Microsoft XBOX MEDIA PLAYER 2.4 user guide

Xbox media player 2.4

Index

1. Introduction ............................4

1.1 The XboxMediaPlayer Project 4

1.2 History 4

1.3 Features 5

2. Basic installation ......................6

2.1 Set up the config.xml file 6

2.2 Using from HDD 9

2.3 Using from CD/DVD 9

2.4 Using XBMP as a Dashboard 9

2.5 Controller Setup 10

2.6 DVD Remote Setup 11

3. Optional Features ................... 13

3.1 Relax XNS Server 13

3.2 SMB Shares 14

3.3 XBMSP 15

3.4 FTP Server 16

3.5 ISO 9660 16

3.6 File/Folder Thumbnails 16

3.7 Subtitles 17

3.8 Filename Filters 17

3.9 Multi File Stacking 17

3.10 DLL Codec's 18

3.11 IMDb support 18

3.12 Skins 18

4. My Programs.......................... 19

4.1 Shortcuts 19

4.2 Program Bookmarks 20

4.3 Hierarchy Flattening 20

5. My Music .............................. 21

5.1 Playlist 21

5.2 Shoutcast 22

5.3 Audio Visualizations 22

6. My Pictures ........................... 23

6.1 Slideshow 23

6.2 Using Background Music 23

7. My Videos ............................. 24

7.1 During Playback 24

Control Panel 25

7.2

7.3 On Screen Display (OSD) 25

7.4 Video bookmarks 25

7.5 Playlist 25

7.6 IMDb Information 25

8. Settings ............................... 26

8.1 Decoder 26

8.2 General 27

8.3 Screen 28

8.4 Slideshow 29

8.5 Sound 29

8.6 System 29

9. Advanced Configuration............ 30

9.1 Fine Tuning XBMP 30

9.2 Upgrading XBMP 31

10. Tips .................................... 32

11. Trouble Shooting .................... 33

12. Useful Links .......................... 34

13. Greetings ............................. 35

14. Disclaimer ............................ 36

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1. Introduction

1.1 The XboxMediaPlayer Project

XboxMediaPlayer is a free open source (GPL) multimedia player for the Xbox™ from Microsoft. (XboxMediaPlayer is also known as "Xbox Media Player", "XBMP", "XMP" & "XBPLAYER"). Currently the XboxMediaPlayer can be used to play and view supported video/audio/picture formats such as MPEG, DivX, XviD, MPG, MP3, JPG and more direct from a CD/DVD in the Xbox™ DVD-ROM or of the Xbox™ hard disk drive, it can also play files from a PC over a LAN / network via an XNS (XStream Server) software or from a windows (SMB) share. It has playlist and slideshow function, ability to work as a replacement Xbox™ dashboard. These and more features enable the Xbox™ running XboxMediaPlayer to fully function as a multi-media jukebox. Note! XBMP is a hobby project that is only developed by volunteers in their spare-time for free. (Remember XboxMediaPlayer does require a modded Xbox to work).

1.2 History

The XboxMediaPlayer was created by d7o3g4q (a.k.a. duo) & RUNTiME. It started out as two separate players by the two original developers each working on their own design d7o3g4q's player was called XboxMediaPlayer & RUNTiME's player was called XBPLAYER, they began by sharing some code & coordinating features to not duplicate efforts & by XboxMediaPlayer beta 5 the two player where totally integrated into one. In beta 5 they also started using FFMPEG as the video codec & in beta 6 they also added XviD support with code from the XviD project. The development & beta testing was done "behind closed doors" for this project (d7o3g4q & RUNTiME promising that when version 1.0 was made they would release the source code to the public, but after beta 6 was done there where a lot of complaining from many why the developers did not release the source code for the player sooner as they where using FFmpeg & XviD code which are under the (L)GPL license. Even though the project was closed d7o3g4q & RUNTiME released the source code for beta 6 (Inc. a few bug fixes, SVCD/MPEG-2 & limited ISO 9660 caching support) on the 15th of October 2002. In the November 2002 Frodo (the founder of "YAMP - Yet Another Media Player") joined the Xbox Media Player team as the XboxMediaPlayer & YAMP project merged, the first release of the merged projects is called "Xbox Media Player 2.0" & source code for it was release on the 14 December 2002. (XboxMediaPlayer 2.0 is a complete re-write using a new core based on the Mplayer project still using FFmpeg/XviD codec code). On the 28 December 2002 the source code of XboxMediaPlayer 2.1 was released with many bug fixes and a couple of new features like true AC3 5.1 output, volume normalizer/amplification and an additional post processing filter. Two weeks later on the 12 of January 2002 XboxMediaPlayer 2.2 source code was released with new features like dashboard mode to launch other applications, separate national language files, streaming media from windows shares (SMB), audio-playlist, playing media on-the-fly from ISO9660-Mode1 CD's and Windows DLL support for WMV 7,8,9. We have not yet had a point release since then but subtitle/GUI TTF support, SHOUTcast streaming, IFO playback, IMDb service, ISO9660-Mode2, video playlist, blank screensaver and a build-in FTP server has been added to the CVS. XNS protocol and the first XStream Streamer/Server software was created by RUNTIME to share media to the player over a network. Since then it is being worked on by Pope-X, Jeff33, Ziki, jkw & Tusse/nonSense (with support from RUNTiME, d7o3g4q & frodo), a draft for a new XNS protocol has also been put together by PuhPuh. Some of the streamers also host additional functions like SHOUTcast support.

(Of course the ultimate goal is to make this the best available media player for the Xbox™).

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1.3 Features

XboxMediaPlayer 2.4 point release source code supports/features the following:

- AVI, OGM, Matroska & MPG/MPEG multimedia containers

- DivX;-) 3.11 and OpenDivX 4.0 playback (uses FFmpeg lib)

- DivX 5.0 - 5.03 Pro playback inc. B-frames, GMC & QPel (uses FFmpeg lib)

- XviD playback support (uses XviD codec library)

- MP3 and MPEG-1/2 audio playback (uses libmad lib)

- OGG/OGM Support (uses libvorbis/FFmpeg/XviD libs)

- Windows Media Files WMA/WMV/ASF (inc. WMV9 via DLL's)

- BivX (multiple audio streams/tracks) support

- MSMpeg4 v1, MSMpeg4 v2 & MSMpeg4 v3 support (uses FFmpeg lib)

- AC3 (Dolby Digital 5.1) support (real AC3 5.1 output or down-mixed to stereo)

- MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 (inc. .DAT & .BIN VCD/SVCD files) (uses FFmpeg lib)

- Unencrypted VOB playback (uses libmpeg2 lib) & encrypted via IFO parsing from DVD

- Subtitle support (MicroDVD, srt, smi, vplayer, rt, ssa, aqt, sub, jss, mpl & VobSub)

- True FFWD/RWD during AVI, OGM, Matroska (DivX/XviD) & MPEG playback

- Seeking during AVI (DivX/XviD) & MPEG playback

- Audio Visualization (using Goom visual effects generator)

- Playlist's for audio & video files (inc. save & play playlist to/from M3U)

- Video bookmarking (so can resume a movie later, even after reboot)

- Post-Processing filters for better video quality

- Audio amplifying & normalization filters

- Video resizing/scaling and zooming functions

- ISO 9660 - Mode1 CD-R/RW compatibility (caching or on-the-fly)

- ISO 9660 - Mode2 CD-R/RW compatibility (caching or on-the-fly) (VCD/SVCD)*

- JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG, TIFF, TGA & PCX picture/image viewing (uses FFmpeg lib)

- Picture slideshow of JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG, TIFF, TGA & PCX (using CxImage)

- Thumbnails (media files, folders and applications) for easy localization

- Picture thumbnails (automatically generated)

- Launch XBE's (dashboard replacement mode)

- Build-in FTP Server (using XBFileZilla module)

- IMDb information (The Internet Movie Database)

- Internet Radio - SHOUTcast/Icecast support (native or streaming via RelaX)

- OSD (On Screen Display) with various of settings during video playback

- File streaming from a PC or Server over a network from a XNS (XStream Server) software

- File streaming from a PC or Server over a network from Windows SMB (Samba) share/s*

- Stream video/audio/pictures directly from a ISO/BIN/IMG/ZIP files via RelaX

- 8092Kb memory buffer for video/audio playback (can be configured)

- NTSC playback on PAL Xbox/TV and PAL playback on NTSC Xbox/TV

- Control XboxMediaPlayer via Xbox™ controller or the Xbox™ DVD Remote

- Language files for translated user interface (over 20 languages so far)

- International subtitle fonts (manually exchangeable using TTF fonts)

- International GUI fonts (manually exchangeable using TTF fonts)

*Some of them may have problems, but they are constantly being worked on. Please, feel free to report bugs and problems in the bug reporting forums.

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2. Basic installation

XBMP requires a modded Xbox; any modchip/exploit will work with XBMP.

XBMP can be run either from the Xbox’s HDD or from CD/DVD media.

2.1 Set up the config.xml file

Now, to set up the “config.xml”, open the file with an XML or Text Editor, like Notepad, and change like explained:

- Map local drives

This configuration will map all the drives, XBMP will automap the DVD-ROM as of version 2.4. The C:\, E:\, and F:\ are the only recommended drives to use.

- Local Settings

*Address: Specifies the Xbox’s IP Address. *Subnet: If needed, specifies the subnet mask for the network. *Gateway: Specifies the network gateway. *Place an “*”at the end of each of these tags to auto detect settings. <address*> </address*> | <subnet*> </subnet*> | <gateway*> </gateway*> Nameserver TimeServer Playlists Remember

: DNS IP Address, used for SMB shares.

: XBMP can synchronize the Clock/Date from external (NT SNTP) Time Servers

: The folder in which saved playlists will be placed.

to Share this folder in the Music/Video Sections in order to be able to load them. Thumbnails: Configure this folder to auto add TBN to files without covers (like CD/DVD Compilations). Filename must match. Bookmarks IMDB Subtitles Home

: Folder used to save BMK files, used to navigate the file. (Info in Section 7.2)

: Folder to save cached IMDB information for offline use.

: Folder to place supported subtitle files, filename must match the video filename.

: XBMP’s home folder; set to where XBMP is stored.

<map>C:,Harddisk0\Partition2</map> <map>E:,Harddisk0\Partition1</map> <map>F:,Harddisk0\Partition6</map> <map>X:,Harddisk0\Partition3</map> <map>Y:,Harddisk0\Partition4</map> <ma

p>Z:,Harddisk0\Partition5</map>

<local>

<playlists>e:\apps\xbmp\playlists</playlists> <thumbnails>e:\ apps\xbmp\thumbs</thumbnails> <bookmarks>e:\ apps\xbmp\bookmarks</bookmarks> <subtitles>e:\apps\xbmp\subtitles</subtitles> <IMDB>e:\ apps\xbmp\IMDB</IMDB> <Home>e:\apps\xbmp</Home> <

/local>

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-Shares

To specify individual shares to each section (Music, Pictures, Videos) edit the configuration file like this:

<music> <visible>true</visible> <share> <name>HD</name> <url>f:\music</url> <cachesize>256</cachesize> </share> <share> <name>UDF</name> <url>D:</url> </share> <share> <name>ISO9660</name> <url>iso9660:</url> </share> </music>

Visible Tag: The <visible> tag (true/false) determines if this particular section will be visible from the GUI.

Share Tag: Each <share> tag specifies a different location: local, network path, or DVD Drive.

Name Tag: The text between the <name> tags is the text that will be displayed in the GUI when selecting shares.

URL Tag: The <URL> tags are the actual location of the folder, such as an SMB share, a RelaX share or Local path. There are three different types of local shares; the Xbox hard drive, the DVD ROM drive (UDF) and ISO9660. To access the local HD folder, place the local path such as f:\music. To call for DVD (UDF) place “D:” on the URL tag. For ISO9660, place “iso9660:” (3). Other shares include SMB (Windows file sharing), XNS (a peer to peer protocol) and XBMSP (Xbox Media Streaming Protocol). SMB, XNS and XBMSP will be discussed later in the document. The Cache

Cachesize Tag: The <cachesize> tag is used to define the buffer size for the share. Cachesize is useful to increase the buffer when connecting to remote servers in the case of SMB (Windows file sharing), XNS or XBMSP streaming methods. Size tag (<cachesize>) is used to define cache per share, use this function to increase cache on large files, like videos, when connecting to SMB or RelaX shares.

The same goes for Pictures (<pictures>) and Videos (<videos>). This way it’s possible to access several XNS servers over a network, and SMB servers. For applications, only add the HD share, SMB/Relax doesn’t work with applications.

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-Other Config.xml tags:

Dashboard Tag: The <dashboard> tag specifies the file on C:\ to load when the Dashboard button is pressed (Orange button in the lower part of the main menu).

Shutdown Time Tag: The <shutdowntime> tag specifies how long the Xbox will be idle before automatically shutting down. Setting this tag to 0 disables the auto shut down. Time input is in minutes.

Sensitivity Tag: The <sensitivity> tag changes the DVD Remote Sensitivity. A range from 0.2 to

0.4 gives a good result.

Screensaver Tag: The <screensaver> tag specifies how long the player waits to activate the Screensaver, the time input is in seconds (0=Disabled).

Subtitle Encoding Tag: To use localized subtitles, put the Subtitle Encoding code in the <subtitleencoding> tag. A list of all supported encodings is available at:

http://www.gnu.org/software/libiconv/documentation/libiconv/iconv_open.3.html

Then Choose a TTF font from your Windows font directory (C:\Windows\fonts) that can display your language. Rename it to subtitle-font.ttf and upload it to your XBMP\Media\ directory. The most common codes are:

- UTF-8: English characters.

- ISO-8859-1: Contains most European characters (бйнуъдлпць and so on).

Use TTF UI: This <usettfuifont> tag enables a TTF Font to be used in the GUI Text to enable regional characters. A “common-font.ttf” is needed in \Media\ for it to work.

Resolution Tag: Use the <resolution> tag to determine the resolution XBMP runs in. Higher resolution, appropriate to your aspect ratio might result in better video quality. (See valid options in config.xml)

Language Tag: Choose a language from the locale specified in the Locale folder e.g. English is 1, Japanese is 2, etc. For a full listing of supported languages, see Languages.txt in the Locale folder.

Autolaunch Tag: If set to true, enables launching of original Xbox games, Audio CD’s and DVD Movies upon insertion into the DVD-ROM.

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2.2 Using from HDD

This is the best and easiest way to use the XBMP; just FTP all the player files (after editing the “config.xml”) to the Xbox using any FTP server/client application for Xbox, for example, Avalaunch, Evolution-X or MediaXMenu. For more information on how to set up FTP on the Xbox, please visit Xbox-Scene Tutorials Page

To add the XBMP item to your default dashboard, please consult their documentation. Here are some guides available on Xbox-Scene: Evolution-X configuration Basic overview of installing an application

(Evolution-X).

2.3 Using from CD/DVD

To run XBMP from a CD/DVD, place all the files in the disc compilation after editing the “config.xml”. For the disc to be readable by the Xbox, it has to be either XDFS or UDF. The main file must be named “default.xbe” and needs to be in the root of the disc.

Once XBMP has loaded -and if your BIOS has the “No eject on Reset” hack- you can eject the tray, change the disc and go to the desired section to load the files. If you have a first generation modchip (Ejects on Reset), you will need to burn the media files along with the player files to use the player.

For XBMP to read ISO9660/UDF CD-R’s your Xbox DVD Drive MUST be able to do so, Being able to read different CD types is a hardware limitation and not a software limitation.

A recommended application to burn UDF compliant CD/DVD’s is “Record Now Max” from Stomp Inc. Nero Burning ROM has UDF compatibility issues so it’s not recommended. For information on how to burn XDFS (XISO) discs, please refer to Xbox-Scene tutorials.

2.4 Using XBMP as a Dashboard

XBMP can run as the default dashboard of the Xbox. With an FTP Server, XBE launch function, and easy to use design, it’s a great option. There are some points to take in consideration when doing so.

Mode 1 – Using XBMP as a dashboard, using all files in C:\

Note: This is the intended way to use XBMP when running as a dashboard. This is a clean way to use XBMP as a dashboard; you only need 2 files in C: ROOT:

The XBE and the .cut file. The XBE file also needs to be named to something your BIOS can boot to. But this time, the “XBOX Media Player.cut” will point to another location, in where you have XBMP. i.e. You have XBMP in E:\utils\media\xbmp\xbplayer.xbe and wish to use those files.

-Open a text editor.

-Type in: <shortcut><path>Harddisk0\Partition1\utils\media\xbplayer.xbe</path></shortcut>

-Then save as “XBOX Media Player.cut” (go to save as and type the name with quotes to force save as .cut) and place in C: ROOT.

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This time, it will read the XBOX Media Player.cut file and then use the files in the selected folder, leaving the C: partition as clean as possible.

Mode 2 – Using XBMP as a dashboard, using all files from another partition.

To use this set-up, you need to place all the files that come in the package, including the XBE, in the ROOT of the boot drive (usually C:). Then, the XBE must be renamed to something your BIOS can boot to.

-Normal BIOS’ boot to “evoxdash.xbe”, or “neXgen.xbe” as well as to “xboxdash.xbe”. You need to rename to either one of these, according to your BIOS.

Also the “XBOX Media Player.cut” file needs to be set up like this:

-Open a text editor.

-Type in: <shortcut><path>Harddisk0\Partition2\xboxdash.xbe</path></shortcut> Remember to change the name to whatever you Xbox boots to, like “evoxdash.xbe”.

-Then save as “XBOX Media Player.cut” (go to save as and type the name with quotes to

force save as .cut) and place in C: ROOT.

After all is set, and the .cut file is in place and the config.xml file is edited. You can boot your Xbox with XBMP as a default dashboard.

2.5 Controller Setup

The button configuration can’t be changed, but this is a list of the current button setup:

Navigation:

- X button: Toggle between played file and Player GUI.

- A button: Play/Open selection.

- B button: Go back 1 folder.

- Y button: Queue file to playlist

- Back Button: Go back to Main screen.

- D Pad: Move cursor.

- White Button: Display IMDb Info (active internet connection needed).

- Left/Right Triggers: Next/Previous Page.

During Music Playback:

- X button: Toggle Visualization On/Off.

- A button: Show Control Panel (w/Visualization On).

- White button: Go to OSD (w/Visualization On).

During Video Playback:

- X button: Toggle between played file and Player GUI.

- A button: Show Control Panel.

- D Pad LEFT/RIGHT: Change subtitle Offset.

- D Pad UP/DOWN: Change AV Sync.

- White button: Go to OSD (On Screen Display).

- Black button: Show File information.

- Right (R-Thumb): Next Playlist Item.

- Left (R-Thumb): Previous Playlist Item.

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- Y button: Create Bookmark.

- B button: Cycle through bookmarks (only if available).

- Slider Bar: Step up/down in the file.

- B button: Cycle through bookmarks (only if available).

- Left/Right Triggers: Create Thumbnail.

During Video Playback, In Control Panel:

- D Pad: Highlight function.

- B button: Back to Video.

- A button: Select highlighted function.

- Left/Right Triggers: FFWD/RWD (When Selected).

- Left/Right Triggers: VOL +/- (When Selected).

During Video Playback, On Screen Display:

- D Pad: Highlight function.

- White button: Back to Video.

- A button: Select highlighted function.

- D Pad RIGHT: Activate function selection.

- D Pad LEFT: Back one step.

- D Pad UP/DOWN: Change selected option.

Special Slideshow Settings:

- Right Trigger: Speed up Slideshow Time (Visual Display of Increment).

- Left Trigger: Slow down Slideshow Time (Visual Display of Delay).

- Back/B: Stop Slideshow.

- Right (R-Thumb): Next Song.

- Left (R-Thumb): Previous Song.

- D-Pad Right: Next Picture.

- D-Pad Left: Previous Picture.

- Y button: Rotate Picture.

2.6 DVD Remote Setup

This is the DVD Remote button setup:

Navigation:

- Display Key: Toggle between played file and Player GUI.

- Select Key: Play/Open selection.

- Back Key: Go back 1 folder.

- Title Key: Queue file to playlist

- Menu Key: Go back to Main screen.

- Arrow Keys: Move cursor.

- Info Key: Display IMDb Info (active internet connection needed).

During Music Playback:

- Display Key: Toggle Visualization On/Off.

- Select Key: Show Control Panel (w/Visualization On).

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