Sources.xml

sources.xml is the configuration file where XBMC stores your media source locations. In this section we will concentrate on xml syntax of sources and the various options that are available.

The configuration file sources.xml exists in the userdata folder. It depends on your Operating System (Linux, Mac, XP, Vista) and if you changed the default settings during installation, where you can find your userdata folder. See Advanced Topics/The UserData Folder to find out where you have to look.

XML Syntax and Source Breakdown
XML syntax is very similar to html syntax, but can be less forgiving. Lets first take a look at a source:

Some basics to cover first

 * Tags : Each word inside of <> symbols is called a 'tag'. Tags can either be starting, or ending tags. To make an ending tag you simply add a forward slash / to the beginning of the tag name. is a starting tag is an ending tag. Developers try to make tag names as self explanatory as possible. for example is the name of the source.


 * Data : Between two tags is where any data associated with that source is stored. DATA . You can also store other tags inside of each other

Example:

Required Fields

 * This tag defines which section your source belongs to. Other valid sections are  and . You cannot have multiple sections in your xml file.
 * This tag defines which section your source belongs to. Other valid sections are  and . You cannot have multiple sections in your xml file.


 * The Name of the source. This will accept any characters in the current character set.
 * The Name of the source. This will accept any characters in the current character set.


 * The path of the source. This can be a local path such as "e:\media\images\" or remote url such as "smb://username:password@serverip/path/". You may have more than one tag in a single source, called multipaths. in Multipaths the directory listings will be combined. See Types of Media Sources for more information concerning paths.
 * * Multipath sources are restricted to local (PC or Xbox built-in hard drive), smb/samba, and xbms paths.
 * * The path can not be a playable object or an executable file, (ie a video, audio or .xbe file), it must be a share or a sub folder under a share.
 * * The path can not be a playable object or an executable file, (ie a video, audio or .xbe file), it must be a share or a sub folder under a share.

Multipath Example:

Podcast Example:

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