Looking to switch DLNA servers

[VinceA]

I'm currently using one of your competitor's DLNA servers. They support the streaming of locally stored media but transcode everything which isn't really needed since most of my local files are MP4s which my PS3 can play fine without transcoding. I just have a few questions regarding a few niceties the other software supports that I'm curious if Mezzmo supports. The biggest is retrieving meta data for files stored in what I think is called Series.XML format.

For example:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii" standalone="yes"?>
<Item>
<ID>1</ID>
<EpisodeID>1555111</EpisodeID>
<EpisodeName>Mole Hunt</EpisodeName>
<EpisodeNumber>1</EpisodeNumber>
<FirstAired>2009-09-17</FirstAired>
<Overview>Archer is in trouble with his Mother and the Comptroller because his expense account is way out of proportion to his actual expenses. So he creates the idea that a Mole has breached ISIS and he needs to get into the mainframe to hunt him down (so he can cover his tracks!). All this leads to a surprising ending.</Overview>
<DVD_chapter>
</DVD_chapter>
<DVD_discid>
</DVD_discid>
<DVD_episodenumber>2.0</DVD_episodenumber>
<DVD_season>1</DVD_season>
<Director>
</Director>
<GuestStars>
</GuestStars>
<IMDB_ID>
</IMDB_ID>
<Language>en</Language>
<ProductionCode>
</ProductionCode>
<Rating>8.5</Rating>
<Writer>
</Writer>
<SeasonNumber>1</SeasonNumber>
<absolute_number>2</absolute_number>
<seasonid>119181</seasonid>
<seriesid>110381</seriesid>
<filename>/1555111.jpg</filename>
<duration>1315113</duration>
<resolution>720x480</resolution>
</Item>

Data is pulled from TheTVDB site.

[Paul]

We currently do not support series.xml, but I'll add this to development to-do list for a future implementation.

[VinceA]

Thanks. I'm checking out Mezzmo already...

[VinceA]

Another feature/option I'm looking for but can't seem to find. Is there a way to get a folder view on the DLNA device? Normally I burrow down through the folder structure (Series Name\Season\Episode) to get to the things I want. Currently it's hard to find things since most of my files are named Season Number x Episode Number - Episode Title (Example: 1x05-Title.MP4) without the series name in the file name.

[Paul]

If you use the "Add Folder" command, then that'll import your folder structure into Mezzmo as-is and it should appear the same way on the device then.

[Paul]

We have just completed support for "series.xml" metadata files in Mezzmo and it will be available in the upcoming Mezzmo v2.2.1.

Make sure your "series.xml" file is in the same folder as the video files from that series. Mezzmo will extract the artwork, series name, genre, description, actors and directors from the "series.xml" file and use this information for every video file in that folder.

All registered users will be notified when the Mezzmo v2.2.1 update is available via Mezzmo's autoupdate.

[RMerlin]

Nice :) Will it work recursively? For example with the following folder structure:



TV shows
+--The Simpsons
+--series.xml
+--Folder S01
+-- episode 101, 102, 103...
+--Folder S02
+--- episode 201, 202, 203...

[Paul]

Nice :) Will it work recursively? For example with the following folder structure:



TV shows
+--The Simpsons
+--series.xml
+--Folder S01
+-- episode 101, 102, 103...
+--Folder S02
+--- episode 201, 202, 203...


Yes. Mezzmo looks for "series.xml" files in parent folders as well as the video file's folder.

[NorthernSands]

Hello,

May I ask how you obtained the Series.XML file? Looks like it will prove useful!

Many thanks.

[Paul]

I think you can get them from http://thetvdb.com/

[VinceA]

Hello,

May I ask how you obtained the Series.XML file? Looks like it will prove useful!

Many thanks.

I use Media Center Master to generate them for me from data on TheTVDB.com.

[VinceA]

We have just completed support for "series.xml" metadata files in Mezzmo and it will be available in the upcoming Mezzmo v2.2.1.

Make sure your "series.xml" file is in the same folder as the video files from that series. Mezzmo will extract the artwork, series name, genre, description, actors and directors from the "series.xml" file and use this information for every video file in that folder.

All registered users will be notified when the Mezzmo v2.2.1 update is available via Mezzmo's autoupdate.

You have just made another sale. I'll be buying a copy later today.

[VinceA]

Just purchased & installed a copy of Mezzmo and realized one thing.... all of my Series.XML files are in the MetaData directory under the directory containing the video files like this:

Series Name\Season X\Metadata

The Season X folder contains the MP4 files whereas the Metadata folder contains all the XML files.

I know it's asking a lot after you just added the feature but any chance of adding support for having the XML files in a directory under the video files? I just checked in Media Center Master and you can't seem to change where it puts the XML files.

[Paul]

We'll investigate this and perhaps get this implemented (provided you can't adjust the location in MCM). Does any other software generate those files?

[VinceA]

Metabrowser will also do it, if I remember right:
http://themetabrowser.com/

It's been a while but I had some issues with it so I started using MCM:
http://www.mediacentermaster.com/

From the looks of it MCM can't be configured without me writing a post-processing script. I might do that but not looking forward to it. I program enough in my real job :)

[Paul]

Thanks - we'll take a look at both those packages to see what they do.

[VinceA]

Wow, I have to say that you've gone above & beyond. So far considering my money well spent.

[VinceA]

Just checking to see if any more support for this has been slated for future releases...

[Paul]

If you mean going to the Metadata folder, then no, this is not implemented yet - I'll see if I can push the priority up on this one.

[VinceA]

1 - Thanks for even considering the change since it's basically to match the functionality of an addin to a competitor's package
2 - Wow, that's a quick response time

[Paul]

If it makes Mezzmo easier to use and adds to its functionality, then it's a good change :)

Thanks!

[VinceA]

Another ping to see if this is still in on the development whiteboard....

[Paul]

The subfolders and series.xml, you mean? Yes, it still is and sorry for the delay in implementing this.

[VinceA]

Yes, and no need to be sorry. I'm sure you, as a company, have plenty on your hands.

[Paul]

Another ping to see if this is still in on the development whiteboard....
We've just released v2.4.2 that implements this, so please update your copy and give it a try.

For full release notes see this page: http://www.conceiva.com/products/mezzmo/whatsnew.asp