ID3 / Cover Art

[mikkoku76]

First install on this MCE. It was a little ruff but once I replaced my newer ATI HD4350 with a GeForce 6600/6800 things improved a lot. I never used the Windows MCE, but have used MediaPortal but decided to break into this platform to work on improving my Linux and since I might consider doing some home automation.

Now to my question, In MediaPortal they had several tools for downloading all the movie and song details mostly getting it from IMDB and it was near flawless. In trying to do the same in this MCE the process became much more laborious and in most cases failed to identity the correct information.

I assume that one of the larger issues is that most of my movie database are AVI files, however each movie has its own directory and within the directory is a “%moviename%.dvdid.xml” and in most cases a “folder.jpg” file for cover art. It seems that the search and import process does not read this information, let alone use it.

For those that it was able to fine, with my manual clicking and updating over the core website, it created a “%moviename%.avi.id3” file. So, can I convert the dvdid.xml documents into ID3 to help the system lock into the data, or is there an editor that I can download or buy that would allow me to create my own? Better yet, is the answer within the database, in that can I make the changes within the database and let it worry about the ID3s?

It would rock if I could convert, or import, from something like MovieCollector.

[totallymaxed]

First install on this MCE. It was a little ruff but once I replaced my newer ATI HD4350 with a GeForce 6600/6800 things improved a lot. I never used the Windows MCE, but have used MediaPortal but decided to break into this platform to work on improving my Linux and since I might consider doing some home automation.

Now to my question, In MediaPortal they had several tools for downloading all the movie and song details mostly getting it from IMDB and it was near flawless. In trying to do the same in this MCE the process became much more laborious and in most cases failed to identity the correct information.

I assume that one of the larger issues is that most of my movie database are AVI files, however each movie has its own directory and within the directory is a “%moviename%.dvdid.xml” and in most cases a “folder.jpg” file for cover art. It seems that the search and import process does not read this information, let alone use it.

For those that it was able to fine, with my manual clicking and updating over the core website, it created a “%moviename%.avi.id3” file. So, can I convert the dvdid.xml documents into ID3 to help the system lock into the data, or is there an editor that I can download or buy that would allow me to create my own? Better yet, is the answer within the database, in that can I make the changes within the database and let it worry about the ID3s?

It would rock if I could convert, or import, from something like MovieCollector.

Firstly welcome,

Unfortunately LinuxMCE currently does not handle the import of the metadata you have for your media automatically. This is a whole area that needs a considerable amount of work to make it shine. If you insert a DVD disc or an audio CD then for the most part they will be reliably ID'd... but for AVI's or existing .iso files for example LinuxMCE really leaves you having to do a lot of manual work.

It would be great if some Forum members who really understood and cared about this side of LinuxMCE could get together and bring this whole area into a more usable state.

All the best

Andrew

[mikkoku76]

That is what I assumed.

I already started writing and testing some code. I might just call it an "AddOn" to support importing data into the database using dvdid.xml and folder.jpg files, and continue to use the current search tool, since IMDB does not support music, or I assume it doesnt. Have not tested yet to see if it would be easyer to write a converter for the xml to id3 or just dump into the database, any thoughts?

That way I can use keep using my third-party software that create the xml and jpg data, and it will also make it easyer for WinMCE Ripper converts, since its the primary way it stores the data, from what I read.

Later,
D

[colinjones]

Suggestion - you might want to try to team up with an existing LMCE dev, and rather than create a "duct taped" add on utility, develop the code generically that the LMCE dev can then integrate into the existing UpdateMedia binary. This is the code that currently imports/exports meta data between the database and the id3 files/tags. It would be far better, and stand a much better chance of being folded into the trunk code if you did it this way.

Maybe jump onto the IRC chat and ask if someone is interested in helping? Or the Developer forum.... just be aware that they are all flat out busy at the moment trying to get 0810 out the door!

[totallymaxed]

That is what I assumed.

I already started writing and testing some code. I might just call it an "AddOn" to support importing data into the database using dvdid.xml and folder.jpg files, and continue to use the current search tool, since IMDB does not support music, or I assume it doesnt. Have not tested yet to see if it would be easyer to write a converter for the xml to id3 or just dump into the database, any thoughts?

That way I can use keep using my third-party software that create the xml and jpg data, and it will also make it easyer for WinMCE Ripper converts, since its the primary way it stores the data, from what I read.

Later,
D

As Colins says doing it the right way would pay big dividends ultimately... and UpdateMedia is a key component. One of our Devs worked on UpdateMedia when at Pluto so we can probably be of help on this if you need some pointers.

Andrew