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<section begin="intro" />Frequently Asked Questions on all the major Kodi topics. Everything from "what the heck is Kodi?" to "how do I turn off subtitles?" and more.<section end="intro" />


== General FAQs ==
* '''[[Intro FAQ]]''' - For people who've only just heard of Kodi.


* [[Official:Kodi name change FAQ]] - why XBMC was renamed to Kodi.


== Basics ==
:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| What is {{kodi}}?
|-
|
{{Kodi}} is a free [[w:Open-source_software|open source (GPL)]] and [[w:Cross-platform_software|multi-platform]] ''multimedia centre'' which can centralise all your local, network and internet media into one easily accessible location.<br>
It is designed to be installed on hardware that is directly connected to your AVR or TV preferably via HDMI.
|}
:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| How is {{kodi}} different to all the other media players?
|-
|
{{Kodi}} allows you to bring all your media together in one location. <br>
Not only can it play a wide variety of media formats - Video, Audio, Images - {{kodi}} also allows you to create libraries of your content which can be displayed and browsed in an artwork rich environment. <br>
{{kodi}} can handle ''[[Video_library|Movies, TV Shows, Seasons and Episodes]], [[Music_library|Music & Audiobooks]], [[Music_videos|Music Videos]], [[PVR|Live TV and PVR]], [[Pictures|Pictures & Comic Books]]''.<br>
In addition, {{kodi}} has a vast repository of ''[[Add-ons]]'' (plugins) that can be installed to extend {{kodi}}'s capabilities, either by adding new features to {{Kodi}} or accessing content from internet sources such as YouTube, Netflix and many, many more.
|}
:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| Where can I find more information and help?
|-
|
Start from the ''[[Main Page]]'' of this wiki and use the links or the search bar.<br>
If you still have questions, create an account on the ''[https://forum.kodi.tv/index.php {{kodi}} forum]''
|}




== Support FAQs ==
* {{big|'''[[All platforms FAQ|Kodi all platforms FAQ]] -'''}} User FAQ that applies to everyone using Kodi, regardless of what OS or device you use. '''Most users will want to start here.'''


:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| Can I use {{kodi}} as a Media Server
|-
|
{{kodi}} does include a built in ''[[UPnP]]'' server that can stream Music and Video content from your {{kodi}} library to other devices. It can also act as a ''[[UPnP]] ''client to receive content from other Servers on your local network.<br>
Apart from the UPnP component, {{Kodi}} is not designed as a Server. Each viewing location will have a {{kodi}} instance installed on the hardware attached to the AVR or TV at that location.<br>
During normal use, {{Kodi}} accesses local content off your hard disk or from your local network storage via a ''[[File sharing]]'' protocol such as ''[[SMB]]''.<br>
|}




=== Specific FAQs ===
:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
{| width="100%" style="text-align:center;" cellspacing="5px"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| What hardware do I need?
| width="12.5%" | {{Main page icon|image=Android OS.png|link=Android FAQ}}
|-
| width="12.5%" | {{Main page icon|image=iOS OS.png|link=iOS FAQ}}
|  
| width="12.5%" | {{Main page icon|image=Linux OS.png|link=Linux FAQ}}
{{kodi}} can operate on a variety of devices and platforms such as a standard Windows or Linux PC, most of the hardware in the Apple environment, one of the many good quality Android boxes or Raspberry Pi, to name a few.<br>
| width="12.5%" | {{Main page icon|image=Mac OS.png|link=Mac FAQ}}
Standard audio and graphics components are required to be present in the hardware. The absence of the audio and graphic components will cause the initialization process (that assumes their presence) to fail.<br>
| width="12.5%" | {{main page icon | image=Raspberry Pi Logo.png | link= Raspberry Pi FAQ }}
If you need to purchase new hardware, read the ''[https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916 Pick the right box]'' thread on the forum.
| width="12.5%" | {{Main page icon|image=Windows OS.png|link=Windows FAQ}}
|}
|}


:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| How do I access those free movies and TV shows?
|-
| [https://kodi.tv/article/in-defence-of-our-good-name Click here]
|}




=== Upgrading FAQs ===
 
* {{big|'''[[Kodi v18 (Leia) FAQ]] -'''}} If you are updating to Kodi v18 (Leia) from an older version, this FAQ covers what you need to know.
== Setup ==
<!--* Newer upcoming FAQs:
 
** -->
:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
* Older upgrading FAQs:
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| How do I get started?
** [[Kodi v17 (Krypton) FAQ|v17 Krypton]]
|-
** [[Kodi v16 (Jarvis) FAQ|v16 Jarvis]]
|
** [[Kodi v15 (Isengard) FAQ|v15 Isengard]]
# The most recent stable version is '''{{Current_version}}'''
** [[Kodi v14 (Helix) FAQ|v14 Helix]]
# Read the ''[[First time user]]'' wiki guides to get started
** [[XBMC v13 (Gotham) FAQ|v13 Gotham]]
# Download and install {{kodi}} from the official ''[https://kodi.tv/download Download site]''
** [[XBMC v12 (Frodo) FAQ|v12 Frodo]]
|}
** [[XBMC v11 (Eden) FAQ|v11 Eden]]
 
 
 
:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| How do I create the libraries?
|-
|
The Video libraries are created by scraping metadata from the websites of various information providers. The following guide will explain how to correctly name your files, create the correct folder structure and scrape them into the library.<br>
: See: ''[[HOW-TO:Create_Video_Library|Create a Video Library]]'' <br><br>
The Music library is created by scanning the embedded tags in your music files. Please ensure you have accurate tags in your files, preferably by using ''[https://picard.musicbrainz.org/ MusicBrainz Picard]''.<br>
: See: ''[[HOW-TO:Create_Music_Library|Create a Music Library]]''
|}
 
 
:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| How do I add my Home Movies to the library?
|-
| If you have titles that do not exist on any of the sites of the information providers, like home movies, you can still add these to your library using ''[[NFO files]]'' which are scanned into the library. Templates are available which you can copy and then complete with your own data.
: See: ''[[NFO files|NFO Files]]''
|}
 
 
:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| How do I create new menu items?
|-
| Instead of having all your movies or TV shows listed in one section, they can be separated and listed separately, e.g. separate Home Movies, Documentaries, Sports Events from traditional movies and TV shows.
: See: ''[[Custom home items]]''
|}
 
 
:{| class="mw-collapsible" style="margin: 0.0em 0 0.0em 0em; {{border-radius|5px}}; {{box-shadow|0px|1px|3px|#878787}};"
! scope="row" style="width:1500px; background-color:#dfedf0; text-align:left;"| How do I watch and record TV?
|-
|
: See: ''[[PVR]]''
|}






{{Updated|17}}
{{Top}}


[[Category:Manual]]
{{updated|20}}
[[Category:General topics]]
[[Category:FAQ|*]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:First time user]]
[[Category:Karellen]]
[[Category:FAQ]]

Latest revision as of 19:43, 4 January 2024

Home icon grey.png   ▶ FAQs


Basics

What is Kodi?

Kodi is a free open source (GPL) and multi-platform multimedia centre which can centralise all your local, network and internet media into one easily accessible location.
It is designed to be installed on hardware that is directly connected to your AVR or TV preferably via HDMI.


How is Kodi different to all the other media players?

Kodi allows you to bring all your media together in one location.
Not only can it play a wide variety of media formats - Video, Audio, Images - Kodi also allows you to create libraries of your content which can be displayed and browsed in an artwork rich environment.
Kodi can handle Movies, TV Shows, Seasons and Episodes, Music & Audiobooks, Music Videos, Live TV and PVR, Pictures & Comic Books.
In addition, Kodi has a vast repository of Add-ons (plugins) that can be installed to extend Kodi's capabilities, either by adding new features to Kodi or accessing content from internet sources such as YouTube, Netflix and many, many more.


Where can I find more information and help?

Start from the Main Page of this wiki and use the links or the search bar.
If you still have questions, create an account on the Kodi forum


Can I use Kodi as a Media Server

Kodi does include a built in UPnP server that can stream Music and Video content from your Kodi library to other devices. It can also act as a UPnP client to receive content from other Servers on your local network.
Apart from the UPnP component, Kodi is not designed as a Server. Each viewing location will have a Kodi instance installed on the hardware attached to the AVR or TV at that location.
During normal use, Kodi accesses local content off your hard disk or from your local network storage via a File sharing protocol such as SMB.


What hardware do I need?

Kodi can operate on a variety of devices and platforms such as a standard Windows or Linux PC, most of the hardware in the Apple environment, one of the many good quality Android boxes or Raspberry Pi, to name a few.
Standard audio and graphics components are required to be present in the hardware. The absence of the audio and graphic components will cause the initialization process (that assumes their presence) to fail.
If you need to purchase new hardware, read the Pick the right box thread on the forum.


How do I access those free movies and TV shows?
Click here


Setup

How do I get started?
  1. The most recent stable version is Kodi v20.5 Nexus
  2. Read the First time user wiki guides to get started
  3. Download and install Kodi from the official Download site


How do I create the libraries?

The Video libraries are created by scraping metadata from the websites of various information providers. The following guide will explain how to correctly name your files, create the correct folder structure and scrape them into the library.

See: Create a Video Library

The Music library is created by scanning the embedded tags in your music files. Please ensure you have accurate tags in your files, preferably by using MusicBrainz Picard.

See: Create a Music Library


How do I add my Home Movies to the library?
If you have titles that do not exist on any of the sites of the information providers, like home movies, you can still add these to your library using NFO files which are scanned into the library. Templates are available which you can copy and then complete with your own data.
See: NFO Files


How do I create new menu items?
Instead of having all your movies or TV shows listed in one section, they can be separated and listed separately, e.g. separate Home Movies, Documentaries, Sports Events from traditional movies and TV shows.
See: Custom home items


How do I watch and record TV?
See: PVR


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