What does xbmc offer

XBMC has a better reputation for plug-ins, but Plex unofficially works with most of them and has an excellent internet video queue feature.

XBMC provides several remote control options. To start, you can get a ton of apps for your mobile device. If you don't want to control XBMC using a mobile device, you can use several hardware controllers e.

Other remote options can be configured , such as a Universal Remote Control URC and, of course, a standard computer keyboard. The Bottom Line : Both platforms offer great remote control support, but XBMC provides more flexibility and a cheaper and larger mobile app selection. If you need help choosing a remote for either, read this.

Plex handles remote streaming better than anything. Not only does it stream video reliably and in the original format whenever possible, but it'll also convert the video into a different format when necessary.

If you want to stream a video from your home to your tablet while on vacation, for example, Plex will convert the video—in real time—to account for the slower connection speed. If your tablet doesn't understand the video's format, it'll convert it on the fly as well. If your tablet has a fast internet connection and understands the format, Plex will stream the file as-is.

Unless you ask Plex to always handle streaming in a very specific way, it will choose intelligently on its own and rarely makes a mistake. Equally admirable is Plex's simple remote streaming configuration.

Because everything runs through your Plex account you just need to log in on any device to access your media library. Everything else happens automatically. You can even stream on the web.

XBMC doesn't stream remotely. You need to forward ports on your router in order to access your media outside of your local network via XBMC.

Create favorites, playlists, movie directories, and many other benefits. A word of caution : Anything you stream on Kodi is visible to both your ISP and the government, which could put you in legal hot water. The only surefire way to combat this is to connect to an excellent VPN service whenever you use Kodi. Kodi turns any computer, smartphone, or tablet into a digital set-top box or streamer, giving users the ability to stream files from the internet, a home network, or local storage.

The software lets you download a range of community-made apps or add-ons and watch whatever you like. Thanks to a range of built-in codes, users can browse videos, photos, and podcasts quickly and easily. On smaller devices, Kodi offers a similar experience but can get hooked to a larger TV for big-screen viewing.

When running official apps, Kodi is not illegal. Like third-party torrent sites, Kodi apps are not unlawful either, but what you do on them can be illegal. You'll then be able to select the zip from wherever you saved it. Don't extract the zip package yourself beforehand though — Kodi handles that as it installs.

Playing media is as simple as browsing through storage locations on your networked devices — Kodi has a built-in Universal Plug and Play server to help with this — and hitting play. Similar to Apple TV, the software is designed for a foot user interface , making it easy to browse folders and view content on the big screen as easily as you would sat in front of a monitor. Then, simply sit back and enjoy. Kodi itself emphatically is — it's merely a piece of software, as legal as any other distributed under the GNU General Public Licence.

However, just as a torrent client can be used as either a legitimate way to distribute files or to share illegally uploaded content, so too can Kodi be used for less reputable pursuits.

The source code for all supported platforms is available on GitHub , and the creators work with the Software Freedom Law Center , which advises on issues including copyright and trademarking.

However, given the open-source nature of Kodi, some of the compatible plug-ins and add-ons can be used for less reputable access to content. Essentially, the onus is on you to use Kodi responsibly, but it's completely legal to have a build of the media centre itself on any device you own. At the start of May, an EU court ruled that using a multimedia player — such as Kodi, although Kodi wasn't explicilty mentioned — to stream pirated video content online is subject to similar laws as those governing the downloading of an illegal copy.

Downloading an illegally copied show, film or game constitutes copyright infringment because you're effectively "stealing" and keeping a copy. However, with streaming, the file is stored temporarily on your computer, and temporary copies have traditionally been exempt from copyright laws. Under the new ruling , the temporary reproduction of a copyright-protected work, obtained without consent of the copyright holder, is not exempt from the "right of reproduction".

No person other than the copyright owner can make any reproductions or copies of the work. Kodi comes with a wide array of add-ons that are designed to enhance the overall experience of using the service.

Its add-ons run the gamut of features, from simple screensavers and weather apps to tools that let you enhance your program-viewing experience. There are also apps to stream podcasts, like the Apple iTunes Podcasts option, as well as programs that will display lyrics with each song you play. Recently, Kodi got into a Twitter spat with TVAddons, a repository for users to install third-party extensions atop Kodi.

Kodi argues that TVAddons cause " misery " for its users due to a spat of lawsuits the entertainment industry is filing against the service over privacy concerns. Kodi has a handy list of supported devices. You can also use smartphones, control systems that manage your lights and other products, and keyboards to work your way around the software.

Yep, Kodi is legal. In fact, Kodi is a blank canvas, offered as-is, allowing you to do what you want with your entertainment. However, Kodi can technically be used to house illegally obtained copyrighted content, and as noted above with TVAddons, extensions can be used to access and distribute pirated content. However, add-ons might be a different story.

Kodi has a forum of other users that can help you out.