Set Content (Video Library)

Scrapers are used by XBMC to retrieve data from a webpage which is used in the Video Library. To be able to utilize them you first have to "Set Content" to the source you plan to add information on.

Setting Contents
In the Files View of the 'Videos' section of XBMC, bring up the Context Menu. By selecting "Set Content" one can set the type of content for the chosen directory.

The Context menu can be brought up by the 'Windows' Application key on the Keyboard or by pressing right mouse button on the appropriate item. On Xbox it's the White button or Title on the remote. On the Mac version of XBMC, the context menu can be displayed by holding the Menu button on the Apple Remote or by pressing C on the keyboard.

Different types of scrapers can be assigned to different directories, but be aware that 'TV Shows' scrapers must be assigned to a folder containing multiple TV shows ( or at least be one directory above the TV show folder itself) unless you select the Folder contains a single TV Show Option, e.g. TV Shows |TV Show 1 |      |___ TV Show 1 Media files |     TV Show 2 |___ TV Show 2 Media files In the above example you would assign the chosen TV Shows scraper to the TV Shows folder. Note that each TV show needs to be in its own folder for XBMC to be able to scan it into the library.

After choosing a content type (Movies, TV shows or Music Videos), one can decide on a scraper to use. There are currently several scrapers available of each type. For movies, the IMDb scraper will give the best results for most users. The other available scrapers are for example scrapers for different languages and adult movies, ie. porn.

Options After Selecting Scraper

 * Exclude folder from scans
 * Excludes the selected folder from scans, even if it's a subfolder of a folder that has contents set.


 * Run Automatic Scan
 * Runs a scan against the selected information source (scraper) on all video files contained in the selected folder after selecting 'OK'


 * Use Foldername for Lookups
 * Uses foldernames as basis for the search when scraping (instead of filenames). If folder contains IFO and VOB files, this is needed for any matching to take place.


 * Folder contains a single Video
 * The standard assumption is that the source contains multiple video files, this option dictates that the selected source or folder only contains one video.


 * Folder contains a single TV Show
 * The standard assumption is that the source contains multiple TV shows, this option dictates that the selected source or folder only contains one TV show.


 * Scan Recursively
 * Scans subfolders two levels down or more for video files. Note that TV Show scrapers always scan recursively.

Scraper settings
Some scrapers like the IMDb scraper allow the user to change options related to that scraper, see more:
 * IMDb scraper settings
 * TheTVDB.com scraper settings

Switching Scrapers / Removing Folder Contents from Library
Setting the content back to  after previously having selected a scraper for a source, will prompt users if they want to remove the contents from the Library. This is recommended if you wish to switch scrapers (first set content to  and then choose the new scraper). Setting content to  also removes the contents of the selected folder from the Library altogether. This is useful if you want to remove the contents of an entire folder from the Library as The Context Menu will only remove single items.

Additional information
On movie naming conventions for the IMDb, see the IMDB documentation page.

On TV show naming conventions for TV shows scraper, see the TV Shows documentation page.

After adding new video files, if you find that the information is incorrect then you can simply remove that lookup information from the database by switching the view to "Title" and pressing the black-button on the controller.

Another valid way of making sure your scraper finds its way to correct information for your newly added media is by the use of Nfo files. Nfo files can be used to provide data for a movie or influence the search behavior of scrapers (e.g by pointing it to a predefined URL).

If you would like to remove the entire video database (for example after a bad scan, or you have problems with the library, or for whatever reason), then you can simply use the Filemanager or FTP, and either rename the MyVideos*.db, in directory Q:\UserData\Database, to something else (i.e. MyVideos*.db.backup) or delete it. Then restart, and the movie & TV show information gathering can be redone.

*TIP!: If you like to use lookup to catalog off-line DVD-Video library (or other movies stored on DVD/CD media) see
 * HOW-TO: Catalog and use lookups on your offline DVD/CD movie library by creating fake files