Question regarding new version

[ohaverd 0]

Hi all, I havent looked into Media Browser for a couple of years...  That is probably due to the fact that I've been satisfied with the last version and never thought to look for a newer version.  I am stoked to try out MB3 this weekend.  I currently have a HTPC server with 10 TBs of storage for my movies spread across 4 different drives.  I connect to that server with 3 different PCs all running MB2.  My question is this...  on all 4 of my drives my movies are separated into genre folders i.e.  C:/Action/The Matrix, in MB3 do I still need to separate them into genre folders or does it somehow see the genre of the movie through metadata and put it in the proper genre in the interface?

 

thanks for any help you can give on this.

 

 

[CWNashvegas 170]

MB3 creates "views" based on Media Type (ie, Movies, TV Shows) and metadata (genre, actors, etc). It also allows you to create folder-based collections of the type that you are used to from MB2. Media Browser Classic (the WMC client) still has a Movies by Genre view that will use the metadata to create the display. You don't need to have your genres physically separated unless you have some other reason for doing so.

 

Might be easier if we look at what you want from MB3 and then find the best way to get there. MB3 supports multiple user Profiles. Will you be wanting to set up multiple users? If so, will they all be accessing the same content? 

 

You can also go down to the Knowledge Base section of the forum and look around. This is a good starting point: http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/topic/632-what-is-mb-and-what-do-i-need/

Edited October 25, 2013 by Knowledge Base

[ebr 16169]

The ability to index items by genre (actor, director, year...) has been a feature of MB for a while but anyway, the short answer is "yes".

[ohaverd 0]

MB3 creates "views" based on Media Type (ie, Movies, TV Shows) and metadata (genre, actors, etc). It also allows you to create folder-based collections of the type that you are used to from MB2. Media Browser Classic (the WMC client) still has a Movies by Genre view that will use the metadata to create the display. You don't need to have your genres physically separated unless you have some other reason for doing so.

 

Might be easier if we look at what you want from MB3 and then find the best way to get there. MB3 supports multiple user Profiles. Will you be wanting to set up multiple users? If so, will they all be accessing the same content? 

 

You can also go down to the Knowledge Base section of the forum and look around. This is a good starting point: http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/topic/632-what-is-mb-and-what-do-i-need/

thanks for the quick reply...  I have always had my movies separated into genre folders because they are spread over multiple drives.  I always thought that I had to do it like that with the old media browser in order to get the different genre catagories.  So in my configurator I point media browser to my drives like this. 

I create a catagory for action, and put my own custom "action" logo on it

then add

F:/action

J:/action

G:/action

N:/action

 

then I do it again for each genre (action, adventure, drama, comedy, tv shows, home movies, suspense, and sci-fi.  (its a pain in the @ss because I have to do it for all 4 of my HTPCs, luckily only once per)

 

but now I should?

F:/movie

J:/movie

G:/movie

N:/movie

 

and MB3 will separate the genre's for me?  and how does custom genre logos work?  And what about TV shows?  Does MB3 know how to separate those?

 

 

I know that just jumping into the program I'll probably figure it out, but I want to go in with some knowledge.  If its a no brainer than just let me know.

 

I do not plan on having multiple users in MB3 either.

 

I guess what I am asking is, how do you guys import your library into MB3?  What is the most effecient way?  I am upwards of 700 movies right now so I need to be able to separate them into categories.

 

oh yes, and while I have your ear, is there an app for android or apple that lets you browse through media browser and it actually happens on the screen as your moving through the movies on your pad?  I'm think the only way is through that air app and then mirror with apple tv? 

[CWNashvegas 170]

Well, consolidating your paths will simplify things greatly, especially since you have to set up UNC paths for your media folders. But, unlike MB2, you only have to set up your library once because the server handles the library and passes the info along to the clients. MB3 offers a lot more flexibility because of the dynamic views, and if you make a change, it is reflected immediately everywhere.

 

I use the standard structure as outlined here: http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/topic/674-media-files-folders-structure/

 

Movies\Movie Title\

TV Shows\TV Series Name\Season\

 

and so on.

 

I totally understand wanting to know what to expect going in. I'm the same way.

 

Custom genre artwork (both folder.jpg and backdrop.jpg are supported) will show in the MBClassic Movies by Genre display, and in the web client and any other clients that support them. They go in the ImagesByName folder, as outlined in the IBN article here: http://mediabrowser.tv/community/index.php?/topic/695-imagesbyname-folder/

 

MB3 also has a GenreCleaner plugin available, making it super easy to keep your genres orderly.

 

MB3 does support shortcuts, as long as they are done properly. So, though I don't generally recommend use of shortcuts, that is another option that is a compromise between allowing MB3 to handle the heavy lifting while also giving you the option of setting up genre Collections. Think of the MB3 genre views as "soft collections" and your Collections you set up as "hard collections". It is possible to have both specifically at the Genre level as you've done in MB2, but you may not actually need them. 

 

Luke is right, it's hard to envision how it all works until it's in front of you. But if you're still hesitant, keep asking questions, and I can also provide some screenshots for you later if you want.

Edited October 25, 2013 by Knowledge Base

[Luke 42077]

Best thing to do is try it. You'll probably discover some new things that will change what you're thinking now.