Buzz
XBMC, the highly customizable open-source media center, is now available in its latest version, XBMC 10.0 Dharma, for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This update brings substantial improvements, particularly to the add-on framework, making it more powerful than ever.
Around this time last year, the XBMC team released the 9.11 Camelot version. Camelot amazed users with its sleek user interface and premium skins, giving the media center a high-end look that often left guests in disbelief that it was completely free.
Throughout 2010, the Dharma build evolved through beta stages and into release-candidate phases. Now, XBMC 10.0 Dharma is officially available, offering a remarkable upgrade. While it may look similar to 9.11 Camelot at first glance, the refined styling and subtle enhancements make it even more visually appealing. The true improvements, however, lie in the technical advancements under the surface.
Let's face it—XBMC is a favorite for many, including myself. It won the Hive Five for best media center application, and its updates always generate significant interest. Historically, customizing XBMC or adding new features wasn't always straightforward. Users often had to sift through countless forum posts or rely on detailed guides. Add-ons were inconsistent, working on one build but failing on another. This release revolutionizes add-on support by introducing a polished, repository-based system that eliminates previous frustrations.
Does this sound too good to be true? Take a look at the video below. With a fresh installation, I effortlessly installed add-ons right out of the box. No need to fiddle with configuration files or manual edits—watch as I quickly download a new skin, integrate media scrapers, and add a video plugin in just minutes, all without any complex setup.
If you're new to XBMC, you might think, "That looked simple!" But if you're a seasoned XBMC user, you're probably amazed. Gone are the days of FTPing into your installation, manually editing configuration files, or jumping through hoops. Adding media scrapers, music and video add-ons, subtitle tools, new skins, and web interfaces for remote control has never been this straightforward.
Beyond the incredible add-on support—which is a massive leap forward for XBMC thanks to its new framework and repository—the Dharma build also includes several other enhancements:
Added support for new media codecs like WebM/VP8.
Enhanced hardware acceleration for a variety of setups, including DXVA2 for Windows Vista/7 and CrystalHD acceleration across all platforms. Linux and OS X users will benefit the most from CrystalHD improvements.
Added support for playing unencrypted Blu-ray content.
Built-in update features, including notifications and automatic updating capabilities.
For a comprehensive list of all the enhancements in XBMC 10.0 Dharma, take a look at the complete build milestone document here.
Eager to dive into the new release and organize your media library while customizing your XBMC setup? Explore our detailed guides to get everything just right:
How to Synchronize Your XBMC Media Center Across Every Room in Your Home
The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your XBMC Media Center
Transform Your XBMC Media Center into a Video Game Console
How to Perfect Your Movie and TV Show Artwork for XBMC and Boxee
Boost Your XBMC Experience with Remote Controls for Any Device
Click the link below to explore further or head straight to the download page to get the version for your preferred operating system.
XBMC 10.0 Dharma [XBMC]
