Enjoy your PC games and retro console ROMs with the Kodi Plugin for LaunchBox: A step-by-step tutorial
Introduction
If you are a fan of both Kodi and Launchbox, you may want to combine them for a seamless gaming experience. Kodi is a free and open source media center software that can play multimedia from various sources, including local and network storage, streaming services, and live TV. Launchbox is a game library frontend that can organize and play your PC games and retro console ROMs with various features and customization options.
Kodi Plugin For Launchbox Download
With the Kodi plugin for Launchbox, you can launch Launchbox in Big Box mode from within Kodi. Big Box mode is a full-screen interface designed for use with TVs and controllers. It lets you browse and play your games with beautiful artwork, videos, music, and metadata. When you exit Big Box mode, Kodi will restart or maximize automatically.
The Kodi plugin for Launchbox has some additional features, such as:
Big Box startup video and splash screen support
Launchbox and Big Box updater support
Launchbox (Free or Premium) and Big Box mode selection
Multiple monitor detection and handling
Pre/Post scripts to run programs before or after Launchbox
Minimize or close Kodi option
Launcher helper script version check
Supports Kodi 19, 20 and Kodi Windows Store versions
In this article, I will explain how to install and use the Kodi plugin for Launchbox, as well as some common issues and solutions that you may encounter.
Installation
To install the Kodi plugin for Launchbox, you will need the following requirements:
A Windows PC
Launchbox (Premium or Free) installed on the same PC as Kodi
Kodi 19, 20 or Windows Store for Windows installed on the same PC as Launchbox
A valid email address to receive the download link for the plugin
Once you have these requirements, follow these steps to install the plugin:
Visit this page on the Launchbox Community Forums and click on the Download button.
Enter your email address and click on Send me my download link.
Check your email inbox for an email from LaunchBox with the subject "Your Download Link". Click on the link in the email to download the zip file of the plugin.
Open Kodi and go to Settings > Add-ons > Install from zip file.
Browse to the directory where you downloaded the zip file of the plugin and select it.
Wait for a notification that says "Kodi addon for LaunchBox Add-on installed".
Configuration
After installing the plugin, you need to configure it before using it. To do this, follow these steps:
In Kodi, go to Settings > Add-ons > My add-ons > Program add-ons.
Select Kodi addon for LaunchBox and click on Configure.
In the General tab, set the location of your LaunchBox directory. For example, C:\Users\\LaunchBox\.
In the Advanced tab, you can change some optional settings, such as:
Saving directory: This is where the plugin's helper script and icon file will be saved. Due to Windows Store's UWA security restrictions, you must set this to a directory of your choice if you are using Kodi Windows Store version.
Kodi action: This determines whether Kodi will minimize or close when launching LaunchBox.
SMB fix: This enables a workaround for windows security restriction on network shares. You may need to enable this if you are using LaunchBox on a network share.
Pre/Post scripts: These are optional scripts that you can run before or after launching LaunchBox. You can use them to perform tasks such as changing audio devices, disabling screensavers, etc.
Updater: This allows you to check for updates for LaunchBox and Big Box from within Kodi. You can also set the update frequency and mode.
Click on OK to save your settings.
Usage
Once you have configured the plugin, you can use it to launch LaunchBox in Big Box mode from Kodi. To do this, follow these steps:
In Kodi, go to Add-ons > Program add-ons.
Select Kodi addon for LaunchBox and click on Run.
You will see a dialog box asking you to choose between LaunchBox (Free or Premium) and Big Box mode. Select Big Box mode and click on OK.
Kodi will minimize or close (depending on your settings) and LaunchBox will start in Big Box mode.
You can now browse and play your games with your controller or keyboard. You can also access the Big Box settings by pressing Escape or Back on your controller.
When you exit Big Box mode, Kodi will restart or maximize automatically (depending on your settings).
Troubleshooting
The Kodi plugin for LaunchBox is designed to work smoothly and reliably, but sometimes you may encounter some issues or errors. Here are some common problems and solutions that you may find helpful:
Error: Could not find LaunchBox directory
This error means that the plugin could not locate your LaunchBox directory. To fix this, make sure that you have set the correct location of your LaunchBox directory in the plugin's settings. Also, make sure that the directory is accessible and not blocked by any security software or firewall.
Error: Could not find Big Box executable
This error means that the plugin could not find the Big Box executable file in your LaunchBox directory. To fix this, make sure that you have a valid license for Big Box and that you have installed it in your LaunchBox directory. You can check this by launching Big Box manually from your LaunchBox directory.
Error: Could not launch Big Box
This error means that the plugin could not launch Big Box for some reason. To fix this, try the following steps:
Make sure that you have the latest version of the plugin and the helper script. You can check this by going to the plugin's settings and clicking on Check for updates.
Make sure that you have the latest version of LaunchBox and Big Box. You can check this by going to the updater tab in the plugin's settings and clicking on Check for updates.
Make sure that you have the latest version of Kodi. You can check this by going to Settings > System > System information.
Make sure that you have a stable internet connection and that your network share (if any) is working properly.
Make sure that you have enough free disk space and memory on your PC.
Make sure that you have closed any other programs that may interfere with LaunchBox or Big Box, such as antivirus software, game launchers, etc.
Try running the plugin as administrator. To do this, right-click on the plugin's icon in Kodi and select Run as administrator.
Try reinstalling the plugin and/or LaunchBox and Big Box.
Error: Could not restart/maximize Kodi
This error means that the plugin could not restart or maximize Kodi after exiting Big Box mode. To fix this, try the following steps:
Make sure that you have set the correct action for Kodi in the plugin's settings (minimize or close).
Make sure that Kodi is not running in full-screen mode. To do this, go to Settings > System > Display and set Display mode to Windowed or Fullscreen window.
Make sure that Kodi is not running as administrator. To do this, right-click on the Kodi shortcut and select Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab and uncheck Run this program as an administrator.
Try restarting your PC and launching the plugin again.
Conclusion
The Kodi plugin for LaunchBox is a great way to integrate your gaming and media center experience. It allows you to launch LaunchBox in Big Box mode from within Kodi with ease and convenience. It also has some additional features and options that enhance your gaming experience. If you are looking for a way to enjoy your PC games and retro console ROMs on your TV with a controller, the Kodi plugin for LaunchBox is a perfect solution. It is easy to install and use, and it offers a lot of flexibility and customization. You can also update your LaunchBox and Big Box versions from within Kodi, and run scripts before or after launching them. The plugin is compatible with Kodi 19, 20 and Windows Store versions, and it supports multiple monitors and network shares.
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below or contact me through my website. Happy gaming!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Kodi plugin for LaunchBox:
What is the difference between LaunchBox and Big Box?
LaunchBox is a game library frontend that can organize and play your PC games and retro console ROMs with various features and customization options. Big Box is a full-screen interface for LaunchBox that is designed for use with TVs and controllers. It lets you browse and play your games with beautiful artwork, videos, music, and metadata.
Do I need a license for Big Box?
Yes, you need a valid license for Big Box to use it with the Kodi plugin for LaunchBox. You can purchase a license from the LaunchBox website. The license also gives you access to premium features in LaunchBox, such as custom themes, filters, playlists, etc.
Can I use the Kodi plugin for LaunchBox with other platforms?
No, the Kodi plugin for LaunchBox only works on Windows PCs. This is because LaunchBox and Big Box are Windows-only applications.
Can I use the Kodi plugin for LaunchBox with other game launchers?
No, the Kodi plugin for LaunchBox only works with LaunchBox and Big Box. However, you can add other game launchers to your LaunchBox library as additional applications or emulators, and launch them from within Big Box mode.
Can I use the Kodi plugin for LaunchBox with other media center software?
No, the Kodi plugin for LaunchBox only works with Kodi. However, you can use other media center software as additional applications in your LaunchBox library, and launch them from within Big Box mode. dcd2dc6462