HOW TO - Kodi 2D & 3D Guide Internal & External Players

Kodi does not completely support 3D playback yet so, we rely on 3rd party software and scripts to fill the void.
These instructions should help aid you to adapt to your system dependening on the software and hardware you use.
I am providing examples from my Windows 8.1 with TotalMedia Theatre although I have upgraded to Windows 10 Pro using PowerDVD with an Nvidia GPU and one 3D panel although a 2nd monitor can also be used with further adjustments as can Intel users.
This is remote control friendly in every way. I use a Harmony 900.
This is completely compatible with Helix, Isengard and Jarvis.
Let's get started:

Download Virtual CloneDrive (VCD) and install http://www.slysoft.com/en/virtual-clonedrive.html Any virtual mounter will work but the code will need modifications to work.
I have assigned drive letter 'A' for the virtual mount but you can assign what you prefer. Navigate to Administrative Tools/Computer Management/Disc Management.
On the bottom graph, locate the virtual CD-ROM, right click it, select 'Change drive letter and paths'. Select change. On the right is a radio button that reveals available drive letters. Be certain any external drives are on as Windows will make their letters available if they are off and not present.
Disable VCD in Task Manager/Startup since there is no need for it to appear in the tray nor load at startup.



Nvidia:
Install latest Nvidia drivers including 3D Vision driver. You probably will not need the 3D controller driver.
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
Open Nvidia Control Panel/Setup Stereoscopic 3D/Run Setup Wizard.
This confirms left/right eye and that your panel auto switches into 3D mode since the wizard enables Stereoscopic in the control panel.
When finished, change resolution to HD 3D 1080p 1920x1080 set at 24Hz and apply.
Now select Ultra HD 1080p 1920x1080 (native) 60Hz and apply.
Uncheck 'Enable Stereoscopic 3D' and save.
*Note* 3DTV Play is not required.
Windows 10 users pay particular attention to post #46 http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=229692&page=4



Intel:
Install Intel Graphics Control Panel, Select 3D and enable if there is an option. As with Nvidia, it is part of your Driver package and accessed via the Windows program menu.
Windows Screen Resolution, Check Enable Stereoscopic 3D Settings for all Supported Displays and save.
Delete "C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvstlink.exe" /disable
and
"C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3DVision\nvstlink.exe" /enable
from #1 .bat file.
Follow the rest of the guide using these edits.

In Windows Screen Resolution, check Enable Stereoscopic 3D for all supported displays for single panel users . If you are running dual monitors of different resolution enable stereoscopic settings for all 3D displays' in windows screen resolution settings. You won't see this setting unless you make your secondary monitor (TV panel for playback) the primary monitor and turn off monitor 1 by selecting 'show desktop on monitor 2 only' since this is the 3D display. This becomes a problem for ease of use though. The fix is win+p and 'select pc screen only'. Next, right click your taskbar and select properties. There should be a setting to show taskbar on all displays or only the main display. You don't want a taskbar on your Kodi display. The setting is at the bottom in the Multiple Displays section. You only set this 1 time so it's set and forget. Once you set select pc screen only, windows will automatically switch between the two and turn off the one not in use, turn it back on when it is. So, you can be using monitor 1 for pc stuff and when you want to watch a movie on your TV panel (monitor 2), when you turn on monitor 2, monitor 1 turns off. This means windows has now auto set monitor 2 as primary and the windows resolution setting 'enable stereoscopic settings for all 3D displays' is present and enabled. When you turn off monitor 2, monitor 1 automatically turns back on. Once this is set up, Uncheck 'Enable Stereoscopic 3D for all Supported Displays, save and exit.





Samsung users:
I highly suggest you enable Samsung Auto Motion Plus in your panel settings (Blur Reduction max and Judder 50% aka Smooth). This is why you purchased a 240Hz model http://support-us.samsung.com/cyber/popu...N46C750R2F Most panels have this feature using a similar name; Motion Flow, TrueMotion, etc. This enhances clarity greatly in my opinion and is mainly for 2D playback. When enabled with panel in 3D mode though, the set will overscan and aspect ratio is wrong. So it must be set to 'Standard' or 'Off' when rendering 3D. Rather than digging through the panel menu to enable or disable depending on 2D or 3D content, you can automate it with proper hardware. If your AVR has dual output, HDMI out of AVR to one of your panels HDMI inputs and use this source for 2D. Most panel HDMI inputs can be adjusted independent of other inputs so in the panel menu set Auto Motion Plus to 'Smooth' and any other adjustments you desire for 2D playback. HDMI out of your AVR 2nd output and HDMI in to a different HDMI input on your panel. Use this source for 3D and set Auto Motion Plus to Standard or off and tailor any other adjustments for 3D playback. If your AVR does not provide dual output, you could probably attach an HDMI splitter out of the AVR to your panel. I assign a soft button on my remote for the panel 3D source and select it when I playback 3D.

Install your external player of choice. I use PowerDVD 15. I prefer using VCD to mount and avoid PDVD internal iso mounter. Be sure to enable Match Refresh Rate. Select Default Audio/Original Primary Source. This enables Passthrough. Enable Full Screen. Assign alt+f4 to a convenient button on your remote. I use a Harmony 900 and also assign it when exiting an activity (Kodi). You will need this to exit your external player and return to Kodi after playback. If using a mouse, just close the external player. If you have already set up your remote to control Kodi, some of these settings will carry over to external players and are sufficient although they were designed for a mouse. VCD will always dismount once external player is closed. If you fail to render 3D sometimes, pressing pause and then play again should remind PDVD to render 3D.





Optionally, you may want to install SlySoft AnyDVD, DVDFab Passkey, or the likes. There have been rare occasions I opted to use it and it offers more enhancements should you decide to incorporate any of them.

In Windows Audio Properties, be sure to configure your sound with your AVR on and not in standby. It's also a good place to check the supported formats enabling you to select the same in Kodi Audio settings. This ensures Kodi shakes hands with your audio device properly and does not hinder video playback due to conflicting audio settings.



In Explorer/Change Folder Options, 'Show Hidden Files Folders and Drives' checked and uncheck 'Hide Extensions for Known File Types'.




Kodi Settings:

DO NOT run Kodi as admin.
PDVD will popup "Disc not found, choose another".

Video/Playback:
Adjust Refresh Rate to Match Video 'Always'.
Pause During Refresh Rate Change '8 Secs'. This is to give ample time for your panel to auto switch prefered 3D mode described later.
Sync Playback to Display 'Uncheck'. With this setting enabled, you might experience repeated random audio drops using Dolby TrueHD as I have.
Playback Mode of Stereoscopic 3D Videos 'Preferred Mode'.
Disable Stereoscopic 3D Mode When Playback Ended 'Enabled'.



Video/Subtitles:
Subtitle Position on Screen 'Below Video'.
Stereoscopic 3D Depth of Subtitles '5'.



Video/Discs:
Blu-Ray Playback Mode 'Simplified'. This will bring up the context menu 'Play with' allowing you to choose other than what is already focused as the default. You will simply press enter or navigate to your preference.

Blu-Ray Playback Mode 'Show Blu-ray menu'. This will skip the context menu and go directly to the correct player eliminating the extra 'enter' button press. You can still choose players by manually navigating to 'Play with'. When you do the latter, and select play using with dvdplayer, KODI will show your title including Blu-ray menu, etc. Remember, some discs menus work perfectly within KODI and some do not.



System/Settings:

Video/Output:
Stereoscopic 3D Mode (Current) 'Disabled'.
Preferred Mode 'Same as Movie'.
Use a Fullscreen Window Rather Than True Fullscreen 'Enabled' although Disabled using 1 display has presented no problems for me.
I have read that using Kodi to adjust display size introduces ghosting. Always use your panels display size settings to fit to screen.



Add-ons:
*Samsung users only*
Install/Configure 3D Enabler Samsung TV http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=185212. I use this because I have a Samsung and it automates 3D mode so I don't have to select the proper one depending on the title I am playing. This is not needed for frame packed 3D titles such as full ripped iso's or file structure rips. Usually the only options are 2D>3D, SBS, and TAB. Full rips use none of these modes - .mkv's do.



The cleanest naming convention that works for me looks like this and is necessary for 3D automation to work properly:
Avatar (2009) .3D for full rips
Avatar (2009) .3D.SBS for side by side
Avatar (2009) .3D.TAB for top and bottom
This also conforms with skins nicely so that cases show as 3D.

We will be using a playercorefactory.xml and 2 .bat files. 1 for 2D and the other for 3D. If everything is setup correctly, your system will know which players to use for proper playback eliminating the need to choose from the context menu while still offering the feature. The options are 'dvdplayer', '2D', and '3D'. Some full rip 2D title menus are not supported in Kodi so an external player is used by default. However, you can still select the built in Kodi player (dvdplayer) through the context menu. Routinely, I start a title using the external player to take advantage of the different offerings in a complete blu-ray. Once I'm done watching previews and other offerings, I determine if there is a extended version or not. I then return to Kodi and context menu dvdplayer and play through Kodi so I can take advantage of the enhancements Kodi and various skins offer during playback that external players do not. So each player has it's benefits. Any format that is not a full blu-ray rip always defaults to dvdplayer. This includes 3D.mkv's since an external player is not needed and offers nothing more than Kodi's built in player. Full 3D ripped blu-rays will always default to the external player, mount via VCD, and your panel will prompt you to 'Turn on your 3D glasses' once everything is called up. The next post contains the codes you will need.