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How to use XBMC Android Remote to control your computer’s music, movies, and photos

July 19, 2010 | by Andrew Kameka

Android Tutorials, Multimedia

XMBC-tutorial

XBMC has released an official remote app for Android. I could tell you about all the great things about this beta app available for Android 1.5 and higher, but let me cut to the chase and give you the Cliff Notes: it rocks.

XBMC is a Windows/Mac/Linux desktop client that controls media in a captivating interface. Movies, music, photos, and television episodes are now controllable via the XBMC remote app, which will probably take the place of the third-party apps that people have been using. The Official XBMC Remote app is HTC-Sense-like in appearance, and allows users to browse their library on the phone, then control playback using a slick remote option.

Here’s how to set it up. Before you proceed, please understand that I am only showing you how to set-up the remote. If you have desktop problems, require troubleshooting, or discover bugs, please direct those inquiries to the official XBMC Support Center. Note: Anyone who downloaded XBMC from the Google Code page MUST uninstall that version before proceeding.

1. Download the latest version of XBMC

XBMC version 9.11 (Camelot) or higher is required to use the remote. Download the latest version from http://xbmc.org/download

2. Download the Official XBMC Remote.

3. Find your IP address.

Write down your internal IP address if you are on a Wi-Fi router. This address may change if you reset your router, so you may sometimes have to repeat this step if connection problems arise.

Open the Command console (Start button > type “Cmd” > press Enter button). Type “ipconfig” and press enter. This screen should appear.

Write down the number related to IPv4 Address (192.xxx.x.x)

4. Set-up XBMC on the desktop.

Launch XBMC and go to Settings > Networks

  • Make sure that you have enabled the following:
  • Allow control of XBMC via UPnP
  • Allow control of XBMC via HTTP
  • Allow programs on other systems to control XBMC
  • Then set port as “80″ and enter a username and password

5. Connect phone to desktop

Launch the XBMC Remote on your Android phone

Enter your IP address

Enter your information so it matches what you entered for XBMC desktop client (port, username, password)

Once complete, you should connect and see a screen that looks like this:

Browse through your media and enjoy! If you don’t see any media listed on the phone, make sure that you have defined Music, Video, and other sources in the desktop application. Also keep in mind that some of your media files may not be recognized as Movies, Music, Photos, or Television episodes. If that happens, use File Mode, which can be accessed by pressing the Folder icon below:

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