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Media Cataloging Software?

Posted by Cliff on from the where-are-all-my-files dept.

Rich0 asks: "I have a growing pile of CDs/DVDs holding hundreds of GB of files. I would like a linux-compatible software solution to cataloging and searching these disks. Lots of solutions exist for music/video, but not so many for files. The software should have the ability to easily scan disks: pop in disc; software reads disc; software prompts for a name (with something sensible defaulted); software ejects disc; software tells me what if any label to write/apply to the disc; and software is ready for the next disc. I've seen one or two packages out there but they usually require lots of manual disk labelling, or their search capabilities are limited. Windows-only software won't be of much use to me. What are others using to manage their media collections?"

2 of 45 comments (clear)

  1. Just get 4 500GB harddisks by kosmosik · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Man you use CDs? Really?

    You've mentioned hundreds of gigabytes - that transfers to 999GB of data - this is not THAT much. Actually right now you can get like a PC (with lowest spec - these are not important here) with 4 disks of 500GB capacity each. Use SATA2 devices - they are fastest in cheap range. When you'll get your 4 drives put them into PC. Install OpenSolaris and spawn them into Z-RAID and ZFS - you will get yourself quite cheap storage.

    You will get 1TB of redundant and self-healing data storage. Comparing to bunch of CDs you have much faster access time - like disk seek vs. your hand seeking the CD which and you don't even know which one you seek. :)

    Then transfer all your data to this system. Use some open source indexing system on it - if you want to index the contents. But if you only need to search for filename just use "find" command.

  2. MediaPortal is what you want by Shabbs · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    It ain't Linux, but it's a very good piece of software that will do everything you want, and more.

    http://sourceforge.net/projects/mediaportal/

    If you are really set on Linux, XBMC is being ported to Linux but you will have to wait a while.

    http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/?title=Linux_p ort_project

    I run an old Gen 1 XBOX modded with XBMC and it does everying I need for CD, DVD, media management. The only draw back is the low end hardware of the XBOX. There are limitations with running HD video etc... It may address your needs too.

    Cheers.

    --
    Mark