Collections Data

[Erik 124]

Hi,

 

I previously used metabrowser for my metadata. My file structure for a collection is:

 

Movies

->Planes Collection

-->Planes (2013)

-->Planes Fire & Rescue (2014)

 

Metabrowser used to make the "Planes Collection" folder a movie and load all the metadata into that folder (including a collection.xml). MBS recognized this fine, and shows those previous collections in the collections tab (but not in the metadata editor however). So I used the metadata editor to create a collections for "Planes Collection" and put the movies into it.

 

So my question is can we have the data saved in the folder instead of the MBS data file where it is installed? As do have the box checked "Save artwork and metadata into media folders" and I would assume it would have loaded the data there. If I move this "Planes Collection" to a different server (parents or something) I would then have to recreate the collection again I believe.

 

Also, i noticed all the metadata is saving as NFO which is fine, but the collections are still saving .xml. is that going to change as well? as currently its duplicating my existing .nfo collection files.

 

Note: I know the option exists to use the auto-boxsets plug-in, I just prefer to set it manually as we have seen the metadata providers change their data sometimes and I prefer to have it permanently located with my media.

 

Thanks,

Erik

Edited November 2, 2014 by Erik

[Beardyname 198]

The metadata is saved within the folder, the only thing stored on the server is which movies belong in what collection.

Seeing as you can make backup for collections so they can be restored it's the same thing really.

 

You can also lock metadata for every item in the editor if you are afraid of it changing.

 

Also (this is more nitpicking)

You don't have to save movies like that anymore, since you can bind them togheter in the editor. (not auto-boxsets rather make your own custom collections)

[Erik 124]

How is it saved in the folder if I don't organize then that way? What folder would it be stored in?

 

When I made a collection, it made a folder.mxl with the movie name in the file. No plot, description or anything else. I can post it if needed. Also, there are no image folders within the collection folder I made. So I'm not sure where they are stored.

 

The old MB way had all the images and collection metadata in the parent folder. I'm trying to figure out the new structure.

 

Thanks again,

Erik

[ebr 16184]

The short answer is you don't need to organize your items that way anymore.  Just have all the movies in the flat folder structure and either create your collections manually with the web interface or install the Auto Box Set plug-in which will do it all for you (according to tmdb data).  Then turn on the option to collapse movies into collections and viola!

 

The system takes care of the organization of them and you don't have to.

[Erik 124]

Thanks ebr,

 

But my issue is, I bring some collections to my parents house to put on their server (no internet access in the back country) where is the collections information stored so it is present on their server as well. Otherwise, the movies show up fine, but no collection data.

 

I'm use to the idea that all the metadat is stored with the media and could be moved anywhere with all that data organized and present,

 

That make any sense? Or am I stuck in the past on this one?

[Beardyname 198]

Thanks ebr,

 

But my issue is, I bring some collections to my parents house to put on their server (no internet access in the back country) where is the collections information stored so it is present on their server as well. Otherwise, the movies show up fine, but no collection data.

 

I'm use to the idea that all the metadat is stored with the media and could be moved anywhere with all that data organized and present,

 

That make any sense? Or am I stuck in the past on this one?

 

Is there any metadata custom to the collection? I mean a collection is just a bunch of movies bound together. The meta data should already be in the folders for each of the movies, you can then rebuild the collection using the manager at your parents house.

 

*edit* Well the thing missing would be an image that is custom made for that collection... But that you can download and bring along on your own.

Edited November 2, 2014 by Beardyname

[Erik 124]

Yes, TMDB has description of the collection and usually poster/images for the collection.

 

That's why I don't know where it is being stored as it's not with the media.

[Beardyname 198]

You can check where the collection is stored in the metadata editor.

and by data i mean the meta-data that is "custom" to that collection.

Edited November 2, 2014 by Beardyname

[Erik 124]

Didn't notice that. Thanks.

 

So it shows it being stored in

Roaming\mediabrowser-server\data\collections

 

So, I guess the easiest thing to ask is @@ebr @@Luke for a feature request so can MBS have a custom path added to chnage where the collection information is stored? Like the ImagesByName or transcoding folder have a choice of location?

 

Or...I don't know what the "data" folder contains, but Maybe that would work so all the user metadata and everything could be pointed to a custom path is desired.

[Beardyname 198]

Didn't notice that. Thanks.

 

So it shows it being stored in

Roaming\mediabrowser-server\data\collections

 

So, I guess the easiest thing to ask is @@ebr @@Luke for a feature request so can MBS have a custom path added to chnage where the collection information is stored? Like the ImagesByName or transcoding folder have a choice of location?

 

Or...I don't know what the "data" folder contains, but Maybe that would work so all the user metadata and everything could be pointed to a custom path is desired.

 

Well you can navigate to that folder and check it out Copy paste it to your parents setup and you should be good to go!. (all the folders in that location)

[Erik 124]

Agreed,

 

That's what I'll do for now. Just thinking that would not be all that user friendly to copy to the movies from one folder and the collection by digging into a hidden system folder.

 

But that will work for now.

 

Thanks @@Beardyname

[Beardyname 198]

well, user friendly or not. if transfering collections to a new server totally off-line is considerd user friendly....

 

As long as you can find what images etc it's using it should work for now!

[Erik 124]

touche!

 

I was thinking of my own setup too. But once again, I'm behind the curve...

 

I missed the change that auto boxsets no longer worked on shortcuts...so I used that. Which is fantasic! @@ebr

 

Now I just copied the created boxsets to the offline server.

 

thanks again, @@Beardyname

[Beardyname 198]

No problem Just glad if i can help someone out!

[Smaky 131]

Didn't notice that. Thanks.

 

So it shows it being stored in

Roaming\mediabrowser-server\data\collections

 

So, I guess the easiest thing to ask is @@ebr @@Luke for a feature request so can MBS have a custom path added to chnage where the collection information is stored? Like the ImagesByName or transcoding folder have a choice of location?

 

Or...I don't know what the "data" folder contains, but Maybe that would work so all the user metadata and everything could be pointed to a custom path is desired.

I requested this as a fetaure request a couple of weeks ago... like the post to show your interest in the topic:

 

http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/topic/11538-configurable-collections-folder/