iTunes playlist won't import

[wozza]

Hi all

I've been using Mezzmo solely for video the past few months but have now decided to try the music side of things. I've tried the "add itunes library" option but when I do, while the status shows "adding files & playlists from itunes" for a while, no files or playlists seem to be added. I'm guessing it's because there's nowhere for them to go.

A bit of background: I run mezzmo on my WHS box and the music in question is within one of the shares. Also, I "cleverly" changed the structure of my library so that my folders containing videos (which I've named after genres from a previous media server setup) are at the top level, just under "library". I think I basically deleted the automatic video, music, photos playlists that were originally set up in Mezzmo, so that it just follows my folder structure. So I have no idea how to now add a music playlist, it would appear.

One important thing (to me at least) is that I don't want the music playlist/folder structure to show up on my Samsung TV when I use it to go to the Movies section of Media Play, and vice versa. I want to go Media Play > Movies > Action > Die Hard (etc) as happens for me now with my current setup. I've admitted before on this site to having a touch of OCD!...

So how do I add my itunes playlist (or just simply add my music) to Mezzmo now? Do I have to start from scratch again and if so, will Mezzmo retain the metadata/thumbnails currently on there for the videos?

BTW, one of the reasons I've been using the simple folder structure of my videos, rather than playlists is that I've done things like create folders for series of films (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars etc) within the genre folders and couldn't work out a way of nesting playlists in that way. There's a similar setup for TV shows (TV > Twilight Zone > Season 1 > Episode 1). If this is possible using Mezzmo playlists, then I think I'd prefer to do that. I don't mind spending time on all this - it's becoming a bit of a hobby!

Sorry if this is all of the "bleedin' obvious" category!:o

[Paul]

When you import files from an iTunes playlist they're basically added to your library. You'll then need to create some smart or active playlists to see them (since you've deleted the default ones). For example, create a new smart playlist and set the criteria to show all music files - now you'll be able to see what you've imported. Let me know if you need help doing this.

I think for the moment it'll be easier for you to use your current folder structure for movies, but as we add more tags to playlists and support more metatags in video files, it should improve and then you'll be able to create more dynamic playlists using just Mezzmo and your file's metadata.

[wozza]

Thanks again Dennis - going through this now. BTW is there any way to stop a folder containing only videos showing up in the music section of Media Play on Samsung TVs (and vice versa)?

Or would I have to use smart/dynamic playlists to do that?

[Paul]

If the folders are at a root level then on Samsung C-series they can be excluded, however, since you deleted the original folders, there's no way of doing this now, except to manually edit the database :)

[wozza]

My TV works best with the Samsung BDP profile (even though its a UN46B7000) - does the same apply? If so I might just start again *shudder*. I'm also quite happy to manually edit databases (I work on mysql quite a bit).

[Paul]

Yes, it should work with the BDP profile as well.

To manually edit this, use SQLite browser (for example) and in the MGOPlaylist table set the Author column to 8 for Music, 9 for Photos and 10 for Video root folders. After that restart the server and see if that works.

[wozza]

OK I tried that but, for example, the video folders are still showing up under music on the TV. Not the contents of the folders, just the folders themselves. Anything else I can try?

[Paul]

Are those folders that you've modified located at the root level (right under the Library)? That's the only level they can be located to work.

[wozza]

Yes they are all directly under library.

[Paul]

If they are and you're using the latest BDP profile (from 2.1.12), then it should work. If you wish, send in your database to support and I'll fix it up.

[wozza]

Just to be clear, here are screenshots of my directory structure and the db records in SQLite. Have I missed something?

[Paul]

The DB shot is too small to read :) but looking at the tree, it doesn't look right - the special folders will have a different icon in them.

[wozza]

The folders are just folders - not playlists or anything. Does that make a difference? Sorry about the screenshots - I didn't realise the attachments would get resized!

[Paul]

Yes, special folders are marked differently in Mezzmo GUI - the music folder will have a music note icon in it (for example). These folders need to be there for Mezzmo to pick them up and use when processing requests from the device. Try changing the database again, until you get a specially marked folder (or send the db to us and I'll fix it for you).

[wozza]

Thanks. I sent the DB to you a couple of days ago, though there was some issue with it actually getting through so hopefully you have it now. In the meantime however, I upgraded to 2.1.13 (from 2.1.12) - will that make a difference? Should I resend the DB?

[Paul]

No need to re-send the DB - I'll post it back to you soon. Sorry for the delay.