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[4BYE]

Is there a way to choose the tags I want to add with the option "Lookup Movie Info..." or do I get all the info/tags that is shown?

Thanks,

Theo

[fitbrit]

I think you get it all, but what you choose to show is up to you.

[4BYE]

I understand, but I want to keep my library clean. I think there might be something configurable in the future.

[MrHaugen]

Isn't it a bit strange to ask developers to use time on allowing people to choose every fields from such basic lookup functions, rather than the user makes views etc, without this items so that they are never shown? I don't think a few library fields with text will do a huge impact on your library size or speed. It'll also just take you a few seconds in the correct view to remove all data from one or several tags, in case it makes a big difference.

If I were you I would rather wait until we get an automatic way of retrieving meta data. Or if we ever get one that is. That might be a tool we need some customization for. Messing around with this small tools don't seem like time well spent. At least to me.

[4BYE]

Well, I've seen people asking for stranger stuff...
But you're right that I can delete the fields I don't want, so maybe that's a way to go.

From seeing the 3 databases used, I still would prefer IMDB as a fourth though.

Thanks for your time.

Theo

[CountryBumkin]

I don't see "Genre" as a field that is imported from IMDB. Is that not information normally provided by IMDB?

[4BYE]

Maybe you are confusing IMDB and TMDB? IMDB is not in the Lookup Movie Info.
On IMDB it's under the title on the website.

I use IMDB to tag manually "actors", "director(s)", "year", "original title" and "genre".

[rick.ca]

But you're right that I can delete the fields I don't want, so maybe that's a way to go.

That's not the real issue. Your library already contains lots of data you're probably unaware of. It either is essential for the proper function of the program, or has no significant impact on performance. You'll achieve the greatest efficiency by ignoring such things.

The real issue is the data cannot be directed to fields of the user's choosing, or omitted so they don't overwrite data from other sources. These capabilities are essential if the standard fields otherwise used are inappropriate to the user's needs, or one wishes to combine data from different sources.

But these capabilities are beyond the scope of a simple "lookup" function. What's needed is a meta data management system that allows data from a variety of sources to be mapped to any fields according to overwrite preferences. Such a system could also provide for user-specified expressions for each field for reformatting, revising or filtering the original data.

A meta data management system is needed for a number of other compelling reasons: So different sources can be specified (using rules) and configured for different media. So meta data can be obtained automatically when files are imported. So certain media types can be updated according to a schedule...

Hopefully, we'll see something like this soon enough that there would be little point in adding functionality to the existing lookup tools.

[fitbrit]

Rick, from what I recall, PVDImport did all that, but had it's own finnicky (for me) problems in trying to synch up the data in two completely different programs. I agree that such a tool built in with control would be awesome. Maybe JRiver should buy out PVD?

4BYE, even in standard view, you can choose which tags are displayed. Like Rick said, ignore all others you are not interested in. You never know, one day you might be interested in what the [budget] for the "Search for One-eye Jimmy" was...

[rick.ca]

Rick, from what I recall, PVDImport did all that, but had it's own finnicky (for me) problems in trying to synch up the data in two completely different programs. I agree that such a tool built in with control would be awesome. Maybe JRiver should buy out PVD?

I doubt buying out PVD would contribute much to the goal of adding the necessary capabilities to MC. I'm sure the author's expertise would be useful to JRiver, but I have no idea if he would be able or inclined to commit time to any sort of arrangement to work with JRiver.

I don't know what "finicky problems" you're alluding to. As far as the basic synchronization function is concerned, it couldn't be more straightforward. PVD associates files with movie records, and MC maintains a database of files. If properly configured, PvdImport will automatically update any record in MC for any changes made to the associated movie (or episode) in PVD. I even use it to download album information from AllMusic and transfer that to MC using PvdImport. So I suspect whatever problems you're referring to have to do with the fact another program is involved. That alone seems to be enough of a hassle to put off most people. It's a good solution for those of us who have a genuine interest in obtaining the best available data from a variety of sources, but too much trouble for those who just want a simple single-source solution.

But the PVD/PvdImport solution does provide a useful "proof of concept." It demonstrates there are no significant barriers to the development of a system that will deliver what many of us have wished for for quite some time. For video at least, MC should be able to automatically import, tag and download meta data of our choosing for any folders it is configured to watch. If dummy files are to represent media that does not yet exist, it can also demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of providing information about movies seen or wished for but not owned, episodes not yet released, etc. In short, once configured according to our preferences, the information we want should automatically appear in MC and be kept current.

[fitbrit]

Here are my gripes with PVD and PVDImport for use in MC. Bear in mind that I haven't used it since MC14 (I think):

If I change the filename of a movie from within MC, PVD can no longer find the record. That's understandable, but if I decide to change my naming convention for whatever reason, that really messes with PVD, and causes major headaches. If the PVD functionality were built into MC, then it would be aware of any changes to the filename and would compensate accordingly.

[rick.ca]

If I change the filename of a movie from within MC, PVD can no longer find the record.

All you would need to do is run PVD file scanner on the new location(s). It would change all the file references, assuming it can still identify the record from the filename. But there is the unavoidable inconvenience of it simply being a separate program. If it weren't, you wouldn't have to rescan the files to synchronize the changes—there would be nothing to change.

To be clear about the PVD/PvdImport solution—it's something that works, and it works very well. We're comparing it to a built-in solution that doesn't yet exist. We don't even know if JRiver has a plan for how to address this need. It is easy to imagine a system that will be much more convenient, and open the door to things not currently possible. But developing such a thing to a point where it can provide the same functionality will take time. PVD will continue to serve some of us well until that day comes.

[fitbrit]

All you would need to do is run PVD file scanner on the new location(s). It would change all the file references, assuming it can still identify the record from the filename. But there is the unavoidable inconvenience of it simply being a separate program. If it weren't, you wouldn't have to rescan the files to synchronize the changes—there would be nothing to change.

That doesn't seem too painful. Maybe I just didn't know about this feature, or it didn't exist back then? I'll have to give it another go. The other gripe I had at the time was that if it couldn't identify the movie from the filename while autoscanning, it would not give you the chance to manually correct it; even the current MC lookup offers that. I'd have to skip those files. Has this changed in newer PVD releases?

[rick.ca]

Has this changed in newer PVD releases?

No. And I must admit, that behaviour is annoying. But if you've been using MC to clean up your filenames, maybe that's no longer an issue.

[4BYE]

4BYE, even in standard view, you can choose which tags are displayed. Like Rick said, ignore all others you are not interested in. You never know, one day you might be interested in what the [budget] for the "Search for One-eye Jimmy" was...

Good movie though...

I'll wait for newer functions to come, just do what I did before. You know for finding movies in my database it's convient to have a search by genre, actor and director. A lot of other data can be found on IMDB and other sites when I need more info on a specific movie. There are a few fields I would like to update like e.g. country or language. That could be useful in a search.

Would it be easy to add IMDB later or do they charge money? I have no idea what so ever but I think they have the best data.

[fitbrit]

Good movie though...

You actually liked it???

Me too.

[fitbrit]

No. And I must admit, that behaviour is annoying. But if you've been using MC to clean up your filenames, maybe that's no longer an issue.

Whoa, dude! What happens in Beta Team, stays in Beta Team! But no, I didn't use it much before the feature was temporarily removed.
I just downloaded PVD again.... wow, quite unintuitive. *sigh*... and it's not downloading any info from IMDB except the url.

[rick.ca]

Whoa, dude! What happens in Beta Team, stays in Beta Team! But no, I didn't use it much before the feature was temporarily removed.

I have no idea what you're talking about. If I did, of course, I wouldn't be able to say so. But I assumed you were referring to Rename, move & copy files. That's been out of beta for a while now.

wow, quite unintuitive.

Did you try Help > Check for updates, and allow it to update the IMBb plugin? If you need help, ask for it here.

[fitbrit]

Thanks, Rick. I remembered that I was a forum member there, so I logged in again. I determined that it was an IMDB plug-in problem, but I was searching the forums for an update... and beginning to suspect there wasn't one yet I go back to email and see your reply. Looks like the updated plug-in is working. Thanks!