revision as of 22:52, 7 February 2023

Home icon grey.png   ▶ First time user ▶ Basic controls


Introduction

Welcome new user! You have finally installed Kodi on your hardware, launched it, and then probably sat there for a few minutes scratching your head thinking "What is this"? This page will describe the commonly used screens and basic navigation around Kodi. Its aim is to allow you to become familiar with Kodi and prepare you for the upcoming setup pages.

This page will not describe how to load your media. That task is covered in subsequent pages. As with most pages of the wiki, this page assumes you are using the default skin Estuary. If you are using another skin, then you have run before learning to walk, so you should change back until you have at least set up Kodi.

Kodi has been designed around the 10 foot interface principle. This means that Kodi is best used with a remote control or keyboard while sitting on your couch watching TV. Mouse support is limited, and disabled in many skins.

Although this guide applies to all parts of Kodi, some portions have been based on the Video/Movies/TV Shows section of Kodi. To see the specific Basic Controls for Music, see Music Navigation & Playback


The following image is a screenshot of the Home Screen when Kodi launches. In this screenshot there is media in the library, but you may not have media in your library yet.

  • HomeScreenGuide.jpg


Power Options

Estuary-power-menu.jpg

Pressing S on the keyboard, or by selecting the Power icon in the top left corner of the home screen calls up the Power Options menu.

Depending on your hardware, the Power Options menu may have more or less options to that shown in the image.

The options on this menu are from top to bottom:

Exit
Exits Kodi to your operating system.
Power off system
Powers down your hardware
Custom Shutdown Timer
Kodi will shutdown the hardware at the end of the nominated countdown time. Enter the time interval in minutes.
Suspend
Suspends your hardware.
Hibernate
Hibernates your hardware.
Reboot
Restarts your hardware.
Log off <ProfileName> user
If using Profiles, the option to log out the current user and login as a new user is this option. <ProfileName> will display the name of the currently logged in Profile/User.


Settings

The Settings Icon in the top left of the screen provides access to the Kodi Settings pages. Most general use settings are contained in these pages. During your travels with Kodi, you will come across mention of the advancedsettings.xml file. This holds advanced Settings for Kodi and can be modified by the user.

For more information on the Settings pages,

See: Settings

For more information on the advancedsettings.xml file,

See: Advancedsettings.xml


Search & Filter

GlobalSearch.jpg

The Global Search function allows you to search your library, add-ons or some on-line sources for information.

Some of the pictured options will require installation of an add-on. Simply confirm the installation of the add-on when prompted.

See: Add-on:Global Search
See: Add-on:YouTube
See: Add-on:ExtendedInfo Script


There are also Search and Filter functions inside each of the Main Menu options which are accessible from the Sideblade Menu.

See: Advanced library filtering



Main Menu

All classes of media are separated into their own menu options. The default classes are listed below. Other skins allow you to add additional menu items for, say, Home Movies, Cartoons, Disney etc. See: Custom home items

It is possible to remove unwanted menu options and to re-add them at a later date. Very useful for those options that remain unused in your setup such as Live TV, Radio etc. See: Hiding Menu items

As each Main Menu option is selected, the Home Page will dynamically update with information relevant for the selected menu option. The full list of available menu options are as follows:

  • Movies - Enter the movie library and view "All movies, by title"
  • TV shows - Enter the TV show library and view "All TV shows, by title"
  • Music - Enter the music library and select how to view the library- artists, albums, songs, genre, etc
  • Music Videos - Enter the music video library and select how to view the library- artists, albums, songs, genre, etc
  • Live TV - With a PVR add-on, access Free To Air Television channels with an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) with Pause/Rewind/Fast Forward and Record facilities
  • Radio - With a PVR add-on, access Free To Air Radio Channels with an EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
  • Games - View your games
  • Add-ons - Access installed add-ons, such as 'Video-addons', Music add-ons, Program add-ons, etc
  • Pictures - Shows a basic file-based image viewer, as well as picture-related add-ons.
  • Vidoes - Allows you to access the file system of your video Sources. It includes file views, movie library, TV show library, music video library, playlists, and video related add-ons. Users can also use this to navigate to more nodes in the library, showing movies or TV shows by year, genre, actor, or even custom created nodes for specific people, moods, etc.
  • Favourites - Shows all your media that has been tagged as a Favourite in one easily accessible location.
  • Weather - Install a weather add-on to display weather forecasts for your chosen area

Home Screen

The term Home Screen can be used to mean the entire screen as depicted in the image in Section 1 above. If it is prefixed by a menu item, say Movies Home Screen or TV Show Home Screen, then it refers to the section to the right of the Main Menu. The following information refers to the latter.

The Home Screen contains a dynamic list of media relevant for the selected main menu item. The image above displays the following items:

Categories- also known as Nodes
A quick link to the available Movie Nodes. It allows you to navigate your Movie library via Genres, Title, Year, Country Actors, Directors, Studios, Sets, Tags and Recently added
See also: Video nodes and Music nodes
Poster views
Displays movie titles that fit into the following criteria:
  • In-progress
  • Recently added
  • Unwatched movies
  • Random selection
  • Movie Sets
Genres
Quck icon selection of available Genre's in the library.
Studios
Quick icon selection of available Studios in the library.


The other classes in the main menu have a similar selection but designed and named to be most relevant for their class of media.


Sideblade Menu

EstuarySideBarMenu small.gif
Estuary-player-sidebar-video.jpg

The Sideblade Menu is central to browsing and organising your media, and is accessible from most screens in Kodi.

Note: The direction you need to press — ← or ↑ — is indicated by the Options arrow in the bottom left corner of the screen.

To invoke the sideblade, either:

  • press the ← key on your remote control
  • press the ← key on a keyboard
  • bring the mouse cursor to the left border of the screen


Available Options

The options in the Sideblade Menu vary. Shown below are options for the Movies section.


ViewType
Change current library view.
Sort by
Select how the list of Movies/TV Shows/Episodes are sorted: e.g. Title, PlayCount etc
Order
Once the Sort by is selected, choose the order: Ascending or Descending
Filter
Allows you to filter your list on certain criteria: e.g. Director, Actor, Ratings, Tags etc See: Advanced library filtering
All Videos / Watched / Unwatched
Global toggle that allows you to select what is shown in the list: All Videos, Watched or Unwatched videos only
Update library
Scans the library for newly added Movies, TV Shows, Episodes and Music Videos in the Video Library.
Go to playlist
Will open the currently playing Party Mode playlist
Bottom Icons- From Left to right
  • Pause
  • Stop
  • Skip to next video
  • Open Fullscreen mode: for video this returns you to the playing video, and for music this opens the Now Playing/Visualisation window.


See also: Music Sideblade Menu


Context Menu

The Context Menu is a critical menu that holds numerous options. It is available in most locations.

The Context Menu allows quick access to a limited set of functions relevant for the currently selected item.

After highlighting an item (eg a movie) the Context Menu can be invoked by:

  • long press the OK key on your remote control
  • Press letter C on a keyboard
  • right-clicking with the mouse

References to Context Menus are scattered throughout the wiki on relevant pages and can be found easily enough in Kodi. As there are many, many types of context menus, it would be uneconomical to list them all here.

The following are a few examples of the context menu.

  • The context menu in the Movie library.

    The context menu in the Movie library.

  • The context menu in the Video file browser.

    The context menu in the Video file browser.

  • The context menu in the YouTube add-on.

    The context menu in the YouTube add-on.


Information Page

Artwork-Actors01.jpg

The Information Page is available for each title in the movies, TV show and Music Video library, and for each artist, album and song in the music library. An Information Page may also be available for each recording in the PVR library.

This screen will display the metadata for the title. A number of options are available along the bottom of the page. What is displayed will depend on the skin in use and which class of media is displayed (Movie, TV Show, Music Video, Music, PVR)

This is a Library only feature and will not work on titles not in the library. Attempting to perform this in the File Browser using Videos>Files will commence the scrape process for that individual title. See: Update Video Library


To access the Information Page, navigate to, and highlight the required title. Once highlighted use one of the following methods to view the Information Page:

  • Press i on a remote control
  • Press i on a keyboard
  • Using the Context Menu, select Information


Available option buttons. Requires scrolling left/right to access all buttons

Actors image
Clicking on the image of an actor will bring up a listing of other titles, in your library, the actor appears in
Pressing ↑ will provide additional information from online sources. If the ExtendedInfo add-on is not installed, you will be asked to install it
Play
Commence playback of the title
Your Rating
Use this option to apply your personal rating to your media. The display of the User Rating depends upon the library view in use. It is displayed at the top of the Poster as a blue star containing the rating in Poster View. Each type of view displays it differently.
Trailer
Commence playback of the Trailer. If no trailer is available, either the button will not be displayed or you will be offered to install the YouTube add-on to view online trailers.
Show Fanart
Full screen display of the fanart attached to the title
Same director
Displays a listing of other titles in the library from the same director
Movie Set
Open the Movie Set that the current movie belongs to. Only visible when the movie is part of a set.
Choose art
Settings page that allows the manual selection of Artwork
Refresh
Allows you to rescan or rescrape the title. Useful if you have modified information in the NFO File, or you would like to re-scrape updated information from the site of the Information provider. See: Update Video Library
Highlighting this button will also display the path to the playable file that Kodi has recorded in the library database. Useful to track down duplicate entries.


Now Playing Controls

The Now Playing Controls are covered in more detail in the following two sections...

Music Player Controls
See: Music Navigation & Playback
Video Player Controls
See: Video Playback


On Screen Keyboard

OnScreenKeyboard.jpg

When required, Kodi will display an on-screen keyboard to facilitate data entry. No special selection is required by the user as the keyboard will appear where required.

The on-screen keyboard can be used in the following ways:

  • Remote control
  • Physical keyboard
  • Mouse presses



Remote Controls

Kodi is best used with a Remote Control. Many types of Remote Controls can be used as listed on the following page.

See: Remote controls


Keyboard Controls

If you are using a physical keyboard, the following page lists available keystrokes to control Kodi.

See: Keyboard controls


Return to top


Next step: Video Library Main Menu


Next step: Music Library Main Menu


Retrieved from "https://kodi.wiki/index.php?title=Basic_controls&oldid=244169"