XBMC is, without a doubt, the nest thing you can add to your Apple TV. XBMC opens your iOS device to a world of multimedia management, live streaming television, movies, sports, music, and much more. As amazing as XBMC is, until you learn how to utilize XBMC to its fullest potential, it can feel like a digital doorstop. It is with this in mind that we have decided to do a series of pieces that walk you through the essential parts of XBMC. So, if you are already a pro, read on and then correct my mistakes in the comment section. If, on the other hand, you are a novice/n00b… just read on!

General Navigation

Moving through XBMC is as easy as any system you can install on a PC these days. Though the process can vary dependent on the hardware you are using, the concept is the same. You have your default sections when you first boot XBMC:

• Weather
• Pictures
• Video
• Music
• Programs
• System

WEATHER

The first item in your menu is Weather. This gives you real time information on the weather for you area. By default, you are given the ability to track the weather for as many as three different locations. When in the Weather section of XBMC you can click to the left to open an extra screen that allows you to adjust settings within this section. This also allows users to cycle through options and locations. It is also worth mentioning that this special window that appears when clicking left is available in every section. It holds unique content dependent on which section you are in.

PICTURES, VIDEOS, MUSIC, PROGRAMS

Within any categories that offer content (Music, Pictures, Videos) you are given the same three options when you first open it: Files, Playlists, & Add-ons. Each option offers a unique set of features, choices, and functions for your Apple TV. It is worth noting that the Programs section only provides Add-ons. There is no option to add personal content.

Files

These all add some IMPORTANT functionality to your system. The first item, Files, is where we will go in order to addour own content to XBMC. So, if you have pictures, movies, television shows, or music on a hard drive/external drive and you want to add it to XBMC, this is where you go. From within the Files section you are given the option to view the files that are on your machine, or to add sources. This option will enable you to navigate to the content directory and scan it into your Apple TV.

Playlist

We will cover this in another article, but this option will enable you to view any playlists that you have already created.

(Content Type) Addons

This section enables users to view all of the addons/plugins that you have installed, or that have come preinstalled, onto your Apple TV. This section will always end with an icon, and text, that says GET MORE.

If you follow this GET MORE option, you will be taken to a list of all the addons/plugins that are available to you. The repositories that are installed on your device determine the addons that are available. If you would like to add more repositories, and addons, check out our list of Top 10 best XBMC addons for Apple TV 1 and Apple TV 2.

SYSTEM

This section is where all of the settings, and customizations, are stored. Think of this section as the brains of XBMC. If you want to edit, change or adjust anything in XBMC, you can do it here. This section will open to a list of options, such as:

• Appearance:

Here you will find the ability to adjust things such as your time zone, sound effects, zoom in (zoom out), screensavers, and what skin you want installed.

• Video:

Here you will find the ability to adjust your library, playback, files, subtitles, and DVD options.

• Music:

Here you will find the ability to adjust your library, playback, files, subtitles, and song submission options. Here you can also activate Last.FM features within XBMC.

• Pictures:

Here you will find the ability to adjust things such as your file lists as well as photo slideshow options.

• Weather:

Here you will find the ability to adjust things such as your weather location and weather addons.

• Add-ons:

Here you will find the ability to adjust things such as enabled addons. You can install new addons, uninstall existing addons, and add repositories to XBMC.

• Network:

Here you will find the ability to adjust things such as your network options. This includes the ability to enable AirPlay, UPnP, SMB, and other file sharing options. You can also add proxy servers in this location

• System:

Here you will find the ability to adjust things such as your video output resolution, audio input/output methods, debugging features, and much more.

• Skin:

Finally, in the skins section you are able to edit the skin to your hearts content. The options that are made available vary from skin to skin but this usual includes customizing menus, changing backgrounds, home screen widgets, and much more. (Read also: How to change skins in XBMC on Apple TV)

As you can see there are a lot of options within XBMC. I highly recommend that you all dive in and get to know your system as well as you can. The more you know about XBMC, the better your Apple TV set will be. XBMC truly is a case of software that is so simple, it’s hard.

More on XBMC on Apple TV:

• Top 10 best XBMC addons for Apple TV 1 and Apple TV 2
• How to install XBMC add-ons and plugins on Apple TV
• How to clone the XBMC installation on Apple TV 1 and Apple TV 2
• How to install XBMC 12.0 Frodo (beta 1) on Apple TV
• How to change skins in XBMC on Apple TV
• Supercharge your current XBMC installation with XBMC Hub Wizard
• Watch live sports on Apple TV with SportsDevil XBMC video addon

 (This article is also available in Spanish / Este artículo también está disponible en español)

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For many of our reads, there is no question regarding what XBMC is or how to use it. That said, we never find a shortage of folks who don’t understand XBMC’s add-ons, plugins, tools, menus, skins, libraries, third party extras, etc. It was with this in mind that we have decided to dedicate a bit of time every month to breaking down ALL THINGS XBMC. Our goal is to give information that could greatly help new comers, and veterans, alike. I, personally, aim to bring tips and tricks to shed light on many items that have seemingly alluded many users of XBMC as a home multimedia solution. So, if you find yourself always helping fiends and family with their XBMC systems, bookmark this page, and stay tuned for the months to come! We are going to get the masses ready to use, and comfortable with, Xbox Media Center (XBMC).

Though this article may seem ‘to basic’ for the tech elite that frequent this pages, please note that this article is simply a launching point for our ALL THINGS XBMC series. We will not be breaking down any walls today, but rather shedding light on XBMC in general. We want to take a broad brush and give you all an idea of what XBMC is and does. We will then use this article as a guideline for the pieces to come.

What is XBMC?

XBMC is an award-winning FREE, open source (GPL), software media player and entertainment hub for digital media. XBMC is currently available for Linux, OSX, Windows, iOS, & even Android. XBMC has been designed to be the perfect companion for your Apple TV (1, 2, and someday your 3). Supporting an almost endless range of remote controls, and combined with its beautiful interface and powerful skinning engine, XBMC feels very natural to use from the couch and is the ideal solution for your home theater – multi media center.

Essentially, XBMC offers users the ability to watch personal content, as well as content found on the web, on their Television. It makes itself a central interface for thousands, if not millions, of playable content. It is built with the ability to install add-ons, skins, scripts, and more, all with the purpose of expanding its functionality. The software is, by far, the most feature rich solution on the market. XBMC is only limited by the lack of understanding of its users. This is a situation where the more you know, quickly equates to an unparallelled television experience!

Items We Intend To Cover:

- How to install on Apple TV
- How to navigate & understand XBMC’s menu options
- XBMC’s library: how to add, remove, & customize it’s content
- XBMC scripts? Yes, they are useful!
- How to stream content from the Web within XBMC
- How to install add-ons & repositories
- How to change & customize skins on XBMC
- Using AirPlay & mobile apps with XBMC
- Watching live television on XBMC
- Watching movies on XBMC
- Supercharging your current XBMC installation with XBMC Hub Wizard

Stay tuned for the next tutorial!  In the meantime, you can check out our list of Top 10 best XBMC addons for Apple TV 1 and Apple TV 2.

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Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

If you are a fan of jailbreaking your Apple TV’s, or even your iDevice (iPad, iPhone, iPod), then you are likely aware of XBMC. This awesome multi-media platform has worked its way from the original XBOX all the way to your Apple TV 2, and even your iPod Touch. Though installing XBMC is one of the easiest hacks to through on your jailbroken Apple product, getting XBMC set up correctly, and effectively, is a process that can take the better part of a year to learn, understand, and master. That is, until the release of the new XBMC HUB Wizard.

The team over at XBMC HUB, including myself, work tirelessly to develop addons, build tools, offer support, and provide guidance for all XBMC users at every technical level. That said, we saw that there was a growing number of individuals who wanted to experience XBMC to the fullest, but felt overwhelmed when trying to get addons installed, repositories set up, or fixes implemented from month-to-month.

It was this realization, and the desire to help simplify the process for the all users including those mainstream individuals, that the folks over at XBMC HUB sought out to build the XBMC HUB Wizard. This tool simply supercharge your current XBMC installation.

Requirements

• Jailbroken Apple TV (or any iDevice) with XBMC already installed (fresh jailbreak and XBMC installation is recommended):

1. How to jailbreak your Apple TV using Seas0nPass
2. How to install XMBC on jailbroken Apple TV

• XBMC HUB Wizard Application (downloadable).

PRE-INSTALLED IN XBMC WIZARD:

Layout Changes

• Custom XBMC HUB App Icon
• Custom Wizard Edition Splash Screen
• Custom XBMC HUB Backgrounds
• XBMC HUB RSS Feeds
• Pre-Configured Addon Shortcuts
• Preset Thumbnail View (where desirable)

System Tweaks

• Live Streaming Fix (libRTMP Updated)
• Joystick Remote Tweak (ATV only)
• Veetle Streaming Fix
• Advanced XML Tweaks (ATV & iOS only)
• Audio Output Setting Change
• Fusion Installer Pre-Configured
• Parental Control Options
• Pre Set Weather for Major US Cities

Pre-Installed Repositories

1. anarchintosh addons
2. bluecop Add-on Repository
3. Bstrdsmkr’s Repository
4. divingmule’s Unofficial Repository
5. Eldorado’s XBMC Addons
6. MaxMustermann’s add-ons
7. Mikey1234′s Addons
8. mortstar’s repo
9. mscreation’s XBMC Addons
10. nixa addons
11. Passion-XBMC.org Add-ons
12. t0mm0′s XBMC Addons
13. XBMC-Adult Addons
14. XBMC.org Add-ons

Pre-enabled Addons

Step 1: Download and Extract the xbmchubWizard.zip file to your Desktop.

Step 2: Launch the “xbmchubWizard.app” application, be sure to confirm you want to “Open” the downloaded application before using it first time, if prompted.

Step 3: On the left side of the application, click on the “Choose Apple TV” dropdown and select your Apple TV device. The computer running this application must be on the same network.

Note: Make sure “Choose Apple TV” is checked initially, then choose your Apple TV, that way it’ll keep up to date with IP Address changes.

Step 4: If you have more than one Apple TV on your network, verify that the IP Address in the lower left corner corresponds with your box. You can find the IP Address of your Apple TV by going into the “Settings” -> “General” -> “About” page on your device.

Step 5: Press the “Configure AppleTV 2″ button and wait a few minutes for the process to complete. Please make sure you’ve launched XBMC on your Apple TV at least once before beginning.

Step 6: You’ll see a green check mark and your Apple TV will reboot once finished, you can now begin enjoying your reborn XBMC experience.

Congratulations! Your Apple TV is now supercharged with everything pre-configured.

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Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!