XBMC

Pros

• Beautiful Aesthetic
• Fast Navigating
• Full Media Suite
• Streaming Video
• Multiple Skins

Cons

• Customization Isn't Easy
• Navigational Learning Curve

XBMC was initially created as the Xbox Media Center from Microsoft, but it is now known as Kodi, an open-source and entirely free media player that supports various media formats. The software refers to itself as a High-Definition Hub, and it includes a number of excellent features.

The great thing about this software is that it's entirely open-source, which means it can be modified by anyone and used as a basis for other digital products. For example, many users of this software came together to use it as a base for Plex, another media center with expanded functionality. Of course, Kodi itself is still a solid option since it has a huge following of users, simple utility, and a sleek interface.

There isn't much that Kodi can't do in the realm of entertainment and media. You can use the software to listen to music, view photo albums, stream live TV, and watch the latest movies. The aesthetic of the Kodi software is obviously based on the intuitive and minimalistic experience of using an Apple TV. You could easily make this app your new default media player, and it works well as an all-in-one hub for media of all sorts. The software is designed to feel like it belongs in an entertainment center and not necessarily a PC, so it supports a wide selection of keyboard shortcuts and compatible remote controls.

Like many other benchmark media playback apps, Kodi uses an interface that can be customized with various skins. The default skin is fine for new users, but those who have the desire to instantly customize the software can do so with skins found online. It's relatively easy to change the skins, so you can find several you enjoy and cycle through them. Many of them are alluring enough that you won't be able to decide on just one.

If you want to use Kodi as a standalone media player, it can guide you through the setup process with the included instructions. It can also show you how to use a network to stream video content. Thanks to the software's compatibility with almost all streaming protocols, it can source media content directly from the web or from other local sources. It has the ability to play video files no matter where they are located. It can play files locked inside archival files, videos saved on your system, and content from physical disks via a disk reader.

Any media files saved to your system will be automatically imported into your Kodi library when the software is initially launched. It will organize your content and expand it with fan art, in-depth descriptions, and cover art. You can take advantage of the multiple slideshow and playlist functions, and the audio visualization tools provide greater entertainment potential.

Pros

• Beautiful Aesthetic
• Fast Navigating
• Full Media Suite
• Streaming Video
• Multiple Skins

Cons

• Customization Isn't Easy
• Navigational Learning Curve