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DJ Doena's CastCrewEdit and my TmdbInfo are quite different programs. CastCrewEdit has one main function - fetch cast and crew from IMDb for inclusion in a profile. TmdbInfo is more a way to browse TMDb (The Movie Database), but also lets the user fetch cast and crew.
So, if we just compare the fetching of cast and crew, CastCrewEdit is way more complex than TmdbInfo. But there are cons and pros to both programs. IMDb and TMDb have very different views on sharing their data. IMDb actively tries to make it hard for unauthorized copying of its data. TMDb on the other hand provides an API that let's others share its data. This means that programs that use TMDb need a lot less maintenance since the API doesn't change (or at least is kept backwards compatible), whereas the web pages that are the source at IMDb keeps changing.
When it comes to comparing the quality of their data, TMDb has an advantage in that it doesn't include fake data like IMDb seems to do in order to spot "stolen" data. But how do they compare in other regards? Neither seems to bother about keeping roles exactly as in the credits. Not sure which one is better or worse in that regard. As regards coverage, TMDb's greatest weakness is in crew data from older TV shows.
But back to the two programs. TmdbInfo does not handle "common name" (at least not in the current version). I have to confess that I'm not quite sure how CastCrewEdit handles them, but I know it does. When it comes to birth year, TmdbInfo handles them by comparing the birth year in TMDb's data with the online birth year list. If there is a match, then TmdbInfo keeps the birth year. As long as the birth year list is kept relatively up-to-date, this works fine. CastCrewEdit seems to have a much more complex system, but I'm not sure how the two programs compare in that regard.
So, which of the programs should you use? When it comes to cast and crew, you'll just have to chose whichever works better for you. If you are really using CastCrewEdit to it's fullest potential, then TmdbInfo probably isn't good enough (as long as Carsten can keep up with IMDb). Otherwise, why not at least give TmdbInfo a try and see what you think. And you can always use TmdbInfo for an interesting browsing experience through TMDb's data.
In closing, let me just say that I'm totally in awe of what Carsten has accomplished with CastCrewEdit. TmdbInfo is not an attempt to outdo CastCrewEdit. It just offers another source of data, and possibly a more stable program, for reasons stated above. Still, if there is anything you would like to see added to TmdbInfo, please let me know! | Posted: Topic Replies: 0, Topic Views: 25 |
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TmdbInfo 2.6
Changes for Televison:
All cast and All crew have been added to show total number of episodes for each person.
First date aired has been added to episode listings.
Status info has been expanded. Note that vote info is from TMDb, not from IMDb.
Integration with CastCrewCheck 3.2 or later.
Cast and crew data can be directly transferred to CastCrewCheck. See help file for details. | Posted: Topic Replies: 29, Topic Views: 3825 |
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CastCrewCheck 3.2
- Fixed a bug that sometimes showed birth year as (????) even though an actual birthyear was used.
- Removed integration with CastCrewEdit since I could not get it to work satisfactorily. Note though, that you can still copy/paste cast and crew from CastCrewEdit.
- Added integration with TmdbInfo (version 2.6 or later). See the help file for TmdbInfo for details. | Posted: Topic Replies: 1, Topic Views: 1240 |
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Quoting rdodolak:
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The custom backup shows 9 main things to backup, one of which is for cover scans. 8/9 is 88.88% so it's possible it's based on that.
Ah, that makes sense. But it's still not very useful information. | Posted: Topic Replies: 9, Topic Views: 478 |
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| Two scans to each profile (assuming thumbnails are not backed up). Not sure how percentage of tasks could be 88% profiles. | Posted: Topic Replies: 9, Topic Views: 478 |
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I agree that reporting progress can be tricky. But backup isn't terribly tricky. You have a know number of profiles and a known number of cover scans. Empiric testing on my collection shows that approximately 1/3 of the time is spent backing up profiles and 2/3 of the time is spent backing up covers. I guess covers may take longer if you have a lot of covers that are locally scanned at more than 100 dpi. Still, it shouldn't be too hard to show an overall progress that is a bit more realistic than 88% for the profiles.
Estimating time of completion for this type of backup would be more complex, but Ken didn't try to do that. | Posted: Topic Replies: 9, Topic Views: 478 |
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I have noted that when I backup my collection (which we all do regularly, right?) the overall progress shows 88% when the profiles have been backed up and the backup of cover scans starts. I always wondered what algorithm Ken used that comes to that conclusion. 
That's not really important, but it does remind me of an old developer saying: "When you're 90% done, half the work remains." What that means is that you always underestimate the time it takes to test, correct, test again, etc.
And, if you're anything like me, there will usually be very late realizations during testing, such as "Oh, it would be better if it was done like this", "Ah, we need to be able to configure that", "Hm, that user interface looks a bit awkward. I should fix that", "Wait, I should add such-and-such feature!"
And then you need to document the stuff (fun, fun, fun  ). So when you have coded 90%, you think you're almost done, but you really aren't.
PS. "An old developer saying" means that the saying is old, not the developer. Or does it ...?  | Posted: Topic Replies: 9, Topic Views: 478 |
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Quoting agent_bitter:
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Every person that has 'credited as' is listed under director and not in the appropriate department.
I get that as well. For Star Trek: The Motion Picture I get 20 extra directors. | Posted: Topic Replies: 655, Topic Views: 63230 |
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Quoting mreeder50:
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Quoting GSyren:
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Personally I tend to use DvdpScheduler for exporting, but that's a bit of overkill unless you also intend to use its scheduling and other functions.
I personally use DvdpScheduler for Backup, Export and Upload, but not for Repair Profile Database only because it does not give you the option to check full. I love it.
With DvdpScheduler version 3 you can select Basic or Full database repair. | Posted: Topic Replies: 5, Topic Views: 4190 |
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Quoting Medieval Guy:
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The download page is still on 2.1.13.0...
But the program is actually 2.1.13.1. DJ just forgot to update the text on the download page. (Been there. Done that.  ) | Posted: Topic Replies: 655, Topic Views: 63230 |
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QuickExport 1.1.0
Fixed so it works without HTTPJolie.
Changed so export through HTTPJolie is smoother.
Changed Window type so QuickExport is visible in the task bar. | Posted: Topic Replies: 5, Topic Views: 4190 |
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TmdbInfo 2.5.1
Fixed a bug in formatting cast/crew names that contain quotation marks, when copying for DVD Profiler. | Posted: Topic Replies: 29, Topic Views: 3825 |
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ProfilerQuery 5.0.10
Apparently the problem occurred because Microsoft Defender misidentified the program as a threat. Personally I use Avast, that's why I didn't see the problem.
I have recompiled for a newer version of .Net Framework, and now the problem seems to be gone.
However, if anyone has any problems, do please let me know!
P.S. If you don't have any problem with version 5.0.9 there is no reason to upgrade to 5.0.10. | Posted: Topic Replies: 315, Topic Views: 43142 |
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| It's really frustrating when programs work for me, but not for others. I'm looking into this and hope to have a fixed version available soon. | Posted: Topic Replies: 315, Topic Views: 43142 |
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Quoting mediadogg:
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Ummm ... unless it has been broken, BulkEdit can import everything. Hundreds of hours of work, it should be able to import Mark-style CSV and official DVD Profiler XML exports. But I haven't tested for awhile. And the CSV import has a mapping function to allow for non Profiler headers.
Yeah, but Mark's CSV Export doesn't include cast and crew. It does export Directors, but only full name and no birth year. Not sure how one would export full cast and crew to CSV. So I stand by my statement that it's iffy. | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1089 |
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I agree with mediadogg. Exporting everything to CSV is iffy. Cast and crew especially, but also Overview and Other Features. Not ideal for transferring to another program. XML is better for that purpose, but I haven’t seen any program that can import everything.
There are some programs that import just a subset of data - like UPC and personal info - and fetches the rest from IMDb or other sources. They may import from CSV.
That said, I don’t think people ought to abandon DVD Profiler unless they have a very compelling reason! | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1089 |
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It was just pointed out to me that Mark’s CsvExport can indeed be configured the same way that ProfilerQuery can. I had missed that when I tested it. So the advantage with ProfilerQuery isn’t that big when it comes to just export to CSV.
That said, ProfilerQuery is so much more than just exporting to CSV. It’s a very advanced query tool that can also produce simple text-only reports. And it offers statistics and other useful functions. So if you have ProfilerQuery there is no need for a separate CSV export program.
And, for what it’s worth, Mark has stopped developing for DvdProfiler, but I’m still here supporting and improving my programs. | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1089 |
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I just learned that ProfilerQuery crashed on start for one new user. 
It works fine for me - a developer's dilemma. If anyone else has this problem, please let me know! | Posted: Topic Replies: 315, Topic Views: 43142 |
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Now and then people ask if it is possible to export their collection to CSV format. Usually the answer refers to a plugin called CsvExport that Mark Harrison wrote a long time ago. It works, but it is a rather blunt tool.
You can also export to CSV using ProfilerQuery. This allows you to select which fields to export, and in which order.
- Export your collection to an XML file.
- Start ProfilerQuery and load your XML export.
- Leave Main Selection empty (but make sure "All of" is selected).
- Enter the desired fields in the Presentation tab and click RUN.
If the result looks like what you want to export, select File/Save result to file. Voila! CSV file created. | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1089 |
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ProfilerQuery 5.0.9
Fixed a minor problem when saving search result as XML. | Posted: Topic Replies: 315, Topic Views: 43142 |
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Thanks TraunStaa!
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The same would be, of course, also invaluable for TmdbCheck
Just what did you have in mind? TmdbCheck already shows uncredited. | Posted: Topic Replies: 29, Topic Views: 3825 |
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TmdbInfo 2.5.0
New in Settings: Allow uncredited cast.
There is also a new setting for the delay when you click the Letterboxd button. Read about it in the help file.
TmdbCheck, huh? I'll look at it. You're a hard man to please, TraunStaa!   | Posted: Topic Replies: 29, Topic Views: 3825 |
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TmdbInfo 2.4.0
I was wrong. Or if I were a politician, I would say "I overestimated the difficulty". No, wait, politicians rarely overestimate difficulties, they underestimate them. But I digress ...
Adding the info that TraunStaa asked for wasn't as slow as I thought. I forgot that when I download the personal info, I don't actually download the portrait, just the URL for the portrait. So there wasn't nearly as much data as I thought. So now there is a new checkbox in Settings that says "Flag names that have portraits". If you check that, you will get a new column in cast and crew that says Pic if there is a portrait for that person in their Person window. This column will be updated in the background, so it will not slow down the time it takes to open a Movie / TV window.
While using TmdbInfo I have noticed that here are some jobs in Tmdb that didn't make it into the original Jobmap. If you install TmdbInfo for the first time, you'll get an updated job map. But if you have already used TmdbInfo, you have two options:
1) Go to %appdata%\Gunnar Syrén\TmdbInfo2 and delete TmdbMapping.json. The new default job map will be created there.
2) If you have already made changes to the job map, edit the job map manually (from the Options menu).
I have identified the following jobs that might be needed:
Art/Art Direction
Art/Production Design
Costume & Make-up/Costume Designer
Costume & Make-up/Wardrobe Designer
Costume & Make-up/Key Makeup Artist
Editing/Supervising Film Editor
Editing/Film Editor
Sound/Song
Sound/Sound Editor
Sound/Sound Mixer (= Production Sound Mixer ???)
Sound/Sound Supervisor
Writing/Book
I assume that you can figure out how these should be entered in DVD Profiler.
The problem with mapping jobs from Tmdb to DVD Profiler is that Tmdb doesn't standardize job titles. They seem to take whatever the job is called in the actual credits. So, you may well find more jobs that need to be added to the job map. | Posted: Topic Replies: 29, Topic Views: 3825 |
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Quoting TraunStaa:
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Is it possible to mark cast and crew with a small symbol in the 'movie cast and crew' window, when they feature a portrait in the Tmdb?
Technically it is possible, I guess, but i don't think that it would be very practical. It would entail downloading the personal info for each and every person in cast and crew in order to check if there is a photo. This could take quite a long time.
I'll keep it in mind, though, in case I can think of a practical solution that doesn't involve a total rewrite of the movie window. | Posted: Topic Replies: 29, Topic Views: 3825 |
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Quoting ruben.:
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A Place to Call Home: Series Five 2017 5-036193-034473
A Place to Call Home: Series Four 2016 5-036193-033421 Uk Edition from Credit Lookup Tool
A Place to Call Home: Series Six 2018 5-036193-035098
All three downloaded fine. | Posted: Topic Replies: 8, Topic Views: 1087 |