Thanks Marko,
You're welcome. Feels like we're gaining traction for you now we've properly identified your target goals.
before i try anything crazy....
I have over 19,000 albums in my collection (so want to be sure if i do anything wholesale!). In addition, i never let JRiver change any tags at all. All my data and tagging is done prior to JRiver ever seeing it. So all i really need JRiver to do is read my tags and display them (in theater view). With this in mind, what might you suggest?
Suggestion/Explanation further down...
In other words, i have no problem with jriver scanning my files to read my tags as long as it does not make any changes. The thought also comes to me that i want this to be automatic, as in, when i make changes to my files i want jriver to read them and display them as per my settings. Would rather not have to run a manual scan each and every time i make a change (which i often do). My work flow is to make changes to my collection on a separate computer (using a portable hard drive). Then i move the drive back to my JRiver PC. JRiver then automatically reads the changes and i'm good to go. Still curious as to why it does this with no issues with all my other tags other than the new tag i just added.
Once you force the issue with this initial scan using the "Tag" code I posted above, or by using "Library Tools>Update Library (From Tags)" it will be fully automatic from then onwards. Why?
When you first import your files into MC, it scans, and introduces all tag data it recognises in the files. When you did this, your Writer tag did not exist, so the data was ignored. When you use "Update Library (From Tags)" it basically, re-imports the file, updating any fields that match in the library, but mis-match with data, file tags win, and library is updated accordingly.
The default MC behaviour is to "Update tags when file info changes". This means, as you have noted already, that if you change the file tags externally, next time MC sees that file during it's 'auto-import' routine, it will bring in those changes.
You need to force this issue, just once, to get your new Writer tag in the library in sync with file tags. Once done, MC will just take care of it for you moving forwards.
As i have never tagged with JRiver, this is all new to me. I'm guessing you mean, choose Track, right click on 'tag'. In the window that appears i see nowhere to enter code.
From your posts above, it seems apparent to me that you are meticulous with your tagging, and, as you do not tag using MC, there's little to no chance of the library data being ahead of the file tags. I would advise the following:
- For absolute peace of mind, make a library backup. "File>Library>Backup Library"
- Select all audio.
- Right click > Library Tools > Update Library (From Tags)
- This could take a while, especially as files reside on an external drive, so bear this in mind before kicking the job off.
To be honest, at 19k albums, I would be inclined to break the job up into sessions, perhaps alphabetically, or whatever works for you. If you ever lose track of where you got up to between sessions, entering [Writer]=[] into the search bar in the top right corner will exclude all files that have Writer data in the library.
You will know what might work best for you.
If things go horribly pear-shaped, you can restore your library backup.
PS - i am thinking up upgrading, do all my setting stay the same after an upgrade?
Yes. The only setting change that's forced with MC28 is the "Web Engine" setting, with the new default being set to use Edge. Everything else will be as-is. The upgrade process is really smooth now, practically seamless.
