XBMC for Mac specific FAQ

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Revision as of 19:41, 27 May 2012

INCOMPLETE: This page or section is incomplete. Please add information or correct uncertain data which is marked with a ?

For FAQs specifically about the Apple TV 1 see Apple TV 1 FAQ

XBMC for Mac specific Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

Contents 1 General FAQ 1.1 Requirements 1.2 How to install and/or update XBMC 1.3 XBMC for Mac version 1.4 What version/nightly build/beta of XBMC am I running? 1.5 Programs and tools to help with XBMC 2 Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) issues 2.1 SMB (Windows Sharing) isn't working when sharing files from 10.7 2.2 Userdata folder and logs are hidden on 10.7 2.3 Can't wake a sleeping Mac using the Apple Remote on 10.7 3 Remote controls 3.1 What remotes can be used with XBMC 3.2 Starting XBMC with the Apple Remote 3.3 Using a Logitech Harmony remote 3.4 Can't wake a sleeping Mac using the Apple Remote on 10.7 3.5 iTunes and/or system volume is taking over when using the remote 4 Troubleshooting 4.1 Getting more help with XBMC for Mac OS X 4.2 Userdata folder and logs 4.3 I am seeing double files for some videos 4.4 Issues when turning TV/display on or off 4.5 Remote issues 4.6 Add-ons downloaded from the internet are not in zip format or will not install

1 General FAQ

See also: XBMC all platforms FAQ for FAQs that apply to all versions of XBMC.

1.1 Requirements Shortcut: #requirements XBMC v11 runs on Mac OS X 10.4.x (Tiger) and later on both Intel and PPC Macs, as well as the Apple TV 1 (silver). Apple TV 2 (black) does not run XBMC for Mac, it runs XBMC for iOS. XBMC v12 and nightly builds and up will require Mac OS X 10.6 and only run on Intel Macs. For the Apple TV 1 you will need to use a Linux-based OS to run XBMC v12 and nightly builds.

1.2 How to install and/or update XBMC Shortcuts: #install, #update Main page: HOW-TO:Install XBMC for Mac Simply download XBMC from http://xbmc.org/downloads/ and copy XBMC.app to your Applications folder to install XBMC Do the same to update XBMC. All your settings and files will be preserved as they are located in a different place in the userdata folder. Be sure to make a backup of the userdata folder when doing updates in case something goes wrong.

1.3 XBMC for Mac version Shortcuts: #Release_version, #Version The current stable version of XBMC for Mac is v11 (Eden). This is the same code that all of the other platforms (Linux, iOS, Windows) are using.

1.4 What version/nightly build/beta of XBMC am I running? Shortcuts: #Current_build, #XBMC_Version XBMC main menu > System > Lower submenu > System info. Note the build date.

1.5 Programs and tools to help with XBMC Shortcut: #Tools  Editor note: Point to a list of Mac OS X supplemental tools

2 Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) issues

2.1 SMB (Windows Sharing) isn't working when sharing files from 10.7 Shortcut: #SMB Apple changed how their SMB (Windows Sharing) server works in 10.7 that breaks compatibility with some applications such as XBMC. Alternative sharing options such as AFP (Apple File Protocol), FTP, WebDAV, or a few others can be used instead. You can also get Windows Sharing working again by using a tool like SMBUp, which will install an SMB server similar to what Mac OS X 10.6 had.

2.2 Userdata folder and logs are hidden on 10.7 Shortcut: #Lion_userdata By default, Mac OS X 10.7 hides the user's Library folder, which is where XBMC's userdata folder and logs are stored. There are a few ways to get around this: While in the Finder, click on the "Go" menu and hold down ⌥ Option, then select Library. You can use programs such as TinkerTool to change the visibility of all or some hidden files/folders.

2.3 Can't wake a sleeping Mac using the Apple Remote on 10.7 Shortcut: #Remote_wake Apple changed how energy saving settings work on Mac OS X 10.7 and it is no longer possible to wake a sleeping Mac using the Apple Remote.

3 Remote controls

3.1 What remotes can be used with XBMC Shortcut: #remotes Apple Remote (both white and silver version) How do I bring up the context menu? - Press and hold MENU How do I bring up the OSD during playback? - Press and hold SELECT Any Keyboard such as wired, wireless, bluetooth. This includes "keymotes" such as the Rii or Boxee remote. Web interfaces, including add-on interfaces. XBMC smartphone and tablet remote apps. Other IR remotes can be used with IR receivers such as the Flirc.

3.2 Starting XBMC with the Apple Remote Shortcut: #Apple_remote_start The Apple Remote can be set to start XBMC instead of Front Row or iTunes. Go to  Settings -> System -> Input devices  and select "Allow start of XBMC using the remote".

3.3 Using a Logitech Harmony remote Shortcut: #Harmony XBMC can use a Logitech Harmony remote using the normal Apple IR receiver that is built into some Macs. Go to  Settings -> System -> Input devices  and change "Apple remote" to "Universal". On the Logitech Harmony remote, select the Plex profile.

3.4 Can't wake a sleeping Mac using the Apple Remote on 10.7 Shortcut: #Remote_wake2 See #Remote_wake

3.5 iTunes and/or system volume is taking over when using the remote Shortcuts: #itunes_takeover, #remote_volume  Editor note: Note solution here

4 Troubleshooting

4.1 Getting more help with XBMC for Mac OS X Shortcuts: #Help, #Forum, #IRC XBMC for Mac OS X specific help forum #xbmc-osx or #xbmc IRC chat channel on irc.freenode.org

4.2 Userdata folder and logs Shortcuts: #Userdata, #Logs, #logs, #debuglog, #xbmc.log See How-to:Submit a proper bug report for bug reporting details and here for instructions on reporting an issue to the forums Userdata folder:  /Users/<your_user_name>/Library/Application Support/XBMC/userdata  Debug log:  /Users/<your_user_name>/Library/Logs/XBMC.log  Console log:  /Library/Logs/Console/501/console.log  CrashReporter:  /Users/<your_user_name>/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/CrashReporter.log

4.3 I am seeing double files for some videos Shortcut: #Appledouble  Editor note: Note AppleDouble and other hidden file issues and solutions

4.4 Issues when turning TV/display on or off Shortcut: #no_display  Editor note: Note issue here

4.5 Remote issues Shortcut: #Remote_issues See #Remote controls

4.6 Add-ons downloaded from the internet are not in zip format or will not install Shortcuts: #Add-on_zips, #Old_add-ons There are two main possibilities for an add-on to not install when you use "Install from zip". One is that it isn't in a proper zip format, the other is that the add-on is for an older version of XBMC that isn't compatible with the version you are using. Very commonly the Safari web browser is being used to download these add-ons, and by default will unzip the files leaving you with a folder that won't work with the "Install from zip" option. You can turn this feature off by going into Safari's preferences, under "General" and unchecking "Open 'safe' files after downloading". If you wish to keep this feature on, you should be able to find the original zip file in the Trash can. Just drag the file out and use it instead of the folder for "Install from zip".