Basic controls: Difference between revisions

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(General edits and clean up. In Kodi the settings page is called 'System' so I've used that here as well. Removed how 'User rating' is shown - it doesn't seem to be anywhere except 'Information' in Leia.)
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{{mininav|[[First time user]]}}
{{mininav|[[First time user]]}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Kodi’s interface and controls}}


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.


= Introduction =
This page explains how to use Kodi’s menu and home screen, using the default skin, [[Add-on:Estuary|Estuary]]. If you are using a different Kodi skin, you can [[HOW-TO:Change_skins|change back]].
'''Welcome new user!!''' <section begin="intro" />You have finally installed Kodi on your equipment, 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" />
The interface for the [[Music_navigation | music library]] and [[Video_playback | video libraries]] have their own pages.


This page will not describe how to load your media. That task is covered in the following 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.
= Kodi’s home screen and menu =
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.


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 while sitting on your couch looking at your TV. It was not designed for use on a computer sitting at a desk with keyboard and mouse. '''If you choose to use it this way, then be aware that the navigatione experience won't be as smooth as a remote control.'''
<gallery mode="packed" widths="600px" heights="338px">
File: LeiaEstuaryHomeScreen.png
</gallery>


{{red|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.
 
 
The following image is a screenshot of the Home Screen when Kodi launches. In this case 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==


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


The options on this menu are from top to bottom:
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.


;Exit
;Exit
:Exits Kodi to your operating system.
:Close Kodi and return to the operating system.
;Power off system
;Power off system
:Powers down your computer
:Turn off your computer.
;Custom Shutdown Timer
;Custom Shutdown Timer
:Kodi will shutdown your computer after you enter the countdown time. Enter the time interval in minutes.
:Turn off your computer after waiting a set time (in minutes).
;Suspend
;Suspend
:Suspends your computer.
:Put your computer to sleep.
;Hibernate
;Hibernate
:Hibernates your computer.
:Tell your computer to hibernate.
;Reboot
;Reboot
:Restarts your computer.
:Restart your computer.
;Log off <ProfileName> user
;Log off <username> 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.
:If you log in to Kodi with a profile, this will log you out.


== System ==
Main Page: '''[[Settings | System]]'''


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.


= Settings =
== Search ==
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 =
[[File:GlobalSearch.jpg|right|300px]]
[[File:GlobalSearch.jpg|right|300px]]
The Global Search function allows you to search your library, add-ons or some on-line sources for information.  
Click the '''Search''' button to search in your library or your add-ons. You can also search on YouTube and The Movie Database.


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


{{see|Add-on:Global Search}}
{{see|Add-on:Global Search}}
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{{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.
There are also Search functions inside each of the Main Menu options which are accessible from the [[Basic_controls#Sideblade_Menu|Sideblade Menu]]. These are called '''Filters'''. The function "filters" the currently displayed list to match your query. When using the Filter function, be aware of the following:
*The Filter will only filter the selected class of media, so using the filter in '''Movies''' will only return results in the '''Movies''' library.
*The Filter will only filter that class of media, so performing the Filter in Movies will only return Movie results.
*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.
*The Filter only works when you have a listing of media displayed. If you do not have a listing of the 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]].


= Main Menu =
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.
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.
Menu options are:


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_Settings|Hiding Menu items]]'''''
* '''[[Video_library|Movies]]''' – See all movies in the video library, sorted by title.
* '''[[Video_library|TV shows]]''' – See all TV shows in the video library, sorted by title.
* '''[[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.


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:
== The home screen ==
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.


* '''[[Video_library|Movies]]''' - This is a short cut to the "All movies, by title" node in the video library.
;Categories (or Nodes)
* '''[[Video_library|TV shows]]''' - This is a short cut to the "All TV shows, by title" node in the video library.
: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.
* '''[[Music_library|Music]]''' - This is a shortcut to a file manager view, which when viewed, can show your music files either by genre, Artist, Album, Song, or by year.
:{{see also|Video nodes|Music nodes}}
* '''[[Music_library|Music Videos]]''' - This is a shortcut to a file manager view, which when viewed can show your music video files either by Genre, Title, Artist, Albums, Directors, Studio or Tags
* '''[[Live_TV|Live TV]]''' - With a PVR add-on, this can give you Free To Air Television channels with an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) with Pause/Rewind/Fast Forward and Record facilities
* '''[[Live_TV|Radio]]''' - With a PVR add-on, this can give you Free To Air Radio Channels with an EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
* '''[[Games]]''' (not available before Kodi v18 Leia) - This is a shortcut to a file manager view, which when viewed, can show your games.  
* '''[[Add-ons]]''' - This shortcut takes you to a secondary menu that lists your installed add-ons by type, such as 'Video-addons', Music add-ons, Program add-ons. In this menu you can install add-ons from the official Kodi repository. '''''See: [[Add-ons]]'''''
* '''[[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 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 meda that has been tagged as a ''Favourite'' in one easily accessible location.
* '''[[Weather]]''' -  Once set up, this will show the weather forecast in your local area


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


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


;Studios
;Studios
:Quick icon selection of available Studios in the library.
:See movies by studio.
 
 
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''' =
= The 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]]


'''{{resize|1.4em|{{red|The Sideblade Menu is a critical menu that holds numerous options. It is available in most locations.}}}}'''
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.
 
The Sideblade Menu is accessible from '''most''' screens in Kodi.


{{red|The menu options shown below are for the Movies section. The options will vary for the other media classes}}
The sideblade menu is divided into '''View options''' and '''Actions'''.


<section begin="SidebladeMenu" />You can invoke the sideblade using one of the following methods:
As an example, here is what you will see on the '''Movies''' sideblade menu.
* pressing the {{keypress|left}} key on your remote control
* pressing the {{keypress|left}} key on a keyboard
* bringing the mouse cursor to the left border of the screen.<section end="SidebladeMenu" />


 
;'' View options ''
The options in the Sideblade Menu vary. The following is the menu in the Movies listing.
 
 
'''Available Options'''


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


;Bottom Icons- From Left to right
;''Player icons''
*Pause
*Pause
*Stop
*Stop
*Skip to next video
*Go to next item
*Open Play Mode screen. Displays Fanart and video information. aka Now Playing screen.
*Open the '''Now playing''' screen.
 


To see the Sidebar Menu for '''Music''' see '''''[[Music_navigation#Sideblade_Menu|Music Sideblade Menu]]'''''
= The context menu =
{{-}}
The '''context menu''' gives you quick access to a few key functions. The context menu items change, depending what you have selected.


To see the context menu:
* on a remote control, long press the {{keypress|OK}} key
* on a keyboard, press {{keypress|C}}
* right-click with the mouse


 
Here are some example context menus.
= '''Context Menu''' =
'''{{resize|1.4em|{{red|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.
 
<section begin="ContextMenu" />After highlighting an item (eg a movie) the Context Menu can be invoked by:
* long press the {{keypress|OK}} key
* 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 195: Line 157:




= '''Information Page''' =
=Information=
[[File:Artwork-Actors01.jpg|right|500px]]
[[File:Artwork-Actors01.jpg|right|500px]]
<section begin="InformationPage" />For each title in the Movies, TV Shows and Music Videos library, an Information Page is available as displayed in the image.
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.


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)<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:
*Press {{keypress|i}} on a remote control or a keyboard
*Open the [[Basic_controls#Context_Menu|context menu]] and choose '''Information'''


To access the Information Page, navigate to, and highlight the required Movie, TV Show or Music Video title. Once highlighted use one of the following methods to view the Information Page:
*Press {{keypress|i}} on a remote control, or 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 (not all are displayed in the image)
;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.
:Installing the '''''[[Add-on:ExtendedInfo_Script|ExtendedInfo add-on]]''''' will provide extended actor information from online sources
;Play
;Play
:Commence playback of the title
:Play the title.
;Your Rating
;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.
:Rate the title.
;Trailer
;Trailer
:Commence playback of the '''''[[TheMovieDB.org#TMDB_-_For_Moves|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.
: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.
;Show Fanart
;Show Fanart
:Full screen display of the fanart attached to the title
:View full screen fanart for the title.
;Same director
;Same director
:Displays a listing of other titles in the library from the same director  
:Show other titles in the library with the same director.
;Movie Set
;Movie Set
:Open the '''''[[Movie_sets|Movie Set]]''''' that the current movie belongs to. Only visible when the movie is part of a 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.
;Choose art  
;Choose art  
:Settings page that allows the manual selection of '''''[[Artwork]]'''''
:Choose [[Artwork]] for the title.
;Refresh
;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: [[Updating_or_removing_videos|Update Video Library]]'''''
: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.
: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.
:See: '''[[Updating_or_removing_videos|Updating video libraries]]'''.
:Highlighting this button will display the path to the playable file in {{Kodi}}'s library database. Useful to find duplicate entries.






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


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


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






= On Screen Keyboard =
= On-screen keyboard =
[[File:OnScreenKeyboard.jpg|right|500px]]
[[File:OnScreenKeyboard.jpg|right|500px]]
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.
Kodi shows an on-screen keyboard when needed, which can be used to type by clicking with a remote control or mouse.


The on-screen keyboard can be used in the following ways:
If a physical keyboard is connected, you can still type with that.
*Remote control
*Mouse presses
*Using a physical keyboard.
{{-}}
{{-}}




= See also =


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


=== Keyboard controls ===
{{main|Keyboard controls}}
{{#lst:Keyboard controls|intro}}


= Keyboard Controls =
If you are using a physical keyboard, the following page lists available keystrokes to control Kodi.
{{see|Keyboard_controls}}
= See also =
=== Favourites ===
=== Favourites ===
{{main|Favourites}}
{{main|Favourites}}

Revision as of 08:35, 30 July 2020

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


Kodi is designed to have a 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, Estuary. If you are using a different Kodi skin, you can change back. The interface for the music library and video libraries have their own pages.

Kodi’s home screen and menu

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.

  • LeiaEstuaryHomeScreen.png

If you are not at the main menu, you can usually make a sideblade menu appear by pressing ← on a remote control or keyboard, or by moving the mouse cursor to the left edge of the screen.

Power

Estuary-power-menu.jpg

Click the Power button or press S on the keyboard to bring up the Power options. The options available here will vary depending on your device.

Exit
Close Kodi and return to the operating system.
Power off system
Turn off your computer.
Custom Shutdown Timer
Turn off your computer after waiting a set time (in minutes).
Suspend
Put your computer to sleep.
Hibernate
Tell your computer to hibernate.
Reboot
Restart your computer.
Log off <username> user
If you log in to Kodi with a profile, this will log you out.

System

Main Page: System

Most of Kodi’s system settings are found here. Advanced users can create and modify Kodi’s advancedsettings.xml file for more options.

Search

GlobalSearch.jpg

Click the Search button to search in your library or your add-ons. You can also search on YouTube and The Movie Database.

Some of the search options will ask you to allow Kodi to download and install an add-on.

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

You can search within one library, by typing in the Filter field in the 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.
  • 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


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: 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. Menu options are:

  • Movies – See all movies in the video library, sorted by title.
  • TV shows – See all TV shows in the video library, sorted by title.
  • Music – See all music in the music library. You can sort by genre, artist, album, song, or year.
  • Music Videos – See all music videos in the video library. You can sort by genre, artist, album, song, director, studio, or tag.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 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)
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.
See also: Video nodes and Music nodes
Movie posters
See movies that fit certain labels:
  • In progress
  • Recently added
  • Unwatched
  • Random
Genres
See movies of a particular genre.
Studios
See movies by studio.

The sideblade menu

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

The sideblade menu is accessible from most screens in Kodi except the main menu. You can make it appear by pressing ← on a remote control or keyboard, or by moving the mouse cursor to the left edge of the screen.

The sideblade menu is divided into View options and Actions.

As an example, here is what you will see on the Movies sideblade menu.

View options
ViewType
Choose how Kodi shows the selected media.
Sort by
Choose how the list is sorted.
Order
Choose if the list is ascending or descending.
Filter
Lets you filter the list to search for items.
All Videos / Watched / Unwatched
Choose if Kodi shows all items, watched items, or unwatched items.
Actions
Update library
Scan the video library for new items.
Go to playlists
Open the party mode playlist.
Player icons
  • Pause
  • Stop
  • Go to next item
  • Open the Now playing screen.

The context menu

The context menu gives you quick access to a few key functions. The context menu items change, depending what you have selected.

To see the context menu:

  • on a remote control, long press the OK key
  • on a keyboard, press C
  • right-click with the mouse

Here are some example context menus.

  • The context menu in the Movie library.

    The context menu in the Movie library.

  • The context menu in the YouTube add-on.

    The context menu in the YouTube add-on.


Information

Artwork-Actors01.jpg

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.

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.

See: Updating a video library.

To open a title’s Information page, highlight the title, then:

  • Press i on a remote control or a keyboard
  • Open the context menu and choose Information


Some of the options available are:

Actor’s portrait
Show other titles in the library with the same actor.
Installing the ExtendedInfo add-on will show extra actor information from online sources.
Play
Play the title.
Your Rating
Rate the title.
Trailer
Play the 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.
Show Fanart
View full screen fanart for the title.
Same director
Show other titles in the library with the same director.
Movie Set
Show any movie sets (series) that the movie is part of. Only shown if the movie is part of a series.
Choose art
Choose Artwork for the title.
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.
See: Updating video libraries.
Highlighting this button will display the path to the playable file in Kodi's library database. Useful to find duplicate entries.


Playback controls

For playback controls, see the relevant wiki page.

See: Music navigation
See: Video playback


On-screen keyboard

OnScreenKeyboard.jpg

Kodi shows an on-screen keyboard when needed, which can be used to type by clicking with a remote control or mouse.

If a physical keyboard is connected, you can still type with that.


See also

Remote controls

Main page: Remote controls

Kodi is primarily designed for the home theatre using the 10-foot user interface principles controlled with a remote control. Alternatively a (wireless) keyboard can be used.

Keyboard controls

Main page: Keyboard controls

Kodi can be controlled with a keyboard using hotkeys. This page tells you what hotkey commands can be used, and where they can be used.

Favourites

Main page: Favourites

Favourites is a simple but useful feature that allows you to gather a selection of different items into one easily accessible location on the Main Menu. It allows quick access to commonly used items.


File Manager

Main page: File manager

The File Manager allows the maintenace of files from within Kodi on platforms that have no underlying and easily accessible operating system. It will allow you to perform functions such as Move, Copy and Delete to name a few.


Profiles

Main page: Profiles

Profiles allow users to save all of settings as a profile and change them at the touch of a button. It also allows you to grant access to specific folders and network shares based on the profile being used. This is ideal for systems that have multiple users. It works much the same as setting up individual users on your home computer.


Return to top


Next step: Video Library Main Menu


Next step: Music Library Main Menu


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