Topic: Been Playing With CoverArt And Visual Basic (Read 5751 times)

KingSparta · « **on:** May 04, 2003, 10:03:00 am »

Note The Modified Chart And Lyrics Finder MC9 Plugin

The Small Coverart Picture Is From The Internet.

So When You Select Or The Program Goes To The Next File the Program Goes To The Internet And Grabs The Coverart For The File (If Found)

Basicly This Is Getting The Coverart From Walmart WebSite But I See No Reason Why I Could Not Be Done For Other Sites.

Walmart Has 3 Sizes, 60x60, 100x100,150x150 And 500X500 Coverart Sizes. The One Displayed On This Picture Is 500x500

I Am Still Playing With This So Not Sure Where It Will End.

Maybe "Chart, Lyrics And CoverArt Finder".

Mastiff · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2003, 10:38:35 am »

Cool! Exactly like Gotcha Covered (a hot topic on the AVS Forum) but within MC9! I'd love that, so I could get all my covers within MC. There's still a bunch that it won't find, but that I know are on the Walmart site or other sites. Have you talked to the guy doing Gotcha Covered?

RhinoBanga · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2003, 10:51:46 am »

King,

Spill the beans on how you do it.

My AV customers have been crying out for this type of functionality.

KingSparta · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2003, 11:52:20 am »

hehe

well really it is kind of simple, i just had to do some thinking

First You Create A Search String

MYCoverArtURL = "http://www.walmart.com/catalog/search-ng.gsp?search_constraint=4104&search_query="

CoverArtArtist = ArtistName
CoverArtAlbum = AlbumName

CoverArtArtist = Trim(Replace(CoverArtArtist, " ", "+"))
CoverArtAlbum = Trim(Replace(CoverArtAlbum, " ", "+"))

MYCoverArtURL = MYCoverArtURL & CoverArtArtist & "+" & CoverArtAlbum

Download Using That Search String (You Get The HTML)

Look Thru The HTML For The Coverart (Looking For Key Search String)

MyPos1 = 0
MyPos1 = InStr(1, MyString, "http://i.walmart.com/i/p/")

Grab The Coverart URL

Download The Cover Art

Push It Into The Image Frame

=================================

Like I said I am still playing with this.

I really don't know of any Cover Art Sites.

Anyone have any Good Links To Cover Art Sites?

Galley · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2003, 12:19:56 pm »

Quote

I really don't know of any Cover Art Sites.

Anyone have any Good Links To Cover Art Sites?

I use the "larger images" at http://www.amazon.com

KingSparta · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2003, 12:32:16 pm »

iCamp · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2003, 01:41:11 pm »

Nice addition to your already fine plug-in.

Walmart.com and Buy.com are the best sites for high quality 500x500 cover art. Amazon has the best selection of cover art but unfortunately tops out at 300x300.

I'd suggest you offer your users as many options as possible (just as you already do in your lyric finder). Let them select the desired quality of the cover art (some people might want a smaller image for portable players where every kilobit matters).

You'll also want to decide how to manage what happens when multiple images are found for the same track. The best options I've found allow the user to select the image but that might not be convenient when batch processing.

Also, consider how to save the image. The best bet is to save it inside the ID3 tag but some users might also want to take advantage of WinXP's ability to use cover art on the Explorer folder (by naming the file "folder.jpg"). If you could somehow swing both that would be awesome.

Would it be possible to run a cover art search independently of lyrics and chart searches?

Sorry to type a book...I'm just excited at the possibilities.

KingSparta · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2003, 03:13:15 pm »

I put up Version 1.0.41 Of Chart And Lyrics Finder

With A Refined Search And View.

(Somthing To Play With)

Note I Need To Find Out How To Save Images Into The File Or Database, I Am Not Sure The MC9 SDK Allows This However. Maybe RhinoBanga can help me out on that one.

Also it would be nice if there was a way to find out where MC9 Saves Coverart I Am Also Not Sure If The MC9 SDK Allows For This.

Basicly The New Version Will Look For A 60x60, then 100x100, then 150x150, then 500x500. it will show the highest res Coverart it finds From Walmart.

====================================

So Walmart, Buy.com, Amazon.com

Any Others?

>> Also, consider how to save the image.
Got To do some more thinking on that

>> Would it be possible to run a cover art
>> search independently of lyrics and chart
>> searches?
maybe when i figure out what i am doing.

dylanstan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2003, 07:23:03 pm »

Quote

hehe

I really don't know of any Cover Art Sites.

Anyone have any Good Links To Cover Art Sites?

Don't know if you're interested in cover sites of big images? If so try http://www.mega-search.net. It's a search page for cd covers and with their searches you'll find more pages.

By other way. If you're looking for more pages for your plugin, have you think in search in amazon pages of other countries. They've different selection than the USA page. I know unless amazon.fr, and there's amazon in Germany and Japon but i don't know their address. Probably there's in more countries, so this could amplifly the search spectrum

RhinoBanga · « **Reply #9 on:** May 04, 2003, 10:39:02 pm »

Thanks for the info King.

I'm going to play around with it when I get some time.

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2003, 06:15:28 am »

King,

Check out gotcha covered. Its quite buggy at the moment but he has some very good ideas in there and it does integrate well with the Explorer abilities to show cover art in XP. He has a new version coming out next week which will hopefully iron out a lot of the bugs. I have sent him to look at this orum and spoke to him about the ability to write an MC plugin but hey if you can do it and have it incorporated within CaLF then fair play. Then all I would need to do is send you that Beer and get rid of those ads!!

Adam

KingSparta · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2003, 04:30:51 pm »

Any More Coverart Sites?

Also I Made Some Mods Today With Some Help From RhinoBanga.

The Program Now Looks For The Coverart Dir In The Registry, And Saves The Cover Art To The MC9 Cover Art Folder.

In the Form:

ArtistName - AlbumName

It Will Also Add The Image File Into The Database ImageFile Field.

It Will Look At The Cover Art Dir If Image Is Found It Will Display That File, If Not It Will Do A Internet Search For Coverart.

=======================================

I did a test scan of 1,700 files MC9 did not get coverart for, and The Test Scan found another 300+ Covers.

It Seems Acurate.

I Uploaded A New Version (Same Version Number)

iCamp · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2003, 06:56:47 pm »

Quote

Check out gotcha covered. Its quite buggy at the moment but he has some very good ideas in there and it does integrate well with the Explorer abilities to show cover art in XP

I agree, Gotcha Covered is a fin utility. However, the interface for running a batch is poorly managed. As is the naming convention interface.

King,

I can't wait to get home to try your new version. I don't know of any other cover art sites with a consistant search feature.
What happens when it encounters a file that already contains cover art? Can the user select between the two? Can the software determine the "better quality" image and make the decision itself?

Quote

maybe when i figure out what i am doing.

LOL!

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2003, 12:17:20 am »

That is the only advantage that I can see with gotcha covered at the moment. If a file already contains art it lets you compare it with the art it has found and allows you to pick... This is a great feature

Adam

KingSparta · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2003, 02:44:10 am »

>> What happens when it encounters a file that
>> already contains cover art?
Well it should be the file it finds in the Cover Art Dir.

I have yet to figure out how to tell if the file already has a path to coverart or if it has cover art in the file. I did ask RhinoBanga but i have not gotten an answer so maybe he don't know also if it is even possible.

======================================

Last Nights scan of my files (13,500+) It found about 1000 coverart files on the files MC9 did not get cover art for.

Maybe when I add more sites it will get better.

======================================

>> Gotcha Covered is a fin utility.
i thought it sucked, you need a PHD to work it. and i never did figure out how to get it to save (don't tell me
I have since deleted it).

RhinoBanga · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2003, 03:33:42 am »

Quote

I have yet to figure out how to tell if the file already has a path to coverart or if it has cover art in the file. I did ask RhinoBanga but i have not gotten an answer so maybe he don't know also if it is even possible.

I was out all day yesterday ... it was a bank holiday in the UK.

The only way you can check if an image has coverart is by asking MC for the coverart path via GetImageFile, e.g.:

GetImageFile( IMAGEFILE_IN_DATABASE )

Or:

GetImageFile( IMAGEFILE_IN_FILE )

MC does make is slightly easier as if the resulting string from IMAGEFILE_IN_DATABASE is the text INTERNAL then you know that the file contains internal artwork so you should call IMAGEFILE_IN_FILE to get the filename. Unfortunately with my testing this doesn't work properly.

Also one big issue is that using IMAGEFILE_IN_FILE is slow as MC has to open the track and extract the image to give you the filename to use.

zevele10 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2003, 03:43:51 am »

king:

http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.co.uk

http://www.bgo-records.com/index1.htm

http://www.sundazed.com/

http://www.milesofmusic.com/links.html

http://www.duffelbag.com/index.jsp

http://www.oldies.com/

http://www.mordamrecords.com/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/static/-/gateway/international-gateway/ref=gw_subnav_in/002-9300847-4544062

LisaRCT · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2003, 03:57:21 am »

While not directly related to the new Album Art feature, I do have a question about Chart & Lyrics Finder:
Why does it generate Internet Explorer script errors when seeking lyrics from the internet? Is this expected or does it indicate a minor glitch?

P.S. about that beer, the shipping will cost more than the beer . . . and it will arrive warm (yuck)
how about paypal, check, or a 'beer gift certificate"

KingSparta · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2003, 04:37:49 am »

Quote

Why does it generate Internet Explorer script errors when seeking lyrics from the internet? Is this expected or does it indicate a minor glitch?

that comes from the web site, and and you run adsgone popup blocker you can have the errors blocked. it has nothing to do with the program other than it accesed the lyrics site. adsgone is the only one i found that will block that error since you can add it to the list to terminate.

i know it does not happen to all of the sites so it is something in there html script that causes the error.

I am looking at some source code that i can add to the program (maybe) down the road that can be used to block popup's when scanning the lyrics sites. it does not look like a major problem adding it.

KingSparta · « **Reply #19 on:** May 06, 2003, 04:42:12 am »

Quote

I was out all day yesterday ... it was a bank holiday in the UK.

The only way you can check if an image has coverart is by asking MC for the coverart path via GetImageFile, e.g.:

GetImageFile( IMAGEFILE_IN_DATABASE )

Or:

GetImageFile( IMAGEFILE_IN_FILE )

MC does make is slightly easier as if the resulting string from IMAGEFILE_IN_DATABASE is the text INTERNAL then you know that the file contains internal artwork so you should call IMAGEFILE_IN_FILE to get the filename. Unfortunately with my testing this doesn't work properly.

Also one big issue is that using IMAGEFILE_IN_FILE is slow as MC has to open the track and extract the image to give you the filename to use.

I will look at that again today, maybe i was doing something wrong before (chances are good).

dbett · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2003, 06:55:08 am »

Anyone else having problems downloading this plugin? Both at work and at home I get a "Server not found" error after choosing to download it. The other plugins download fine.

KingSparta · « **Reply #21 on:** May 06, 2003, 07:36:48 am »

Interesting.

The Real Message Is "JRReader"

that is a J River DLL, Must Be Some New Changes They Made In The DLL or server Since It Was Working Before.

====================================

it seems if you open the mjr file this link is in it but it is not a valid link.

http://www.musicex.com/mediacenter/mc_data/plugins/bar/chart_finder.zip

seems to be a J River Server\Site Problem

Help J River!, Calling All Cars... Red Alert!

dbett · « **Reply #22 on:** May 06, 2003, 07:52:48 am »

Well at least it's not just me. Makes me feel better. But I would like to try this plugin.

KingSparta · « **Reply #23 on:** May 06, 2003, 08:16:42 am »

Quote

Well at least it's not just me. Makes me feel better. But I would like to try this plugin.

well maybe later if they fix it or tell me what to do..

I am working on another coverart site today, so maybe that will be ready shortly also.

KingSparta · « **Reply #24 on:** May 06, 2003, 12:05:28 pm »

this was an E-mail message sent to me.

but this info is generated by J rivers Server

I am not sure why the Server Wrote the wrong info to the mjp file

============ E-Mail ======================

When I attempt to install the plugin, I get a Server not found (it does
process the mjp file).

I saved the mjp file:

[Package]
Name=Chart And Lyrics Finder
Action=UNZIPDIR
Version=1.0.41
URL=http://www.musicex.com/mediacenter/mc_data/plugins/bar/chart_finder.zip

[Action]
File1=Chart Finder.exe
File1Action1=RUN
File1Action2=REGISTER

And it appears to me the URL has a superfluous '/bar' - at least the Zip was
found when I removed it.

Anyway -- a great plugin, just thought you might want to check the mjp file.

Nikolay · « **Reply #25 on:** May 06, 2003, 12:30:21 pm »

KingSparta,

I removed /bar part from the plug-in's URL. I have no idea how it got there. Was your plug-in located in folder BAR before you uploaded to our web site?

Nikolay

dbett · « **Reply #26 on:** May 06, 2003, 12:34:56 pm »

Quote

And it appears to me the URL has a superfluous '/bar' - at least the Zip was
found when I removed it.

Well I was able to download the chart_finder.mjp file using right-click and "save as". I then opened it in WordPad and edited it to remove the '/bar' reference. I then double-clicked on the edited .mjp file which started the correct download of the plugin.

Unfortunately, after it appeared to install and asked me to click the "Finish" button, it came up with a new error window which said:

Quote

Failed to install package. More Info: Failed to register object. c:\windows\TEMP\Chart And Lyrics Finder\Chart Finder.exe.

Not to be deterred, I then went to "c:\windows\TEMP\Chart And Lyrics Finder" folder and manually ran Chart Finder.exe. It then installed correctly.

Now I need to get home so I can run it using my actual music files.

KingSparta · « **Reply #27 on:** May 06, 2003, 12:50:33 pm »

Quote

KingSparta,

I removed /bar part from the plug-in's URL. I have no idea how it got there. Was your plug-in located in folder BAR before you uploaded to our web site?

Nikolay

Don't know what it was, i know it was moved around on the server before

fex · « **Reply #28 on:** May 06, 2003, 12:54:15 pm »

Just installed the new version without any problem.

iCamp · « **Reply #29 on:** May 06, 2003, 01:09:34 pm »

Quote

i thought it sucked, you need a PHD to work it. and i never did figure out how to get it to save (don't tell me
I have since deleted it).

Good.
I was being polite...but I totally agree. There's certainly an art to interface design.
You know what's wrong with it so your app will kick the crap out of it.

dbett · « **Reply #30 on:** May 06, 2003, 01:23:04 pm »

Quote

Good.
I was being polite...but I totally agree. There's certainly an art to interface design.
You know what's wrong with it so your app will kick the crap out of it.

I have used the current version of GotchaCovered and it definately made getting cover art for a bunch of albums a lot easier. The author knows the interface for batch processing needs works and has supposedly just finished a full remake of the program which he has sent to a few alpha testers. We'll see what the result is.

Regardless, if this plugin works for me it will be nice to have the functionality inside of MC.

iCamp · « **Reply #31 on:** May 06, 2003, 01:53:57 pm »

King,

I finally got a chance to use the newest version and it is pretty cool. I was surprised at how much faster it is than Gotcha Covered.

Couple ?'s:

1. I know you mentioned still figuring out how MC saves images but where is Chartfinder currently saving images it downloads? It found a bunch in a pass of 100 files for me but when I select the Auto Smartlist task to view tracks with no images the same files appear. Which means, I guess, Chartfinder is saving them someplace other than inside the file?

2. Can Chartfinder be set to work in the background? It's need to be on top is a little troublesome if I need to do other things at the same time.

3. In a future version could you implement some sort of task list that indicates exactly what Chartfinder is doing as it runs through its various chart, lyrics, and cover art searches? A simple text indicator that says, "searching for XX cover art at Walmart.com" -just to keep the user up to date on the status of the batch.

Thanks again...it's already a fabulous tool and it's only getting better.

KingSparta · « **Reply #32 on:** May 06, 2003, 01:56:37 pm »

>> You know what's wrong with it so your
>> app will kick the crap out of it.
Don't get too excited, it is a work in progress.

dbett

Quote

Not to be deterred, I then went to "c:\windows\TEMP\Chart And Lyrics Finder" folder and manually ran Chart Finder.exe. It then installed correctly.

Now I need to get home so I can run it using my actual music files.

I think the temp thing may have been left over, you really need to clean out your temp folder.

I would use it on test files that have no Cover Art

It is not perfict so there are some match problems depending on what the web site serves up.

KingSparta · « **Reply #33 on:** May 07, 2003, 10:43:08 am »

Ok 1.0.42

Gezzz Look at the View Count Of This Post. Looks Like Cover Art Subject Option Is Of Some Intrest To Users.

By The Way This Program (Chart And Lyrics Finder) is Free.

Amazon.Com Coverart Should Be Working. This Was A Hard One Since With Every Search They May Change The Format Of The Web Page The Art Is On.

Added Some Search Options you can turn on and off.

[X] Artist Name (Default)
[X] Album Name (Default)
[_] Song Name

It Seems To Work Good Even If You Just Check The "Artist", But It may have more of a chance not to get the correct cover art.

New Cover Art Count (It Just Keeps Counting) Of you reboot the program it remembers the count.

Seems To Be Working, I Have No Error Traps In It And No Problems In The Testing.

It Does Seem To Get More Cover Art

Let Me Know Of Any Problems

Still Looking For More Cover Art Sites If They Are Not Listed Above Please List Them Now So I Can Add Them (Maybe) After I Check Them Out

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: Been Playing With CoverArt And Visual Basic (Read 5751 times)

zevele10

LisaRCT

fex