Disappointing Video Collection Display

[rickybee]

I'm new to SageTV but not to HTPC setups, I've been using BeyondTV and XBMC for about 10 years. So far I am happy with SageTV except for this one area, the viewing of my video collection. The basic view in 'Folders' is, well, basic. The only option I have found to make it decent is Sage Mymovies. So I thought I would give it a try. Wow, big mistake, in order to use this you have to install the Movie Collection software which involves installing an extra server, MSSQL and manager instance. Then with all this overhead each movie has to be in its own folder? Is this overkill or what! BTW I use an linux based Unraid server to store my collection.
I think this software could take a lesson from XBMC where this functionality is built in. Just point it at your media server and it pulls in all the data, downloading coverart and movie information from the internet. No extra server instances, no special organization of files, it just works. If this feature was in the base SageTV install or as a plugin it would be amazing.
Once I saw what this My Movies software was doing I immediately uninstalled it. Unfortunately the uninstaller doesn't do anywhere near a thorough job and I had to go and manually remove half a dozen MS components which had been added to my system. I realized this as my system started trying to run updates on SQL after I had uninstalled the main program. What a mess. I guess I'll stick with the basic view until someone comes up with something better.

[bastafidli]

You want to try BMT plugin.

[rickybee]

Thanks for the suggestion. I had a quick look at some info about this plugin but still not impressed. Below are a couple of links to screenshots from XBMC for anyone who hasn't seen what is possible.
And before you say "Well why don't you just use XBMC?". It doesn't have the DVR component which SageTV and BeyondTV does so well.
SageTV is already 90% there, I just miss this beautiful display that really makes you say wow!

http://www.iknowit.com.au/itsupportf...-centre/xbmc3/

http://techie-blogger.com/wp-content...0/03/xbmc2.jpg

[texneus]

Hard to argue with your logic and I agree with you 100% on My Movies. I have not found a viable solution or combination of solutions is as seamless or painless as the XBMC libraries, although I admit I have not looked overly hard (not a priority to me). If you find a solution, I'd sure like to know!

[SomeWhatLost]

have you tried the diamond theme?
I am using MyMovies, so I am not 100% sure, but I thought someone (probably plucky) really fixed up the videos section?

[PLUCKYHD]

Yeah diamond is getting better the next build really offers some new things that are great.

Ortus is the closest thing to xbmc but isn't out yet.

[PLUCKYHD]

Originally Posted by rickybee

I'm new to SageTV but not to HTPC setups, I've been using BeyondTV and XBMC for about 10 years. So far I am happy with SageTV except for this one area, the viewing of my video collection. The basic view in 'Folders' is, well, basic. The only option I have found to make it decent is Sage Mymovies. So I thought I would give it a try. Wow, big mistake, in order to use this you have to install the Movie Collection software which involves installing an extra server, MSSQL and manager instance. Then with all this overhead each movie has to be in its own folder? Is this overkill or what! .

No one made you use it and had you read before you would have known the requirments necessary.

[rickybee]

Yes I did read a lot of what was there. I read about the fact you needed each video in its own folder, but missed the part that it didn't do this for you and I have hundreds of videos. I also must have missed the bit about it requiring you to be part of this online service so your video collection can be spied on, or that's how it seems. Also, I missed the part about loading the huge dependencies and the fact that it wouldn't uninstall them when the program was uninstalled.
Often you just have to try something out. I did, and personally I'm not impressed. Each to their own. I would probably have a different opinion if I had a setup where this could all be run on a separate server with just a client on my machine but that's not what I have.
I tried the MBDiamond theme (is this what you were talking about?) but that doesn't appear to do much so I'm looking forward to these other suggestions, Ortus etc.

[SWKerr]

I can't say I am a fan of the MyMovies software but the plugin works well once you get it setup.

The requirement for having each movie in its own folder is something that seem common for MCE movie plugins and works very well for XBMC as well. I actually think the idea of having the metadata and banners etc in the movie folder makes sense.

I actaully used something before MyMovies that automatically created the folder structure for me. You would think MyMovies would do that as well but I guess not.

Still the MyMovies plugin is great even if it is dragged down by the MyMovies app a little bit. Well worth the effort to setup.

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by rickybee

I had a quick look at some info about this plugin but still not impressed.

I'm not sure there's much to be impressed about the plugin It simply runs in the background fetching fanart and metadata for your tv shows and movies so that if you have a plugin that can use fanart, then it will be there. Much like how Xbmc, because it's open source, has that ability built in. ie, bmt simply downloads fanart/metadata it doesn't have a ui (other than the web ui that is used for manually editing metadata).

[SomeWhatLost]

Originally Posted by rickybee

I tried the MBDiamond theme (is this what you were talking about?) but that doesn't appear to do much so I'm looking forward to these other suggestions, Ortus etc.

wrong diamond theme... just try the regular just diamond...

[SomeWhatLost]

Originally Posted by rickybee

I also must have missed the bit about it requiring you to be part of this online service so your video collection can be spied on

and here I thought I was paranoid...

[rickybee]

I just loaded up the Diamond plugin, now this is much more like it. Right now I only have a bunch of black boxes with Titles so I'm guessing I still have to change to a one movie to one folder format? And then manually put the images in each folder? Anyone have any suggestions on how to speed this up?

[Fuzzy]

No, you shouldn't have to move the movies into their own folders with Diamond. You will ahve to fetch the images and store them in a Central Fanart Structure (as specified by the Phoenix API). This is where BMT comes in (install the General -> Batch Metadata Tools - Web Interface). This can automatically fetch the images and other metadata when videos are added to the library, and also allow you to manually fetch/edit the info via the web UI.

[rickybee]

Well thanks for the advice all. Not quite as slick as the XBMC but this Diamond plugin with BMT is pretty good. Took me a little while to figure it out but I'm actually filling up my 'wall' with pictures and info now. Separating the movies from the TV series is taking some work but it's getting there.
Anyway, back to it, lots of info to add yet