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Invelos Forums->General: General Discussion |
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Alternatives to DVD Profiler? |
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Registered: March 14, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 4,695 |
| Posted: September 17, 2024 7:54 AM | | | | Quoting nanoron: Quote: Does Lowpro's comment "My Movies v5 and higher went to a mandatory sync model" mean they store your database online instead of locally? If so, what's wrong with that? It means that one would be totally at the mercy of MyMovies online database being available. There would be no way to use the program at all if it went offline. | | | My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users. Gunnar |
| Registered: March 21, 2007 | Posts: 60 |
| Posted: September 17, 2024 11:24 AM | | | | Quoting nanoron: Quote: This discussion is probably going to be very important for iOS users, since Apple just released iOS 18. I haven't tried it yet. Not really, I upgraded everything to iOS 18 last week when they released the RC and there is no issues with DVD Profiler on iOS as far as I can see. Well no differences than what was already there. It works perfectly for me, however I enter everything on the Desktop App, sync to the server, then use the iOS app and download my collection to my iPhone/Ipad. |
| Registered: June 20, 2015 | Reputation: | Posts: 183 |
| Posted: September 17, 2024 6:34 PM | | | | I think people are sensitized to frequent long server outages due to Invelos' poor record in this area. I would expect this to be a rare and transient event for other servers nowadays.
Nice to hear good news for iOS 18, but I since I use my iPad as my primary input and editing device, I will remain skeptical until I try it out. |
| Registered: October 21, 2008 | Posts: 8 |
| Posted: September 17, 2024 6:38 PM | | | | Next (stupid) question. Let's take a hypothetical case. Ken wants to sell DVD Profiler.
What's the program now worth? It's a declining market. Is there someone on this forum that could or would buy it? With or without partners. And also willing to maintain it. |
| Registered: March 14, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 299 |
| Posted: September 17, 2024 8:52 PM | | | | Quoting GSyren: Quote: Quoting nanoron:
Quote: Does Lowpro's comment "My Movies v5 and higher went to a mandatory sync model" mean they store your database online instead of locally? If so, what's wrong with that? It means that one would be totally at the mercy of MyMovies online database being available. There would be no way to use the program at all if it went offline. Well, you could still view your local database within the Collection Management application. That hardly qualifies as using the program though, right. And to preface my earlier comment, you can make certain edits to a given profile while offline (or when the online service is offline). I expand on this and other things in more detail below for those curious. First some backstory. In my case I use My Movies v4.07 as it was the last version offered prior to them moving to the mandatory sync model. I do so strictly for the ability to browse my disc based collection from My Movies for Windows Media Center which runs on my HTPC 24/7, the GUI calling out the disc locations for a given title. (See my Blu-ray.com forum post here for more details on how I've integrated My Movies with my current home theater setup.) My Movies v4.07 is still available to download, but requires a manual step be taken relating to SQL in order to get the application to install successfully. (See Steps 5-9 from my My Movies forum post, here.)My Movies v4.07 is fully functionality when used offline minus features which require the application connect to the online service. All local title data and related personal data can be edited and saved successfully. New titles can be added using the "Add Offline" option. You're prompted to enter a UPC/EAN Barcode (which is optional) and a title name. The title is quickly added after which you manually enter all the title data, personal data, and cover art. (I copy and paste the profile data and cover art over from DVD Profiler.) The "Add Online" option with My Movies 4.07 no longer works as support for My Movies v4 has been deprecated. The "Add Online" option is used to download shared profiles from the online service rather than creating them from scratch. The "Actors" and "Crew" data can be added manually. You can also pull that data down from IMDB instead if you want. The current IMDB search option when accessed automatically attempts to perform a IMDB search by title name. This currently fails as their DLL needs to be updated due to changes made to IMDB's website. (This is also the case for My Movies v5.41 as I carry over the latest DLL for use with My Movies v4.07.) The IMDB "search by title" has been broke for a few years now. That being said, once the "search by title" fails you can then perform your own search by IMDB ID instead. Search by IMDB ID continues to work without issue. Now I'll shift gears to My Movies v5.41 (Pre Release 5). Well, before I do there is one major caveat I should mention. When launching the application (..all versions of My Movies) after a fresh install you're required to log in to your My Movies account. If the My Movies website is offline you won't be able to log in obviously. Additionally, the application creates the initial local database (which contains no titles) when you log in for the first time. The local database can't be created manually. Well it can be, but the Collection Management application won't recognize it. It needs to create the database after which you can then restore your database if you had backed it up previously. Now you won't have to log in to your account after logging in the initial time. Subsequent launches of the application won't require you log in and don't check to see if the account you logged in to previously is valid. So that's a saving grace, but what if My Movies closes its doors. The day that happens I'll continue to be able to use My Movies v4.07 without issue so long as I don't need to log in to my account again, i.e. when installing the application fresh. My Movies v5 users on the other hand will be dead in the water due to the mandatory sync model. I cover My Movies v5 in more detail below, several examples provided of what it's like to work with "Disc Titles" while offline. And keep in mind, there is a local database. It just doesn't belong to you evidently. Well, short of it being tied at the hip to the online service. So I'm running My Movies v5, the online service being offline at the moment let's say. When attempting to add a title what happens? Sadly nothing happens due to the mandatory sync model. If the application can't sync successfully the "Add Titles" window won't be displayed. How about deleting a title? No, no, no. When attempting to delete a title the message, "Error Deleting Title (The title could not be deleted. There as a problem deleting the title in the online service.)" is displayed. Okay, so for now perhaps I'll just work on some existing titles editing the personal data for a few of them, then locking the title data and cover art down. No can do, the mandatory sync model once again raises its ugly head. When attempting to save your changes the message, "Store Problem (There was a problem storing changes to the personal data for this title)" is displayed. On a brighter note, editing title data and cover art, then saving your changes is possible while offline but again, while offline you're limited to working with existing titles. And one final note regarding the mandatory sync model, just because the online service is available doesn't mean you may not still have problems with the application syncing. Since the introduction of My Movies 5 to present I've seen numerous posts in the My Movies forums, users requesting support due to the application failing to sync successfully, cases where the online service was available at the time. In several cases My Movies support would correct something on their end specific to the user's account and online data resolving the issue. In other cases they'd explain that the online service was having issues. The issue could also be local the user. Now that's my idea of fun! To each his own naturally. | | | My DVD/Blu-ray Collection | | | Last edited: September 18, 2024 4:57 PM by Lowpro |
| Registered: March 18, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 6,463 |
| Posted: September 17, 2024 10:02 PM | | | | Quoting Ian79: Quote: Next (stupid) question. Let's take a hypothetical case. Ken wants to sell DVD Profiler.
What's the program now worth? It's a declining market. Is there someone on this forum that could or would buy it? With or without partners. And also willing to maintain it. Sent that very question to Ken's email years ago. No reply. | | | Thanks for your support. Free Plugins available here. Advanced plugins available here. Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog. |
| Registered: March 20, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 2,853 |
| Posted: September 18, 2024 7:40 PM | | | | Quoting mediadogg: Quote: I do not know why they do not, with all the generosity and patience that Invelos has shown us over the years, simply open up the software, database and website to the world. Is is possible that somehow the source code has been lost or compromised? --------------- |
| Registered: March 18, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 6,463 |
| Posted: September 19, 2024 6:44 PM | | | | Quoting scotthm: Quote: Quoting mediadogg:
Quote: I do not know why they do not, with all the generosity and patience that Invelos has shown us over the years, simply open up the software, database and website to the world. Is is possible that somehow the source code has been lost or compromised?
--------------- Of course anything is possible. If by compromised you include legally constrained, even more likely. Given that either Ken, his family or some authorized business entity is allowed to or required to maintain the web site, the database and contributions process, then I suspect there is something very powerful preventing them from doing more, because it is obvious that someone has cared enough to enable what is happening now. There are many examples of creative community-minded people leaving money in a foundation or trust fund to continue something after their passing, that was important to them in life. I think that scenario is also possible. Bottom line is that we are clearly being left in the dark on purpose, but we are also being supported, at significant cost, also on purpose. And for the latter, I am grateful. | | | Thanks for your support. Free Plugins available here. Advanced plugins available here. Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog. | | | Last edited: September 19, 2024 6:47 PM by mediadogg |
| Registered: June 20, 2015 | Reputation: | Posts: 183 |
| Posted: September 19, 2024 7:39 PM | | | | Lowpro: While I can understand your issues with My Movies' interface and functions, as you say each to his own, I think your aversion to online syncing is overblown unless their server has a history of frequent outages, as has Invelos. If you are worried about them going belly up, I believe you can export your My Movies database as XML or CSV, which should allow you to move to yet another app. Let's all face it, while we all love DVD Profiler, we are living on borrowed time, especially us iOS users. As the Boy Scouts used to say, "Be Prepared". Fortunately, for iOS users, we have been granted a stay of execution with iOS 17.7 and 18. So now is a good time to plan for the future. |
| Registered: March 14, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 4,695 |
| Posted: September 19, 2024 8:46 PM | | | | Quoting mediadogg: Quote: Bottom line is that we are clearly being left in the dark on purpose, but we are also being supported, at significant cost, also on purpose. And for the latter, I am grateful. Yeah, I agree. Some people have suggested that maybe Ken just got tired of DVD Profiler and left without a word. I don't believe that for a second. My initial thought was that maybe it was a legal thing. Now I lean more towards Ken being physically unable to continue for whatever reason. I don't know why the site is still up and running, but like you I am grateful that it is. | | | My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users. Gunnar |
| Registered: March 14, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 4,695 |
| Posted: September 19, 2024 8:53 PM | | | | Quoting nanoron: Quote: If you are worried about them going belly up, I believe you can export your My Movies database as XML or CSV, which should allow you to move to yet another app. Can you export even if the site is down, though? You could make sure that you always have an up-to-date export, but few people are that anticipatory. | | | My freeware tools for DVD Profiler users. Gunnar |
| Registered: March 14, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 299 |
| Posted: September 19, 2024 10:58 PM | | | | Quoting nanoron: Quote: Lowpro: While I can understand your issues with My Movies' interface and functions, as you say each to his own, I think your aversion to online syncing is overblown unless their server has a history of frequent outages, as has Invelos.
If you are worried about them going belly up, I believe you can export your My Movies database as XML or CSV, which should allow you to move to yet another app. Let's all face it, while we all love DVD Profiler, we are living on borrowed time, especially us iOS users. As the Boy Scouts used to say, "Be Prepared". Fortunately, for iOS users, we have been granted a stay of execution with iOS 17.7 and 18. So now is a good time to plan for the future. I'm not worried about My Movies or Invelos going belly up. I was just sharing the pros and cons with those who aren't familiar with the My Movies product. Whether one has an aversion to online syncing or not is beside the point. There are different degrees of that depending on the product and how it's implemented. Having a clear understanding of the My Movies mandatory sync model is probably a good idea before one goes and invests their "borrowed" time building a My Movies database. This was the primary motivation for my previous post. And yes, Invelos has outages as well, but you can't equate the two. One product uses a mandatory sync model and the other doesn't. Full use of the application is retained if Invelos.com is down minus the ability to download shared profiles or sync shared profiles to the existing local profiles. If the MyMovies online service is down you won't be able to add new titles, delete existing titles, or edit existing titles to a significant degree. You also won't be able to install the application fresh if need be, then start using it as logging in to your My Movies account is first required. Also, the fact that the My Movies online service is available doesn't guarantee the local application will sync successfully. Since the introduction of My Movies v5 to present I've seen numerous posts in the My Movies forums, users requesting support due to the application failing to sync successfully, cases where the online service was available at the time so as I said, to each his own. If one chooses to tie their local database at the hip to the My Movies online service that's fine by me. My local database on the other hand won't be asking permission from some online server before it can update itself locally, hence my continued use of My Movies v4.07 per browsing my collection at 150" diagonal in my home theater via My Movies for Windows Media Center. | | | My DVD/Blu-ray Collection | | | Last edited: September 19, 2024 11:16 PM by Lowpro |
| Registered: March 14, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 299 |
| Posted: September 19, 2024 11:09 PM | | | | Quoting GSyren: Quote: Quoting nanoron:
Quote: If you are worried about them going belly up, I believe you can export your My Movies database as XML or CSV, which should allow you to move to yet another app. Can you export even if the site is down, though? You could make sure that you always have an up-to-date export, but few people are that anticipatory. Yes, you can export to XML, irrespective of whether the My Movies online service is available or not. | | | My DVD/Blu-ray Collection | | | Last edited: September 19, 2024 11:09 PM by Lowpro |
| Registered: June 20, 2015 | Reputation: | Posts: 183 |
| Posted: September 20, 2024 12:44 AM | | | | A big positive with MyMovies is their customer service. I've sent them numerous e-mails and always get a prompt informative response. They worked with me improving their DVD Profiler XML import function. I'm sticking with DVD Profiler as long as its iOS app remains useable, but I'm planning to move to another app when it eventually dies. Right now MyMovies seems like the best choice, but I'm still evaluating other iOS apps. |
| Registered: March 18, 2007 | Reputation: | Posts: 6,463 |
| Posted: September 20, 2024 5:26 PM | | | | I proposed this many years ago, but it would be relatively easy for the community to share profiles in a structured way. Ken, again, in his ingenious vision has given us "profile files". You can encapsulate a profile into digital format and when "double clicked," they load into DVD Profiler automatically. If someone hosted a web site and appropriate tools, users could share profile files, indexed by profile ID and even version, if we wanted to allow controlled updates. An enterprising user could make a few bucks by charging a fee to host your profile files and xml exports for private use, and could also provide access to a shared set of vetted profile files with some kind of sync process for downloading to local.
This would in no way be a conflict with or competitive to DVD Profiler - just fee based backup and sharing service. Ken must have envisioned it, because he enabled it. | | | Thanks for your support. Free Plugins available here. Advanced plugins available here. Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog. |
| Registered: March 15, 2007 | Posts: 129 |
| Posted: October 6, 2024 1:04 PM | | | | Quoting PWolverine: Quote: Sorry to rehash an old thread. But having dealt with the owner of CLZ Movies, I wouldn't touch that company with a 10 foot barge pole. Very dishonest in my experience and just unpleasant to deal with. Not my experience. I've dealt with their support team, incl. the owner, and found it very pleasant and competent. [using their Books and Music DB apps for years, almost decades now; Movies installed after we lost DVD Profiler on Android] |
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Invelos Forums->General: General Discussion |
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