File sharing

One of the most convenient functions of XBMC is its ability to stream media from any networked PC (personal-computer). In this section, we look at some of the methods for doing so.

Windows Sharing Alternatives

There are four alternatives for streaming media from your Windows-based PC to XBMC.

Windows File Sharing (SMB/SAMBA/CIFS)

Windows File Sharing (SMB/SAMBA/CIFS) is the most capable method of sharing media. It is is capable of streaming all types of media and gives the option of sharing individual folders or entire drives, (including CD/DVD-ROM drives). It also allow you to secure your shares using your Windows login and password, which makes it ideal for use on a public network. Because it utilizes a service that is already packaged with Windows, it does not require you to install any additional software on your PC.

UPnP Sharing

XBMC also supports UPnP (short for "Universal Plug and Play") shares. This is an extremely easy, user-friendly way to stream your media over your network. Like SMB/SAMBA/CIFS it is capable of streaming all types of media and gives the option of sharing individual folders or entire drives. Note that you must be using an XBMC build from 10th of July 2006 or newer in order to use this functionality. See UPnP Sharing for more information on UPnP shares and sharing.

The XBMS Protocol

XBMSP (XBox Media Stream Protocol) or XBMS for short, is very easy to use and set up, and is recommmended for novices. It is capable of streaming all types of media and gives the option of sharing individual folders or entire drives. It can be configured through an easy-to-use GUI program installed on your PC. XBMS is very bandwith efficient and it is a routable network-protocol which means that it is also ideal if you which to stream over the internet, (just make sure you open the TCP/IP network-port 1400 in you firewalls on both both the server-side and the client side)

iTunes (DAAP)

XBMC has the ability to stream audio files that you set up to share through ITunes. This method is extremely easy to set up and configure, although it is limited to audio files. It will not allow you to share videos, photos or other types of media. It also does not allow you to share entire folders or drives.

Macintosh Sharing Alternatives

Just like for Windows there are four alternatives for streaming media from your Apple Macintosh-based computer to XBMC.

SAMBA (SMB/CIFS)

SMB/CIFS is supported in Mac OS X 10.2 and later as "Windows File Sharing", and it is is the most capable method of sharing media. Earlier versions of OS X can serve SMB/CIFS using SAMBA. It is is capable of streaming all types of media and gives the option of sharing individual folders or entire drives, (including CD/DVD-ROM drives). It also allow you to secure shares with passwords and restrict access to users or groups.

UPnP Sharing

XBMC also supports UPnP (short for "Universal Plug and Play") shares. This is an extremely easy, user-friendly way to stream your media over your network. Like SMB/SAMBA/CIFS it is capable of streaming all types of media and gives the option of sharing individual folders or entire drives. Note that you must be using an XBMC build from 10th of July 2006 or newer in order to use this functionality. See UPnP Sharing for more information on UPnP shares and sharing.

The XBMS Protocol

XBMSP (XBox Media Stream Protocol) or XBMS for short, is very easy to use and set up, and is recommmended for novices. It is capable of streaming all types of media and gives the option of sharing individual folders or entire drives. It can be configured through an easy-to-use GUI program installed on your PC. XBMS is very bandwith efficient and it is a routable network-protocol which means that it is also ideal if you which to stream over the internet, (just make sure you open the TCP/IP network-port 1400 in you firewalls on both both the server-side and the client side).

iTunes (DAAP)

XBMC has the ability to stream audio files that you set up to share through Apple iTunes, and its database. This method is extremely easy to set up and configure, (although it is limited to audio files so it will not allow you to share videos, photos or other types of media, nor does not allow you to share entire folders or drives).

Linux/UNIX/BSD/POSIX Sharing Alternatives

Linux/Solaris/BSD xbms (ccx/ccxstream)support

Install a ccx-server or deamon (like ccXStream) on your Linux/Solaris/BSD server, and configure it to share folder/folders.

The ccxstream server source includes a program 'ccxtest' which can be used to check the daemon is operating correctly. It is built along with the ccxstream server when you build the program from source. If you installed via a package such as RPM or deb, then check the contents to see it it was included.

To test simply run 'ccxtest', by default it will connect to locahost port 1400 so unless you changed the port or are connecting from a remote system it should connect to the server, display the connection parameters and list the shared resources in the root folder. They 'help' to get a list of commands you can use.

Linux file-sharing (using samba)

See www.samba.org or read/follow the online-manual for your specific Linux-distrubution.

UNIX/BSD/POSIX file-sharing (using samba)

See www.samba.org or read/follow the online-manual for your specific UNIX/BSD-distrubution.

Advanced configuration of shares/bookmarks (editing sources.xml)

For advanced configuration instructions about shares/bookmarks, (by editing sources.xml), see the How to Edit Bookmarks and Types of Bookmarks articlkes.