Sources.xml/Types

There are two main types of sources, Local and Network. In addition, there are specialty sources that are only available in certain sections of XBMC, (such as in Music or Videos). Only local sources (Xbox hard drive and DVD-ROM) are supported under Programs, (you can not stream Xbox games or other executable over the network). You can also add multiple paths (<path></path>) in each source for local, XBMS and SMB sources, (not any other protocols).

Sources with multiple paths / targets

It is possible to let a media source point to more than one target or path One example from the My Programs section of the default Sources.xml file.

<xml>

     <name>Games</name>
     <path>E:\Games\</path>
     <path>F:\Games\</path>
     <path>G:\Games\</path>

</xml>

You can have multiple paths in local, XBMS and SMB sources, not any other protocols.

Local Sources

Basic Sources

Local sources are ones that point to the local Xbox hard disk drive, DVD--ROM drive or memory cards. C D E F G are all valid local Xbox drives to access, (D being the DVD-ROM drive, C and E being the default C: and E: partitions, and F and G being the extended F: and G: partitions that you get when you replace your Xbox hard drive with a larger one). H I J K L M N O are the memory-card ports, (but fair warning XBMC's memory card support is very limited). X Y Z are Xbox default cache partitions and should not have to be referenced for any reason.

<xml> <name>E Drive</name> <path>E:\Media\Movies\</path> <path>F:\Media\Movies\</path> <name>DVD-ROM Drive</name> <path>D:\</path> </xml>

Advanced / Special Local Sources

XBMC has the option to force the DVD drive to read the disk as iso9660 or UDF file systems.
If you have the need for these functions, simply use the following sources:

<xml>

    <name>ISO</name>
    <path>iso9660://</path>

    <name>UDF</name>
    <path>UDF://</path>

</xml>

Shortcuts to Programs

You can even create Shortcuts to .xbe files in Programs.
It can also allow you to launch a specific ROM from an Xport emulator, ie you can create direct links to specific emulator ROMs from Programs.

In order to create a shortcut, simply create an .xml file saved with a .cut extension in any location on the XBox hard drive.
Note that shortcuts can not be launched from a network location, such as a SMB share!
In order to use the shortcuts, simply create a source entry pointing to the folder containing the .cut files in My Programs.

For a more detailed explanation with examples of how to create Shortcuts click here (link).

Generic Network Sources

Network sources reference remote shares of various types. XBMC supports SMB (windows file sharing, also known as CIFS), XBMS (also known as CCX) among others. These generic network sources are supported in all XBMC sections in XBMC ("Music", "Videos", "Pictures", and "Filemanager"), with the exception of "Programs" (where only local sources are supported). You can also add multiple paths (<path></path>) in each source.

Windows File Sharing (SMB/SAMBA/CIFS)

SMB sharing is the most common and probably the best performing sharing solution for XBMC. It supports domains and workgroups as well. The full syntax for sharing is as follows:

<xml>

    <path>smb://domain;username:password@computername_or_ipaddress/sharename/path</path>

</xml>

domain - If you use a domain controller you may enter it here

username - The username used to authenticate with the server

password - The password used to authenticate with the server

computername/ipaddress - As long as a name server is available on the network computer names *should* work. If any connectivity issues are encountered when using computer names replace it with the direct IP address of the computer.

sharename - Share name on the remote server

path - path relative to the share

If any variables are not needed omit the required punctuation.
Examples (where "xbox" is the user-name, "12345" is the password, and "192.168.0.200" is the IP-address of the server):

For a direct link to a server use:

<xml>

    <path>smb://xbox:[email protected]</path>

</xml>

For a direct link to share on a server use:

<xml>

    <path>smb://xbox:[email protected]/share/</path>

</xml>

For a direct link subfolder under share on a server use:

<xml>

    <path>smb://xbox:[email protected]/share/path/</path>

</xml>

For a direct link to all servers in your workgroup/domain use (for this you must have entered your username, password and workgroup/domain in the XBMC GUI first):

<xml>

    <path>smb://</path>

</xml>

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)

UPnP (short for "Universal Plug and Play") media sharing is an extremely easy method of sharing your media (pictures/video/audio) on your network as it features automatic-discovery and does not require any configuration. The UPnP-client in XBMC (also called "UPnP AV Media Server Control Point") supports direct links to the server/shares and auto-discovery of servers available on the local network. UPnP require a UPnP-server (also called "UPnP AV Media Server"), UPnP AV Media Servers is where you store and share your media (pictures/videos/audio/music) from. There are UPnP Media Servers available for most operating-systems and many hardware-platforms, UPnP AV Media Servers can be either be categorized as software-based or hardware-based. Software-based Media Servers can be run on PC (personal-computer), mainly on Win32, Linux, BSD, Unix or Mac platform. And, hardware-based Media Servers may run on any NAS (Network Attached Storage) or any specific hardware for delivering media, like for example a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) device. For more information about using UPnP, see UPnP Sharing.

For auto-discovery (default in xbmc) use the following share:

<xml>

    <path>upnp://</path>

</xml>

For a direct link to a server use:

<xml>

    <path>upnp://ip_address:1901</path>

</xml>

For a direct link to specific share on a server use:

<xml>

    <path>upnp://ip_address:1901/share/</path>

</xml>

For a direct link subfolder under share on a server use:

<xml>

    <path>upnp://ip_address:1901/share/path/</path>

</xml>

XBMS Protocol (CCX/ccXStream)

XBMSP (XBox Media Stream Protocol) was developed by Team-XBMC members and design to be a very user-friendly protocol, the protocol and client code has however not been updated nor actively maintained for several years so Team-XBMC do recommend that you instead use a standard protocol as SMB or UPnP instead as those are always going be actively maintained.

The XBMSP-client in XBMC supports direct links to the server/shares and auto-discovery of servers available on the local network. XBMSP (or "XBMS" for short) require that you run a XBMSP-server on your computer, XBMSP-servers are also known as "CCX" or "ccXStream" servers.

For more information about using XBMS, see the article on Configuring XBMS Shares.

For auto-discovery (default in XBMC) use the following share:

<xml>

    <path>xbms://</path>

</xml>

For a direct link to a server use:

<xml>

    <path>xbms://ip_address:1400</path>

</xml>

For a direct link to spesific share on a server use:

<xml>

    <path>xbms://ip_address:1400/share/</path>

</xml>

For a direct link subfolder under share on a server use:

<xml>

    <path>xbms://ip_address:1400/share/path/</path>

</xml>

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Client

XBMC also contains an FTP-client with which you can add sources in all sections (with the except of the Programs section) in XBMC interface, however as FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is not designed to stream audio/video data it is not recommended that you use it under the Music or Videos sections. (Remember that the default FTP-port is usually 21).

Example (if any variables are not needed, omit the required punctuation):

<xml>

    <!--to connect as anonymous use ftp://ip:port/-->
    <path>ftp://username:password@ipaddress:port/folder/</path>

</xml>

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol ) Client

XBMC also contains an HTTP-client with which you can add sources in all sections (with the except of the Programs section) in XBMC interface, however as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol ) is not designed to stream audio/video data it is not recommended that you use it under the Music or Videos sections.

Example (if any variables are not needed, omit the required punctuation):

<xml>

    <!--to connect as anonymous use "http://ipaddress:port/" or just "http://ipaddress"-->
    <path>http://username:password@ipaddress:port/directory/</path>

</xml>

Plugin Sources

A plugin source is a special type of source that is powered by a python script automatically run by XBMC. A plugin source is typically used to represent the online content of a website as a hierarchical file system.

XBMC supports 3 types of plugin sources: video, music, and pictures. Plugins are placed in the "plugins\<type of media>" folder within the XBMC folder.

Plugin sources can automatically be added from within XBMC via the "Add Source" command accessible from the root folder of "Videos", "Music", and "Pictures". The actual file that is invoked by XBMC is "plugins\<type of media>\<name of plugin>\default.py". This file must be present for the plugin to show up in "Add Source" the dialog.

Videos Specific Sources

Video Library

This special source allows you to access the video database without switching to library view. This is useful for remote browsing of the video library, i.e. via the web interface.

<xml>

    <name>Library</name>
    <path>videodb://</path>

</xml>

RSS Feeds

RSS (which stands for "Really Simple Syndication") is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format. An RSS document is commonly called a "RSS feed", "RSS channel", or "Web feed", includes full or summarized text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship. Podcasts is a is a series of audio or video digital-media files which is distributed over the Internet by such RSS feeds, and Video Podcasts are often referred to as "Vidcast" or "Vodcast".

XBMC features a built RSS Feed Reader Client for such audio and video sources, this type of media source will connect to the RSS feed you enter and lists the video or audio available to stream with thumbnails and metadata if available.

Note: Please make sure you have read the RSS Feeds in XBMC Guide.

<xml>

  <name>RSS Feed</name>
  <path>rss://</path>

</xml>

MythTV

This type of media source will contact to a MythTV backend and allows you to watch Live TV, view the program guide, play previously recorded TV shows.

Note: Please make sure you have read the MythTV in XBMC Guide.

<xml>

  <name>MythTV</name>
  <path>myth://ipaddress</path>

</xml>

HDHomeRun

This type of media source will connect to a HDHomeRun (Networked Digital Cable TV/HDTV Tuner) box and allows you to watch Live TV directly from XBMC.

Note: Please make sure you have read the HDHomeRun in XBMC Guide.

<xml>

  <name>HDHomeRun</name>
  <path>hdhomerun://</path>

</xml>

ReplayTV sharing

ReplayTV

Music Specific Sources

Music Library

This special source allows you to access the music database without switching to library view. This is useful for remote browsing of the music library, i.e. via the web interface.

<xml>

    <name>Library</name>
    <path>musicdb://</path>

</xml>

RSS Feeds

RSS (which stands for "Really Simple Syndication") is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format. An RSS document is commonly called a "RSS feed", "RSS channel", or "Web feed", includes full or summarized text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship. Podcasts is a is a series of audio or video digital-media files which is distributed over the Internet by such RSS feeds, and Video Podcasts are often referred to as "Vidcast" or "Vodcast".

XBMC features a built RSS Feed Reader Client for such audio and video sources, this type of media source will connect to the RSS feed you enter and lists the video or audio available to stream with thumbnails and metadata if available.

Note: Please make sure you have read the RSS Feeds in XBMC Guide.

<xml>

  <name>RSS Feed</name>
  <path>rss://</path>

</xml>

Microsoft Soundtracks on the Xbox

On the original Xbox the default Microsoft dashboard contains the ability to rip your CDs to WMA format. This type of media source (enabled by default in XBMC) allows you to read that database and play those audio tracks.

<xml>

    <name>MS Soundtracks</name>
    <path>soundtrack://</path>

</xml>

iTunes Network Share (DAAP)

iTunes contains a method of sharing its database. XBMC can play all unprotected files, (ie. all files not purchased on iTunes Music Store, which can not be be played in XBMC because they are encrypted with Apple's proprietary Digital Rights Management Scheme). To enable sharing in iTunes look under the edit tab, click on preferences, click on sharing and enable the sharing check box. To enable itunes sharing in xbmc edit the path of the following source with the IP address of the PC you wish to connect to. Note that you CANNOT use computer names in this field. For more information about setting up iTunes shares, see Configuring Itunes Shares <xml>

    <name>iTunes Network Share (DAAP)</name>
    <!-- Only use an IP-address here!-->
    <path>daap://192.168.1.100</path>

</xml>

Shoutcast Streams

This type of media source will contact www.shoutcast.com and list the webradio streams provided by them. This source is available in Music by default.

<xml>

  <name>SHOUTcast - Directory</name>
  <path>shout://www.shoutcast.com/sbin/newxml.phtml</path>
  <!-- direct links to genres and searches are allowed                  -->
  <!-- shout://www.shoutcast.com/sbin/newxml.phtml?genre=Funk           -->
  <!-- shout://www.shoutcast.com/sbin/newxml.phtml?genre=Top500         -->
  <!-- shout://www.shoutcast.com/sbin/newxml.phtml?search=[stationname] -->

</xml>

Last.FM

This type of media source will contact www.last.fm and list your recently played songs/albums/artist etc. You can even playback Last.FM webradio streams provided by them.
Note: Please make sure you have read the Last.FM Manual.

<xml>

  <name>Last.FM</name>
  <path>lastfm://</path>

</xml>

Forced CDDA

XBMC employs auto-detection of the type of CD or DVD disks in the drive. If for some reason you wish to have a share that forces the Xbox to read the disk as an CDDA AudioCD (Compact Disk Digital Audio) use the following share. <xml>

  
    <name>CDDA</name>
    <path>cdda://</path>

</xml>