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Trying to create multiple libraries

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MusicHawk:
I haven't used NAS as you intend, but it is likely to work as you desire. The entire trick boils down to, have all PCs see the NAS at the same location so all instances of MC can use the same paths to library and media files. An NAS usually makes this easier than having a additional drives in some PCs, as in my example. I don't know how well MC will perform, however.

PS: I don't use NAS simply to keep network traffic down, preferring instead to copy the library and media files from a master PC to one or more secondary PCs, which then locally read the library database then play media and show cover art. The copying is via a backup app in middle of night. This practice originated years ago as a way to have MC file backups in multiple places, but it worked so well I just kept doing it.

THEN 9 years ago I came up with needing MC to be mobile, via a laptop in my RV running MC that feeds the RV's audio system. No NAS while bouncing through New Mexico, but the laptop's drive (internal but originally an external USB drive) via SUBST allows MC to work exactly like my stick-house desktop PC/MC system. (Yes, these days I could have NAS in the RV but no need for more gear, the way I do it is smooth, just run the backup app now and then to update the laptop from the desktop PC.)

wgapel:
So Jim says don't put library on NAS because of performace issues. Ok I will not even though I think it would of been ok since it's a Qnap with intel processor and 8 gig ram. My NAS has a JRiver app on it which was buggy first time I tried it. Alright then I'm back to How do I create the same file path for the library on multiple pc's none of which will be used as a server?

glynor:
Jim is correct that using MC with the Library on a NAS or external drive is (generally) not going to perform well. As far as this:


--- Quote from: wgapel on August 16, 2016, 06:33:15 pm ---Alright then I'm back to How do I create the same file path for the library on multiple pc's none of which will be used as a server?

--- End quote ---

Well, to answer the question straight out, MC will use the file path you give the Library in the Library Manager to use.  So, despite what I said above, if you ignore me and point multiple copies of MC on multiple machines at the same file location (via a network share UNC path, or a mounted network drive letter, or even just a shared external disk you move around), it will use the Library it finds there. Whichever copy of MC opens it first will "lock" it and any new copy will get only read-only access to the Library. So, you can, if you want, use Libraries stored on network volumes (but, as discussed above, performance is bad).   You might want to read this article quickly, just to make sure you're clear on what we're talking about and where you can create and manage Libraries:
http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Library

So, doing that isn't a great solution. The best solution is to pick one of the copies of MC as the "master" and run it as a Library Server. In this case, it does have all of the performance benefits of a Local Library, because that's how MC's Library Server system works. It is essentially a sync engine. When you connect from a "client" copy of MC, it downloads a fully copy of the Library at that moment, and then uses it locally to actually run MC. It just periodically syncs changes back to the server as it goes.

If you can't do that, you can set each copy up with its own Library, of course, but they'll be separate, and there is no other way to "merge" them in the future. You could I suppose still just pick one to be "the master" and then periodically you make a backup of this Library and restore it overtop of the others. But then they'd lose any changes you'd made inside them (playcount statistics, for example). Some changes will sync between them if you save the changes out to file tags and have Auto-Import set up to see external changes, but otherwise "internally tracked" items like playcounts would be lost (without a fairly substantial effort that would require substantial scripting skills).

The Library Server system is that sync engine, as I mentioned above, and that's going to give you the best results.

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