HOW-TO:Backup the library

This guide will show you how to backup the video library using NFO files and local images. These NFO files are little text files that save all the "metadata" (summaries, credits, playcount, and other library data) for each individual video that are then placed along side the actual video files. These act as a backup for each entry, and can also be used as a way of changing library information or for scanning files that are not recognized by a scraper website. This also saves any changes you've made in XBMC, such as changing the title, sort title, selecting specific images/artwork, movie sets, video library tags, watched history, and resume points.

Backing up the video library is a good idea for several reasons: rebuilding your library in case of damage to your main HTPC, mistakenly removed library entries, duplicate the same library on other XBMC installs, or let you to easily move your video files without losing special changes or your watched history. It also allows for off-line library scanning or if a scraper website goes away.

Moving the library
The steps in this guide include how to use the backup to move video files to a new location.

When you scan video files into the library, XBMC will remember the exact location of the files used. If you'd like to move the video files, say from a local hard drive to a NAS or changing the file sharing protocol you use, then you will need to update paths stored in XBMC's library. Exporting NFO files will preserve your XBMC library when you move the location of your video files and ensure that all of the "metadata" (summaries, credits, etc) is preserved, along with your watched history and resume points.

What is not backed up
This guide only covers the information stored for the video library. It doesn't include the following, which is covered in Backing up XBMC:
 * XBMC itself and general settings for the GUI, audio/video, hardware, etc.
 * Playlists
 * Add-ons and their settings
 * Passwords are not saved in any NFO file, even if stored on a password protected file server.