TAGS
</advancedsettings>
Save the file as “advancedsettings.xml”, exit. Note the full name of the file as its listed in the folder. The name is probably now “advancedsettings.xml.txt”, thats not right. Change the name to make sure its advancedsettings.xml. The icon for the file should change from a txt file to something else – then you know you’ve got the right extension. Double check you have the name typed right and have no typos.
Check your work – Open XBMC and change it to windowed mode (Hit \ to change to windowed mode) – Reboot the computer – Wait for XBMC to load, is it in fullscreen mode? It should be.
You may note that while XBMC is indeed in full screen you still have the windows taskbar down at the bottom. Right click on the bar and deselect “Lock the taskbar”, then right click on the bar, select properties and select “Auto-hide the taskbar”. Now it will go away when not in use.
One final setup and we should be done. Since we have a HTPC hooked up to a TV that means either the keyboard is sitting next to the TV or you have to use a wireless keyboard (which is bulky when trying to just relax on the couch). Whats great is that XBMC now has an android app (and possibly iOS?). So we can setup or phone to remotely control the XBMC instead. This is much more preferable as we don’t have to (and remember to) lug around that keyboard.
Setup XBMC to allow for the remote System > Network > Services – Select “Allow control of XBMC via HTTP” – Port should be 8080 – Entered in a desired Username and Password, this is what you will enter into the remote to be allowed to control XBMC. – Select “Allow programs on other systems to control XBMC. System > System > Input Devices – Select “Remote control sends keyboard presses”
XBMC is now setup to allow for your remote control session, so let’s setup the remote now.
Download the app – You can either get it from the Market by searching for “xbmc remote”. Make sure to get the official one by Team-XBMC… or – You can get it by using the barcode scanner and being directed straight to the app for download. Scan the QR code (image).
Open the app and hit your menu button, then select “Add host” – Enter in the IP address of your HTPC (Suggest using the private IP only) – To find the private IP hit the start button and select Run, then type in “cmd” (no quotes) – In the command box type in “ipconfig/all” and look for the private IP – it should be something like 192.168.1.4 Note: If your router allows for it – I recommend reserving an IP for your HTPC, that will ensure it always gets the same private IP – otherwise you’ll have to change the IP address in your remote later on. – Make sure the HTTP API Port is set to 8080 to match XBMC – Enter in the username and password you had typed into XBMC earlier. – Select the option “WiFi only”, you’ll need this to make sure your phone is on your network before attempting to connect. Otherwise your phone won’t have a private IP similar to XBMC and you won’t be able to see/connect to XBMC. If there are multiple networks in your area (neighbors that have wireless setup) make sureyou are on YOUR network with both your HTPC and your phone, again, otherwise they won’t be able to see each other.
UPDATE: You may notice when using your phone as a remote that once your phone goes to sleep you lose your wireless connection. Of course if you lose your wireless connection then you lose your remotes connection to XBMC. Instead you can set your phone to keep the wireless always on by doing the following steps. A side note on this: There is debate on whether this actually helps your battery or drains it faster as your 3G won’t be going online/offline regularly to do checks but your wireless will be on all the time. So test it out for yourself and see what works best for you. You may actually increase your battery life while doing this as well. If you find that it is draining your battery faster you can always put a widget on your home screen to toggle wireless on/off.
On your phone:
Settings > Wireless & networks > Wi-Fi settings > Menu button > Advanced > Wi-Fi Sleep policy > Never
This script gives you the ability to define your own TV channels and watch all of your media just as you would watch normal cable. Use the electronic program guide to see what’s on, or to start watching anything you see. Setup your own list of channels by configuring the addon and opening the channel configuration utility. You will be able to select from a variety of built-in channel types, or you can select a smart playlist that you’ve made to be a channel.
I’ve tried this out the past week or so and its pretty tight. I’m going to make a setup walkthrough as well as get some pics and maybe a video. In the meantime, you can check out the forum thread about it here and grab the code as you like:
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