metadata xml formats

[JavaWiz]

I've noticed there are two formats for metadata that are recognized in the VideoLibrary Plugin. One is the internal format when the metdata is embedded in the video file as an ADS.

Code:

<recording>
  <filename>D:\PVR\MyMovies\Movies\12 Monkeys - (2007-10-05).mpg</filename>
  <channel>WMDG-1</channel>
  <status>READY</status>
  <startTime>2009-01-31 13:04:52</startTime>
  <endTime>2009-01-31 15:13:52</endTime>
  <title>Twelve Monkeys (1995)</title>
  <subtitle/>
  <description>In a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.</description>
  <uid/>
</recording>

The other is the format when the metadata is exposed via a file with the video filename with a xml extension

Code:

<Title>
  <FullTitle>Twelve Monkeys (1995)</FullTitle>
  <LocalTitle>Twelve Monkeys (1995)</LocalTitle>
  <ProductionYear>5 January 1996 (USA)</ProductionYear>
  <RunningTime>129 min</RunningTime>
  <Description>In a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.</Description>
  <DataProvider>IMDB</DataProvider>
  <DataProviderId/>
  <Rating>8.1/10</Rating>
  <Covers>  <Front>.\12 Monkeys - (2007-10-05).jpg</Front>
</Covers>
  <Genres>Sci-Fi, Thriller</Genres>
</Title>

There are some fields that are not consistent between the two. Genres for example is only usable in the external file and does not seem to be recognized in the internal format.

Am I missing something or is that truly the case?

[sub]

ADS format has always been stored by GB-PVR on recordings it makes. Its primary reason for existing is for recovering the meta data if recordings needed to be reimported at some later stage. Its format pretty much matches the data the GB-PVR has on its recording object.

Several years later, I decided to add functionality to display data from metadata files along with cover art etc. It made sense to use a format for this that was already in existing, and tools already existed for downloading this info, rather than only supporting the GB-PVR recording metadata. Most people watch recordings in the Recording Screen and see this data in its various screens. When it came to video library, I thought most of the videos will be downloaded or ripped videos.

In summary the second of those two formats was my preferred metadata for showing in the Video Library, and the former was just really as a backup in case there was no specific meta data file supplied.

[JavaWiz]

Does the ADS metdata pretty much match my dump, or are there fields I am missing? In particular, the Slick skin will display genre info, but I don't think the ADS definition has that field.

[sub]

That sample pretty much matches my memory of it. I dont think I bothered to export the genre info in the metadata written in the recording. I could add it in the next release if you want it.

[JavaWiz]

That sample pretty much matches my memory of it. I dont think I bothered to export the genre info in the metadata written in the recording. I could add it in the next release if you want it.

That would be good. I am modifying WizMetaGrabber to be able to handle both formats, so genres in the ADS would keep the display in the VideoLibrary consistent.

[sub]

OK, I've added it for the next release.

[SLR_65]

Talking about the meta data from a file . . .

I don't have any programming tools available to me any more, it's just been years since I programmed but I have a little project I think many would find useful if someone who does program would have the time . . .

It would be nice to have an editor for the meta data - one that displays the field and then has a box to put the data in. A box that only holds the number of characters that can be displayed would be really nice.

I can use notepad to do it but lots of times I put too long of a description in and have to go back and edit it. A couple times I've deleted control characters, etc..

It would just be nice to have a nice clean editing tool for this.

I'm envisioning something like opening an editor and seeing:

Title:
Release Date:
Running Time:
Description:
Data Provider:
Rating:
Cover File:
Genre(s):

With a box behind each field that will only hold the maximum amount of characters.

Making which fields were displayed for input and the maximum characters user definable would be nice too (so it could be customized for other skins like the Blue Retro High Visibility, etc.).

Just a thought, I'm managing quite well but it would be much nicer if such a tool was available.

TTYL,

Steve

[JavaWiz]

Next version of WizMetadataGrabber will do most of what you are asking for.

Not sure it will limit length of fields as that will vary depending on what skin you are using and the font and size for that specific skin. But it will provide an easy method of editing the data fields.

[SLR_65]

Ooooh, that sounds wonderful!

How hard would it be to add a field length limit? If users could change that value it would be easy for them to see how many characters their particular skin / font configuration could display and then enter that number into the program.

Thanks soooooo much, looking forward to it!!!

Steve (who's seriously thinking about hunting down a C++ compiler and seeing if he can coax some long dead brain cells out of retirement!) Day++ Dollar++ . . .

[JavaWiz]

Ooooh, that sounds wonderful!

How hard would it be to add a field length limit? If users could change that value it would be easy for them to see how many characters their particular skin / font configuration could display and then enter that number into the program.

Not quite that easy. Unless the font is proportional, the number of characters is variable. The length would vary depending on what letters were used in each description.

Steve (who's seriously thinking about hunting down a C++ compiler and seeing if he can coax some long dead brain cells out of retirement!) Day++ Dollar++ . . .

You'll probably want to download Microsoft's free Express compilers. You'll be better off with the C# as that is what 95% of the code for GBPVR is written in.

http://www.microsoft.com/express/vcsharp/