Problems with Change Artwork in version 3.0.1.0

[deaded]

I'm new to the forum and the program. Fiddled with it for a few days and decided that it was the best server out there for movies so last night I purchased it and installed the license. Before installing the license I was able to click the "Change Artwork" button in a movie's properties and it would give me about 20 choices of covers. Since I installed the license I get nothing at all. Very odd. I have not changed anything. Yes, I exited the server and program and restarted. No change. Rebooted the computer but it did not fix it. Checked to see that all the metadata boxes were checked in 'Options' and I have not changed any settings for the windows firewall. BTW, I have windows 7 pro, all updates installed. No other firewalls.

Also, now when I click, 'Get Online Video Metadata' it will usually find the data and give me one possible cover with no other options (before it gave many choices for cover artwork.

Did I do something to screw it up? Can anyone help? I apologize if this has been asked before but after a few hours of searching and browsing the forum I did not find it.

[Paul]

One possible reason is that the web sites (IMDB, TheTVDB) that Mezzmo retrieves online metadata and artwork from may have been down at that time - so Mezzmo could not retrieve anything. Try again and see how you go. When using the 'Get Online Video Metadata' dialog, try changing the search term and clicking search. That may produce better results.

Also, a new fetaure in Mezzmo v3.0 is that it now gets movie/TV show artwork and text metadata automatically when you add video files into your Mezzmo library or when you maintain your library. This means that you do not have to do this manually any more.

[deaded]

Thank you very much for the rapid reply. It's possible the IMDB and TheTVDB sites are down though they worked fine when I went to them directly. Is anyone else having this problem? I have tried a few times over the past 24h and so far no luck. I have tried changing the search terms and no luck still.

I'm thinking about re-installing the program. Maybe that will fix it. Will I lose all the data I already have if I uninstall and re-install? If so is there a way I can prevent that?; save the important stuff in a different folder and copy it back to the new install?


One possible reason is that the web sites (IMDB, TheTVDB) that Mezzmo retrieves online metadata and artwork from may have been down at that time - so Mezzmo could not retrieve anything. Try again and see how you go. When using the 'Get Online Video Metadata' dialog, try changing the search term and clicking search. That may produce better results.

Also, a new fetaure in Mezzmo v3.0 is that it now gets movie/TV show artwork and text metadata automatically when you add video files into your Mezzmo library or when you maintain your library. This means that you do not have to do this manually any more.

[Paul]

Just re-read your initial post. There's two ways to get artwork using the Properties dialog. Using Change Artwork -> Get Internet Artwork, it will give you several selections of artwork to choose from. However, clicking the 'Get Online Video Metadata' button at the bottom of the Properties dialog (this button is displayed when you are viewing properties of a video file) will give just one artwork to choose from.

Regarding uninstalling - you should not need to uninstall & install to fix any file set problems. You can do this instead: Stop your Mezzmo server and exit Mezzmo. Download the latest Mezzmo installer from http://www.conceiva.com/downloads and run the installer. When prompted, do a Repair and your Mezzmo file set will be updated to the latest version or any file set problems will be fixed. After that, try running Mezzmo again.

If still no success, then turn on logging (see http://forum.conceiva.com/showthread.php/419-FAQ-How-to-turn-on-diagnostic-logging) and stop your Mezzmo server and exit Mezzmo. Run Mezzmo and try getting some artwork for your movies. When it fails, exit Mezzmo and zip up all your logs and email them to us at support [at] conceiva [dot] com.

[deaded]

Yes, I've been using the 'get internet artwork' selection. Still no results. When I use the 'metadata' button I get only one artwork, as you said. I went back and looked at some of the others and it seems that I was not getting a lot of choices on the metadata, I was getting different choices for the actual movie and metadata. So that is working just like it's supposed to. It's the 'Get Internet Artwork' selection that does not work. I get a 20 second pause, then nothing but a blank requester and even new search terms do not help. I will try again when I get home tonight just to make sure it's no an IMDB issue. If it does not work I'll try the repair you suggested and if that does not work I'll email you a log.

I'll reply here in hopes of helping anyone else who may have the same problem.

Again, thank you very much for such rapid and non-cookie-cutter replies. I'm not used to getting such good support! Keep up the good work.

[deaded]

No luck with the repair feature. Still having issues. I sent a log with me trying to get artwork for Airplane and for Back to the Future.

[Paul]

Thanks - we'll anayze the log and report back.

[Paul]

We checked your logs and sent an email to you. The logs show that Mezzmo tries to download various movie poster artwork but was denied access. The most probable reason is that your firewall or system protection software is blocking Mezzmo from accessing certain (or all?) web sites. Try to find out why Mezzmo.exe and MezzmoMediaServer.exe are denied access from web sites. It will be some configuration on your computer.

[deaded]

Ok, still no luck.

Here is what I have done so far. I tried the repair function, no luck. I checked that I could access the IMDB databases with my browser and that was working fine. I checked my firewall and all mezzmo applications had full access. I then tried turning off the firewall AND turning off my antivirus and anti-malware programs. Still could not access.

So today I uninstalled and re-installed the program (fully, removed all files). No luck.

I uninstalled again and then reinstalled version 3.0.0.0. No luck.

I then turned off the server, exited Mezzmo, and updated to 3.0.1.0. No luck.

I'm at a loss. I've sent you new logs but I have no idea what could be blocking me.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[Paul]

That is strange. We'll check the logs now and report back.

[deaded]

Yeah. Makes no sense. It would make more sense if it NEVER worked but since it stopped when I upgraded... Odd. Also, I did run through the registry and there were no more mezzmo tags. Also when I re-installed 3.0.0.0 I rebooted and did NOT put all my old library data back. I tried it completely virgin, loaded one movie, and tried to get data from there. Same thing when I upgraded again to 3.0.1.0. Apparently I'm the only one with this issue, it's got to be something on my system, but I'm at a total loss.

[Paul]

Hang in there - I am sure we will sort it out and get you back up and running.

[deaded]

(I'm continuing to post here in the forum as well as emailing you because 1) I'm hoping someone else might have an idea, and 2) If we get it figured out I'm hoping maybe it will help someone else.)

My last log did not show any attempts to get artwork? Odd.

I'm not sure why it's not showing any attempts. I did a number of attempts each with three different movies. This is what happens...

I go into tools/options, and I turn on logging
I exit the server and exit the program
I restart the program and the server

I right click the movie
I select 'Properties'
In the Properties box I select the 'Change Artwork' drop down menu under the image of the movie that exists
I select, 'Get Internet Artwork...'
There is a 30 second pause, during which my cursor changes to a rolling circle. About five seconds into that that the title of the dialog box/requester changes to "Properties (not responding)"
After 25 more seconds the 'Properties (not responding)' changes back to 'Properties' and the 'Get Artwork From Internet' requester opens.
It has no results
I then select the 'Search For Artwork' button
After another 30 seconds of the rolling circle cursor a dialogue box opens titled Mezzmo and says, "Mezzmo cannot find any artwork for this music or video using the information you have provided'
I click the only button 'OK'
I then enter something generic into the 'Video title:' requester box (such as Future)
I click the 'Search For Artwork' button again and wait another 30 seconds.
A dialogue box opens titled Mezzmo and says, "Mezzmo cannot find any artwork for this music or video using the information you have provided'
I click 'OK'
Now I'm in the Get Artwork box. I click 'OK'
Now I'm in the Properties box again but my original artwork is gone so I hit the 'Cancel' button so at least I'll have that prior artwork instead of a dead icon.

I go back into tools/options, and disable logging
I exit the server, then exit the program.
I restart the program and server, get the log files, zip them up, and send them to you.

That's it step by step. I'm willing to admit that I"m a complete idiot but I don't know where I'm screwing up.

FWIW, when, in the 'Properties' box, I click 'Get OnLine Video Metadata' it works; gives me the metadata and a movie poster. So I CAN get something and Mezzmo *IS* able to access the net. It's usable. And I can always manually download the artwork, put it in a jpeg, and install it that way. It's just frustrating that the 'get internet artwork' button used to work and does not now.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Ed

[Paul]

Excellent detailed post, Ed. You're not screwing up and you're not a complete idiot. Your steps are correct. There must be some bug in Mezzmo that is exposed in your setup but not for other users. We will email you a custom "Mezzmo.exe" that will log out full details what happens when you search for internet artwork. Check your email inbox and give it a try.

[deaded]

OK, I put the custom mezzmo.exe in place and repeated the procedure above exactly. I tried 3 movies, "3 Days of the Condor," "Alien," and, "Arthur." 3 attempts with each title. Sent you the logs. I also did a complete scan of my C drive, boot sectors, and memory with Nod32 (updated virus sigs). Didn't find anything.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these logs show something.

Should I put back the original Mezzmo.exe or leave the custom one in place for now?

[Paul]

Thanks, Ed. We just sent you an email regarding a new custom Mezzmo.exe. Please send us a new set of logs and we'll analyze them. You can replace the original Mezzmo.exe after running the test.

[deaded]

OK, new set of logs sent. Now something new. Mezzmo won't recognize my Aquos 70" TV. Used to work fine. Even had pre-transcoded movies for it and watched them. Oddly, the TV will recognize the Mezzmo server and I can stream stuff that needs transcoding but not MKV files which is most of my collection. I removed the Aquos device from server devices. It won't find it at all. I rebooted the machine. Rebooted the server. Rebooted the TV. Rebooted the router and switch. Everything else works fine on the TV, Netflix going OK. I looked at my system logs but it gives me no clues and reports no errors. Mezzmo still recognizes and streams to the Samsungs and will transcode for them. I went through your FAQ with Mezzmo not seeing the device, which was very comprehensive. Nothing helped. Antivirus scan and malware scan did not help. Firewall off did not help. I used CCleaner to clean up the registry and that did not help.

Obviously it's my system that is causing all this, not Mezzmo. I'm still at a loss and and may eventually go ahead and reinstall windows since this is all getting ridiculous. I'll wait and see if you can figure anything out though. I appreciate the help.

[Paul]

Thanks for the new logs, Ed. We'll analyze them shortly and get back to you.

Regarding your Sharp Aquos, please send through a set of logs when you are trying to list Mezzmo on your TV. After turning on logging, restart your Mezzmo server and then use your Aquos to connect to Mezzmo. Try streaming your MKV files and when they fail, stop your Mezzmo server and exit Mezzmo. Zip up the logs and send them to us for analysis.

[deaded]

It works!!! It works!!! You fixed it with the new update!!
THANK YOU!

What was the issue, if I may ask?

[Paul]

Great to hear that you are up and running now. The problem was peculiar - your computer was refusing to download the Get Internet Artwork search results and save images when using Get Internet Artwork. Possibly something to do with your Windows temporary files/cache (we are not 100% sure). Our fix will be included for all users in the upcoming Mezzmo release.

[tcrankwa]

I'm having the same problem.

I try to download internet art and Mezzmo freezes prompting me to control/alt/delete.

[Paul]

Hi tcrankwa,

We have fixed this issue and the fix will be included in Mezzmo v3.1. Mezzmo v3.1 will be released in the next few days and is a free upgrade for all registered users.

[tcrankwa]

As always, thanks for a job well done!