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==Introduction==
{{mininav|[[First time user]]}}




===Congratulations new users'', and welcome to XBMC!===
= Introduction =
Hello and welcome to {{Kodi}}!


XBMC is software designed with the Home Theater in mind.  This means it is best viewed on a TV while you still on your couch, rather than on a monitor while you sit at your desk.  And, because it's all about the home theater, the best way to interact with it is with a remote control, rather than a mouse. If it helps, you can think of XBMC as the ultimate DVD Player, rather than just another program on your computer, and NO ONE uses a mouse with a DVD Player.
{{Kodi}} is an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software open source] media centre '''software''' that can play a wide variety of music and video formats in addition to viewing '''[[PVR|Live TV]]''' and using add-ons (plugins) to further enhance your {{kodi}}. The software can be installed on a variety of platforms as detailed on the '''''[[First time user]]''''' wiki page.  


==First Steps==
{{Kodi}} is designed with the '''''[[w:Home cinema|Home Theater]]''''' in mind using a '''''[[w:10-foot_user_interface|10-foot user interface]]''''' rather than on a small monitor while you sit at your desk. Because everything is designed with the home theater experience in mind, the best way to interact with {{Kodi}} is with a remote control or keyboard, rather than with a mouse.  If it helps, think of {{Kodi}} as the ultimate DVD-player/set-top-box. Be aware that mouse functionality is limited.


===XBMC Main Features===
XBMC does two things really well.  It can play your music and videos, and it can display all of your music and videos in something we call the "[[library]]".  In fact, if you have ever read anything about XBMC, then you have probably already seen pictures of the Library in action.


===Getting ready to play music and videos===
<section begin="intro" />This guide is designed to point you to the correct information that will assist in correctly setting up your {{kodi}}. We strongly recommend you follow the guides to ensure the correct setup.<section end="intro" />
To play music, a tv show, or a movie, you first have to show XBMC where that media is.


Showing XBMC where to find your videos and music is very simple.  First, open XBMC.  Then, click up or down until either Videos or Music is highlighted.  For the rest of this explanation, we'll use Videos (and, specifically, Movies) as the example, but it works the same way in Music (and TV shows).
''{{red|We strongly urge you to not follow the numerous YouTube video guides as nearly all those guides have been written with the single minded purpose of Piracy and Copyright Infringement. THERE IS NO SUPPORT FOR THAT HERE at {{kodi}}.}}''


===Adding a Video Source===
Click Videos on the Home Screen, for this example we are going to use Confluence skin, which is the default skin in XBMC since version 9.11 Camelot.


[[Image:Home_-_Videos2.jpg]]
If you have not already downloaded and installed the {{kodi}} software, return to '''''[[First time user]]''''' and follow the installation instructions for your chosen operating system.


On the next page, click Add Source.
''{{red|{{Kodi}} does not sell hardware, nor are we affiliated or promote any of the so called "{{kodi}} boxes" that are advertised for sale. We strongly urge you not to purchase these devices as they are normally pre-installed with add-ons used for piracy and copyright infringement, and some have been known to contain malware. The [https://forum.kodi.tv/ {{kodi}} forum] does not provide support for these types of devices.}}''


[[Image:Videos_-_File_Mode2.jpg]]
= Basic Controls =
Read this page to familiarise yourself with the menu system and other screens in {{kodi}}.
{{see|Basic controls}}


The "Add Video Source" screen will be displayed.


[[Image:Add_Video_Source.jpg]]


Click on "Browse" button. The following screen will be displayed.
= Library Mode =
;Why do I need a library?
One of the features that makes {{kodi}} so great is the ability to display all types of artwork and metadata (plots, directors, actors etc) in a visually stunning format.  


[[Image:New_Share.jpg]]
The Libraries are accessed from the Main Menu using...
*Movies, TV Shows or Music Videos for the Video Library
*Music for the Music Library.


Now browse to where you keep your videos.  If you keep them shared on a network drive, read [http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=Configuring_PC_Shares Configuring PC Shares] for more information.  Simply put, though, you need only scroll down the list to the option "Windows Network (SMB)," click that option, and then browse through your network shares.
To use the numerous features that are only possible with a correctly setup library, your video and/or music collections need to be added to the library to correctly function.  


Once you've found the folder you keep your videos in, click OK.
{{Kodi}} consists of two libraries - Music and Video. The following guides have been created to guide you through the setup process of both.


'''''NOTE''''':  When you start to deal with the library, you will find that it's a good idea to keep your Movie folder and your Television folder separate. Keep that in mind.
{{Index two column
| link name 1 = Guide to Create and Modify your Video Library
| link 1 = HOW-TO:Create_Video_Library
  | image 1 = Video.png
| link name 2 = Guide to Create and Modify your Music Library
| link 2 = :HOW-TO:Create_Music_Library
  | image 2 = Nuvola apps kscd.png
}}


Now name this Video Source.  If it's a movie folder, you could name it Movies.  If it's a tv show folder, you could name it TV Shows.  The name is up to you.  For this example, since we're dealing with movies, just name it Movies.


Next, you have to tell XBMC what kind of content is inside of every folder you just added. Click the button "Set Content".


[[Image:Set_content_hl.jpg]]
= File Mode =
If you do not want to create the libraries and take advantage of these features, then you can '''''[[Add-on:Estuary/Settings#Main_Menu_Items|hide Menu items]]''''' and access your media through the inbuilt file browser accessed from the main menu by selecting '''Videos''' then '''Files'''.


===Setting Content===
Be aware that using this mode, {{kodi}} becomes a simple media player with limited functionality. There will be no extended artwork and no movie information amongst many other missing features which all require a library to function. In effect, {{kodi}} is a simple file browser similar to Windows Explorer, and will simply allow you to browse your folders and files as set up on your hard drives.
This section is why keeping your TV Shows and Movies separate is important. When you click set content, you can set your video content as Music Videos, Movies, or TV Shows.  Scroll through the options until you get to the correct one.  Since in our example we're doing Movies, we'll scroll to Movies and go through the Movie settings.


===Setting Movie Content Options===
If you keep each of your movies in its own folder with the movie name in it, like:


'''''C:\Movies\Big Buck Bunny\Big Buck Bunny.avi'''''
= Live TV and Radio =
{{main|PVR}}
With a pre-installed backend PVR Tuner, {{Kodi}} can be used as the front end interface to view and record live TV and radio, similar to a TiVO setup.


Then you'll want to check off "Use folder names for lookups."




= Games =
{{main|Games}}
Note! Games support is not available before Kodi v18 Leia! The Games option allows you to add stand-alone games and games running in emulators which can be launched from Kodi.


If you keep all your movies in one big folder, like:
Games does not yet use any library functions and is simply a file browser. {{kodi}} has support for many game controller settings for configuring gamepads, joysticks, keyboards, and mouses, for use inside those games/emulators that are running natively inside Kodi's runtime.


'''''C:\Movies\Big Buck Bunny.avi'''''


'''''C:\Movies\Big Buck Bunny II: Rise of the Lycan.avi'''''


Then leave everything unchecked.
= {{Kodi}} add-ons =
{{Main|Add-ons|Add-on manager}}
{{#lst:Add-ons|intro}}






If your movies are ripped DVDs using a Video_TS folder structure, like:
= Adding Pictures =
{{main|Pictures}}
The Pictures option allows you to add your home photo collection to {{kodi}} which you can then easily display on your large, high definition TV screen.


'''''C:\Movies\Big Buck Bunny\Video_TS\'''''
Pictures does not yet use any library functions and is simply a file browser. If you set up either the video or music library, you will be familiar with setting up a source for pictures.


Then you'll probably want to tick "Scan Recursively."




Finally, since this is your first time through, we may as well take care of everything right now, so let's go ahead create that pretty Library. 
= Using a remote control =
{{main|Remote controls}}
{{#lst:Remote controls|intro}}


To do so, tick "Run automated Scan."


Now, click OK.  And OK again.  XBMC will begin to scan your folders.  Depending on how many movies you have, this scan could take a long time.  When it is finished, you're library will have been created, but you won't be taken to it immediately.


===Turning On the Library===
Assuming you are using the default skin Confluence, from the videos screen, to turn on the Library, just click left once to pull up the Side Menu.  Then scroll down and click "Library Mode."


Voila, you're done.  You now have a beautiful Library full of all your great movies, complete with titles, fanart, and tons of information.


===Final Note===
{{top}}
You should be able to figure out how to put your TV Shows and Music into the Library following this guide (but, of course, dealing with different choices).  As you read the wiki and experiment on your own, you should learn about using the Menu when watching a video and clicking the Info button to pull up info about the video or song you have highlighted.
{{updated|20}}


The one additional thing that's useful to mention here is the [http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=Videos_Navigation_and_Control#The_Context_Menu context menu].  On the keyboard, you pull it up by typing C, while highlighting an item.  If you are using a mouse, you can right click while hovering over an item.  With remote controls, the option differs based on the remote. 
[[Category:FAQ]]
 
[[Category:Karellen]]
The important point is that the Context Menu is how you really control XBMC.  With it you can queue an item, play it, set its content, update the library, scan for new media, etc., etc.
 
==Conclusion==
Thanks for reading this Quick Start Guide.  Below you will find additional suggested reading that may be useful for getting started.  We have done our best to answer every question, but if you can't find your answer after extensively searching, feel free to ask.
 
Additional suggested reading:
 
- http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=Video_Library
- http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=Set_Contents_(Video_Library)
- http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=TV_Shows
- http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=IMDb

Latest revision as of 08:33, 29 January 2023

Home icon grey.png   ▶ First time user ▶ Quick start guide


Introduction

Hello and welcome to Kodi!

Kodi is an open source media centre software that can play a wide variety of music and video formats in addition to viewing Live TV and using add-ons (plugins) to further enhance your Kodi. The software can be installed on a variety of platforms as detailed on the First time user wiki page.

Kodi is designed with the Home Theater in mind using a 10-foot user interface rather than on a small monitor while you sit at your desk. Because everything is designed with the home theater experience in mind, the best way to interact with Kodi is with a remote control or keyboard, rather than with a mouse. If it helps, think of Kodi as the ultimate DVD-player/set-top-box. Be aware that mouse functionality is limited.


This guide is designed to point you to the correct information that will assist in correctly setting up your Kodi. We strongly recommend you follow the guides to ensure the correct setup.

We strongly urge you to not follow the numerous YouTube video guides as nearly all those guides have been written with the single minded purpose of Piracy and Copyright Infringement. THERE IS NO SUPPORT FOR THAT HERE at Kodi.


If you have not already downloaded and installed the Kodi software, return to First time user and follow the installation instructions for your chosen operating system.

Kodi does not sell hardware, nor are we affiliated or promote any of the so called "Kodi boxes" that are advertised for sale. We strongly urge you not to purchase these devices as they are normally pre-installed with add-ons used for piracy and copyright infringement, and some have been known to contain malware. The Kodi forum does not provide support for these types of devices.

Basic Controls

Read this page to familiarise yourself with the menu system and other screens in Kodi.

See: Basic controls


Library Mode

Why do I need a library?

One of the features that makes Kodi so great is the ability to display all types of artwork and metadata (plots, directors, actors etc) in a visually stunning format.

The Libraries are accessed from the Main Menu using...

  • Movies, TV Shows or Music Videos for the Video Library
  • Music for the Music Library.

To use the numerous features that are only possible with a correctly setup library, your video and/or music collections need to be added to the library to correctly function.

Kodi consists of two libraries - Music and Video. The following guides have been created to guide you through the setup process of both.

icon Guide to Create and Modify your Video Library
Kodi has the ability to create separate Movie, TV Show and Music Video libraries that can display your collections in an Artwork and information rich display. Follow these pages to step through the creation of your libraries. 		icon Guide to Create and Modify your Music Library
The aim of these modules is to provide the required information to enable you to correctly set up, modify, and reinstate your Music library as required. As this guide is created for the new user, most pages have been created with minimal jargon and short explanations in an effort to reduce information overload and confusion. Where extra information is provided, note is made to what can be safely ignored.


File Mode

If you do not want to create the libraries and take advantage of these features, then you can hide Menu items and access your media through the inbuilt file browser accessed from the main menu by selecting Videos then Files.

Be aware that using this mode, Kodi becomes a simple media player with limited functionality. There will be no extended artwork and no movie information amongst many other missing features which all require a library to function. In effect, Kodi is a simple file browser similar to Windows Explorer, and will simply allow you to browse your folders and files as set up on your hard drives.


Live TV and Radio

Main page: PVR

With a pre-installed backend PVR Tuner, Kodi can be used as the front end interface to view and record live TV and radio, similar to a TiVO setup.


Games

Main page: Games

Note! Games support is not available before Kodi v18 Leia! The Games option allows you to add stand-alone games and games running in emulators which can be launched from Kodi.

Games does not yet use any library functions and is simply a file browser. Kodi has support for many game controller settings for configuring gamepads, joysticks, keyboards, and mouses, for use inside those games/emulators that are running natively inside Kodi's runtime.


Kodi add-ons

Main pages: Add-ons and Add-on manager

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.


Adding Pictures

Main page: Pictures

The Pictures option allows you to add your home photo collection to Kodi which you can then easily display on your large, high definition TV screen.

Pictures does not yet use any library functions and is simply a file browser. If you set up either the video or music library, you will be familiar with setting up a source for pictures.


Using a remote control

Main page: Remote controls

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



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