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 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 allows you to secure shares with passwords and restrict access to users or groups, 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 recommended 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 bandwidth 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 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. iTunes version 7.0 has implemented changes to the DAAP protocol, namely the use of a new 'Client-DAAP-Validation' header hash when connecting to an iTunes 7.0 server. This does not affect 3rd party DAAP servers, however all current DAAP clients ( including official iTunes <=6.0 ) will fail to connect to an iTunes 7.0 server, receiving a '403 Forbidden' HTTP error.
Macintosh (Apple Mac OS X) Sharing Alternatives
Just like for Windows there are four alternatives for streaming media from your Apple Macintosh (Mac OS X) based computer to XBMC.
Windows Sharing (SMB) on Mac OS X
Windows Sharing is incorporated in Mac OS X (OS 10.2 and later), and is probably the most flexible of all of the options for sharing media between your computer and XBMC. (Earlier versions of Mac OS can serve SMB using SAMBA). It is capable of streaming all types of media and gives the option of sharing individual folders (or entire drives - usually configured through the 3rd-party software SharePoints). It also allows for authentication by your Mac OS X username and password, making it good for use on public networks.
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 recommended 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 bandwidth 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 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). Currently, XBMC is unable to browse libraries shared through iTunes 7.
Linux/UNIX/BSD/POSIX Sharing Alternatives
Linux File Sharing (using samba)
Read Linux File Sharing (using samba). Also, see www.samba.org and read/follow the online-manual for your specific Linux-distribution.
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 recommended 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 bandwidth 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 the server-side and the client side)
For advanced configuration instructions about shares/bookmarks, (by editing sources.xml), see the How to Edit Bookmarks and Types of Bookmarks articles.