Comments on: Automatic Cover Art and Movie Details for Ripped DVDs in Windows Media Center http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/ A personal take on tech and home theater Mon, 21 May 2012 15:29:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Deck Hazen http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3018 Deck Hazen Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:57:12 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3018 Yikes! - the board ate my XML markups! #?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes"?> #Item> #ID>1#/ID> #EpisodeID>360423#/EpisodeID> #EpisodeName>Episode1Name#/EpisodeName> #EpisodeNumber>1#/EpisodeNumber> #FirstAired>2008-09-28#/FirstAired> #Overview>DCI Jane Tennison (played by Mirren) gets her first chance to lead a major murder investigation while confronting DS Bill Otley (Tom Bell) and other sexist officers on her squad who attempt to get her replaced. The case involves the rape-murder of a young woman. She eventually gets the suspect, George Marlow (John Bowe), and earns the respect of her team.#/Overview> #DVD_chapter>#/DVD_chapter> #DVD_discid>#/DVD_discid> #DVD_episodenumber>1.0#/DVD_episodenumber> #DVD_season>#/DVD_season> #Director>Cyndi Tang#/Director> #GuestStars>Kat Foster|Meredith Baxter|Alex Breckenridge#/GuestStars> #IMDB_ID>#/IMDB_ID> #Language>en#/Language> #ProductionCode>6ACX03#/ProductionCode> #Rating>6.5#/Rating> #Writer>Mike Henry#/Writer> #SeasonNumber>1#/SeasonNumber> #absolute_number>#/absolute_number> #seasonid>32348#/seasonid> #seriesid>75978#/seriesid> #filename>/Picture1Name.jpg#/filename> #/Item> Yikes! – the board ate my XML markups!

#?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″ standalone=”yes”?>
#Item>
#ID>1#/ID>
#EpisodeID>360423#/EpisodeID>
#EpisodeName>Episode1Name#/EpisodeName>
#EpisodeNumber>1#/EpisodeNumber>
#FirstAired>2008-09-28#/FirstAired>
#Overview>DCI Jane Tennison (played by Mirren) gets her first chance to lead a major murder investigation while confronting DS Bill Otley (Tom Bell) and other sexist officers on her squad who attempt to get her replaced. The case involves the rape-murder of a young woman. She eventually gets the suspect, George Marlow (John Bowe), and earns the respect of her team.#/Overview>
#DVD_chapter>#/DVD_chapter>
#DVD_discid>#/DVD_discid>
#DVD_episodenumber>1.0#/DVD_episodenumber>
#DVD_season>#/DVD_season>
#Director>Cyndi Tang#/Director>
#GuestStars>Kat Foster|Meredith Baxter|Alex Breckenridge#/GuestStars>
#IMDB_ID>#/IMDB_ID>
#Language>en#/Language>
#ProductionCode>6ACX03#/ProductionCode>
#Rating>6.5#/Rating>
#Writer>Mike Henry#/Writer>
#SeasonNumber>1#/SeasonNumber>
#absolute_number>#/absolute_number>
#seasonid>32348#/seasonid>
#seriesid>75978#/seriesid>
#filename>/Picture1Name.jpg#/filename>
#/Item>

]]> By: Deck Hazen http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3017 Deck Hazen Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:55:02 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3017 Well, as it turns out, I've just stumbled on a possible solution. A Season folder is created (must be named "Season N" where N is a number. Each episode gets ripped into its own folder in the Season N folder and given it's own episode name. In addition, a folder named "metadata" is also included in the "Season N" folder, and within that folder are the xml files for each episode. Also included are the episode photos which are referenced in the XML files. Here's a bit of the structure: File Structure: TVshowsShowNameSeason NEpisode1NameVIDEO_TS TVshowsShowNameSeason NEpisode2NameVIDEO_TS TVshowsShowNameSeason NEpisode3NameVIDEO_TS TVshowsShowNameSeason NEpisode4NameVIDEO_TS TVshowsShowNameSeason Nmetadata TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataEpisode1Name.xml TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataEpisode2Name.xml TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataEpisode3Name.xml TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataEpisode4Name.xml TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataPicture1Name.jpg TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataPicture2Name.jpg TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataPicture3Name.jpg TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataPicture4Name.jpg Contents of Episode1Name.xml: 1 360423 Episode1Name 1 2008-09-28 DCI Jane Tennison (played by Mirren) gets her first chance to lead a major murder investigation while confronting DS Bill Otley (Tom Bell) and other sexist officers on her squad who attempt to get her replaced. The case involves the rape-murder of a young woman. She eventually gets the suspect, George Marlow (John Bowe), and earns the respect of her team. 1.0 Cyndi Tang Kat Foster|Meredith Baxter|Alex Breckenridge en 6ACX03 6.5 Mike Henry 1 32348 75978 /Picture1Name.jpg The result of all this in mediabrowser (default theme) is a "Season" page where hovering over each season provides a "season photo" and a list of the episodes in that season. Drilling down on a single season shows a list of episodes, hovering over each then provides (at this point) an episode photo ("Picture1Name.jpg") and the episode description taken from the "overview" field of "Episode1Name.xml" I haven't discovered which fields in the xml files end up where, but I'm working on it and hope to have something to post, with screen shots, in a few days. - Deck Well, as it turns out, I’ve just stumbled on a possible solution.

A Season folder is created (must be named “Season N” where N is a number. Each episode gets ripped into its own folder in the Season N folder and given it’s own episode name.

In addition, a folder named “metadata” is also included in the “Season N” folder, and within that folder are the xml files for each episode. Also included are the episode photos which are referenced in the XML files.

Here’s a bit of the structure:

File Structure:

TVshowsShowNameSeason NEpisode1NameVIDEO_TS
TVshowsShowNameSeason NEpisode2NameVIDEO_TS
TVshowsShowNameSeason NEpisode3NameVIDEO_TS
TVshowsShowNameSeason NEpisode4NameVIDEO_TS

TVshowsShowNameSeason Nmetadata
TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataEpisode1Name.xml
TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataEpisode2Name.xml
TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataEpisode3Name.xml
TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataEpisode4Name.xml

TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataPicture1Name.jpg
TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataPicture2Name.jpg
TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataPicture3Name.jpg
TVshowsShowNameSeason NmetadataPicture4Name.jpg

Contents of Episode1Name.xml:

1
360423
Episode1Name
1
2008-09-28
DCI Jane Tennison (played by Mirren) gets her first chance to lead a major murder investigation while confronting DS Bill Otley (Tom Bell) and other sexist officers on her squad who attempt to get her replaced. The case involves the rape-murder of a young woman. She eventually gets the suspect, George Marlow (John Bowe), and earns the respect of her team.

1.0

Cyndi Tang
Kat Foster|Meredith Baxter|Alex Breckenridge

en
6ACX03
6.5
Mike Henry
1

32348
75978
/Picture1Name.jpg

The result of all this in mediabrowser (default theme) is a “Season” page where hovering over each season provides a “season photo” and a list of the episodes in that season.

Drilling down on a single season shows a list of episodes, hovering over each then provides (at this point) an episode photo (“Picture1Name.jpg”) and the episode description taken from the “overview” field of “Episode1Name.xml”

I haven’t discovered which fields in the xml files end up where, but I’m working on it and hope to have something to post, with screen shots, in a few days.

– Deck

]]> By: Carlton Bale http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3016 Carlton Bale Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:39:33 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3016 That's the one area I've found to be lacking. TV Shows that are stored as individual episodes work pretty well, but when backing up a disc containing multiple episodes, there is no good way to view episode-level details. My approach, which isn't great, is to store discs in a <strong>/SeriesName/Season#/Disc#/</strong> folder format. Then play the disc to see which episodes it contains. MyMovies Collection Management can store episode-specific metadata for each disc, but the Media Center User Interface never implemented a way to view or launch the episode-specific information. There is a paid TV Show application (can't find the name right now) for browsing shows (rather than movies), but I think it is for file-for-each-episode, not episodes-on-disk. Sorry I couldn't offer a better solution. Hopefully something better exists and I just haven't found it. That’s the one area I’ve found to be lacking. TV Shows that are stored as individual episodes work pretty well, but when backing up a disc containing multiple episodes, there is no good way to view episode-level details. My approach, which isn’t great, is to store discs in a /SeriesName/Season#/Disc#/ folder format. Then play the disc to see which episodes it contains.

MyMovies Collection Management can store episode-specific metadata for each disc, but the Media Center User Interface never implemented a way to view or launch the episode-specific information.

There is a paid TV Show application (can’t find the name right now) for browsing shows (rather than movies), but I think it is for file-for-each-episode, not episodes-on-disk.

Sorry I couldn’t offer a better solution. Hopefully something better exists and I just haven’t found it.

]]> By: Deck Hazen http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3015 Deck Hazen Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:14:27 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3015 Perhaps its my remoteness from the heartland, but I found the whole experience very frustrating -- in truth I use several other programs now to grab and manage metadata. At the moment I'm attempting to build a good library of TV series episodes using the "metadata" folder approach (as my episodes are ripped in VIDEO_TS format) - got any tips for me? thanks for the reply. - Deck (New Zealand) Perhaps its my remoteness from the heartland, but I found the whole experience very frustrating — in truth I use several other programs now to grab and manage metadata. At the moment I’m attempting to build a good library of TV series episodes using the “metadata” folder approach (as my episodes are ripped in VIDEO_TS format) – got any tips for me?

thanks for the reply.

– Deck (New Zealand)

]]> By: Carlton Bale http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3014 Carlton Bale Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:05:58 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3014 Deck, I've submitted many,many titles to MyMovies with no issues. Both corrections to existing titles and completely new titles as well. Sorry to hear you had problems. I've used MetaBrowser some. Maybe it's just because I'm used to MyMovies, but it didn't seem to have the same initial accuracy. I also like the Windows Home Server integration of MyMovies, and the ability to automate tasks. It's great that there are several good alternatives now; much better than a couple of years ago. Deck,

I’ve submitted many,many titles to MyMovies with no issues. Both corrections to existing titles and completely new titles as well. Sorry to hear you had problems.

I’ve used MetaBrowser some. Maybe it’s just because I’m used to MyMovies, but it didn’t seem to have the same initial accuracy. I also like the Windows Home Server integration of MyMovies, and the ability to automate tasks.

It’s great that there are several good alternatives now; much better than a couple of years ago.

]]> By: Deck Hazen http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3013 Deck Hazen Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:21:23 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3013 Have you ever tried to submit a new DVD to MyMovies? I've tried 3 times and failed 3 times. I've found metabrowser to be a vastly superior product. Have you ever tried to submit a new DVD to MyMovies? I’ve tried 3 times and failed 3 times. I’ve found metabrowser to be a vastly superior product.

]]> By: Allan http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3012 Allan Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:39:56 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3012 PS: if you dont find the DVD ID, on dvdxml.com, just go on dvd cover, save the pic as "folder".jpg in the same directory of the movie. PS: if you dont find the DVD ID, on dvdxml.com, just go on dvd cover, save the pic as “folder”.jpg in the same directory of the movie.

]]> By: Carlton Bale http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3011 Carlton Bale Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:57:23 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3011 Yes, it does. Yes, it does.

]]> By: GeoBlank http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3010 GeoBlank Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:15:10 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3010 How Does YAMMM fit into this conversation? Is this thread old and pre-dates YAMMM? Thanks How Does YAMMM fit into this conversation? Is this thread old and pre-dates YAMMM?

Thanks

]]> By: Gary Morris http://carltonbale.com/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/comment-page-1/#comment-3009 Gary Morris Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:52:11 +0000 http://carltonbale.com/2008/04/how-to-create-a-dvdidxml-file-for-dvd-metadata-in-windows-media-center/#comment-3009 After much struggles I finally figured it out. I started using the ImagesByName stuff and realized that the save location for it was... C:ProgramDataMideaBrowserImagesByName%artist%folder.jpg And that fixed my problem. I also located a zip file with over 4,000 actors photos in it and I downloaded it and put them in the ImagesByName folder and wow, what a great start! So, now I am using Album Art Downloader, MyMovies 2, and Media Browser, ripping my movies with AnyDVD and am well on my way...with thanks to people like yourself. Keep up the good work, it is appreciated. After much struggles I finally figured it out.

I started using the ImagesByName stuff and realized that the save location for it was…

C:ProgramDataMideaBrowserImagesByName%artist%folder.jpg

And that fixed my problem. I also located a zip file with over 4,000 actors photos in it and I downloaded it and put them in the ImagesByName folder and wow, what a great start!

So, now I am using Album Art Downloader, MyMovies 2, and Media Browser, ripping my movies with AnyDVD and am well on my way…with thanks to people like yourself.

Keep up the good work, it is appreciated.

]]>