Anyone use XBMC?

Zero

Zero

New member
I installed it recently on the HTPC and have to say it's a pretty neat front end.

Now I haven't read up on it but is there a way to centralize the database used for media info? I have all my files on a media server and various devices that could use XBMC to connect to it. I'd like to avoid setting up separate XBMC databases on each device.

From what I have read, it's possible to set it up using MySQL somehow, but more recent info suggests this is all handled through XBMC now. Does anyone know how to set up XBMC so that:

-database points to media library on media server, synched on all devices
-media info is synched across all devices
-video playback bookmark is synched on all devices
-configuration/skin/add-ons/etc synched on all devices

Can you do this natively through XBMC?
 
I've messed around with it on the Raspi, but since they require a cable card here to decode the cable channels, I ended up with a full on WMC setup.

You should check out openelec.
 
Plex server and PC/MAC/Linux clients are free. you will have to throw down $5 dollars to get it for mobile device marketplace of choice but it is well worth it.
 
Ok so been playing with Plex for an hour and it looks like a preconfigured variant of XBMC running with client-server architecture. Kinda cool because it should be able to keep a single media database as well as sync playback progress all around.

Front end doesn't seem as fully featured or customizable as straight XBMC though. Ill play around with it some more tomorrow but I think I'd still like to set up XBMC like plex if possible.
 
Also if you don't mind using Windows Media Center check out the lastest media browser server. They're working on a standalone player based on VLC (I think) but for now it's only supporting playback via HTML5 browsers and Windows Media Center.

This is what I use at home.


http://www.mediabrowser3.com/

Edit: Apparently they've added support for roku and most phones now too!
 
Looks really neat, I will give it a shot tonight.

I used a Plex a bit more today and while it solves the problem of media info management, it's lacking some customization that I liked on XBMC. Hopefully MB3 provides some more functionality in that regard.

Will post feedback later.

I still also can't figure out how to do a centralized media info database with XBMC natively but am still looking.
 
Holy ****, this thing can organize my porn??? Damn you Greasy, now I need to run out and buy more HDs to centralize THAT collection too :mad:

Really liking MB3 so far, a little nicer looking than Plex but plugins aren't freely available as either Plex or XBMC. Interesting product though, I'm gonna keep playing with it for a bit.
 
I've been using plex for some time now, and have totally uninstalled all the other media server type things and have gone "all in" on plex. Even went so far as to cough up the $85 for a plexpass to support them. Btw - w/plexpass you get support on their forum and there's definitely techie people asking techie questions on customization.

I stream plex to 2 iphones, an ipad, an lg smart tv, a kindle hdx, and two rokus. It runs on my old windows home server. And, no, not all at the same time!
 
I'm also a fan of Plex. I keep my media organized on the main computer and stream to my TV with no issues.
 
Zero said:
I installed it recently on the HTPC and have to say it's a pretty neat front end.

Now I haven't read up on it but is there a way to centralize the database used for media info? I have all my files on a media server and various devices that could use XBMC to connect to it. I'd like to avoid setting up separate XBMC databases on each device.

From what I have read, it's possible to set it up using MySQL somehow, but more recent info suggests this is all handled through XBMC now. Does anyone know how to set up XBMC so that:

-database points to media library on media server, synched on all devices
-media info is synched across all devices
-video playback bookmark is synched on all devices
-configuration/skin/add-ons/etc synched on all devices

Can you do this natively through XBMC?
Click to expand...

I have mySQL setup and working. It is very easy to setup, the one thing I learned though, is to make sure you have your clients set to connect to network before boot processes or it won't see the db early enough. This isn't an issue if your running XBMC over an OS, only found this issue with openelec.

Unfortunately, I only have one client at this time. My setup was more about future proofing.

With MYSql all options will work. For option 4, you will need to edit some XML lines to change your appdata/profile path so a master location.

I would recommend PLEX for Remote viewing, but XBMC for any HTPC clients. To me it's lighter and more customized. Plex is way to bulky to be on my TV for my liking.
 
Plex + Roku 3 = win.

Looking for a good pc remote for Plex on my office pc to watch in that room as well on my second monitor. Not liking my ati remote atm.
 
I believe this is what your looking for: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW-TO:Share_libraries_using_MySQL

I personally have never tried it before. Since I use XBMC on 3 devices on the home for playing media over the network, this looks like a good idea, much better than scraping media info for each device.

Plex is good for remote watching on other devices that dont have XBMC, mainly my windows tablet (XBMC doesn't work well on windows touchscreen :cry:), my phone, the g/f's phone/tablet, and I use it for DLNA on my TV. I also use the web-server to stream through various browsers, which is sweet. It's like having your own personal YouTube :D .
 
Zero said:
Thanks, what I'm looking for actually is a way to do centralization without MySQL.
Click to expand...

Seriously, take a look at Plex and the Plex client software.

I used XBMC for while and it was more trouble than it was worth for me. Before that I used Sage.tv but they got bought up and shut down by Google.

My current setup is exactly the same as yours. I have my HTPC media server with all my files and Plex clients running on other pc, devices or through my Roku 3.

Plex stores everything in a database and I can force updates whenever I like. I did not have to install mysql.
 
I've tried Plex already, I like it a lot but it does a few things differently from XBMC and isn't as customizable. I still have PMS running (lol PR guys) and access it through various front-ends but my fave is still XBMC.

I haven't messed around with my media network in a while though, will report back after I get to it in the new year.
 
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