XBMC is an open source project that is being promoted since 2003 by more than 50 developers and can be used free of charge from any and expanded. In addition to the large number of computer platforms the software offers its services in over 30 translations that are more than 100 translators created and updated.
surface
The interface of the program is mainly designed to operate by remote control and game pad. Operation with keyboard and mouse consists of the concept was only willing to resist because it is quite complicated in places, to use the menu with both. The menu is quite confusing in some views, as each view provides different perspectives and functions are well hidden. The issue is not just by the existing skinning system simpler. It may happen that a function in B Skin is in a very different place than in a skin A. Nevertheless, the "Consoleros" feel at home.
XBMC - with the current weather in Dresden
database
Unlike the film databases that we might have been analyzed at the XBMC media flow completely in focus. The database design is fixed and is more in the background. The user is given a functional framework with which to detect and investigate his films. Different areas of the database can be protected from other users. The program offers to profiles. In this case, several rights are granted to each profile. Sorry, can not represent the access to movies with, for example a certain age level. Only complete range will be blocked: movies, music, pictures.
A XBMC Database can be also in the form of XML import and ex-.
navigation
The software offers different ways to navigate through the media. The focus is on virtual directories that are containers, the media, according to certain criteria mentioned. For example, contains a list of all Genre genre. Each genre path in turn contains the films of the genre, etc. This can continue for a variety of criteria.
XBMC - Virtual paths in the movie database
films enter
Unlike other administrations in XBMC movie films inserted only by the scan of a disk. In our testing, the scan of the list was lengthy. The software scans in the background pre-set directories and tries to hand the names of files or folders movie information from various online services to obtain.
Which online service to be used in the settings can be global, and also for each source directory stored separately. In addition to all the cover images and movie data can also be downloaded fan art images. Fan-Art images are displayed by default in the background of any movie view, so the perception is reinforced for the film.
XBMC - a directory as a data source select
Play
films are either played on the integrated player or with a selectable external player. The native player has all the features you need. Films have been viewed can be seen as marked. Films can be seen from lists hidden. In unseen films, the representation of the plot are turned off to not to take one's power.
If a DVD is inserted into the drive, it will be played immediately. Unfortunately, adding DVDs to the database is not provided.
XBMC - Integrated player with active controls
Search / Find
In the "media stream" skin is the view of the possibility of a film Do you make search. Unfortunately the search with various movie titles delivered any results. It always came back to the search dialog.
The user can search all types of records. This opens the search function, an input box where the desired search term is entered. Appear in a results found films, genres and people. Clicking on a result provides the information in XBMC a corresponding view dar.
XBMC - Open search dialog
let's filter feature films limit the displayed simple. You see only the titles that begin with the typed character group.
XBMC - Results for the search "and" in our test database
Another useful feature are the playlists. A playlist is larger on the basis of any film data in combination with predicates such as, created less than, contains. The brilliant thing about it is that a playlist is created can be all action movies, with a score greater than 7 contains from 2001. A playlist is also understandable as a virtual directory.
XBMC - Dialog for editing a "Smart Playlist"
Conclusion
design and interface of XBMC leave much to be desired. The feedback and the speed is breathtaking, thanks to 3D support. That such an extensive software for all platforms and is available free of active development is remarkable. In addition, we have the playlists with the arbitrary criteria very well fallen. The database approach to movies is simple and functional - all according to the statement "less is more".
The user profiles are in our opinion a good start, but not thought through. It is not clear why one can not lock individual film lists, eg to set up a profile just for kids movies.
is a pity, too, that the online search did not work. The functionality of a wish list is not present by default. In addition, the software is not for the great DVD collection. DVDs are not recorded as described in the film collection. The program works went ahead with files.
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