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The developers of the powerful XBox Media Center software have provided its users with a port of Python that interfaces cleanly with the XBMC dashboard. XBMC Python allows users to develop additional functionality for the XBox using a very simple scripting language that makes basic development a breeze. This page is intended both as a source of information and as distribution point for my working and in-development XBMC Python scripts.
I developed these scripts for two reasons: to learn more about Python programming,
and to extend the abilities of a modded XBox. I would do this work in my
free time, mostly for fun (although a donation is always welcome). I find I have less
free time these days, so my development time is severely limited. If you want to know
more about that (and who would?), see the note at the bottom of the page.Some of the material available here is in a very early stage of development. I'm making it available as source to help other scripters see how I approach some of the unique problems associated with XBMC Python scripting. I am providing all of this for general use, and welcome you to share anything found here; I just ask that you give credit where it's due.
If you're visiting the site for the first time, please allow me to recommend the XBMC-Python Scripting Tutorial (linked below), whether you intend to start writing your own scripts or just using others'. The Tutorial is an excellent introduction to how XBMC Python scripts work, and to what they're capable of doing.
NOTE: I've also just added a Documentation page, which currently includes links to the manual, and to the xbmc.html and xbmcgui.html makedocs which reveal all of the available classes and functions in those two libraries. Thanks to Darkie for permission to host those, so you don't have to go crawling through the CVS to find them!
Current Projects and Most Popular Downloads
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XBMC Emulator Scripts
Allows PC development of XBMC scripts (Version 0.5 - August 27, 2004)
Download - Details - View PDF Manual
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XMovieGuide
Find local movie listings, using Hollywood.com (Version 0.8 - July 29, 2006)
Download - Details
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XBMC-Python Scripting Tutorial (Version 2.0 - July 21, 2004)
Extensive rewrite of Alx5962's phenomenal scripting tutorial. Comes with a convenient Script Template so you can get started faster!
Download - Details - View PDF
Other Projects
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AdToVideo
(Download -
Details)
Custom Script Requested by j0ly, periodically alternates between a video playlist and a list of JPG images.
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Notepad
(Download -
Details)
A simple line-by-line text editor, to change configs and edit scripts on the fly! (Version 0.6 - Aug. 11, 2004)
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PlayByDay
Custom Script Requested by j0ly, plays a different playlist depending on the day of the week.
Final Version
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Scriptionary: Script Management Utility
Sort, Organize, and Launch Scripts Easily, from one location
Version 0.3 - July 19, 2004
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Slideshow
Custom Script Requested by j0ly, recreates XBMC image slideshow, with constant updates (and a couple new transitions. Intended for autoplay. Excellent example script for seeing how to use the new transitions library.
NEW RELEASE! Version 1.0 - July 26, 2004
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Transitions Library
Powerpoint-like Image Transitions to jazz up scene changes. Fade-to-black (and back), Zoom in/out, amd Slide in.
Version 1.0 - July 26, 2004
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XMonitor
(NEW RELEASE!
Version 1.1 - November 17, 2004 -
Details)
Desktop Stream Utility: Relays constant screenshots from your PC's desktop to your XBox.
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XRadar
(Download -
Details)
Looping Weather Radar from NOAA: Get your local weather radar on your XBox.
I hope the material on this page will be helpful to you. I welcome any feedback, via the XBMC Forums (linked above), or through my email. I will do my best to update my scripts as often as possible, but bear in mind I've always got a lot of projects in development at once. Still, feel free to comment. I'll try to keep track of all the complaints, and bask in the luxury of whatever compliments come my way.
Custom Scripts
I never advertised myself as a master programmer, but Python is easy enough it makes beginners look like pros. Over the last year (well, nearly a year), I've been welcoming your suggestions and requests, and some of the best work I've done has been the result of script requests.Recently, due to personal financial issues, I find I have less free time available, and more and more I need to spend what free time I do have trying to arrange freelance contract work, instead of playing around making XBMC scripts, no matter how much fun that was.
Also, (shameless plug), I'm working on a daily story called Sleeping Kings that keeps me pretty busy.
I never promised that I'd fulfill many of the script requests, but I did encourage you to send them, and I tried to answer virtually every email I received (even if only to say, "No, that's way too hard! What's wrong with you???"). I find myself slipping on that, answering fewer of the emails and, of course, fulfilling far fewer of the script requests.
The email address is still available, and I still welcome you to write me here to send suggestions for custom scripts. You can contact me at the same address with any support issues or feedback on my projects, too. I'm sure I'll continue developing scripts, although it will be on a much slower timetable. I do intend to finish development of XMonitor and XRadar (my two newest releases), and to introduce one I've been working on called "Syndicator" which is used to conveniently keep track of series (or really any multiple-source video set), for easy viewing. I'm excited about that one.