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Kodi wiki help

Luke

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Luke Emby Team

Luke   37095

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Posted

Hey all,

If you guys are enjoying the Kodi add-on, it would be great if someone could volunteer to help improve our Kodi wiki page:

 

http://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on:XBMB3C

 

Right now it's a little bare. It should introduce the user to Media Browser, tell them what it is, where to get it, and then go into more detail about the add-on and all of it's glory. And for @@xnappo, it needs to be renamed.

 

If you are interested in helping, please reply here. 

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shaefurr

shaefurr   1337

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Going to just post what im working on here, feel free to edit it or copy to the wiki or whatever.

 

What is Media browser?

54ab730568c41_break.jpg

Media Browser is an open source software suite for managing and playing your media (both over your local network and streamed over the web). The core of the software is Media browser server, which is installed on the server PC with your media. The server will manage all your media, automatically fetching artwork and metadata (this can be done manually if desired). The desktop clients and mobile apps will provide a stunning view for browsing and playing your media.

 

Media Browser follows the same naming convention that is used by Plex, and also includes native support for Kodi, so if you’ve already using either platform, you’ll be able to easily switch them over to Media Browser. Media browser also supports a variety of Operating systems including Windows, Linux and IOS.

 

 

What is the Media browser plug-in for KODI?

54ab730e94e32_break.jpg

The media browser plug-in for Kodi is a Video Addon for the much acclaimed KODI (previously XBMC) HTPC software platform. It allows KODI to communicate with Media browser to browse your media collection, view media metadata and play back your media files.

 

What is KODI?

From the KODI web site:

"Kodi (formally known as XBMC) is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub that can be installed on Linux, OSX, Windows, iOS, and Android, featuring a 10-foot user interface for use with televisions and remote controls. It allows users to play and view most videos, music, podcasts, and other digital media files from local and network storage media and the internet."

 

Features of Kodi:

 

Playback

KODI has one of the best playback engines available in the HTPC software arena and support a wide range of container formats and video/audio encoding formats. It is optimised to work on many platforms and is self contained thus not requiring additional filters or software installation to function.

 

Look and Feel

KODI comes with a default skin that can be used in its default local media mode but to get the most out of the Media browser plug-in you will need to install one of the customized skins designed specifically for the MB plug-in.

 

Getting started by installing KODI

54ab77427c81f_break.jpg

After you install and setup Media browser Server, continue by installing Kodi. Visit the official Kodi website here, navigate to the Downloads tab and choose the proper installation for your Operating system. Once downloaded follow the setup to complete the installation.

 

54ab789d3aae9_Kodidownload.jpg

Guides can be found on the same Downloads tab directly below the download link.

 

Installing the Media browser plug-in

54ab78c853322_break.jpg

To add the Media browser plug-in to Kodi,

 

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dark_slayer

dark_slayer   103

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Posted

I like where you are going, but I think for the kodi wikis briefness is paramount. Info about the server is needed I think, but some other wiki pages for comparison

http://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on:Crackler

http://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on:CouchPotato_Manager

http://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on:CNET_Podcasts

 

That being said, surely MB's will be the new gold standard :D

Also, it's easier to criticize than create, I'll post my ideas here as well within a day so we can compare notes

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shaefurr

shaefurr   1337

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Ya I like the simplicity they have there, This post was mostly previous info from the forum that was already posted I was throwing together to get started. Looking at it now its very lengthy considering the plugin setup part is just starting.

 

and of course MB's always has to be the best :)

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  • 3 weeks later...
dark_slayer

dark_slayer   103

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Well, that was embarrassing . . . within a day (plus a whole bunch more days  -_- )

 

Here's what I'm thinking

==================================

 

With the MediaBrowser add-on you can automatically add Video and Music Library Nodes into Kodi from MediaBrowser Server, use your MediaBrowser Server's artwork (including clearart, discart, and clearlogos) within custom Kodi skins, centrally manage all of your watched statuses, easily add multiple users, and much more.

 

First, what is MediaBrowser? http://mediabrowser.tv

 

Second, how does it fit into Kodi? Well, ahem . . that is a little more complex

  • First, here's where you can get the most help with the add-on http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/forum/99-kodi/
  • Second, info about custom skins (if you want to help or for troubleshooting) http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/forum/110-themes/
  • Third, how MediaBrowser can replace your Movie, TV Show, and Music libraries will work differently depending on how you want to go about it
    • ​Option 1 (centrally managed) - You don't need the add-on, you can add each of MediaBrowser's libraries to Kodi as a UPNP source
    • Option 2 (individual Kodi management) - MediaBrowser can scrape artwork and create Kodi compatible NFOs if you would rather use a native Kodi Library
    • Option 3 (Nicest  :D ) Use the add-on with a custom skin - this will centrally manage your watched status and resume points to MediaBrowser Server (which can be run on a multitude of clients outside of Kodi as well)
      • ​As far as "How does MediaBrowser work with Kodi" most wonder how does this work with Option 3 which is with the add-on
      • As the Kodi add-on uses Python there are a few pieces of legwork that are completed by the add-on and presented in the custom skins that will take sometimes just a little bit longer (on a decently powered intel HTPC) or sometimes a painfully long amount of time longer (like on an RPi or just about any ARM box at this point)
        • ​The best explanation I've read thus far can be found here http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/topic/17217-slow-media-load-times/&do=findComment&comment=169208
        • In a nutshell . . . 
          • The add-on queries the MediaBrowser API (JSON)
          • A python module takes the string and builds an object in memory for reference
          • With the beta fast-processing feature each object is also written locally, but after a restart each object is still re-created in memory (just not from the MediaBrowser API)
          • Also with the beta fast-processing feature each object is created locally and updated on playback start and stop

Supported features in custom skins:

  • Central watched / resume status management
  • Posters, backdrops, extrafanart, discart, clearart, and clearlogos
  • Local Trailers
  • YouTube Trailers (at least in Titan -- Helix and Gotham -- as well as Nox4 -- Gotham)
  • Cast/Crew images
  • Plots
  • Search (1080XF)

 

Ready? Getting started (for best experience and custom skins use the MediaBrowser repo)

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xnappo

xnappo   1593

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Posted (edited)

I appreciate the help - the order of your sections are all backward to me:

 

Reordering:

 

With the MediaBrowser add-on you can automatically add Video and Music Library Nodes into Kodi from MediaBrowser Server, use your MediaBrowser Server's artwork (including clearart, discart, and clearlogos) within custom Kodi skins, centrally manage all of your watched statuses, easily add multiple users, and much more.

 

For an overview of all that MediaBrowser can do for you, see here: http://mediabrowser.tv/about/ [EDIT]

 

[EDIT] You need some info about installing the server first, and key information that relates to Kodi installs, like how to set up for UNC/SMB paths, path substitution etc, this is our #1 problem!

 

[EDIT] Then how to install the addon, just point to stable, they can learn about beta later

Ready? Getting started (for best experience and custom skins use the MediaBrowser repo)

  • Install Beta or Stable Repo from zip http://mediabrowser....7194-kodi-repo/
  • Force Refresh the repo
  • Add-ons -> Get Add-ons -> MediaBrowser Repo -> Video Add-ons -> Mediabrowser
  • Configuration (most should be straightforward) http://mediabrowser....-documentation/
  • Remember to restart Kodi after configuring the MediaBrowser add-on
  • Install a custom skin
    • Add-ons -> Get Add-ons -> MediaBrowser Repo -> Skins -> Your Choice !!
    • Try them all  :D
    • Favorite skin not there? Come over to the forums and help create it, someone can help get you started

Supported features in custom skins:

  • Central watched / resume status management
  • Posters, backdrops, extrafanart, discart, clearart, and clearlogos
  • Local Trailers
  • YouTube Trailers (at least in Titan -- Helix and Gotham -- as well as Nox4 -- Gotham)
  • Cast/Crew images
  • Plots
  • Search (1080XF)
  •  

[EDIT] Everything below, while interesting to a power user, is just confusing IMHO.

[EDIT] Also - note that custom skins are not really required.  A skin that allows for custom menus will work, just not as purdy.

 

Second, how does it fit into Kodi? Well, ahem . . that is a little more complex

  • First, here's where you can get the most help with the add-on http://mediabrowser..../forum/99-kodi/
  • Second, info about custom skins (if you want to help or for troubleshooting) http://mediabrowser....rum/110-themes/
  • Third, how MediaBrowser can replace your Movie, TV Show, and Music libraries will work differently depending on how you want to go about it
    • ​Option 1 (centrally managed) - You don't need the add-on, you can add each of MediaBrowser's libraries to Kodi as a UPNP source
    • Option 2 (individual Kodi management) - MediaBrowser can scrape artwork and create Kodi compatible NFOs if you would rather use a native Kodi Library
    • Option 3 (Nicest   :D ) Use the add-on with a custom skin - this will centrally manage your watched status and resume points to MediaBrowser Server (which can be run on a multitude of clients outside of Kodi as well)
      • ​As far as "How does MediaBrowser work with Kodi" most wonder how does this work with Option 3 which is with the add-on
      • As the Kodi add-on uses Python there are a few pieces of legwork that are completed by the add-on and presented in the custom skins that will take sometimes just a little bit longer (on a decently powered intel HTPC) or sometimes a painfully long amount of time longer (like on an RPi or just about any ARM box at this point)
        • ​The best explanation I've read thus far can be found here http://mediabrowser....es/#entry169208
        • In a nutshell . . . 
          • The add-on queries the MediaBrowser API (JSON)
          • A python module takes the string and builds an object in memory for reference
          • With the beta fast-processing feature each object is also written locally, but after a restart each object is still re-created in memory (just not from the MediaBrowser API)
          • Also with the beta fast-processing feature each object is created locally and updated on playback start and stop
Edited by xnappo
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dark_slayer

dark_slayer   103

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I appreciate the help - the order of your sections are all backward to me:

 

 

 

I agree, after reading what I wrote I thought the same thing

 

That's unfortunately the same way that I talk, most complicated intricacies first and introduction last :D

 

I'll modify and update the kodi wiki, we can always continue to change it (anyone can, just takes a permission request - it's community owned)

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marcelveldt

marcelveldt   736

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Posted

Just a little addition about the Titan skin:

 

It is available in the main/official kodi repo and NOT in the stable mediabrowser repo.

That's because it was causing conflicts with the official repo.

The beta versions of the titan skin are available in mediabrowser repo beta.

 

Also, Titan supports all features of the addon, some  have to be added to the menu manually like channels, favorite shows/movies and search.

If anyone thinks that I should add those items by default on new installs, let me know.

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