Kodi: Difference between revisions

From Official Kodi Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
mNo edit summary
(207 intermediate revisions by 40 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox software
{{Infobox software
| name = XBMC Media Center
| logo = [[File:Thumbnail-light-transparent.png|200px]]
| logo = [[File:XBMC logo.svg|200px]]
| screenshot = [[File:XBMC home.jpg|300px]]
| screenshot = [[File:xbmc 911.png|250px]]
| caption = Kodi's home screen
| caption = XBMC Media Center Home Screen
| developer = [[XBMC Foundation]]
| developer = [http://xbmc.org/about/team/ Team XBMC]
| Stable release = {{current version}}
| latest release version = {{Latest stable software release/XBMC}}<!-- Release version update? Don't edit this version, just click on the version number and go to that page to edit it instead! -->
| Preview release =  
| frequently_updated    = yes<!-- Release version update? Don't edit this page, just click on the version number! -->
| programming language = C++ core, with Python scripts as add-ons from third-parties parties
| latest preview version = [[Neutral build]] from [[Git (software)|Git]]
| operating system = Android, Linux, BSD, Mac OS X/macOS, Windows, iOS/tvOS
| latest preview date    = [[Nightly build|Nightly]] (codename: "''[[XBMC#Releases|Eden]]''")
| platform =  [[w:ARM architecture|ARM]], [[w:x86 architecture|x86]]
| programming language = [[C++]] core, with [[Python (programming language)|Python scripts]] as [[Plug-in (computing)|addons (plugins)]] from [[third-party developer]]s
| operating system = [[Linux]], [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]], [[Mac OS X]], [[Apple TV|Apple TV OS]], [[Windows]], [[iOS (Apple)|iOS]], and first-generation [[Xbox]], (plus [[MeeGo]] support is in development)
| platform =  [[ARM architecture|ARM]], [[PowerPC|PPC (PowerPC)]], [[x86 architecture|x86]] / [[IA-32]], and [[x86-64]], (plus [[MIPS architecture]] support is in development<ref>{{cite web|url=http://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/pull/455 |title=Add mips arch |publisher=Github.com |date=30 September 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>)
| status = Active
| status = Active
| released = 2003
| released = 2003
| language = [[Internationalization and localization|International (40+ languages to date)]]
| language = 70+ languages to date
| genre = [[Home theater PC|Media Center]], [[media player (application software)|Media Player]], [[Digital media receiver]]
| license = GPLv2 or later
| license = [[GNU General Public License|GNU GPL]] ([[GNU General Public License Version 2|GPLv2 or later]])
}}{{mininav|[[XBMC Foundation]]}}}}
| website = [http://xbmc.org xbmc.org]
}}


'''XBMC Media Center''' (formerly '''[[Xbox]] Media Center''') is a [[free and open source software|free and open source]] [[cross-platform]] [[digital media hub]] and [[Home theater PC|HTPC (Home theater PC)]] [[application software|software]] with a [[10-foot user interface]] designed to be a [[media player (application software)|media player]] for the living-room [[Television|TV]]. Its [[graphical user interface]] (GUI) allows the user to easily manage video, photos, podcasts, and music from a computer, optical disc, local network, and the internet using a [[remote control]].<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period.">{{cite web|url=http://www.instantfundas.com/2009/08/xbmc-is-best-media-center-application.html |title=XBMC is the best media center application. Period. |date=2009-08-08 |author=Kaushik |work=instant fundas}}</ref><ref name="XboxMediaCenter Review">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvharmony.com/blog/archives/2004/09/xboxmediacenter.html |title=XboxMediaCenter Review |date=2004-09-16 |author=Timmeh |work=TVHarmony.com, Inc.}}</ref><ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center">{{cite web|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/modding-xbox-ultimate-multimedia-center,807.html |title=Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center |date=2004-11-05 |author=Patrick Schmid |work=Tom's Hardware}}</ref><ref>http://xbmcmediacenter.com xbmcmediacenter.com an unofficial fan site for XBMC</ref> The XBMC project is managed by the non-profit technology [[consortium]] '''XBMC Foundation'''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbmc.org/prae5/2010/12/10/the-xbmc-foundation/ |title=The XBMC Foundation |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=10 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/about/ |title=About XBMC |publisher=Xbmc.org |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/about/friends-and-sponsors/ |title=XBMC Friends And Sponsors |publisher=Xbmc.org |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
<section begin=intro /><section begin=intro2 />'''[[Kodi]]'''® media center, formerly known as XBMC Media Center, is an award-winning free and open source cross-platform software media player and entertainment hub for digital media for HTPCs (Home theater PCs). It  uses a [[10-foot user interface]] designed to be a media player for the living-room, using a remote control as the primary input device. Its graphical user interface (GUI) allows the user to easily browse and view videos, photos, podcasts, and music from a harddrive, optical disc, local network, and the internet using only a few buttons. The Kodi project is managed by the non-profit '''[[XBMC Foundation]]''', and developed by volunteers located around the world. Since its creation in 2003 more than 500 software developers have contributed to Kodi, and around 60 developers on regular basis. Also 200-plus translators have worked to expand its reach, making it available in more than 72 languages. <section end=intro />


It is a popular alternative to [[Microsoft]]'s [[Windows Media Center]] and [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s [[Front Row (software)|Front Row]] for [[Home Theater PC|HTPC (Home Theater PC)]] use.<ref>{{cite web|last=Won |first=Brian |url=http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/guides/2010/12/htpc-guide-1 |title=Ars Technica HTPC Guide: December 2010 |publisher=Arstechnica.com |date=7 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="Hive Five Winner for Best Media Center Application: XBMC">{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5105649/hive-five-winner-for-best-media-center-application-xbmc |title=Hive Five Winner for Best Media Center Application: XBMC |date=2008-12-09 |author=Adam Pash |work=Lifehacker}}</ref><ref name="Five Best Media Center Applications">{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5103464/five-best-media-center-applications |title=Hive Five Best Media Center Applications |date=2008-12-07 |author=Adam Pash |work=Lifehacker}}</ref><ref name="Most Popular Free Mac Downloads of 2008">{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5111727/most-popular-free-mac-downloads-of-2008 |title=Most Popular Free Mac Downloads of 2008 |date=2008-12-16 |author=Adam Pash |work=Lifehacker}}</ref><ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience">{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2009/05/xbmc-904-delivers-impressive-media-center-experience.ars |title=XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience |date=2009-05-10 |author=Ryan Paul |work=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref name="Which Media Center Is Right for You: Boxee, XBMC, and Windows Media Center Compared">{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5462275/which-media-center-is-right-for-you-boxee-xbmc-and-windows-media-center-compared |title=Which Media Center Is Right for You: Boxee, XBMC, and Windows Media Center Compared |date=2010-02-02 |author=Jason Fitzpatrick & Kevin Purdy |work=Lifehacker}}</ref> Similar to competing software like [[MediaPortal]] and [[MythTV]], it has a [[skin (computing)|skinnable]] as well as user-configurable interface and [[Plug-in (computing)|plugin]] support.<ref name="Customize XBMC with These Five Awesome Skins">{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5198009/customize-xbmc-with-these-five-awesome-skins |title=Customize XBMC with These Five Awesome Skins |date=2009-04-05 |author=Jason Fitzpatrick |work=Lifehacker}}</ref><ref name="XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier">{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/open-source/reviews/2009/12/xbmc-911-makes-your-open-source-home-theater-look-shinier.ars |title=XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier |date=2009-12-29 |author=Ryan Paul |work=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediasmartserver.net/2010/09/07/guide-getting-started-with-xbmc/ |title=Guide: Getting Started With XBMC |publisher=Mediasmartserver.net |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref> The latest stable release of XBMC also have an integrated [[digital distribution]] platform 'app store' / 'app market' called "''Addons Manager''" that has a growing list of community driven addon [[Plug-in (computing)|plugins]] for online content like YouTube, [[Hulu]], [[Netflix]], [[Grooveshark]], [[Pandora Radio]], as well and [[Theme (computing)|themes (skins)]] and more available from a common official [[Repository Open Service Interface Definition|repository]], while still enabling third-party developers to also host their own unofficial repositories for addon plugins that any user can choose to add themselves if they like.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbmc.org/theuni/2010/12/18/xbmc-10-0/ |title=XBMC 10.0 |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=18 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5715145/xbmc-10-dharma-makes-installing-add+ons-and-skins-much-easier |title=XBMC 10 Dharma Makes Installing Add-Ons and Skins Much Easier |publisher=Lifehacker.com |date=20 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5714949/xbmc-updates-to-100-dharma-rocks-awesome-add+on-support-and-improved-graphic-acceleration |title=XBMC Updates to 10.0 Dharma, Rocks Awesome Add-on Support and Improved Graphic Acceleration |publisher=Lifehacker.com |date=18 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/19/xmbc-10-0-dharma-now-available-to-download-with-improvements-g/ |title=XBMC 10.0 'Dharma' now available to download with improvements galore, add-on manager and Apple TV support |publisher=Engadget.com |date=19 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
Kodi® ''(then called "Xbox Media Center")'' was originally created as a media center application for the first-generation Xbox game console (no longer supported) but is now officially available as a native application for [[Android]], BSD, [[Linux]], [[Mac OS X|Mac OS X/macOS]], [[iOS|iOS/tvOS]], and [[Windows]] operating systems, running on most common processor architectures. <section end=intro2 />


XBMC was originally created as a media center application for the first-generation Xbox game console<ref name="XboxMediaCenter Review"/><ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/><ref name="Review of XBMC in Hardcore Gamer Magazine">http://www.o-sd.com/hardcoregamermag/publicPDF/HGM_Aug.pdf Review of XBMC in Hardcore Gamer Magazine</ref> but is now, since 2010, officially available as a native application for [[Linux]], [[Mac OS X]] ([[Mac OS X v10.6|Snow Leopard]], [[Mac OS X v10.5|Leopard]], [[Mac OS X v10.4|Tiger]], [[iOS (Apple)|iOS]] ([[iDevice]]s (must be jailbroken)), [[Apple TV]]), and [[Microsoft Windows]] operating systems, running on most common [[processor architecture]]s.<ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art">{{cite web|url=http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-softmod-your-xbox...for-FREE/ |title=How to softmod your xbox...for FREE |date=2007-01-18 |author=VzjrZ |work=Instructables}}</ref> Also available is a bootable [[Live CD]] and [[Live USB]] standalone version referred to as "''[[XBMC Live]]''" which is made for easy setup on [[Bare-metal restore|bare-metal installation]]s and to be used for [[Demo (marketing)|interactive demonstrations]].<ref name="XBMC Live 9.11">{{cite web|url=http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/XBMC-Live-53804.shtml |title=XBMC Live 9.11 |date=2010-01-19 |work=Softpedia}}</ref><ref name="XBMC Live Atlantis Beta1!">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/lcapriotti/2008/09/18/xbmc-live-atlantis-beta1/ |title=XBMC Live Atlantis Beta1! |author=Luigi Capriotti |date=2008-09-18 |work=xbmc.org}}</ref><ref name="XBMC Live 8.10 (Atlantis) released">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/lcapriotti/2008/11/15/xbmc-live-810-atlantis-released/ |title=XBMC Live 8.10 (Atlantis) released |author=Luigi Capriotti |date=2008-11-15 |work=xbmc.org}}</ref>
== Video demos ==
Check out this excellent introduction video by [http://lifehacker.com/5900626/create-a-kickass-seamless-play+everything-media-center-the-complete-guide Lifehacker.com]:<br />
{{YouTube|T970YM3w1LY}}


In addition, as a leader in [[niche market]] of media center software, the [[source code]] from XBMC is used as an [[open platform]] [[Software framework|application framework]] and [[technological convergence]] platform for others projects to base their [[Smart TV]] entertainment system, [[set-top box]]es, [[hotel television systems|interactive television for hotels]], or [[Home theater PC|home media center]] software on for [[over-the-top content]] use and more, and today at least [[Boxee]], [[MediaPortal]], [[Plexapp|Plex]], 9x9 Player, and [[Voddler]] are separate [[derivative work|derivative products]] that are all openly known to initially have [[fork (software development)|forked]] the GUI engine and media player core parts of their [[Computer software|software]] from XBMC's source code. While still using their own brand and customized interface, a few like [[Boxee]] and 9x9 Player, are also [[affiliate marketing]] their software/devices as "'''''Designed for XBMC'''''" and "'''''Powered by XBMC'''''" with official XBMC logo by certified approval from the XBMC Foundation and the Team-XBMC developers.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/><ref name="Voddler använder XBMC">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbmc.nu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177:voddler-anvaender-xbmc&catid=37&Itemid=2 |title=Voddler använder XBMC (Bekräftat!) |author=Richard Skalsky (a.k.a. GrandAnse) | language=Swedish |date=2009-07-02 |work=xbmc.nu}}</ref><ref name="CrunchGear Interview: We talk to the lead developer of Plex Media Center for Mac OS X: It was doing Boxee-like stuff before Boxee was cool">{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/01/15/interview-we-talk-to-the-lead-developer-of-plex-media-center-for-mac-os-x-it-was-doing-boxee-like-stuff-before-boxee-was-cool/ |title=CrunchGear Interview: We talk to the lead developer of Plex Media Center for Mac OS X: It was doing Boxee-like stuff before Boxee was cool |date=2010-01-15 |author=Nicholas Deleon |work=CrunchGear}}</ref><ref name="Thinking inside the box">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/oct/07/boxee-web-video-software |title=Thinking inside the box |date=2009-10-07 |author=Kevin Anderson |work=The Guardian |location=UK}}</ref>
;Additional video demos
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O4fCGrwrqw Kodi beginners guide - an introduction and tour] by Kodi.tv forum user fredphoesh


==Overview==
== Overview of features ==
XBMC (which has officially been [[Rebranding|rebranded]] to simply "''XBMC''" from its previous old name; "''Xbox Media Center''") supports most common audio, video, and image formats, playlists, audio visualizations, slideshows, [[weather forecasts]] reporting, and third-party plugins. It is network-capable (internet and [[Local area network|LAN]] shares). Unlike [[proprietary software|proprietary]] [[Home theater PC|media center]] applications like [[Windows Media Center]] from [[Microsoft]], or other free-software media center applications such as [[MediaPortal]] and [[MythTV]], XBMC Media Center does not yet include native [[Live TV]] or [[Digital video recorder|DVR/PVR recording functionality]], nor an [[Electronic program guide|EPG TV-Guide interface]] of its own, it does however offer the possibility to integrate such functionality through third-party plugins<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/><ref name="XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier"/><ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art">{{cite web|url=http://www.telematicsfreedom.org/en/flossmediacenter |title=10 most prominent FLOSS projects compared |date=2008-09-18 |work=Telematics Freedom Foundation}}</ref> and an official native unified DVR/PVR frontend with EPG which via a common API will support multiple backends via PVR client addons is under development, with experimental builds already available.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?t=28918 |title=Unified PVR frontend (DVR/HTPC client GUI with EPG) and Addons API for PVR backends |publisher=Forum.xbmc.org |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
{{main|Features_and_supported_formats}}
{{#lst:Features_and_supported_formats|intro}}


Through its [[Plug-in (computing)|plugin]] system, which is based on the [[Python (programming language)|Python programming language]], XBMC is expandable via add-ons that include features such as television program guides, YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, [[Veoh]], online movie trailer support, and [[Pandora Radio]] and [[Podcast]] streaming. XBMC also functions as a gaming platform by allowing users to play mini-games developed with [[Python (programming language)|Python]], on any operating system.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/><ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art"/><ref name="XBMC-Addons on Google Code">http://code.google.com/p/xbmc-addons/ XBMC-Addons on Google Code (Addon plugins for XBMC)</ref><ref name="XBMC Zone">http://www.xbmczone.com/ XBMC Zone (third-party Addon extensions for XBMC)</ref><ref name="Passion XBMC">http://passion-xbmc.org/ Passion XBMC (third-party Addon extensions for XBMC)</ref>


XBMC [[source code]] is distributed as open source under [[GNU General Public License|GPL (GNU General Public License)]],<ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art"/> it is sponsored via the [[Tax exemption|tax-exempt]] registered non-profit organization, XBMC [[Foundation (non-profit)|Foundation]], and is developed by a global [[free software community]] of [[volunteering]] people working on XBMC for free in their [[spare time]] without being motivated by financial or material gain.<ref name="XBMC Zone"/><ref name="Passion XBMC"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/forum |title=XBMC official community forum |work=xbmc.org |accessdate=2010-02-13}}</ref><ref>http://xbmc.nu xbmc.nu – Swedish XBMC fan site and community</ref><ref>http://xbmc.fr xbmc.fr – French XBMC fan site and community</ref><ref>http://xbmc.de xbmc.de – German XBMC fan site and community</ref><ref>http://xbmcfreak.nl xbmcfreak.nl – Dutch XBMC fan site and community</ref><ref>http://xbmcsvn.com xbmcsvn.com – Nightly Unofficial Builds from SVN All Branches</ref>
{{#lst:Add-ons|intro}}


Even though the original XBMC project no longer develops or supports XBMC for the Xbox, XBMC on the Xbox is still available via the [[third-party developer]] [[Brand extension|spin-off]] project "[[XBMC4Xbox]]", who have completely taken over the development and support of XBMC for the old Xbox. The ending of Xbox support by the original project is also the reason that it has officially been renamed to simply "''XBMC''" from the old from "''Xbox Media Center''" name.<ref name="Farewell XBOX">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/theuni/2010/05/27/farewell-xbox/ |title=Farewell XBOX |date=2010-05-27 |author=theuni |work=xbmc.org}}</ref><ref name="XBMC Discontinues Xbox Support">{{cite web|url=http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/10/05/28/043243/XBMC-Discontinues-Xbox-Support?art_pos=1 |title=XBMC Discontinues Xbox Support |date=2010-05-28 |author=Timothy |work=Slashdot}}</ref><ref name="XBMC Drops Support for the Original Xbox">{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5550225/xbmc-drops-support-for-the-original-xbox |title=XBMC Drops Support for the Original Xbox |date=2010-05-28 |author=Adam Pash |work=Lifehacker}}</ref><ref name="XBMC4Xbox">{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/xmbc-bids-farewell-to-its-progenitor-the-original-xbox/ |title=XBMC bids farewell to its progenitor: the original Xbox |date=2010-05-31 |author=Sean Hollister |work=Engadget}}</ref> The Xbox version of XBMC also had the ability to launch console games, and [[homebrew (video games)|homebrew]] applications such as [[Console emulator|emulators]]. Since the XBMC for Xbox version was never distributed, endorsed, or supported by [[Microsoft]], it means that XBMC for Xbox has always required a [[modchip]] or [[softmod|softmod exploit]] to be able to run on the Xbox game-console.<ref name="XboxMediaCenter Review"/><ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/><ref name="Review of XBMC in Hardcore Gamer Magazine"/><ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art"/>
For additional information about specific add-ons, see '''[[:Category:All add-ons]]'''.


===User interface screenshots from XBMC===
=== Language support ===
{{see also|Translation System}}
Kodi includes full support for many different languages by default. Kodi's structure is such that if the language is not available, or not up-to-date, it can be made by signing up at [https://www.transifex.net/projects/p/XBMC-Main-Frodo/ Kodi Main Translation Project (Frodo)], Currently the existing supported languages are Afrikaans, Basque, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Catalan, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, American English, Esperanto, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Maltese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Ukrainian.


<gallery>
== Hardware requirements ==
Image:xbmc_911.png|Home Screen of the "Confluence" skin.
{{Main|Supported hardware}}
Image:Screenshot000.png|Home screen of the "PM3.HD" skin.
{{#lst:Supported hardware|intro}}
Image:Mc360-screenshot-1.jpg|MC360 skin (Xbox 360 Blades replica).
</gallery>


===Hardware requirements===
== Official versions of Kodi ==
XBMC has greater basic hardware requirements than traditional 2D style software applications:  it needs a [[3D computer graphics|3D]] capable [[GPU|GPU graphics hardware controller]] for all rendering. Powerful 3D GPU chips are common today in most modern computers, and even some [[set-top box]]es and XBMC is designed to otherwise be resource efficient.  It runs well on what (by [[Intel Atom]] standards) are relatively underpowered [[OpenGL|OpenGL 1.3]] (with [[GLSL]] support), [[OpenGL ES|OpenGL ES 2.0]] or [[Direct3D|Direct3D (DirectX) 9.0]] capable systems that are [[IA-32]]/[[x86]], [[x86-64]], [[ARM architecture|ARM]], or [[PowerPC]] [[CPU]] based.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/>
{{See also|Releases}}
Full featured versions of Kodi are available on a number of operating system platforms. Team Kodi strives to keep a consistent feature set and include the full Kodi experience for all versions, even those on low-powered devices.


When software decoding of [[1080p]] [[high-definition video]] is performed by the system [[CPU]], a [[multi-core processor|dual-core]] 2 [[GHz]] or better CPU is required in order to allow for smooth playback without dropping [[Film frame|frames]] and giving playback a jerky appearance. XBMC can also offload most of the video decoding processor onto a [[GPU|GPU graphics hardware controller]] that supports one of the following types of hardware-accelerated [[video decoding]]:<ref name="XBMC Architecture Overview by Telematics Freedom Foundation">{{cite web|url=http://www.telematicsfreedom.org/en/2009/10/28/xbmc-architecture-summary |title=XBMC Architecture Overview by Telematics Freedom Foundation |date=2009-10-28 |work=Telematics Freedom Foundation}}</ref> Nvidia's [[VDPAU]] (supported from XBMC version 9.04), Microsoft's [[DXVA]], Apple's VDADecoder, Intel's [[VAAPI]], [[OpenMAX]], and [[Broadcom#Products|Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Media Accelerator]]. By taking advantage of such hardware-accelerated video decoding, XBMC can run well on most inexpensive, low-power systems which contain a modern GPU. However, [[Intel Core]] CPUs with integrated-GPU (or [[Accelerated processing unit|APU]]s) are [http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?t=69306 not properly supported yet].
;[[Android]]
:''Kodi for Android'' is a full port of the complete Kodi application to Google's Android operating-system, was first announced and its source code released publicly on 13 June 2012. This is a full port of Kodi's C++ and C source code with all its dependencies to Android with a build-system that was designed to handle multiple processor architectures, like ARM, MIPS, and x86 with the Android NDK (Native Development Kit for Android) without using a single line of Java, and the Kodi.APK is running natively under Android as a Native Activity application.  


===Language support===
;[[iOS]]
XBMC includes full support for many different languages by default.  XBMC's structure is such that if the language is not available, or not up-to-date, it can be made by editing simple [[String (computer science)|strings]] in an [[XML]]-file, which can then be submitted to XBMC's [[project management]] and [[bug tracking system]] tool for use by others. Currently the existing supported languages are [[Afrikaans]], [[Basque language|Basque]], [[Brazilian Portuguese]], [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]], [[Catalan language|Catalan]], [[Simplified Chinese]], [[Traditional Chinese]], [[Croatian language|Croatian]], [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Danish language|Danish]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]], English, [[American English]], [[Esperanto]], [[Finnish language|Finnish]], French, German, [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Hebrew]], [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]], [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]], Italian, Japanese, [[Korean language|Korean]], [[Maltese language|Maltese]], [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Romanian language|Romanian]], Russian, [[Serbian language|Serbian]], [[Slovak language|Slovak]], [[Slovene language|Slovenian]], Spanish, [[Mexican Spanish]], [[Swedish language|Swedish]], [[Thai language|Thai]], [[Turkish language|Turkish]] and [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]].<ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/><ref>[http://trac.xbmc.org/browser/trunk/language ]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref><ref>https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/tree/master/language language at master from xbmc / language – GitHub</ref>
:''Kodi for iOS'', which is a full port of Kodi to Apple's [[iOS]] operating-system, was first announced and released publicly on 20 January 2011. It supports both 720p and 1080p hardware accelerated video decoding of H.264 videos, and is compatible several Apple's [[IOS|iDevice]]s that uses Apple A4 or higher SoC processors with a jailbroken iOS operating-system.


==Features==
;[[Linux]]
===XBMC's Addons Manager and addons===
:''Kodi for Linux'' is primarily developed for Ubuntu Linux. Third-party packages for most other Linux distributions are however available, and it is also possible to compile Kodi from scratch for any Linux distribution as long as the pre-required dependency libraries are installed first.  
XBMC features several open [[Application programming interface|APIs]] to enable [[third-party developer]]s to create capabilities which extend XBMC with a multitude of [[Plug-in (computing)|addons]], such as plugins, scripts, skins/themes, visualizations, screensavers, web scrapers, web interfaces, and more. XBMC developers encourages users to make and submit their own addons to add additional media content and [[value-added service]]s accessible from within XBMC.


XBMC's latest point-release, (codename: "''Dharma''"), features a new Addons Framework architecture and Addons Manager GUI client that connects to a [[decentralized]] [[digital distribution]] service [[Platform (computing)|platform]] that serves add-on apps and [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]] which among other things provide online content to XBMC, the "''Addons Manager''" (or "''Addons Browser''") inside XBMC allows users to browse and download new addons directly from XBMC's GUI.
;[[Mac_OS_X|Mac]]
:''Kodi for Mac'' runs natively on [[Mac OS X]] with Intel processors with hardware video decoding for H.264.


Many of these online content sources are in [[over-the-top content]] high definition services and use video streaming sites, such as [[Adobe Flash]] based content. XBMC has extensibility and integration with online sources for both free and premium streaming content, and offers content from everything from commercial video, to free educational programming, and media from individuals and small businesses.
;[[Windows]]
:''Kodi for Windows'' runs natively on Windows Vista and higher. It is a 32-bit application but runs on 64-bit Windows and hardware as well, however it is not yet optimized for that architecture so there is no performance gain when running on 64-bit Windows. 1080p playback can be achieved on Windows based computers either via software decoding on the CPU if it's powerful enough, or by hardware accelerated video decoding.


====Plugins and scripts (apps/gadgets/widgets)====
== Third-party forks and derivative work of Kodi ==
XBMC features a [[Python (programming language)|Python Scripts Engine]] for addon extensions, WindowXML [[application framework]] (a [[XML]]-based [[widget toolkit]] for creating a GUI for apps / [[widget (computing)|widgets]]) in a similar fashion to Apple Mac OS X [[Dashboard (software)|Dashboard Widgets]] and [[Microsoft Gadgets]] in [[Windows Sidebar]]. Python [[widget (computing)|widget]] scripts allow normal users to add new functionality to XBMC themselves, using [[Python (programming language)|Python programming language]]. Current [[plugins|plugin]] scripts include functions like [[Internet television|Internet-TV]] and [[trailer (film)|movie-trailer]] browsers, [[weather forecasting|weather forecast]] and cinemaguides, [[Over-the-top content]] video streaming services like YouTube, [[BBC iPlayer]], [[Hulu]], [[Netflix]], [[Veoh]], [[MLB.tv]], Internet-radio-station browsers (example [[Pandora Radio]], [[Xm radio]], [[Sirius Satellite Radio]]), online picture sharing sites like [[Flickr]], [[Electronic program guide|TV-guides (EPG)]], e-mail clients, [[instant messaging]], train-timetables, [[home automation]] scripts to [[Front-end and back-end|front-end]] control [[Personal video recorder|PVR]] software and hardware (like: MediaPortal, MythTV, [[TiVo]], [[ReplayTV]], [[Dreambox]]/[[DBox2]]), [[Peer-to-peer|P2P]] file-sharing downloaders ([[BitTorrent (protocol)|BitTorrent]]), [[IRC]], also [[casual games]] (sometimes also referred to as [[Minigame|mini-games]] or [[party game|party-games]]) such as [[Tetris]], [[Snake (video game)|Snake]], [[Space Invaders]], [[Sudoku]], and much more.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/><ref name="XBMC-Addons on Google Code"/><ref name="XBMC Zone"/><ref name="Passion XBMC"/>
{{main|Forks}}
{{#lst:Forks|intro}}


====Skins (themes)====
== History ==
Same as the majority of most applications that originated from a '[[homebrew (video games)|homebrew]]' scene, is [[skin (computing)|skin]]-ability in the tradition of modifications and customization very popular among XBMC users. "Confluence" and "Project Mayhem" are the two official [[skin (computing)|skin]]s; "Confluence" is the default since version 9.11, and "Project Mayhem"  was the previous default which is now in its third version, commonly known as "PM3.HD" (''PM III High-Definition'').<ref name="XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier"/>
{{See|History of Kodi}}


Users can also create their own skin (or simply modify an existing skin) and share it with others via public websites that are used for XBMC skins trading and development.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="Passion XBMC"/><ref name="XBMC Skinng Project">{{cite web|url=http://sourceforge.net/projects/xboxmediacenter |title=XBMC Skinng Project |work=Sourceforge.net |accessdate=2010-02-13}}</ref><ref name="XBMC Black Market">{{cite web|url=http://blackmarket.ictcsc.net |title=XBMC Black Market |work=Blackmarket.ictcsc.net |accessdate=2010-02-13}}</ref><ref name="teamrazorfish.co.uk">http://www.teamrazorfish.co.uk MediaStream</ref><ref name="blackbolt.x-scene.com">http://blackbolt.x-scene.com Team Blackbolt</ref> Many such third-party skins exist that are well maintained by the community, and while some skins are originals with unique designs, most initially begin as a [[clone (video games)|clones]] or an exact [[replica]] of other multimedia software interfaces, such as DivX Connected, [[Apple Front Row]], [[Windows XP Media Center Edition|Windows Media Center Edition (MCE)]], [[MediaPortal]], [[Meedio]]/MeediOS, HDeeTV, [[Kaleidescape]], [[Wii Menu|Wii Channel Menu (Xii)]], [[Xbox360#Software|Xbox 360 Blades (MC360)]], [[Xbox360#Software|Xbox 360 New Xbox Experience (Xperience)]], and others.<ref name="Customize XBMC with These Five Awesome Skins"/>
== XBMC Foundation ==
{{see also|XBMC Foundation}}
{{#lst:XBMC Foundation|intro}}


====Scrapers (web scraping for metadata)====
== Awards ==
XBMC has the built-in optional function to automatically download [[metadata]] information, [[cover art]] and other related media artwork online through its [[web scraping|scrapers]].
[[File:Cca.gif|right]]
In the [[w:SourceForge|SourceForge]] 2006 Community Choice Awards, XBMC won an award for Best Project for Gamers as well as an award Best Project for Multimedia.[http://sourceforge.net/blog/cca06/]  


Scrapers use sites like themoviedb.org or [[imdb.com]] to obtain [[thumbnails]] and reviews on movies, thetvdb.com for TV show posters and episode plots, [[CDDB]] (via [[freedb]] and [[Discogs]], etc.) for audio CD track listings, and [[Allmusic|AMG]] for album [[thumbnails]].<ref name="XBMC Architecture Overview by Telematics Freedom Foundation"/>
In the [[w:SourceForge|SourceForge]] 2007 Community Choice Awards, XBMC was nominated finalist in six categories.[http://sourceforge.net/blog/cca07/]


====Web Interfaces====
In the [[w:SourceForge|SourceForge]] 2008 Community Choice Awards, XBMC won an award for Best Project for Gamers.[http://sourceforge.net/blog/cca08/]
Web Interface addons for XBMC normally allow browsing a media library remotely, to handle music playlists from a computer instead of television. Others allow remotely controlling the navigation of XBMC like a remote for [[Touchscreen remote control|remote controlling]] of an installed and concurrently-active XBMC session running on a computer if it runs on an internet tablet or similar device with a touch interface. And yet other still acts like a media manager to allow modifying metadata and artwork in XBMC's video and music libraries.


====Application launcher====
In the [[w:Lifehacker|Lifehacker Australia]] 2014 Community Choice Awards, XBMC won an award for Best Media Player. [http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/12/lifehacker-awards-2014-best-media-player/]
XBMC has a "My Programs" section which is meant to function as an application launcher for third-party [[application software|software]] such as computer games and [[List of emulators|video game emulator]]s, all from a nice [[GUI]] with [[thumbnail]] and different listings options. However while this feature is fully functioning on the Xbox version of XBMC, it is still in its infant stage on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows, thus currently requiring third-party launcher plugins to function properly.<ref name="Review of XBMC in Hardcore Gamer Magazine"/>


===Audio, video, and pictures playback and handling===
== Programming and developing ==
XBMC can play media from CD/DVD media using an internal [[DVD-ROM]] drive. It can also play media from an internal built-in [[hard disk|hard disk drive]] and [[Server Message Block|SMB/SAMBA/CIFS]] shares (Windows File-Sharing), or stream them over [[ReplayTV]] [[digital video recorder|DVRs/PVRs]], [[Universal Plug and Play|UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)]] shares, or stream [[iTunes]]-shares via [[Digital Audio Access Protocol|DAAP]]. XBMC can also take advantage of a broadband Internet connection if available to stream Internet-video-streams like YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, and [[Veoh]], and play Internet-radio-stations (such as [[Pandora Radio]]). XBMC also includes the option to submit music usage statistics to [[Last.fm]] and [[Libre.fm]] plus a weather-forecast (via [[weather.com]]). It also has music/video-playlist features, picture/image-[[slideshow]] functions, an MP3+CDG [[karaoke]] function and many [[Music visualization|audio-visualizations]] and [[screensaver]]s. XBMC can in addition [[Upscaling DVD|upscale/upconvert]] all [[SDTV|standard-definition (480i/480p/576i/576p)]] resolution videos and output them to [[HDTV|720p, 1080i, and 1080p high-definition]] resolutions.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art"/><ref name="Turbo Charge Your New XBMC Installation">{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5393227/turbo-charge-your-new-xbmc-installation |title=Turbo Charge Your New XBMC Installation |date=2009-10-30 |author=Jason Fitzpatrick |work=Lifehacker}}</ref>
{{main|Development}}
Kodi is a non-profit and free software community driven open-source software project that is developed only by volunteers in their spare time without any monetary gain. The team of developers leading the development of Kodi, "''[[Team Kodi]]''", encourage anyone and everyone to submit their own source code patches for new features and functions, improve existing ones, or fix bugs to the Kodi project.


====Format support====
XBMC can be used to play/view all common [[multimedia]] formats through its native clients and parsers. It can decode these audio and video formats in software or hardware, and optionally pass-through [[Dolby Digital|AC3]]/[[DTS Coherent Acoustics|DTS]] audio, or encode to AC3 in real time from movies directly to [[S/PDIF]] digital output to an external audio-[[Audio amplifier|amplifier]]/[[Audio receiver#Hi-Fi / Home theater|receiver]] for decoding.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art"/>


:'''Supported formats:'''
Kodi's source code for all its supported platforms is made publicly available by Team Kodi under the open source GNU General Public License Version 2 license. The group currently maintains a Git [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc repository] for this source code.
:* '''[[Data storage device|Physical digital media]]''': [[Blu-ray Disc]] (unencrypted), CDs, DVDs, [[DVD-Video]], [[Video CD]]s (including VCD/SVCD/XVCD), [[Red Book (CD standard)|Audio-CD (CDDA)]], [[USB Flash Drive]]s, and local [[Hard Disk Drive]]s
:* '''[[Communications protocol|Network protocol clients]]''': [[AirPlay|AirPlay/AirTunes]],<ref>https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/commit/ae7b0b54384485e85124bc33c0743ed7cad627a4 add airplay implementation from boxee project</ref><ref>https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/pull/447 Airtunes support for ios/osx/linux</ref> [[UPnP]], [[Server Message Block|SMB/SAMBA/CIFS]], [[Apple Filing Protocol|AFP]], [[Digital Audio Access Protocol|DAAP]], [[Zero configuration networking|Zeroconf]]/[[Avahi (software)|Avahi]]/[[Bonjour (software)|Bonjour]], [[Network File System (protocol)|NFS]], [[HTTP]], [[HTTPS]], [[FTP]], [[Real Time Streaming Protocol|RTSP]] (RTSPU, RTSPT), [[Microsoft Media Services|MMS]] (MMSU, MMST), [[Podcasting]], [[Transmission Control Protocol|TCP]], [[User Datagram Protocol|UDP]], [[SSH file transfer protocol|SFTP]], [[Real-time Transport Protocol|RTP]] and [[Real Time Messaging Protocol|RTMP]] (including RTMP, RTMPT, RTMPE, RTMPTE, RTMPS<ref>http://rtmpdump.mplayerhq.hu/ RTMPDump used by XBMC</ref>), [[DHCP]], [[Network Time Protocol|NTP]]
:* '''[[Network server|Network protocol servers]]''': [[JSON-RPC]] server, [[D-Bus]] server, [[Web server]], [[FTP Server]], and [[UPnP AV media server]], and a multi-protocol Event Server<ref name="wiki.xbmc.org">http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=EventServer EventServer</ref>
:* '''[[Container format (digital)|Container format]]s''': [[Audio Video Interleave|AVI]], [[Moving Picture Experts Group|MPEG]], [[Windows Media Video|WMV]], [[Advanced Systems Format|ASF]], [[Flash Video|FLV]], [[Matroska|MKV/MKA (Matroska)]], [[QuickTime File Format|QuickTime]], [[MPEG-4 Part 14|MP4]], M4A, [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]], NUT, [[Ogg]], [[Ogg Media|OGM]], [[RealMedia]] RAM/RM/RV/RA/RMVB, [[3gp]], VIVO, PVA, [[NuppelVideo|NUV]], [[Nullsoft Streaming Video|NSV]], [[Nullsoft Streaming Audio|NSA]], [[Autodesk|FLI]], [[Autodesk|FLC]], [[DVR-MS]] and WTV
:*'''[[Video format]]s''': [[MPEG-1]], [[MPEG-2]], [[H.263]], MPEG-4 [[MPEG-4 Part 2#Simple Profile (SP)|SP]] and [[Advanced Simple Profile|ASP]], [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|MPEG-4 AVC]] ([[H.264]]), [[HuffYUV]], [[Indeo]], [[Motion JPEG|MJPEG]], [[RealVideo]], [[RMVB]], [[Sorenson codec|Sorenson]], [[Windows Media Video|WMV]], [[Cinepak]].
:*'''[[Audio format]]s''': [[MIDI]], [[Audio Interchange File Format|AIFF]], [[WAV|WAV/WAVE]], [[AIFF]], [[MPEG-1 Audio Layer II|MP2]], MP3, [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]], [[HE-AAC|AACplus (AAC+)]], [[Vorbis]], [[Dolby Digital|AC3]], [[DTS Coherent Acoustics|DTS]], [[Apple Lossless|ALAC]], [[Adaptive Multi-Rate|AMR]], [[Free Lossless Audio Codec|FLAC]], [[Monkey's Audio]] (APE), [[RealAudio]], [[Shorten|SHN]], [[WavPack]], [[Musepack|MPC/Musepack/Mpeg+]], [[Shorten]], [[Speex]], [[Windows Media Audio|WMA]], [[Impulse Tracker|IT]], [[ScreamTracker|S3M]], [[MOD (file format)|MOD]] (Amiga Module), [[XM (file format)|XM]], NSF ([[NES Sound Format]]), [[SPC700 sound format|SPC]] ([[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]), GYM ([[Mega Drive|Genesis]]), [[MOS Technology SID|SID]] ([[Commodore 64]]), [[Adlib]], [[YM2149|YM]] ([[Atari ST]]), [[ADPCM]] ([[Nintendo GameCube]]), and [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|CDDA]].
:* '''[[Digital camera|Digital picture/image formats]]''': RAW image formats, [[BMP file format|BMP]], [[JPEG]], [[Graphics Interchange Format|GIF]], [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]], [[Tagged Image File Format|TIFF]], [[Multiple-image Network Graphics|MNG]], [[ICO (icon image file format)|ICO]], [[PCX]] and [[Truevision TGA|Targa/TGA]]
:*'''[[Subtitles|Subtitle formats]]''': AQTitle, [[SubStation Alpha|ASS/SSA]], [[Closed captioning|CC]], JACOsub, [[MicroDVD]], MPsub, [[Ogg Media|OGM]], PJS, RT, [[SAMI|SMI]], [[SubRip|SRT]], [[SubViewer|SUB]], [[VSFilter|VOBsub]], VPlayer
:*'''[[Tag (metadata)|Metadata tags]]''': APEv1, [[APEv2 tag|APEv2]], [[ID3]] ([[ID3]]v1 and [[ID3v2]]), ID666 and [[Vorbis comment]]s for [[audio file format]]s, [[Exif]] and [[IPTC Information Interchange Model|IPTC]] (including [[GeoTagging]]) for [[image file format]]s


====Video playback in detail====
== Further reading ==
=====Video Library=====
* [[Wikipedia:Kodi (software)]]
The Video Library, one of the XBMC [[metadata]] [[databases]], is a key feature of XBMC. It allows the organization of video content by information associated with the video files (e.g. movies and recorded TV Shows) themselves. This information can be obtained in various ways, like through scrapers (i.e. [[web scraping]] sites like IMDb, TheMovieDB, TheTVDB, etc.), and [[.nfo|nfo]] files. Automatically downloading and displaying movie posters and [[fan art]] backdrops as background wallpapers. The Library Mode view allows users to browse their video content by categories; [[Genre]], Title, Year, Actors and Directors.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier"/>
* http://kodi.tv


=====Video player cores=====
{{Isengard updated}}
XBMC uses two different [[multimedia]] video player 'cores' for video-playback. The first video-player 'core' for video-playback is an [[in-house]] developed [[cross-platform]] media player, "''DVDPlayer''", originally designed to playback [[DVD-Video]] movies, and this includes support native for [[DVD-Video#Programming interface|DVD-menus]], (based on the free [[open source]] [[library (computing)|libraries]] code [[libdvdcss]] and libdvdnav). This [[FFmpeg]] based video-player 'core' today supports all widespread mainstream formats. One relatively unusual feature of this DVD-player core is the capability to [[on-the-fly]] pause and play DVD-Video movies that are stored in [[ISO image|ISO and IMG]] DVD-images or DVD-Video ([[IFO]]/[[VOB]]/[[BUP]]) images (even directly from uncompressed [[RAR]] and [[ZIP (file format)|ZIP]] archives), from either local harddrive storage or network-share storage.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier"/><ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/>


The second video-player 'core' for video-playback in XBMC is another [[in-house]] developed [[open source]] player, "''DSPlayer''", which today is only used as an experimental video player in a [[Git (software)|Git]] development branch of XBMC for Windows and not in any other versions of XBMC. This "''DSPlayer''" is a [[Direct Show]] based media player which with the help of [[FFmpeg]] can play practically all common media formats and in addition also make XBMC for Windows handle all formats and [[container format (digital)|containers]] normally supported in Windows with the help of third-party proprietary [[Direct Show]] filters installed on the system.


====Audio playback in detail====
[[Category:XBMC_Foundation]]
=====Music Library=====
The Music Library, one of the XBMC [[metadata]] [[databases]], is another key feature of XBMC. It allows the organization of a music collection to allow searching, and creating smart playlists by information stored in music file [[ID3|ID meta tags]], like title, artist, album, production year, [[genre]], and popularity. Automatically downloading and displaying album covers and [[fan art]] backdrops as background wallpapers.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier"/>
 
=====Audio player cores=====
For music playback, XBMC includes its own [[in-house]] developed audio-player, "''PAPlayer''" (which stands for "''Psycho-Acoustic Audio Player''"), and this audio-player core's most notable features are [[on-the-fly]] [[resampling (audio)|resampling]] of the audio frequency, [[gapless playback]], [[Fade (audio engineering)|crossfading]], [[ReplayGain]], [[cue sheet (music software)|cue sheet]] and [[Ogg]] Chapter support.
The "''PAPlayer''" audio-player handles a very large variety of audio file-formats, and it also supports most different tagging standards. XBMC also have support for most popular [[karaoke]] computer file formats, and is able to play and display timed song lyrics graphics/text from [[CD+G]], [[LRC (file format)|LRC]], and [[Karaoke|KAR]] files.<ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art"/>
 
====Digital picture/image display in detail====
XBMC handles all common [[digital camera|digital picture/image formats]] with the options of [[Ken burns effect|panning/zooming]] and [[slideshow]] with "[[Ken Burns Effect]]", with the use of [http://www.codeproject.com/bitmap/cximage.asp CxImage] open source [[library (computing)|library]] code. XBMC can also handle [[Comic Book Archive file|CBZ (ZIP) and CBR (RAR) comic book archive files]], this feature lets users view/read, browse and [[Digital zoom|zoom]] the pictures of comics pages these contain without uncompressing them first.<ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/>
 
==Mobile remote control software associated with XBMC==
''XBMC Remote for Android'' is a free and open source official app released by Team-XBMC on the [[Android Market]] for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices, It also allows for browsing the media library, and allows for [[Touchscreen remote control|remote controlling]] of an installed and concurrently-active XBMC session running on a computer via the Android's device touchscreen user interface.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://code.google.com/p/android-xbmcremote/ |title=Official XBMC Remote for Android |publisher=Google  |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishtechreport.se/?p=3696 |title=Official XBMC Remote for Android released |publisher=Swedishtechreport.se |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talkandroid.com/6960-xbmc-remote-for-android-now-official/ |title=XBMC Remote for Android now official |publisher=Talkandroid.com |date=19 July 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
Several third-party developers have also released multiple [[unofficial]] XBMC remote control apps for [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Symbian]], [[Windows Mobile]], and [[Windows Phone]] devices, as well [[iOS (Apple)|Apple iOS]] devices such as [[iPad]], [[iPod Touch]], and [[iPhone]]. Some of these remote control apps are made specifically for controlling XBMC, while some universal remote control apps are capable of controlling many different media center and media player applications, and some of these third-party remote apps cost money while others are free.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5501010/enhance-your-xbmc-experience-with-remote-controls-for-any-device |title=Enhance Your XBMC Experience with Remote Controls for Any Device |publisher=Lifehacker.com |date=24 March 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visualxbmc.com |title=Visual XBMC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collect3.com.au/xbmc-remote/ |title=XBMC Remote by Collect3 |publisher=Collect3.com.au |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.devices.com/iphone-xbmc-remote-control.html |title=http://www.devices.com/iphone-xbmc-remote-control.html[http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xbmc-remote-hd/id364270422?mt=8 XBMC Remote HD By Netwalk |publisher=Devices.com |date=11 March 2009 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://wmpoweruser.com/xbmc-remote7great-remote-control-for-xbox-media-center/ XBMC Remote7–Great remote control for Xbox Media Center]</ref>
 
==Official Team-XBMC ports of XBMC==
Due to the dated hardware of the Xbox and a desire to expand the project's end-user and developer-base many official [[porting|ports]] of XBMC to computer operating-systems and hardware platforms now exist. Through the processing power of modern computer hardware, XBMC is able to decode [[high-definition video]] up to and beyond [[1080p]] resolutions, bypassing hardware limitations of the original Xbox version of XBMC.
 
However in the latest official release of XBMC there is [[Video Acceleration API|hardware accelerated video decoding]] for [[DXVA]], [[VDPAU]], [[VAAPI]] GPU hardware video decoding, as well as hardware accelerated video decoding via [[ARM NEON]], and [[OpenMAX]], Broadcom Crystal HD.<ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/><ref name="Broadcom Crystal HD">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/davilla/2009/12/29/broadcom-crystal-hd-its-magic/ |title=Broadcom Crystal HD, It’s Magic |author=Scott Davilla |date=2009-12-29 |work=xbmc.org}}</ref><ref name="XBMC & Broadcom Bring 1080p Decode Upgrade to ill-equipped netbooks, nettops, Apple TVs">{{cite web|url=http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3701 |title=XBMC & Broadcom Bring 1080p Decode Upgrade to ill-equipped netbooks, nettops, Apple TVs |author=Anand Lal Shimpi |date=2009-12-29 |work=AnandTech}}</ref> The source code for XBMC is constantly updated on a daily basis by developers in a public subversion repository, this public subversion repository does therefore always contain more features and function than the most recent 'stable' releases.
 
===XBMC platforms===
;[[XBMC Live]]: Compatible with [[IA-32]]/[[x86]] and [[x86-64]] based computers, no prerequisite of an operating-system since this is bundled with XBMC Live.
;[[XBMC#XBMC for BSD|XBMC for BSD]]: Compatible with [[FreeBSD]] and other similar [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD UNIX]] derivatives like [[PC-BSD]], for IA-32/x86, x86-64, [[PowerPC]], and ARM-based computers.
;[[XBMC#XBMC for iOS|XBMC for iOS]]: Compatible with [[Apple Inc]]'s [[iDevice]]s that uses [[Apple A4]] or [[Apple A5]] ([[ARM architecture|ARM]]-based processor) have a [[iOS jailbreaking|jailbroken]] [[iOS (Apple)|iOS]] operating-system, these devices include the second-generation [[Apple TV]] (a.k.a. ''Apple TV 2''), [[iPhone 4]], fourth-generation [[iPod Touch]], the [[iPad]] and the [[iPad 2]].
;[[XBMC#XBMC for Linux|XBMC for Linux]]: Compatible with IA-32/x86, x86-64, [[PowerPC]], and ARM-based computers or [[System-on-a-chip|SoC (System-on-a-Chip)]] with supported Linux operating-systems that has all the required hardware resources and software dependencies installed.
;[[XBMC#XBMC for Mac|XBMC for Mac]]: Compatible with PowerPC, IA-32/x86 and x86-64 based [[Macintosh|Mac computers]] running Mac OS X ([[Mac OS X v10.6|Snow Leopard]], [[Mac OS X v10.5|Leopard]] or [[Mac OS X v10.4|Tiger]]), and the Apple TV.
;[[XBMC#XBMC for Windows|XBMC for Windows]]: Compatible with [[Windows XP]], [[Windows Vista]], and [[Windows 7]].
;[[XBMC#XBMC for Xbox|XBMC for Xbox]]: Compatible with the original first-generation Xbox game-console from Microsoft. The Xbox version is no longer a supported platform by Team-XBMC, it had its [[End-of-life (product)|EOL]] on 27 May 2010, so see the [[XBMC4Xbox]] fork instead.
 
====XBMC Live====
[[XBMC Live]] is a free [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]]-based [[Linux distribution]] with [[XBMC#XBMC for Linux|XBMC for Linux]] already installed and pre-configured, providing a complete packaged [[Home theater PC|media center]] software suite for all IA-32/x86-based personal computers. XBMC Live uses [[XBMC Media Center]] for all media playback and is implemented as a bootable [[Live CD]] primarily designed for [[Bare-metal restore|bare-metal installation]]s to achieve [[instant on]] type [[Booting|boot]], as well as for [[Demo (marketing)|interactive demonstrations]].<ref>http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=XBMC_Live XBMC Live</ref><ref name="XBMC Live 9.11"/><ref name="XBMC Live Atlantis Beta1!"/><ref name="XBMC Live 8.10 (Atlantis) released"/>
 
As a Live CD, the system does not need to be permanently installed to a [[hard disk drive]], as most [[operating system]]s would. Instead, the computer can simply be booted with the XBMC Live CD when media playback is desired. This is a reasonable approach for those who do not need media playback services while performing other tasks with the same computer, or for users who wish to repurpose older computers as media center, and for those seeking a free alternative to [[Windows Media Center]], or for those who simply want to try out the XBMC Media Center software for the first time without having to install anything. The Microsoft MCE Remote and IR-receiver dongle for [[Windows Media Center]] works with XBMC Live directly [[out of the box]], which mean that Windows Media Center users with these can try out the XBMC Live without requiring any additional hardware.<ref name="XBMC Live 9.11"/><ref name="XBMC Live Atlantis Beta1!"/><ref name="XBMC Live 8.10 (Atlantis) released"/>
 
Following the principles of [[Mythbuntu]], [[KnoppMyth]], [[Mythdora]], and [[GeeXboX]], XBMC Live is also designed to simplify a permanent installation of XBMC Media Center onto a computer to be used as a dedicated [[Home Theater PC|HTPC (Home Theater PC)]] in the living-room, as such the user can directly install XBMC Media Center from the bootable XBMC Live CD to either a [[USB flash drive]] or to an internal [[hard disk drive]] as it comes with a complete [[instant on]] ([[Embedded Linux|Linux based]]) [[embedded operating system]]. When installed onto a USB flash drive or internal hard disk drive, XBMC Live has the ability to save settings and make updates to XBMC Media Center and the operating-system back onto the USB flash drive or hard disk drive that it is installed onto.  This is not possible when running XBMC Live off a CD-ROM as they are read-only and any changes to settings are only temporary meaning that they get reset back to defaults once the system is rebooted.<ref name="XBMC Live 9.11"/><ref name="XBMC Live Atlantis Beta1!"/><ref name="XBMC Live 8.10 (Atlantis) released"/>
 
====XBMC for BSD====
''XBMC for BSD'', which is a full port of XBMC to [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD UNIX]] operating-systems. Compatible with [[FreeBSD]] and other similar  derivatives like [[PC-BSD]], for IA-32/x86, x86-64, [[PowerPC]], and ARM-based computers, including hardware accelerated video decoding via [[VDPAU]] API on Nvidia's GPUs and [[VAAPI]] API for [[AMD Radeon|AMD/ATI Radeon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=ODkwMg |title=XBMC 10 Is Imminent, XBMC 11 Is Already In Planning |publisher=Phoronix.com |date=12 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluelife.at/blog/articles/20101208-XBMC_Port_for_FreeBSD/ |title=XBMC Port for FreeBSD |publisher=Bluelife.at |date=13 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluelife.at/blog/articles/20101229-XBMC_10.0_is_available_in_the_FreeBSD_ports_collection_now!/ |title=XBMC 10.0 is available in the FreeBSD ports collection now! |publisher=Bluelife.at |date=29 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-multimedia/2010-December/011423.html |title=Call for Testers: XBMC 10.0 (FreeBSD Mailing List) |publisher=Lists.freebsd.org |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/ports/multimedia/xbmc/ ports/multimedia/xbmc/</ref>
 
====XBMC for iOS====
''XBMC for iOS'', which is a full port of XBMC to Apple's iOS operating-system, was first announced and released publicly on 20 January 2011. It supports both 720p and 1080p hardware accelerated video decoding of [[H.264]] videos, and is compatible with all [[Apple Inc]]'s [[iDevice]]'s that uses [[Apple A4]] or [[Apple A5]] (ARM-based) processors with a jailbroken iOS operating-system. These iDevices include the second-generation [[Apple TV]] (a.k.a. ''Apple TV 2''), iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, fourth-generation iPod Touch, iPad and the iPad 2.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lavey |first=Megan |url=http://www.tuaw.com/2011/01/20/xbmc-for-ios-and-atv2-now-available/ |title=XBMC for iOS and Apple TV now available |publisher=Tuaw.com |date=20 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/01/20/xbmc_ported_to_a4_based_apple_tv_ipad_iphone_4_brings_apps_1080p.html |title=XBMC ported to A4-based Apple TV, iPad, iPhone 4, brings apps, 1080p |publisher=Appleinsider.com |date=20 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/xbmc-hack-transforms-your-apple-tv-into-a-1080p-media-centre-video-21-01-2011/ |title=XBMC Hack Transforms Your Apple TV Into A 1080p Media Centre |publisher=Geeky-gadgets.com |date=21 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tektok.ca/2011/01/xbmc-for-ios-devices-is-now-available-via-cydia/ |title=XBMC for iOS devices is now available via Cydia |publisher=Tektok.ca |date=21 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/20/xbmc-comes-to-the-new-apple-tv/ |title=XBMC comes to the new Apple TV, we go hands-on |publisher=Engadget.com |date=20 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/20/xbmc-comes-to-the-ipad/ |title=XBMC comes to the iPad |publisher=Engadget.com |date=20 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/5739364/how-to-install-xbmc-on-your-apple-tv-2 |title=http://lifehacker.com/5739364/how-to-install-xbmc-on-your-apple-tv-2 |publisher=Lifehacker.com |date=20 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Foresman |first=Chris |url=http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/01/xbmc-on-appletv-ios-jailbreak |title=XBMC now running on jailbroken Apple TV or iDevice |publisher=Arstechnica.com |date=21 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toptechreviews.net/tech-news/xbmc-now-works-on-jailbroken-apple-tv-or-idevice/ |title=XBMC now works on jailbroken Apple TV or iDevice |publisher=Toptechreviews.net |date=21 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
====XBMC for Linux====
''XBMC for Linux'' is primarily developed for [[Ubuntu Linux]] and XBMC's developers' own "''[[XBMC Live]]''" (Live CD Linux distribution prepackaged with XBMC as a preconfigured media center [[software appliance]] operating-system). Third-party packages for most other Linux distributions are however available, and it is also possible to compile XBMC Media Center from scratch for any Linux distribution as long as the prerequired dependency libraries are installed first. XBMC for Linux is currently the only stable version of XBMC to support hardware accelerated video decoding, and this is achieved via the [[VDPAU]] API on Nvidia's GPUs, and via the [[VAAPI]] API for [[AMD Radeon|AMD/ATI Radeon]], [[S3 Graphics]], and [[Intel]]'s newer [[Integrated Graphics Processor]]s, as well as hardware accelerated video decoding via [[OpenMAX]], [[ARM NEON]], Broadcom Crystal HD on systems with supporting hardware.<ref name="Broadcom Crystal HD"/><ref name="XBMC & Broadcom Bring 1080p Decode Upgrade to ill-equipped netbooks, nettops, Apple TVs"/> Development version of XBMC for Linux is available at [[Launchpad (website)|Launchpad]] as [[Personal Package Archive|PPA (Personal Package Archive)]] for the standard [[Ubuntu Desktop]] version 8.04 and later, as well as [[deb (file format)|DEB packages]] for [[Debian]].
 
====XBMC for Mac====
''XBMC for Mac'' runs natively on [[Mac OS X]] ([[Mac OS X v10.7|Lion]], [[Mac OS X v10.6|Snow Leopard]], [[Mac OS X v10.5|Leopard]], [[Mac OS X v10.4|Tiger]]), as well as on the Apple TV. 1080p playback can be achieved on [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] computers either via software decoding on the CPU if it is powerful enough, or by hardware accelerated video decoding via Broadcom Crystal HD.<ref name="Broadcom Crystal HD"/><ref name="XBMC & Broadcom Bring 1080p Decode Upgrade to ill-equipped netbooks, nettops, Apple TVs"/>
 
1080p playback on the Apple TV (a.k.a. "ATV") can only be achieved by hardware accelerated video decoding via Broadcom Crystal HD, the user must replace the ATV's internal WiFi adapter with a Broadcom Crystal HD [[PCI Express Mini Card|PCI Express Mini (mini-PCIe) card]] in order to activate this functionality.<ref name="Broadcom Crystal HD"/><ref name="XBMC & Broadcom Bring 1080p Decode Upgrade to ill-equipped netbooks, nettops, Apple TVs"/>
 
====XBMC for Windows====
''XBMC for Windows'' runs natively on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, it is a [[32-bit]] application but runs on [[64-bit]] Windows and hardware as well, however it is not yet optimized for that architecture so there is no performance gain when running on 64-bit Windows. 1080p playback can be achieved on Windows based computers either via software decoding on the CPU if it's powerful enough, or by hardware accelerated video decoding.
 
Hardware video decoding via [[DirectX Video Acceleration]]<ref name="Initial native support for DXVA2 in SVN">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=69306 |title=Initial native support for DXVA2 in SVN – Time to say goodbye to your firstborns  |author=Spiff |date=2010-02-02 |work=xbmc.org}}</ref><ref name="Changeset 27376">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/trac/changeset/27376 |title=Changeset 27376 |author=elupus |date=2010-02-01 |work=xbmc.org}}</ref> is now supported although this enhancement currently only runs on Windows Vista and Windows 7 due to the author's currently using the DXVA 2.0 API which is not supported in Windows XP.<ref name="XBMC Roadmap">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/trac/roadmap |title=XBMC Roadmap |date=2010-02-08 |work=xbmc.org}}</ref>
 
====XBMC for Xbox====
{{See also|XBMC4Xbox}}
The 9.04 (codename: ''Babylon'') point-release version of XBMC for Xbox which was released on 6 May 2009 as the last 'stable' version of XBMC for Xbox. The original developers of XBMC have since issued a statement said that they will no longer develop or support XBMC for Xbox as part of the XBMC project as of the 27 May 2010. The development of XBMC for Xbox ended because the focus for all Team XBMC developers has completely shifted to the Linux, Mac, and Windows versions of XBMC instead.
 
Even though the original XBMC project no longer develops or supports XBMC for the Xbox, an XBMC version for the Xbox is still available via the [[third-party developer]] [[Brand extension|spin-off]] project "[[XBMC4Xbox]]", who have completely taken over the development and support of XBMC for the old Xbox.<ref name="Farewell XBOX"/><ref name="XBMC Discontinues Xbox Support"/><ref name="XBMC Drops Support for the Original Xbox"/><ref name="XBMC4Xbox"/>
 
XBMC for Xbox was never an [[authorized|authorized/signed]] Microsoft product, therefore a [[Xbox#Modding|modification of the Xbox]] is required in order to run XBMC on an Xbox game-console. XBMC for Xbox can be run as an [[application software|application]] (like any Xbox game), or as a [[Xbox Dashboard|dashboard]] that appears directly when the Xbox is turned on.<ref name="XboxMediaCenter Review"/><ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/><ref name="Review of XBMC in Hardcore Gamer Magazine"/><ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art"/> Since XBMC for Xbox was part of an [[open source]] software program, its development [[source code]] was stored on a publicly accessible [[subversion (software)|subversion repository]]. Accordingly, unofficial [[executable]] builds from the subversion repository are often released by [[third-party developer|third-parties]] on sites unaffiliated with the official XBMC project. It should be noted, however, that [[executable]] builds from development versions typically contain bugs not present in the most recent 'stable' release versions of XBMC for Xbox.<ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/><ref name="Review of XBMC in Hardcore Gamer Magazine"/>
 
==Commercial XBMC Systems==
The developers of XBMC state that as long as the GPL licensing of the XBMC software is respected they would love for XBMC to run on as many third-party hardware platforms and [[operating system]]s as possible, as "'''''Powered by XBMC'''''" branded devices and systems. With XBMC being pre-installed as a [[third-party software component]] that commercial and non-commercial companies and [[Original design manufacturer|ODM]]/[[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]]'s can use [[royalty-free]] on their own hardware, hardware such as [[set-top box]]es from [[Television station|cable-TV companies]], [[Blu-ray Disc]] and [[DVD player]]s, [[Video game console|game-consoles]], or [[Embedded system|embedded computers]] and [[System-on-a-chip|SoC (System-on-a-Chip)]] built-in to [[television set]]s for web-enabled TVs, and other entertainment devices for the living room entertainment system, [[home cinema]], or similar uses.<ref name="xbmc.org">http://xbmc.org/about/commercial-use/ Commercial use of XBMC</ref>
 
Below is a list of third-party companies who sell hardware bundled with XBMC Media Center or XBMC Live pre-install, or sell uninstalled systems that specifically claim to be XBMC-compatible. Many of these third-party companies help submit bug fixes and new features back upstream to the original XBMC project.<ref name="xbmc.org"/>
 
===AIRIS Telebision===
AIRIS Telebision, sold by Telebision in Spain and designed specifically for the Spanish market, is a [[nettop]] based on [[Nvidia Ion]] chipset, preinstalled [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]] base with XBMC for Linux and a customized AEON skin and Spanish plugins. Other than the modified skin, what is unique with the AIRIS Telebision's XBMC build is that it comes with a [[digital distribution]] service platform that they call their "App Store" which lets users download new Spanish plugins and updates for existing plugins. Telebision also lets users download a Live CD version of their software as [[freeware]], which lets users install their Telebision distribution on any Nvidia Ion based computer.
 
===Lucida TV II===
Lucida TV II, made by LUCIDQ inc, is a nettop based on Nvidia Ion chipset which can be ordered with [[Xubuntu]] and XBMC software installed.
 
===Marusys MS630S and MS850S===
Marusys MS630S and MS850S are high-definition PVR-ready set-top-boxes with the ability to run Linux-based media players like XBMC, and Marusys is advertising these two devices as compatible with XBMC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/19/marusys-ms630s-and-ms850s-set-top-boxes-stream-straight-to-your/ |title=arusys MS630S and MS850S set-top boxes stream straight to your iPhone |work=Engadget |date=2010-04-19 |accessdate=2010-05-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marusys.com/brochure_v.01/MS630S.pdf |title=Marusys MS630S Brochure |work=Marusys.com |accessdate=2010-05-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marusys.com/brochure_v.01/MS850S.pdf |title=Marusys MS850S Brochure |work=Marusys.com |accessdate=2010-05-17}}</ref>
 
===Myka ION===
Myka ION is a fanless Nvidia Ion based set-top device designed to bring internet television and media stored on the home network to the living-room, it comes pre-installed with XBMC Media Center, [[Boxee]], and [[Hulu#Hulu Desktop|Hulu Desktop]] as applications that can be started from the main menu.<ref>[http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/2009/11/06/myka-ion-hd-player-features-hulu-boxee-xbmc/ Myka ION HD Player – Features Hulu, Boxee, XBMC]</ref><ref>[http://www.ionbased.com/2009/11/myka-ion-the-fanless-nettop/ Myka ION – The Fanless Nettop]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/05/myka-ion-brings-the-atom-and-ion-graphics-into-the-living-room/ |title=Myka ION brings Intel Atom and ION graphics into the living room |publisher=Crunchgear.com |date=5 November 2009 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/2009/11/myka-ion-media-center/ Myka ION Media Center]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://myka.tv/myka-ion/software.html |title=Myka ION software |work=Myka.tv |accessdate=2010-02-13}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://myka.tv/myka-consumer.html |title=Myka ION Overview |publisher=Myka.tv |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://myka.tv/myka-consumer/software.html |title=Myka ION Software |publisher=Myka.tv |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
===Modified Konstructs MK-X1===
The MK-X1 by Modified Konstructs is an Nvidia Ion based set-top device based on [[Acer Aspire Revo]] that comes pre-loaded with XBMC, and the device has a recommended retail price of $300(US).<ref>{{cite web|author=Dave Freeman |url=http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/08/10/modified-konstructs-announces-custom-media-center/ |title=Modified Konstructs Announces Custom Media Center |publisher=Crunchgear.com |date=10 August 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
===Neuros LINK===
{{Main|Neuros Technology#Neuros LINK}}
[[Neuros Technology#Neuros LINK|Neuros LINK]] made by [[Neuros Technology]] is an open Ubuntu-based set-top device and media extender designed to bring internet television and other video to the television, it comes pre-install with XBMC Media Center.<ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiki.neurostechnology.com/index.php/XBMCLive_On_Link |title=XBMC Live on Neuros LINK |work=Wiki.neurostechnology.com |date=2009-07-29 |accessdate=2010-02-13}}</ref>
 
===Pulse-Eight===
{{Main|Pulse-Eight}}
[[Pulse-Eight|Pulse-Eight Limited]] sells both custom and off the shelf hardware solutions primarily designed for XBMC, such as remote controls, HTPC systems and accessories, including a custom HTPC PVR set-top-box pre-installed with XBMC that they call "''PulseBox''"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.pulse-eight.com/2011/09/22/pulsebox-out-10th-october/ |title=PulseBox out 10th October |publisher=Blog.pulse-eight.com |date=22 September 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pulse-eight.com/store/products/107-pulsebox-xbmc-based-home-theatre-pc.aspx |title=PulseBox – XBMC based Home Theatre PC Home Theatre Redefined |publisher=Pulse-eight.com |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/05/motorola-nyxboard-surfaces-from-the-dead-xbmc-reclaims-it/ |title=Motorola NYXboard surfaces from the dead, XBMC reclaims it (update) |publisher=Engadget |date=5 April 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fenlon |first=Wesley |url=http://www.tested.com/news/motorola-made-xbmc-remote-now-available-for-presale/2118/ |title=Motorola Made XBMC Remote Now Available for Presale |publisher=Tested |date=4 April 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pulse-eight.com/store/default.aspx |title=Pulse-Eight Store |publisher=Pulse-eight.com |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref> Pulse-Eight also offers free performance tuned embedded versions of XBMC that they call "''Pulse''" which is based on [[XBMC#OpenELEC|OpenELEC]] and a custom PVR-build of XBMC that is meant to on your dedicated HTPC system.<ref>http://packages.pulse-eight.net Pulse-Eight Packages</ref><ref>http://pulse.pulse-eight.net Pulse by Pulse-Eight</ref><ref>http://blog.pulse-eight.com/ Pulse-Eight Blog</ref><ref>https://github.com/Pulse-Eight Pulse-Eight Public Code Repositories on GitHub</ref>
 
===VeuBox===
VeuBox by CaptiveWorks Inc. is an Nvidia Ion based set-top device pre-installed with XBMC Media Center, Hulu Desktop, SopCast, [[TVUnetworks]], and [[Firefox]] as applications that can be started from the main menu. The underlying operating-system is [[Gentoo Linux]], and CaptiveWorks is marketing the VeuBox as an open platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.veubox.com/about/ |title=About VeuBox |publisher=Veubox.com |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.veubox.com/open-architecture/ |title=Open Architecture |publisher=VeuBox |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benzinga.com/press-releases/10/10/p534313/captiveworks-inc-releases-its-new-hd-media-center-veubox |title=CaptiveWorks Inc. Releases its New HD Media Center VeuBox |publisher=Benzinga.com |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
===Xtreamer Ultra===
{{Main|Xtreamer#Xtreamer Ultra}}
Xtreamer Ultra, manufactured by the [[South Korea]]n company [[Unicorn Information Systems]], is a nettop based on Nvidia Ion chipset which came be ordered with [[XBMC#OpenELEC|OpenELEC]] and XBMC software pre-installed.<ref>http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS7310044850.html XBMC-based embedded Linux distro debuts on HTPC mini-PC</ref><ref>http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/OpenELEC-and-Xtreamer-Ultra/ XBMC-based embedded Linux distro debuts on HTPC mini-PC</ref>
 
===Zotac MAG and ZBOX series===
{{Main|Zotac#ZOTAC Boost XL software bundle}}
Since 10 September of 2010, ZOTAC is shipping a [[Product bundling|software bundle]] that they call "''ZOTAC Boost XL''" with all their new [[motherboard]]s and [[Mini-PC]]s, such as Zotac's "''ZBOX"'' and "''MAG''" series of Nettops which Zotac also does [[In-store demonstration|demo]]s of with XBMC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zotac.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=507&Itemid=100077&lang=en |title=XBMC-Media Centre Video Podcast from |publisher=ZOTAC |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbmc.org/theuni/2010/05/04/zotac-shows-off-with-xbmc/ |title=Zotac shows off with XBMC |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=4 May 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref> This "''ZOTAC Boost XL''" software bundle consist of the [[software applications]]; [[Auslogics BoostSpeed]], [[Cooliris]], Kylo (HDTV-optimized Web Browser), and [[XBMC Media Center]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bit-tech.net/news/industry/2010/09/11/zotac-announces-boost-xl-software-bundle-fo/1 |title=ZOTAC Announces Boost XL Software Bundle for Platforms |publisher=Bit-tech.net |date=11 September 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zotac.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=522%3Azotac-announces-boost-xl-software-bundle-for-platforms&catid=1&Itemid=268&lang=en |title=ZOTAC Announces Boost XL Software Bundle for Platforms |publisher=Zotac.com |date=10 September 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
Zotac's "''ZBOX"'' and "''MAG''" series of small [[Mini-PC]]s are all NVIDIA Ion based Nettop, and they are all sold in both as complete ready-to-use computer and as [[barebone computer]]s (without memory and hard drive). Zotac Zbox ID33 and Zbox ID34 are specifically marketed towards the HTPC market, where Zbox ID33 is the barebone model and the Zbox ID34 comes with a [[slot-loading]] [[Blu-ray Disc]] [[optical disc drive]], 2&nbsp;GB RAM, and a 250&nbsp;GB hard drive with Windows 7 pre-installed, neither does however come with a [[remote control]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/28/zotacs-zboxes-are-small-ion-fueled-and-cheap/ |title=Zotac's Zboxes are small, Ion-fueled, and cheap |publisher=Engadget.com |date=28 August 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/zotac-introduces-id33-and-id34-zbox-mini-pcs-complete-with-atom/ |title=Zotac introduces ID33 and ID34 Zbox mini PCs, complete with Atom D525 and Blu-ray |publisher=Engadget.com |date=8 September 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
==Third-party forks and derivative work of XBMC==
XBMC Media Center [[source code]] have over the years become a popular software to [[fork (software development)|fork]] and use as an [[Software framework|application framework platform]] for others to base their own [[Home theater PC|media center]] software on, as if XBMC were a [[GUI toolkit]], [[windowing system]], or [[window manager]]. Today at least [[Boxee]], [[MediaPortal]], [[Plexapp|Plex]], 9x9 Player, and [[Voddler]] are separate [[derivative work|derivative products]] that are all openly known to initially have [[fork (software development)|forked]] the [[Graphical user interface|GUI (Graphical User Interface)]] and media player part of their [[Computer software|software]] from XBMC's source code. Most of these third-party forks and derivative work of XBMC is said to still assist with submitting bug fixes [[upstream (software development)|upstream]] and sometimes help getting new features [[backporting|backported]] to the original XBMC project so that others can utilize it as well, shared from one main source.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="Thinking inside the box"/>
 
During the period from late 2010 and first half of 2011 different independent third-party developers also announced their development on ports of XBMC to [[MeeGo]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madeo.co.uk/?page_id=605 |title=Meego repository |publisher=Madeo.co.uk |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madeo.co.uk/?p=575 |title=XBMC repo for Meego |publisher=Madeo.co.uk |date=16 August 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madeo.co.uk/?p=546 |title=XBMC on Meego 1.0 |publisher=Madeo.co.uk |date=2 June 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meegoexperts.com/2011/03/xbmc-arm-intel-based-meego-1-2-beta/ |title=XBMC on ARM and Intel Based MeeGo 1.2 (Beta) |publisher=Meegoexperts.com |date=16 March 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cybercomchannel.com/using-xbmc-meego-12 |title=Using XBMC on MeeGo 1.2 |publisher=Cybercomchannel.com |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Ash |url=http://www.meegoexperts.com/2011/05/xbmc-running-meego-meego-conference-san-francisco/ |title=XBMC – Running on MeeGo at MeeGo Conference San Francisco |publisher=Meegoexperts.com |date=28 May 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://liliputing.com/2011/03/xbmc-media-center-running-on-arm-and-intel-based-meego-linux-devices.html XBMC media center running on ARM and Intel-based MeeGo Linux devices]</ref><ref name="wiki.meego.com">http://wiki.meego.com/MeeGo_Smart_TV_for_Trimslice MeeGo Smart TV for Trimslice</ref><ref name="madeo.co.uk">http://www.madeo.co.uk/?p=851 XBMC + MeeGo hardfp on trimslice – nvidia tegra2 (MeeGo TV)</ref><ref name="wiki.meego.com"/><ref name="youtube.com">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfhiz_ORbwE XBMC + MeeGo hardfp on trimslice – nvidia tegra2 (MeeGo TV)</ref><ref name="madeo.co.uk"/><ref name="youtube.com"/><ref name="meego1">https://build.pub.meego.com/package/show?package=xbmc-gles&project=home%3Aarfoll%3Axbmc-testing xbmc-gles</ref><ref name="meego1"/> [[OtherOS]] (for [[Cell (microprocessor)|Cell microprocessor]]),<ref name="PlayStation3 Port">{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/15/hacker-gets-xbmc-running-on-his-ps3-tells-you-how-video/ |title=Hacker gets XBMC running on his PS3, tells you how (video) |date=2010-05-15 |author=Tim Stevens |work=Engadget}}</ref> [[Broadcom]] BCM2835 SoC based devices (like [[Raspberry Pi]]),<ref>{{cite web|last=Heath |first=Nick |url=http://www.silicon.com/technology/hardware/2011/10/03/raspberry-pi-cheat-sheet-39748024/ |title=Raspberry Pi: Cheat Sheet |publisher=Silicon.com |date=3 October 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.raspberrypi.org/forum/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=534.0 XBMC Live USB Persistent]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?t=100885 |title=This is probobly going to be the best HTPC when its released! |publisher=Forum.xbmc.org |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref> as well as to [[Networked Media Tank]]<ref name="NMT Port">{{cite web|url=http://networkedmediatank.com/showthread.php?tid=40300 |title=[XBMC] A Port By ejp |date=2010-05-11 |author=ejp}}</ref> and other [[Sigma Designs]] ([[MIPS architecture]]) based SoC devices.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbmc.org/theuni/2011/01/05/xbmc-port-from-sigma/ |title=XBMC Port From Sigma |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=5 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbmc.org/theuni/2011/01/12/more-about-sigma/ |title=More About Sigma |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=12 January 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sigmadesigns.com/uploads/library/press_releases/110104.pdf |title=Sigma Designs Upgrades The Front Of Screen Experience |format=PDF |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/sigma-designs-announces-direct-xmbc-support-for-wild-next-gen-st/ Home Entertainment
Sigma Designs announces direct XBMC support for wild next-gen streamers</ref><ref>[http://www.lunarsoft.net/frontpage/sigma-designs-will-have-direct-xbmc-support-for-next-gen-streamers Sigma Designs will have direct XBMC support for next-gen streamers]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref>
 
===9x9 Player for 9x9CloudTV===
9x9 Player (by Santa Clara, CA based 9x9Network) is an open source software media player client for 9x9Network's 9x9CloudTV [[peer-to-peer]] TV delivery network over internet. The frontend of this media player client uses XBMC's source code as its application framework platform,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.9x9network.com/us/en/what/cloudTV.html |title=9x9CloudTV Basics |publisher=9x9network.com |date=1 April 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref> and 9x9Network as a company is also an official sponsor of the XBMC development project.<ref name="9x9Network Sponsors XBMC">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/theuni/2010/02/17/welcome-sponsor-9x9-networks/ |title=Welcome Sponsor: 9x9 Networks |author=theuni |date=2010-02-17 |work=XBMC}}</ref><ref name="9x9 an Official Sponsor of XBMC Media Center">{{cite web|url=http://9x9cloudtv.blogspot.com/2010/03/9x9-official-sponsor-of-xbmc-media.html |title=9x9 an Official Sponsor of XBMC Media Center |author=Jack Chang |date=2020-03-25 |work=9x9 Blog}}</ref>
 
===Boxee===
{{Main|Boxee}}
[[Boxee]], (produced by startup company ''Boxee Inc.''), is a [[freeware]] and partially open source software cross-platform media center and entertainment hub with [[social networking]] features that is a commercial [[fork (software development)|fork]] of XBMC software.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/396382/boxee-is-xbmc-with-newer-look-and-social-flair |title=Boxee Is XBMC with Newer Look and Social Flair |author=Adam Pash |date=2008-06-23 |work=lifehacker}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.boxee.tv/2008/06/25/why-we-made-boxee-social/ |title=boxee blog – why we made boxee social |author=Avner Ronen |date=2008-06-25 |work=Boxee}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.appletvhacks.net/2008/07/03/boxee-mini-review/55 |title=Boxee mini review |author= |date=2008-07-03 |work=Apple TV Hacks}}</ref> Boxee now supports Windows, Linux, and OSX, with the first Alpha made available on 16 June 2008. Boxee as a company is also an official sponsor of the XBMC development project.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="Thinking inside the box"/><ref name="blog.boxee.tv">{{cite web|url=http://blog.boxee.tv/2008/06/16/boxee-for-mac-is-available-for-download/ |title=boxee for Mac first alpha release is available for download |author=Avner Ronen |date=2008-06-18 |work=Boxee}}</ref><ref name="gizmodo.com.au">{{cite web|last=Kidman |first=Angus |url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/10/history-of-boxee-1-starting-with-a-different-kind-of-box/ |title=History Of Boxee: Starting With A Different Kind Of Box}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/10/history-of-boxee-xbmc-moves-beyond-the-console/ History Of Boxee: XBMC Moves Beyond The Console</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/10/history-of-boxee-and-boxee-was-born-slowly/ History Of Boxee: And Boxee Was Born, Slowly</ref><ref name="ReferenceC">http://www.gizmodo.com.au/tags/history-of-boxee/ History of boxee</ref><ref>[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101028006118/en/Boxee-CEO-Demo-Boxee-Box-D-Link-Streaming Boxee CEO to Demo New Boxee Box by D-Link at Streaming Media West Conference]</ref>
 
===GeeXboX===
{{Main|GeeXboX}}
'''GeeXboX''' is a free and open source [[Live USB]]/[[Live CD]] based [[Linux distribution]] providing a [[Home theater PC|HTPC]] software suite for personal computers and ARM-devices that since version 2.0 comes with a pre-configured version of XBMC media center as its media player and GUI.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/GeeXboX-Media-Center-distribution-reaches-2-0-1346306.html |title=GeeXboX Media Center distribution reaches 2.0 |publisher=H-online.com |date=20 September 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/20/geexbox-liveusb-htpc-linux-distro-hits-v2-0-adds-arm-support-fo/ |title=GeeXboX LiveUSB HTPC Linux distro hits v2.0, adds ARM support for multi-core video decoding |publisher=Engadget.com |date=20 September 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
===iConsole===
iConsole (formerly known under the project codename "''Full Circle''"), produced by startup company MechaWorks, is a freeware and partially open source media center and entertainment hub with [[video game console]] features that is initially a [[fork (software development)|fork]] of XBMC and [[Boxee]] software.<ref name="How Full Circle Got Started">{{cite web|url=http://www.christopherprice.net/thank-you-dreamcast-heres-a-console-in-your-honor-1338.html |title=How Full Circle Got Started |date=2009-09-10 |author=Christopher Price |work=christopherprice.net blog}}</ref><ref name="New Gaming Console On Its Way">{{cite web|url=http://origin.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=67013 |title=New Gaming Console On Its Way |date=2009-09-16 |author=Barry White |work=News10.net}}</ref><ref name="An Update on Full Circle">{{cite web|url=http://www.mechaworks.com/an-update-on-full-circle-432/ |title=An Update on Full Circle |date=2009-11-19 |author=Christopher Price |work=christopherprice.net blog}}</ref><ref name="HoAnnouncing Full Circle - The Open, Cross-Platform, Cloud Gaming Console">{{cite web|url=http://www.symbianone.com/content/view/6487/130/ |title=Announcing Full Circle – The Open, Cross-Platform, Cloud Gaming Console |date=2009-09-17 |author=MechaWorks |work=SymbianOne}}</ref><ref name="MechaWorks Full Circle">{{cite web|url=http://www.mechaworks.com/fullcircle/ |title=MechaWorks Full Circle Project Page}}</ref><ref name="iConsole">{{cite web|url=http://www.iconsole.vg |title=iConsole Official Website}}</ref> The first public Alpha release will be as a [[Linux|Linux based]] distribution, primarily designed to be installed on a computer's empty harddive to make a computer in to a dedicated [[HTPC]], similar to that of the [[XBMC Live]] distro but specifically targeted to a minimum [[set-top box]] hardware setup.<ref name="How Full Circle Got Started"/><ref name="An Update on Full Circle"/><ref name="MechaWorks Full Circle"/><ref name="iConsole"/><ref name="iConsole Signups Are Live, Get in the First Wave">{{cite web|url=http://www.christopherprice.net/iconsole-signups-are-live-get-in-the-first-wave-1453.html |title=iConsole Signups Are Live, Get in the First Wave |date=2010-01-20 |author=Christopher Price |work=christopherprice.net blog}}</ref>
 
===MediaPortal===
{{Main|MediaPortal}}
[[MediaPortal]] is free and open source software media center written for Microsoft Windows that is initially based on [[fork (software development)|fork]]ed XBMC source code by Erwin Beckers (a.k.a. Frodo, who was also one of the original founders of XBMC) in February 2004. The reason for this fork to Microsoft Windows was to get away from hardware limitations of the Xbox platform that XBMC development started on, mainly because of the Xbox inability to support TV-tuner adapters natively as Erwin wanted [[Personal Video Recorder|PVR]] functionality. Now after several years and innumerable feature changes there has been almost a complete re-design of the source code, however the skinning engine of MediaPortal 1.X.X still remains very similar to that of the original XBMC software making it relatively easy for people to port skins/themes back and forth between the two projects, something that is done quite frequently.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="Thinking inside the box"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.team-mediaportal.com/about_mediaportal.html |title=MediaPortal History as told by Team-MediaPortal |author=Team-MediaPortal |date=2008-09-01 |work=Team-MediaPortal}}</ref>
 
===Plex===
{{Main|Plex (software)}}
On 21 May 2008, XBMC developer Elan Feingold [[fork (software development)|fork]]ed the source code of XBMC and started a new project called Plex, (previously this Mac OS X port of XBMC was informally known as the "''OSXBMC''" project). Feingold said that he would still try to collaborate with most Team-XBMC members behind the scenes and at least try to keep Plex skinning engine compatible with XBMC skins.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="CrunchGear Interview: We talk to the lead developer of Plex Media Center for Mac OS X: It was doing Boxee-like stuff before Boxee was cool"/><ref name="Thinking inside the box"/><ref>{{cite web| first=Elan | url=http://www.osxbmc.com/2008-05-21/exodus/ | title=Exodus | work=Plex | date=2007-05-21 | accessdate=2008-07-22}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/forum/showpost.php?p=186843&postcount=13|title=XBMC Community Forum: XBMC for Mac forked for a separate project called PLEX (formarly known as "OSXBMC")|date=2008-05-23|work=XBMC Community Forum|accessdate=2009-03-15}}</ref> While Plex began as a [[free software]] [[hobby|hobby project]], since 2010 it is [[commercial software]] ([[freeware]]) that is today owned and developed by a single for-profit [[startup company]], ''Plex, Inc.'', and today parts of what Plex offers is [[Proprietary software|closed source proprietary software]] for a cost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elan.plexapp.com/2010/09/02/plex-and-the-future-of-television/ |title=Plex and the Future of Television |publisher=Elan.plexapp.com |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://plexapp.com/press_LG.php |title=Plex To Enable Next Generation Of Netcast™ Connected Tv’S |publisher=Plexapp.com |date=3 September 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/plex-announces-paternship-with-lg-pledges-to-beat-boxee-box-and/ |title=Plex announces partnership with LG, pledges to beat Boxee Box and Apple TV for free |publisher=Engadget.com |date=3 September 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
Feingold was the Team-XBMC member who first initiated the Mac OS X port of XBMC, but soon after he left the original XBMC project due to what was arguably a falling-out with rest of Team-XBMC's developer members over the team's majorities feeling that the XBMC project should aim for strict adherence to the [[GNU General Public License|GPL]] and always keep to an [[open-source software]] mindset. This disagreement is claimed to be one of the main factors that led Elan to leave the XBMC project and create the Plex fork.<ref name="Thinking inside the box"/><ref name="XBMC for Mac">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/forum/showpost.php?p=186843&postcount=13|title=XBMC for Mac forked for a separate project called PLEX (formarly known as "OSXBMC")|date=2008-05-23|publisher=XBMC Community Forum|accessdate=2009-03-15}}</ref><ref name="CrunchGear Interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/01/15/interview-we-talk-to-the-lead-developer-of-plex-media-center-for-mac-os-x-it-was-doing-boxee-like-stuff-before-boxee-was-cool/ |title=CrunchGear Interview: We talk to the lead developer of Plex Media Center for Mac OS X: It was doing Boxee-like stuff before Boxee was cool |date=2010-01-15 |author=Nicholas Deleon |publisher=CrunchGear}}</ref> Some Team-XBMC members are still quite vocal in the XBMC community forums about the fact that they still think that Plex developers continue to be on the border of violating the GPL and other open source licenses, not to mention that they often feel that Plex developers are violating the spirit and innate essence of [[open source software development]] when they do so.
 
===XBMC4STB project by Vu+===
{{Main|Vu+}}
'''Vu+''' (or VUplus), is produced by German multimedia vendor, which is a manufacturer of [[Linux]]-powered [[Digital Video Broadcasting|DVB]] [[DVB-S|satellite]], [[DVB-T|terrestrial]] [[digital television]] receivers ([[set-top box]]) that all currently uses [[Dreambox|Enigma2 for Dreambox]] based software as [[firmware]].
 
In September of 2011 Vu+ Day in Amsterdam it was announced that the next-generation Vu+ DVB satellite receivers to be released publicly in the end of 2012 will be using [[XBMC Media Center]] software for its [[GUI]], a development project that they call "''XBMC4STB''" (''XBMC for Set-Top-Boxes''), with beta releases of both the software and hardware said to be made available to XBMC developers before then .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vuplus-community.net/board/threads/vu-day-in-amsterdam.3197/ |title=Vu+ Day in Amsterdam – VUplus XBMC |publisher=Vuplus-community.net |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
===Voddler===
{{Main|Voddler}}
[[Voddler]] is a commercial [[video-on-demand]] service and client software streaming movies and television programming, similar to [[Spotify]] and [[Grooveshark]] but for video. From its first release at 1 July 2009 up until 24 February 2010, Voddler's media player software was initially based on a fork of the XBMC open source code.<ref name="Voddler använder XBMC"/><ref name="Thinking inside the box"/><ref>{{cite web| first=GrandAnse | url=http://www.xbmc.nu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177:voddler-anvaender-xbmc&catid=37&Itemid=2 | title=Voddler använder XBMC (Uppdaterad!) | work=xbmc.nu | language=Swedish | date=2009-07-02 | accessdate=2009-07-02}}</ref><ref name="ComputerSweden">{{cite web|url=http://www.idg.se/2.1085/1.238079/premiar-for-ny-svensk-filmtjanst |title=Premiär för ny svensk filmtjänst |author=Daniel Goldberg | language=Swedish |date=2009-07-01 |work=Computer Sweden}}</ref><ref name="Bredbandsbolaget">{{cite web|url=http://www.bredbandsbolaget.se/wps/portal/privat/bredband?page=new&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/kampanjer/voddler |title=Bredbandsbolaget Voddler Beta Kampanj |author=Bredbandsbolaget | language=Swedish |date=2009-07-01 |work=Bredbandsbolaget}}</ref><ref name="Voddler och tekniken">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbmc.nu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=184:exklusivt-voddler-och-tekniken&catid=49:voddler-allmaent&Itemid=2 |title=Exklusivt: Voddler och tekniken |author=Richard Skalsky (a.k.a. GrandAnse) | language=Swedish |date=2009-08-06 |work=xbmc.nu}}</ref> Voddler violated the [[GNU General Public License Version 2|license]] for XBMC's source code by neglecting to release all of their modifications that they used in their application as required per the [[GPL]], and they have been publicly criticized for this.<ref>{{cite web|title=voddler.com is in violation of GPL |url=http://lists.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/ffmpeg-devel/2009-October/077547.html |accessdate=2010-01-04 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Niklas |last=Andersson |url=http://computersweden.idg.se/2.2683/1.280639/forbannade-voddlare-vill-se-koden |title=Förbannade Voddlare vill se koden |publisher=Computer Sweden |date=2009-12-18 |accessdate=2009-12-21 |language=Swedish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Reply from XBMC developer in official XBMC Community Forum |url=http://xbmc.org/forum/showpost.php?p=474680&postcount=21 |accessdate=2010-01-05 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.idg.se/2.1085/1.296192/voddler-anklagas-for-kodstold |title=Voddler anklagas för kodstöld |author=Andreas Jansson |publisher=Computer Sweden |date=2010-02-19 |language=Swedish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Därför hackades filmsajten Voddler |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/kultur/huvudartikel/article6687600.ab |accessdate=2010-02-28 |language=Svenska|author=Rasmus Fleischer |language=Swedish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=voddler.com is in violation of GPL |url=http://lists.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/ffmpeg-devel/2009-October/077547.html |accessdate=2010-01-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Niklas |last=Andersson |url=http://computersweden.idg.se/2.2683/1.280639/forbannade-voddlare-vill-se-koden |title=Förbannade Voddlare vill se koden |publisher=Computer Sweden |language=Swedish |date=2009-12-18 |accessdate=2009-12-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Reply from XBMC developer in official XBMC Community Forum |url=http://xbmc.org/forum/showpost.php?p=474680&postcount=21 |accessdate=2010-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.idg.se/2.1085/1.296192/voddler-anklagas-for-kodstold |title=Voddler anklagas för kodstöld |author=Andreas Jansson |language=Swedish |publisher=Computer Sweden |date=2010-02-19}}</ref>
[[Voddler]]'s newer media player software is since 8 March 2010 now instead based on the [[Adobe Air]] closed-source application platform.
 
===ONEvision by at-visions===
ONEvision by at-visions Informationstechnologie GmbH, (an international [[system integration]] and IT soutsourcing firm for hotels), ONEvision is a commercial fork of XBMC for use as [[hotel television systems|hotel television system]] software in hotel environments and in the hospitality industry for in-room entertainment. It offers a platform for in-room service bookings and an [[IPTV]] interface, with custom theme branding. ONEvision is currently used throughout Europe and Asia at hotels such as [[Hyatt|Hyatt EMEA]], [[Ramada|Ramada Vienna]], RIMC International, DWA Bratanki, Rogner International, EH&A, Heritage Hotel Hallstatt, St. Martins Therme, and Heiltherme Bad Waltersdorf. {{As of|2010|October}}, at-visions as a company is also an official sponsor of the XBMC development project.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbmc.org/theuni/2010/10/30/devcon-2010/ |title=XBMC DevCon 2010 |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=30 October 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.at-visions.com/at-visions-brings-XBMC-conference-to-Vienna.html |title=XBMC conference in Vienna |publisher=At-visions.com |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.at-visions.com/ONEVISION-EN.html ONEvision]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.at-visions.com/Testimonials-EN.html |title=Testimonials |publisher=At-visions.com |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbmc.org/prae5/2010/12/06/xbmc-devcon-2010-summary/ |title=XBMC DevCon 2010 Summary |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=6 December 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
===OpenELEC===
OpenELEC (short for "''Open Embedded Linux Entertainment Center''") is a free and open source [[embedded operating system]] providing a complete media center software suite that comes with a pre-configured version of XBMC and third-party addons with [[Retro style|retro]] [[video game console emulator]]s and [[Digital video recorder|PVR]] plugins. OpenELEC is an extremely small and very fast booting [[Linux|Linux based]] distribution, primarily designed to be booted from [[flash memory|flash]] [[memory card]] such as [[CompactFlash]] or a [[solid-state drive]], similar to that of the [[XBMC Live]] distro but specifically targeted to a minimum [[set-top box]] hardware setup based on an Intel x86 processor and graphics.<ref>http://lifehacker.com/5851924/openelec-is-a-hassle+free-xbmc-distribution-for-home-theater-pcs Lifehacker - OpenELEC Is a Fast-Booting, Self-Updating Version of XBMC for Home Theater PCs</ref><ref>http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTAwMzM XBMC-Focused OpenELEC 1.0 Released</ref><ref>http://xbmc.org/natethomas/2011/10/26/openelec-1-0-released/ OpenELEC 1.0 released</ref><ref>http://openelec.tv/news/item/207-openelec-1-released OpenELEC 1.0 Released</ref><ref name="OpenELEC.tv">http://www.openelec.tv OpenELEC.tv Official Website</ref><ref name="OpenELEC Media Center Software on Launchpad">{{cite web|url=http://launchpad.net/openelec |title=OpenELEC Media Center Software on Launchpad}}</ref><ref>http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS7310044850.html XBMC-based embedded Linux distro debuts on HTPC mini-PC</ref><ref>http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/OpenELEC-and-Xtreamer-Ultra/ XBMC-based embedded Linux distro debuts on HTPC mini-PC</ref>
 
===Element OS===
{{Main|Element OS}}
[[Element OS]] is a free [[embedded operating system]] designed for use on a [[HTPC|Home Theater PC (HTPC)]] which is connected to a HDTV. Element OS is a [[Linux|Linux based]] distribution similar to that of the [[XBMC Live]] distro, however it comes preloaded with dozens of applications for listening to, viewing, and managing music, videos, photos, and internet media.  XBMC is the pre-installed default media center, but  [[Boxee]] and [[Hulu#Hulu Desktop|Hulu Desktop]] are also installable.<ref name="elementmypc.com">http://www.elementmypc.com Element OS Official Website</ref>
 
===Sabayon Linux===
{{Main|Sabayon Linux}}
[[Sabayon Linux]] is a full [[Linux]] distribution that among other applications comes with a preinstalled and preconfigured "''ready-to-use''" version of XBMC Media Center.<ref name="Review: Sabayon 4 Lite MCE (Media Centre Edition)">{{cite web|url=http://reddevil62-techhead.blogspot.com/2009/02/review-sabayon-4-lite-mce-media-center.html |title=Review: Sabayon 4 Lite MCE (Media Centre Edition) |date=2009-02-03 |author=Steven Lawson |work=The Red Devil Blog}}</ref>
 
===yaVDR===
yaVDR (which name originated from the abbreviation "''yet another VDR''") is an [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]]-based [[Linux]] (i386) distribution designed for [[HTPC|Home Theater PC (HTPC)]] with [[TV tuner card]] for [[Digital video recorder|DVR (Digital Video Recorder)]] capabilities. yaVDR comes preinstalled and preconfigured "''ready-to-use''" version of XBMC Media Center from the "''PVR''" [[Subversion]] development branch as its primary front-end media player interface, with [[Video Disk Recorder|VDR (Video Disk Recorder)]] integrated as its PVR back-end server. It also features [[xine]] as an alternative front-end media player interface to XBMC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yavdr.org |title=PVR for your HDTV with XBMC |publisher=yaVDR |date=11 September 2011 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.kendincos.net/video-vdrnrrtf-first-glance-at-yavdr-0-1-1.html |title=Kendin Cos – First glance at yavdr 0.1.1 (video) |publisher=En.kendincos.net |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
===XBMC4XBox===
{{Main|XBMC4Xbox}}
[[XBMC4Xbox]] is a [[third-party developer]] [[Brand extension|spin-off]] project of XBMC, with still active development and support of the Xbox platform. This project was created as a fork of XBMC as a separate project to continue having a version of XBMC for the Xbox hardware platform. It was not started by official members of the official XBMC project, nor will it be suppoted by the Official Team XBMC in any way. It started when support for the Xbox branch was officially dropped by Team XBMC, which was announced on 27 May 2010.<ref name="Farewell XBOX"/><ref name="XBMC Discontinues Xbox Support"/><ref name="XBMC Drops Support for the Original Xbox"/><ref name="XBMC4Xbox"/>
 
==Programming and developing==
XBMC is a non-profit and [[free software community]] driven [[open-source software]] project that is developed only by volunteers in their [[spare time]] without any [[monetary]] gain. The team of developers leading the development of XBMC, "''Team-XBMC''", encourage anyone and everyone to submit their own [[patch (computing)|source code patches]] for new features and functions, improve existing ones, or fix [[software bug|bugs]] to the XBMC project.
 
The online [[User guide|user manual]] and is [[wiki]]-based and community driven, and it also works as a basic developers guide for getting a good overview of XBMC's architecture, however to as with most non-profit software project, to delve deeper into programming, looking at the actual source code and the comments in that code is needed.<ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/>
 
===Architecture===
[[Image:XBMC Architecture Overview Schematic.png|thumb|250px|XBMC Architecture Overview Schematic.]]
XBMC is a cross-platform software application programmed mainly in [[C++]], XBMC uses SDL ([[Simple DirectMedia Layer]]) multimedia [[Software framework|framework]] and [[OpenGL]] graphics [[rendering (computer graphics)|rendering]] under XBMC for Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows based operating system, however XBMC for Xbox instead uses [[DirectX|Microsoft DirectX]] multimedia framework and [[Direct3D]] rendering as the [[Xbox]] does not support [[OpenGL]]. Some of XBMC's own [[library (computing)|libraries]] as well as many third-party libraries that XBMC depend on are also written in [[C (programming language)|C programming-language]], but are then most of the time used with a C++ wrapper or loaded via XBMC's own [[Dynamic-link library|DLL]] loader.<ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/><ref name="XBMC Architecture Overview by Telematics Freedom Foundation"/>
 
Because of XBMC's origin with the constraints on the hardware and environment of the old Xbox platform, all software development of XBMC has always been focused on reserving the limited resources that existed on the Xbox hardware and an [[embedded system]], (which was only a 733&nbsp;MHz [[Intel Pentium III]] and 64MB of RAM in total as [[shared memory]]), the main hindrance of which has been the amount of available system [[random access memory|RAM]] and graphics memory at any one time. Due to this it means that XBMC is programmed to be very resource efficient and can therefore run on very low-end and cheap hardware, especially when compared to other media center software design for HTPC use.<ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/>
 
Because of its origins on the Xbox console, XBMC runs in a gameloop environment rather than event-driven, meaning that it is constantly re-drawing the UI even when nothing is changing onscreen. This results in very high CPU usage on low-end machines, and hence high temperatures, fan activity and power consumption.
 
===Python scripts as plugins and addons (widgets/gadgets)===
XBMC features an embedded [[Python (programming language)|Python Scripts Engine]] (currently based on Python version 2.4) and its own WindowXML [[application framework]], which together form an [[XML]]-based [[widget toolkit]] for which can extend the capability of XBMC by creating a [[Graphical user interface|GUI]] for [[GUI widget|widgets]] in a similar fashion to Apple Mac OS X [[Dashboard (software)|Dashboard Widgets]] and [[Microsoft Gadgets]] in [[Windows Sidebar]]. Python [[GUI widget|widget]] scripts allow non-developers to themselves create new [[Browser extension|add-ons]] functionality to XBMC, (using the easy to learn [[Python (programming language)|Python programming language]]), without knowledge of the complex [[C++|C/C++ programming language]] that the rest of the XBMC software is written in. Current [[Plug-in (computing)|plugin]] scripts add-ons include functions like [[Internet television|Internet-TV]] and [[Film trailer|movie-trailer]] browsers, cinema guides, and [[over-the-top content]] video streaming services like YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, [[Veoh]], and Internet-radio-station browsers (example [[Pandora Radio]]), and much more.<ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/>
 
===API (Application Programming Interface)===
Other than the APIs ([[Application programming interface]]s) available to python scripts and addon plugins, XBMC features several other APIs for controlling XBMC remotely or from an external applications. These APIs includes a [[JSON-RPC]] server, [[D-Bus]] server, HTTP Web API (HTTPAPI), [[Web server]], [[UPnP AV media server]] (with UPnP MediaServer ControlPoint, UPnP MediaRenderer DCP, UPnP RenderingControl DCP, and UPnP Remote User Interface server), and a multi-protocol Event Server<ref name="wiki.xbmc.org"/> for remote controls.
 
===GUI-engine and skinning (themes)===
XBMC is noted as having a very flexible [[GUI toolkit]] and robust [[Software framework|framework]] for its [[GUI]], with its underlying complex [[Layout engine|graphical design and layout]] [[Library (computing)|library]] (named "''libGUI"'' in XBMC) it provides a simple [[abstraction layer]] between the application code and the interface, while allowing an extremely flexible dynamic layouts and animations that is easy to work with and make it possible to create completely unique [[Skin (computing)|skin]]s for XBMC.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="Customize XBMC with These Five Awesome Skins"/><ref name="XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier"/><ref name="Passion XBMC"/><ref name="XBMC Skinng Project"/><ref name="XBMC Black Market"/><ref name="teamrazorfish.co.uk"/><ref name="blackbolt.x-scene.com"/>
 
==== Skin example code in XAML ====
The skin files are written in [[XAML]], using a standard [[XML]] base, making [[theme (computing)|theme]]-[[skinning]] and personal [[customization]] very accessible.<ref name="XBMC is the best media center application. Period."/><ref name="Customize XBMC with These Five Awesome Skins"/><ref name="XBMC 9.11 makes your open source home theater look shinier"/><ref name="Passion XBMC"/><ref name="XBMC Skinng Project"/><ref name="XBMC Black Market"/><ref name="teamrazorfish.co.uk"/><ref name="blackbolt.x-scene.com"/>
 
{{hidden|Example|
| style = border:1px dashed black; width: 85%;
| headerstyle = background: #ccccff; font-size: 110%;
| contentstyle = text-align: left; color:Black;
| header = Example
|content =
<source lang="xml">
<window>
  <id>5678</id>
  <defaultcontrol>2</defaultcontrol>
  <allowoverlay>yes</allowoverlay>
  <controls>
 
    <control>
      <description>BackGround</description>
      <type>image</type>
      <id>1</id>
      <posX>0</posX>
      <posY>0</posY>
      <width>720</width>
      <height>576</height>
      <texture>background.png</texture>
    </control>
 
    <control>
      <description>an Image</description>
      <type>image</type>
      <id>1</id>
      <posX>75</posX>
      <posY>370</posY>
      <texture>hover_my videos.png</texture>
    </control>
 
    <control>
      <description>text label</description>
      <type>label</type>
      <id>1</id>
      <posX>250</posX>
      <posY>70</posY>
      <label>Some text</label>
      <font>font16</font>
      <align>right</align>
      <textcolor>ffffffff</textcolor>
    </control>
 
    <control>
      <description>Try Me</description>
      <type>button</type>
      <id>2</id>
      <posX>60</posX>
      <posY>97</posY>
      <label>Try Me</label>
      <onleft>2</onleft>
      <onright>2</onright>
      <onup>2</onup>
      <ondown>3</ondown>
    </control>
 
    <control>
      <description>Or Me</description>
      <type>button</type>
      <id>3</id>
      <posX>60</posX>
      <posY>131</posY>
      <label>Or Me</label>
      <onleft>2</onleft>
      <onright>2</onright>
      <onup>2</onup>
      <ondown>2</ondown>
    </control>
 
  </controls>
</window>
</source>}}
 
==Limitations==
This is a list of software limitations currently in the XBMC source code.
*XBMC can not play any audio or video files that are [[encryption|protected/encrypted]] with [[Digital Rights Management|DRM (Digital Rights Management)]] technologies for [[access control]], meaning audio files purchased from [[online music store]]s as [[iTunes Music Store]], [[MSN Music]], [[Audible.com]], [[Windows Media Player|Windows Media Player Stores]], and video files protected with [[Windows Media DRM]] or [[DivX]] proprietary DRM. Other than using an 'external' third-party media-player, a workaround to this is to first remove any DRM protection/encryption from the music or video file with a [[Third-party developer|third-party]] program before trying to play it in XBMC.<ref name="XBMC Architecture Overview by Telematics Freedom Foundation"/>
*Without using a third-party plugin there is currently no TV tuner support as of May 2010, although adding support for this is currently being developed<ref name="XBMC Architecture Overview by Telematics Freedom Foundation"/><ref name="Patch for alcoheca's PVR-Frontend and a plugin for VDR backend">{{cite web|url=http://www.xbmc.org/trac/ticket/5595 |title=Patch for alcoheca's PVR-Frontend and a plugin for VDR backend |date=2009-01-05 |author=alwinus |work=XBMC Trac}}</ref><ref name="How To: LiveTV with VDR and PVR-Testing">{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=62696 |title=How To: LiveTV with VDR and PVR-Testing |date=2009-11-27 |author=Swifty |work=XBMC Community Forum}}</ref>
 
==Reception==
XBMC won two [[SourceForge]] 2006 Community Choice Awards.<ref name="SourceForge.net is proud to present the winners from our 2006 Community Choice Awards">{{cite web|url=http://sourceforge.net/blog/cca06/ |title=SourceForge.net is proud to present the winners from our 2006 Community Choice Awards |work=SourceForge}}</ref> In the 2007 Community Choice Awards, XBMC was nominated finalist in six categories.<ref name="SourceForge.net is proud to present the winners from our 2007 Community Choice Awards">{{cite web|url=http://sourceforge.net/blog/cca07/ |title=SourceForge.net is proud to present the winners from our 2007 Community Choice Awards |work=SourceForge}}</ref> Also in the 2008 Community Choice Awards XBMC won an award for Best Project for Gamers.<ref name="SourceForge.net is proud to present the winners from our 2008 Community Choice Awards">{{cite web|url=http://sourceforge.net/blog/cca08/ |title=SourceForge.net is proud to present the winners from our 2008 Community Choice Awards |work=SourceForge}}</ref>
 
==History==
{{See also|Xbox Media Player}}
XBMC Media Center is the successor to the popular [[Xbox Media Player|Xbox Media Player (XBMP)]] software. Xbox Media Player development stopped on 13 December 2003, by which time its successor, XBMC, was ready for its debut, renamed as it was growing out of its 'player' name and into a 'center' for media playback. The first stable release of XBMC was on 29 June 2004, with the official release of XboxMediaCenter 1.0.0. This announcement also encouraged everyone using XBMP or XBMC Beta release to update, as all support for those previous versions would be dropped, and they would only officially support version 1.0.0. Not featured in XBMP, the addition of embedded [[Python (programming language)|Python]] was given the ability to draw interface elements in the GUI, and allowed user and community generated scripts to be executed within the XBMC environment.<ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/>
 
With the release of 1.0.0 in the middle of 2004, work continued on the XBMC project to add more features, such as support for iTunes features like DAAP and Smart Playlists, as well as lots of improvements and fixes. The second stable release of XBMC, 1.1.0, was released on 18 October 2004. This release included support for more media types, file types, container formats, as well as video playback of Nullsoft streaming videos and karaoke support (CD-G).<ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/>
 
After two years of heavy development, XBMC announced a stable point final release of XBMC 2.0.0 on 29 September 2006. Even more features were packed into the new version with the addition of RAR and zip archive support, a brand new player interface with support for multiple players. Such players include PAPlayer, the new audio/music player with crossfade, gapless playback and ReplayGain support, and the new DVDPlayer with support for menu and navigation support as well as ISO/img image parsing. Prior to this point release, XBMC just used a modified fork of [[MPlayer]] for all of its media needs, so this was a big step forward. Support for iTunes 6.x DAAP, and Upnp Clients for streaming was also added. A reworked Skinning Engine was included in this release to provide a more powerful way to change the appearance of XBMC. The last two features include read-only support for FAT12/16/32 formatted [[USB mass storage|USB Mass Storage devices]], and a "skinnable" 3D visualizer.
 
The release of XBMC 2.0.1 on 12 November 2006 contained numerous fixes for bugs that made it through the 2.0.0 release. This also marked the change from CVS to SVN (Subversion) for the development tree.
 
On 29 May 2007, the team behind XBMC put out a call for developers interested in porting XBMC to the Linux operating system. Since a few developers on Team-XBMC had already begun porting parts of XBMC over to Linux using SDL and OpenGL as a replacement for DirectX, which XBMC was using heavily on the Xbox version of XBMC.<ref name="gizmodo.com.au"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/>
 
Development on the SVN codebase is continuing and the versioning scheme has been changed to reflect the release year and month, i.e. 8.10, 9.04, 9.11, 10.05, etc.
 
On 27 May 2010, the team behind XBMC announced the splitting of the Xbox branch into a new project; "XBMC4Xbox" which will continue the development and support of XBMC for the old Xbox hardware platform as a separate project, with the original XBMC project no longer offering any support for the Xbox.<ref name="Farewell XBOX"/><ref name="XBMC Discontinues Xbox Support"/><ref name="XBMC Drops Support for the Original Xbox"/><ref name="XBMC4Xbox"/>
 
===Releases===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|-
! Color
! Meaning
|-
| style="background:salmon;"| Rednew k
| Old releases
|-
| style="background:#a0e75a;"| Green
| Current release
|-
| style="background:skyBlue;"| Blue
| Future releases
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Version
! Release date
! Codename
! Significant changes
! XBMC Live based on
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap; background:salmon;"| 1.0.0
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| 29 June 2004
|style="white-space: nowrap;"|
|
*Total rewrite of the source code from [[Xbox Media Player|XBMP (Xbox Media Player)]]
|{{n/a}}
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap; background:salmon;"| 1.1.0
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| 18 October 2004
|style="white-space: nowrap;"|
|
* itu h.261, creative labs yuv (cyuv), supermac cinepak (cvid), quicktime, on2 vp4, 3ivx d4 / 3vi1 mpeg-4 video support
* container support for nsa, raw audio in .mov, .ac3, .dts and dts-wav
* zoom/stretch options: zoom, stretch 4x3 or 14x9 or 16x9, original size, custom
* volume control
* tags parsing and display for wma, m4a, mp4 and aac (mpeg-4 audio) audio-files
* international-language fonts for subtitles via ttf-fonts
* audiocd-ripper, backup cdda's to hdd in wav, ogg or mp3 (lame) format
* karaoke cdg-file and audio cue sheets (.cue) support
* itunes music shares via daap (network stream from apple itunes on mac or pc)
* xbmc xbmsp-client code updated to support "auto-discovery of xbmsp servers"
* auto-temperature and fan-speed control options
* network-configuration and setup via GUI
* emergency recovery console (enables the ftp-server during fatal errors)
* profiles for settings
* mouse support and virtual-keyboard
* lcd-display output extended to also support xaddons lcd-mods and xecuter3 lcd
|{{n/a}}
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap; background:salmon;"| 2.0.0
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| 29 September 2006
|style="white-space: nowrap;"|
|
* Reworked skinning engine.
*DVD-Video menu/navigation support (with ISO/IMG image parsing) through internally developed core
*RAR/ZIP archive parsing
*new audio/music-player (PAPlayer) with crossfade, gapless playback and ReplayGain support
*Karaoke CDG-file display
*Xored Trainer Engine (gaming-cheats) (not ported from XBox)
*XLink Kai (online-gaming) front-end (depreciated)
*iTunes 6.x DAAP and UPnP-client
*read-only support for FAT12/16/32 formatted USB Mass Storage Devices up to 4GB in size
*brand new "skinnable" 3D visualizer.
 
|{{n/a}}
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap; background:salmon;"| 8.10
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| 15 November 2008
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| [[Atlantis]]
|
*Cross platform support adding support for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows
*brand new High Defination skin “PM3.HD”
*"XBMC Live" bootable CD with unified hard disk/USB flash disk installer
*The XBMC profile
*integration of iTunes and iPhoto media (OS X  exclusive).
| Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap; background:salmon;"| 9.04
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| 6 May 2009
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| [[Babylon]]
|
* PPC (PowerPC) support for Mac OS X
* VDPAU (NVIDIA GPU Hardware Accelerated Video Decoding for Linux)
* New Karaoke features
* Officially dropped support for Xbox
* Updated codecs and major bug-fixes for DVD-Video playback core
* more Media Info Scrapers
* improved FanArt support
* revamped skinning engine
| Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap; background:salmon;"| 9.11
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| 24 December 2009
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| [[Camelot]]
|
* Revamped user interface via the new default skin “Confluence“
* DirectX support by default for the Windows platform
* A complete reorganization of the settings menus uniformed across skins
* Automatic video information extraction
* Out of the box support for new remotes
* smoother video playback performance
* all scrapers updated
* increased subtitle and Karaoke lyric support
* support for CoreAudio API (OS X exclusive)
* AC3 and DTS digital audio pass-through to SP/DIF on Apple TV (thanks to CoreAudio)
| Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala)
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap; background:#a0e75a;"| 10.0 and 10.1
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| 18 December 2010
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| [[Dharma Initiative|Dharma]]
|
* Unified Addon framework
* Addon Browser GUI for installation and managment of third-party addons, skin, and scripts
* Team XBMC's official Addons Repository with Addon FanArt support
* Update Notifications
* Movie Sets (option to group movie collections)
* WebM/VP8 codec
* gesture support to XBMC's GUI Engine
* unencrypted Blu-ray Disc support
* Broadcom Crystal HD video acceleration support (All Platforms)
* Windows Touch API support (Windows 7 touch features and functions)
* DXVA 2 Video Acceleration support for H.264, VC-1, and WMV9 (Windows Vista/7 exclusive)
* WASAPI (Windows Audio Session API) for  raw bitstream output (Windows Vista/7 exclusive)
* High-Quality  Bicubic and  Lanczos Upscalers (Video Resamplers) as Direct3D  HLSL (Windows Vista/7 exclusive)
* Direct3D port of the OpenGL Spectrum 3D Audio Visualization for DirectX (Windows Vista/7 exclusive)
* AVisual Studio 2010 Express edition and Visual Studio 2010 non-Express edition support (Windows Vista/7 exclusive)
* ARM processor architecture (Linux exclusive)
* VAAPI (Video Acceleration API) support (Linux exclusive)
* OpenMAX Video Acceleration support (Linux exclusive)
* NEON (ARM) Video Acceleration support (Linux exclusive)
* Apple VDADecoder Video Accelleration support (OS X  exclusive requires Snow Leopard and NVIDIA 9400 or later)
* OpenGL ES 2.0 compliance
* JSON-RPC, JSON API
* RTMPE and RTMPTE
* microhttpd Web Server replaces old GoAhead and Spyce code
* SSH file transfer protocol (sftp) via  libssh
* MySQL database backend
| Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx)
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap; background:skyBlue;"| 11.0
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| Release Target Date: 2011
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| [[Garden of Eden|Eden]]
|
* iOS port for Apple TV 2G, iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad
* MIPS processor architecture support<ref>https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/pull/455 Add mips arch</ref>
* DirectFB via Mesa/DRM for GLES2.0 support<ref name="github1">https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/pull/454 directfb: Initial support</ref>
* Dirty Regions rendering for texture support to skinning engine<ref>http://xbmc.org/theuni/2011/06/19/working-with-dirty-regions/ Working with dirty regions</ref>
* Efficiency improvements to reduce high cpu/gpu usage
* Default skin changed to a horizontal home layout
* new RenderCapture type to the Python script framework
* combined Files and Library mode for videos
* playback of ISO image files for Blu-ray Disc support
* Slingbox playback over the network support
* peripheral manager controller under settings
* [[Consumer Electronics Control|Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)]] support for HDMI
* H.264 accelerated video decoding via Apple's VideoToolBox API
* JPEG accelerated video decoding via Apple's VideoToolBox API
* AirPlay/AirTunes target support
* improved Apple VDADecoder Video Acceleration support
* improved Touch / Gesture API and Mouse support
* improved ARM processor architecture support
* improved OpenMAX Video Decoding Acceleration support
* improved OpenGL ES and EGL support
* improved JSON-RPC API compliant with JSON-RPC 2.0 specs
* extended Addons API adding extension points for Service Addons
* ability for all addons to provide their own web interface
* Removed native weather forecast scraper, use weather addons instead
* FFmpeg upgraded (libavformat and libavcodec)
| Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot)
|-
| style="white-space:nowrap; background:skyBlue;"| 12.0
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| Release Target Date: 2012
|style="white-space: nowrap;"| [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]
|
* BSD port FreeBSD, PC-BSD and other similar BSD platforms
* unified PVR front-end with seamless DVR and EPG client GUI
* unified PVR back-end framework and API for multiple PVR servers
* new unified "AudioEngine" audio abstraction framework and API
* combined Files and Library mode for music
* combined Files and Library mode for photos
* Extend Addons API to support (closed source) binary addons
* Optimize the GUI rendering engine of XBMC for embedded devices
* Remove the old HTTP API in favour of the new JSON-RPC API
| ?
|}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trac.xbmc.org/roadmap |title=XBMC Roadmap |publisher=Trac.xbmc.org |date=25 September 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://trac.xbmc.org/timeline |title=XBMC Trac Timeline |publisher=Trac.xbmc.org |date=19 May 2004 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>http://xbmc.org XBMC Blog</ref>
 
==Legality==
{{Globalize|section|date=September 2010}}
The "''XBMC Foundation''", the non-profit organization behind the XBMC project, is legally represented by the [[Software Freedom Law Center|SFLC (Software Freedom Law Center)]], which assists XBMC project and its developers legal matters such as [[copyright]], trademark, and branding questions, as well as economic issues such as handling [[donation]]s and [[Sponsor (commercial)|sponsors]] that help the project with [[expense]]s for [[dedicated hosting service]], and activities such as going to [[trade fair]]s and [[computer expo]]s to [[tech demo]] XBMC, meeting with potential new developers, gain publicity to attract additional users, and more.<ref>{{cite web|author=XBMC Gains Representation 27 April 2010 theuni |url=http://xbmc.org/theuni/2010/04/27/xbmc-gains-representation/ |title=XBMC Gains Representation |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=27 April 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://xbmc.org/theuni/2010/02/17/welcome-sponsor-9x9-networks/ |title=Welcome Sponsor: 9x9 Networks |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=17 February 2010 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbmc.org/team-xbmc/2009/07/04/results-of-xbmc-developers-conference/ |title=Results of XBMC Developers Conference |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=4 July 2009 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Team XBMC |url=http://xbmc.org/team-xbmc/2008/05/30/announcing-xbmc-dev-con-2008-hosted-by-boxee/ |title=Announcing XBMC DEV CON 2008 hosted by boxee |publisher=Xbmc.org |date=30 May 2008 |accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
 
===Copyright===
XBMC's [[source code]] for all its supported platforms is made publicly available by Team XBMC under the [[open source]] [[GNU General Public License#Version 2|GNU General Public License Version 2]] [[license]]. The group currently maintains a [[Git (software)|Git]] [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc repository] for this source code.
 
Back when Team XBMC supported it, [[executable]] versions of XBMC for Xbox could not be legally distributed. This is because XBMC for Xbox required Microsoft's [[Xbox Development Kit]] in order to be compiled. The only publicly available [[executable]] versions of XBMC for Xbox were compiled and distributed by [[Third-party developer|third parties]].  This limitation was given as one of the reasons the group eventually dropped Xbox support from XBMC.<ref name="Farewell XBOX" /> XBMC binaries for all other platforms that XBMC supports (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, and iOS) are legal to distribute by the XBMC project.<ref name="XboxMediaCenter Review"/><ref name="Modding The Xbox Into The Ultimate Multimedia Center"/><ref name="Review of XBMC in Hardcore Gamer Magazine"/><ref name="FLOSS Media Center State of the Art"/><ref name="XBMC Architecture Overview by Telematics Freedom Foundation"/>
 
===Other===
XBMC can also optionally be compiled with [[libdvdcss]] to support playing back [[DVD-Video]] movies encrypted using the [[Content Scramble System|CSS (Content Scramble System)]] encryption. Since it is not a member of [[DVD Forum]], the XBMC project is not contractually obliged to insert [[user operation prohibition]] such as disallowing fast-forward or skipping during trailers and ads in [[DVD-Video]]s.  However, without membership in the DVD Forum, the project also cannot make XBMC play [[DVD-Video]]'s [[encryption|encrypted]] with [[Content Scrambling System|CSS (Content Scramble System)]] except by using the [[libdvdcss]] library, which code was created by reverse-engineering. The legal status of libdvdcss is thus questionable in several nations, the distribution of [[executable]] versions of XBMC containing which was built with this library is likely to run afoul of the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act)]] in the U.S. and the [[EU Copyright Directive]] in [[European Union]] member countries which have incorporated it into national law. For example, many [[Linux distribution]]s do not contain libdvdcss (for example [[Debian]], [[Fedora (operating system)|Fedora]], [[SUSE Linux]], and [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]]) due to fears of running afoul of DMCA-style laws, however they still often provide the tools to let the users install it themselves.<ref name="XBMC 9.04 delivers impressive media center experience"/><ref name="XBMC Architecture Overview by Telematics Freedom Foundation"/>
 
==See also==
{{Commons category|XBMC Media Center}}
{{Portal box|Python programming|Free software|Television}}
*[[XBMC4XBox]], a [[third-party developer]] [[Brand extension|spin-off]] project of XBMC for Xbox, with still active development and support of the Xbox.
*[[Home theater PC|HTPC (Home Theater PC)]]
*[[Smart TV]]
*[[Interactive television]]
*[[Enhanced TV]]
*[[Home cinema]]
*[[Hotel television systems]]
*[[Media multitasking]]
*[[Over-the-top content]]
*[[List of video players (software)|List of other software video players]]
*[[Comparison of video player software]]
*[[Comparison of PVR software packages]]
*[[List of open source codecs]]
*[[List of codecs|List of multimedia (audio/video) codecs]]
*[[Comparison of container formats]]
 
==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
 
==External links==
{{Commons category|XBMC Media Center}}
* [http://xbmc.org XBMC Official Website]
* [http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=XBMC_Online_Manual XBMC Online Manual (Official Wiki)]
* [irc://irc.freenode.net/xbmc XBMC Official IRC Chat Room] (on [[freenode]]'s [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC]] network) (use an [[IRC client]] to join the '''#xbmc''' [[IRC channel|channel]])
 
{{Home theater PC (application software)}}
{{FOSS}}
{{Linux-distro}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Xbmc}}
[[Category:Mini Linux distributions]]
[[Category:Ubuntu (operating system) derivatives]]
[[Category:DVD]]
[[Category:Free cross-platform software]]
[[Category:Free media software]]
[[Category:Free media players]]
[[Category:Free video software]]
[[Category:Free television software]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in C++]]
[[Category:Free software culture and documents]]
[[Category:Cross-platform software]]
[[Category:Linux media players]]
[[Category:Mac OS X media players]]
[[Category:Mac OS X software]]
[[Category:Multimedia software]]
[[Category:Software DVD players]]
[[Category:Windows media players]]
[[Category:Windows software]]
[[Category:Xbox]]
[[Category:Xbox Dashboards]]
[[Category:Information appliances]]
[[Category:Digital television]]
[[Category:Film and video technology]]
[[Category:Interactive television]]
[[Category:Internet broadcasting]]
[[Category:Internet television]]
[[Category:Multimedia]]
[[Category:Peercasting]]
[[Category:Streaming media systems]]
[[Category:Video on demand services]]
 
[[ca:XBMC]]
[[de:XBMC Media Center]]
[[es:Xbox Media Center]]
[[fr:XBMC Media Center]]
[[it:Xbox Media Center]]
[[hu:XBMC]]
[[nl:XBMC]]
[[no:Xbox Media Center]]
[[pl:XBMC]]
[[ru:XBMC]]
[[fi:Xbox Media Center]]
[[sv:XBMC Media Center]]

Revision as of 05:17, 28 July 2020

Kodi
Thumbnail-light-transparent.png
XBMC home.jpg
Kodi's home screen
Developer(s) XBMC Foundation
Initial release 2003
Stable release Kodi v20.5 Nexus
Development status Active
Written in C++ core, with Python scripts as add-ons from third-parties parties
OS Android, Linux, BSD, Mac OS X/macOS, Windows, iOS/tvOS
Platform ARM, x86
Available in 70+ languages to date
License GPLv2 or later
Home icon grey.png   ▶ XBMC Foundation ▶ Kodi

}}

Kodi® media center, formerly known as XBMC Media Center, is an award-winning free and open source cross-platform software media player and entertainment hub for digital media for HTPCs (Home theater PCs). It uses a 10-foot user interface designed to be a media player for the living-room, using a remote control as the primary input device. Its graphical user interface (GUI) allows the user to easily browse and view videos, photos, podcasts, and music from a harddrive, optical disc, local network, and the internet using only a few buttons. The Kodi project is managed by the non-profit XBMC Foundation, and developed by volunteers located around the world. Since its creation in 2003 more than 500 software developers have contributed to Kodi, and around 60 developers on regular basis. Also 200-plus translators have worked to expand its reach, making it available in more than 72 languages.

Kodi® (then called "Xbox Media Center") was originally created as a media center application for the first-generation Xbox game console (no longer supported) but is now officially available as a native application for Android, BSD, Linux, Mac OS X/macOS, iOS/tvOS, and Windows operating systems, running on most common processor architectures.

Video demos

Check out this excellent introduction video by Lifehacker.com:

Additional video demos

Overview of features

Kodi can be used to play almost all popular audio and video formats around. It was designed for network playback, so you can stream your multimedia from anywhere in the house or directly from the internet using practically any protocol available. Use your media as-is: Kodi can play CDs and DVDs directly from the disk or image file, almost all popular archive formats from your hard drive. Kodi will scan all of your media and create a personalized library complete with boxcovers, descriptions, and fanart. There are playlist and slideshow functions, a weather forecast feature and many audio visualizations. Once installed, your computer will become a fully functional multimedia jukebox.


An Add-on is another piece of software that can be added to a program to further expand and enhance the features of that program. Imagine a smart phone and all the additional Apps that can be installed to enhance its functionality. Kodi has the same ability and these apps are referred to as Add-ons. Kodi has a growing list of community driven add-ons which can be installed from a common official repository, while still enabling third-party developers to also host their own unofficial repositories for add-ons that any user can choose to add themselves.

For additional information about specific add-ons, see Category:All add-ons.

Language support

Kodi includes full support for many different languages by default. Kodi's structure is such that if the language is not available, or not up-to-date, it can be made by signing up at Kodi Main Translation Project (Frodo), Currently the existing supported languages are Afrikaans, Basque, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Catalan, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, American English, Esperanto, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Maltese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish and Ukrainian.

Hardware requirements

Kodi is officially supported on a number of operating systems and hardware devices that are designed to be connected directly to a TV. Kodi runs well on what are relatively "underpowered" systems, thanks to hardware video decoding being common on nearly all supported platforms. These requirements don't include what might be required for some "advanced" features, such as PVR, which might require additional hardware.

Official versions of Kodi

Full featured versions of Kodi are available on a number of operating system platforms. Team Kodi strives to keep a consistent feature set and include the full Kodi experience for all versions, even those on low-powered devices.

Android
Kodi for Android is a full port of the complete Kodi application to Google's Android operating-system, was first announced and its source code released publicly on 13 June 2012. This is a full port of Kodi's C++ and C source code with all its dependencies to Android with a build-system that was designed to handle multiple processor architectures, like ARM, MIPS, and x86 with the Android NDK (Native Development Kit for Android) without using a single line of Java, and the Kodi.APK is running natively under Android as a Native Activity application.
iOS
Kodi for iOS, which is a full port of Kodi to Apple's iOS operating-system, was first announced and released publicly on 20 January 2011. It supports both 720p and 1080p hardware accelerated video decoding of H.264 videos, and is compatible several Apple's iDevices that uses Apple A4 or higher SoC processors with a jailbroken iOS operating-system.
Linux
Kodi for Linux is primarily developed for Ubuntu Linux. Third-party packages for most other Linux distributions are however available, and it is also possible to compile Kodi from scratch for any Linux distribution as long as the pre-required dependency libraries are installed first.
Mac
Kodi for Mac runs natively on Mac OS X with Intel processors with hardware video decoding for H.264.
Windows
Kodi for Windows runs natively on Windows Vista and higher. It is a 32-bit application but runs on 64-bit Windows and hardware as well, however it is not yet optimized for that architecture so there is no performance gain when running on 64-bit Windows. 1080p playback can be achieved on Windows based computers either via software decoding on the CPU if it's powerful enough, or by hardware accelerated video decoding.

Third-party forks and derivative work of Kodi

This is a list of various forks of Kodi. Forks are often created whenever a different group or organization needs to make customizations to the program. In some cases, these changes are minor and are made for the purposes of supporting certain hardware, or adding in special features. In others, the changes are much more drastic. The Kodi project welcomes and encourages forks in the spirit of the GNU General Public License.

History

See: History of Kodi

XBMC Foundation

The "Kodi Foundation" is the non-profit organization that oversees the Kodi project and is registered in the US.

Awards

Cca.gif

In the SourceForge 2006 Community Choice Awards, XBMC won an award for Best Project for Gamers as well as an award Best Project for Multimedia.[1]

In the SourceForge 2007 Community Choice Awards, XBMC was nominated finalist in six categories.[2]

In the SourceForge 2008 Community Choice Awards, XBMC won an award for Best Project for Gamers.[3]

In the Lifehacker Australia 2014 Community Choice Awards, XBMC won an award for Best Media Player. [4]

Programming and developing

Kodi is a non-profit and free software community driven open-source software project that is developed only by volunteers in their spare time without any monetary gain. The team of developers leading the development of Kodi, "Team Kodi", encourage anyone and everyone to submit their own source code patches for new features and functions, improve existing ones, or fix bugs to the Kodi project.


Kodi's source code for all its supported platforms is made publicly available by Team Kodi under the open source GNU General Public License Version 2 license. The group currently maintains a Git repository for this source code.

Further reading