Buzz
One of the key highlights of XBMC, the incredibly versatile media center software, is its ability to support browser-style extensions. If you've ever wanted to add TV watching, podcast listening, or gaming to your XBMC setup, here’s how it’s done.
Downloading and Setting Up Add-Ons
Installing add-ons is a straightforward process, although it may require a few extra steps depending on whether the add-on is officially supported by XBMC. Below are the steps for installing both add-ons from the XBMC repository and third-party sources.
Installing from the Official XBMC Repository
Note: The videos in this post feature an older version of XBMC and discuss outdated add-ons, but the steps should still be applicable to newer versions.
XBMC’s add-on system functions similarly to a Linux distribution (for those familiar with the process). There are multiple sources for add-ons, called repositories. XBMC includes a built-in repository, allowing you to dive straight into browsing add-ons with no extra setup. Simply open XBMC and navigate to System > Add-Ons > Get Add-Ons. Initially, you’ll only have the "XBMC.org Add-ons" option (the main repository). Once you select it, XBMC will show you a variety of categories to choose from, like Music Add-ons, Program Add-ons, Skins, and more. Within these categories, you'll find a wide selection of add-ons.
To learn more about a specific add-on, simply select it, and a window will open explaining what it does. From there, click the "Install" button to add it. To access the add-on, go to its respective category (e.g., if you installed a "Music Add-on", go back to the main menu and select Music > Music Add-Ons). You may need to adjust the add-on's settings before using it, which can typically be done by highlighting it and accessing the context menu (press the "c" key on your keyboard, or use the corresponding button on your remote). For more info on our top picks, check out our favorites list below.
Adding New Add-On Repositories to XBMC
Some third-party add-ons are not included by default in XBMC. To install these, you’ll need to add their repositories. You can find some repositories on this wiki page, but others can be discovered on the XBMC forums, or even featured here on Mytour. These repositories typically focus on specific add-ons or languages, but there are also a few general repositories that offer various third-party add-ons.
To install a third-party repository, simply download its zip file from the wiki page to your computer. Then, in XBMC, go to System > Add-Ons and click "Install from zip file". Locate the zip file on your computer and select Install. Afterward, when you go to "Get Add-Ons", the new repository will appear as an option, and you can browse its add-ons just like you did with the official repository.
Our Top Recommended Add-Ons
While exploring the repositories is a great way to find unique add-ons, there are definitely a few that we consider essential. Below are some of our personal favorites (all from the official XBMC repository unless noted otherwise).
Content Channels
Location: Audio Add-Ons and Video Add-Ons, available in various repositories
What They Do: While not a single add-on, you can usually find numerous content providers under the Audio Add-Ons and Video Add-Ons categories. These allow you to stream shows directly from the Music or Video sections of XBMC. Providers range from well-known broadcast channels like PBS, NPR, Fox News, and Cartoon Network, to popular podcast networks like TWiT, Jupiter Broadcasting, TED Talks, Revision3, and even online video platforms such as YouTube and Funny or Die.
And those are just the add-ons available within XBMC. You can also discover other great ones in third-party repositories, like Democracy Now and The Guild in the Queeup repository, or even South Park in the AddonScriptorDE testing repository.
Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon
Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon are among the most popular streaming platforms, so it makes perfect sense that you'd want to stream them through XBMC. However, due to DRM and other technical challenges, getting these services to work isn't as simple as it may seem.
You can stream Netflix content using an add-on called NetfliXBMC, available in the AddonScriptorDE Repository under Video Add-Ons. While it requires another add-on to function and works via your browser, you can control it with your Windows remote, which is a nice feature. It does require more setup than other add-ons, so be sure to check out our guide to NetfliXBMC here.
There's a similar add-on for Amazon, available here, but it currently doesn't work with Gotham as of this writing. As for Hulu, there's no working add-on available at the moment, though you could use the Hulu Desktop app with the Advanced Launcher add-on mentioned below as a workaround.
Our recommendation: These add-ons likely aren't worth the hassle. As long as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon don’t officially support XBMC—which seems increasingly unlikely—the harder it will be to get them working. I suggest opting for a Chromecast or Roku stick instead. At just $35, it's officially supported and streams videos beautifully (though a small workaround is required for Amazon). Use the Chromecast for these services and XBMC for everything else.
USTV VoD (Video on Demand)
Location: XBMC Plus Repository > Video Add-Ons
What It Does: USTV VoD is the successor to the old Free Cable add-on. It gives you access to episodes and clips from a wide range of TV channels, including Comedy Central, Adult Swim, ABC, NBC, SyFy, and many more (you can see the full list here). Essentially, whatever you can stream from those channels' websites, you’ll find available in this add-on, ready to be enjoyed on XBMC.
SportsDevil
Location: SportsDevil Repository > Video Add-Ons (available exclusively through the unofficial and unsupported Fusion Installer)
What It Does: SportsDevil compiles a huge collection of streaming sports events, more than you could ever need (whether it's a stick, bat, or golf club you're shaking). While most of its streams are unofficial, meaning they’re often of lower quality and not guaranteed to work, it's one of the best ways to get your sports fix on XBMC.
Navi-X, 1Channel, and Icefilms
Location: You can find Navi-X on Google Code, 1Channel on GitHub, and Icefilms in the Anarchintosh repository. Simply install them from ZIP files, and they’ll appear under Video Add-Ons.
What They Do: These three add-ons (along with many others) gather movies, TV shows, podcasts, live sports streams, and other videos from various streaming sites across the web. Essentially, they act as massive libraries filled with just about anything you could imagine. They might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but if you can't find what you're looking for anywhere else, you’re likely to find it here.
Note, however, that many of these streams are unofficial—meaning some may be unreliable, and others could even be illegal. Use them responsibly.
uTorrent, Transmission, and CouchPotato
Location: Program Add-Ons
What They Do: Whether you're using BitTorrent or Usenet to download movies and TV shows, XBMC offers several download managers through its add-ons. By configuring uTorrent's WebUI, Transmission's Remote Control, or CouchPotato for Usenet and entering the appropriate details into the corresponding XBMC add-on, you can manage (and in some cases, even control) your downloads from your TV, whether the files are stored on the local machine or a remote one.
Advanced Launcher
Location: Angelscry Repository > Program Add-Ons
What It Does: Want to play video games on your XBMC system through its remote-friendly interface? We previously showed you how to use the original Launcher plugin when add-ons weren't as easy to install—now, simply install the plugin from Program Add-Ons and you’re ready to start emulating.
Advanced Launcher isn't the only add-on of its kind; if it doesn’t suit your needs, you can also explore ROM Collection Browser, available in the Official XBMC Repository.
XBMC Library Auto-Update
Location: Program Add-Ons
What It Does: If you don’t want to restart XBMC each time you add something new to your library (or whenever your automated system does it for you), simply activate this add-on at the start of your XBMC session. It will automatically scan your library for new content at set time intervals.
XBMC File Cleaner
Location: Program Add-Ons
What It Does: This handy add-on scans your library for watched TV shows and movies, then moves or deletes them based on criteria such as age, rating, and available disk space. You can fine-tune its behavior in the settings. Be cautious with this one; improper use could result in the accidental deletion of your movies (yikes!).
Skins
Location: Skin, available in many repositories (including the official XBMC.org repository)
What they Do: As the name suggests, skins change the appearance and functionality of your XBMC setup. Just head to the "Skin" section in the add-ons manager to explore a variety of popular XBMC skins that you can easily install with a single click. Experiment with different options and find the one that fits your style!
These are just a few of our top add-ons after exploring the latest version of XBMC. There are plenty more to discover, so dive into the XBMC add-ons manager and explore websites like the official XBMC.org and the well-known (but unofficial) XBMChub.com. You're sure to uncover some incredible finds.
