2012-03-01, 23:17
I will start by stating that I have found only two viable htpc programs. XBMC and media browser. I am using a Asus EEEBox 1501p and media browser runs too slowly, although it's handling of the media library is superior to that of XBMC allowing the user to browse the library the way he want and not the way the developers want. Unfortunately the menu navigation is way too slow even with all effects off. However XBMC has a superior player and built in codecs. It's the library part: navigation and scraping that needs the most work and sadly is what received the least attention with the version 11 update.
The net result is for more than a year is I have been using xbmc exclusively however 99% of my time was spent using it in file mode. I have evaluated version 11 and I can see that, that is not going to change. Most of the work the developers put in to version 11 will go wasted because file mode remains the only usable mode. Ironically users have been complaining and feature requesting a improved library like forever and their request have fallen on deaf ears.
I will try and explain why I use file mode. With file mode I am able to create and browse my own custom folders rather be limited to Movies and Series. I need additional folders for Downloads, Youtube video's, Music Videos, Documentaries, Personal Videos, Kids Programs, Adult, HD Movies including the usual Series and Movie folders. Each folder can map to many real physical folder locations.
Why not use playlist? Because XBMC does not import everything into the library and playlists are very limited themselves. First I spend most of my time browsing my new download folder as that is were all new content goes automatically. The files don't magically get sorted into folders that are part of the library. Even if there is a way to magically sort them using some application why should users have to go to the trouble. I might sort the folder manually once per month or when I have time. But for the most part most of what I watch is in my download folder.
For a folder to be indexed in the library the folder needs a scraper assigned and a content type set. However the content types are predefined and very limited. Not only that you cannot have mixed content in folders. Like my download folder has all types of content: Series, movies, documentaries, youtube video's, basically any playable content, but not of a specific content type. Media browser has no problems scraping mixed folders like this and files that cannot be scraped still get listed or shown in the library.
In a ideal world I will not even need to have a downloads folder choice. You should just configure folders that contain media and not the type or scrapers to use. You can still configure scrappers but no on a folder level but a global level. Say for movies you x and series y. It is possible to determine from the filename the type usually and when you cannot determine you can maybe have hints for certain folders or just try all configured scrapers. There are lots of solutions and Media Browsers work pretty well so it's not impossible either.
Finally creating nfo files is also not a solution. Nothing that requires external applications or manual editing is a proper solution.
And finally in a unrelated note the ribbon like left to right scrolling home page menu on XBMC is a bad idea. Too few options fit on the screen that way and allot of screen space is wasted. I could probably use other skins but I had no problem with the default on 10.1
The net result is for more than a year is I have been using xbmc exclusively however 99% of my time was spent using it in file mode. I have evaluated version 11 and I can see that, that is not going to change. Most of the work the developers put in to version 11 will go wasted because file mode remains the only usable mode. Ironically users have been complaining and feature requesting a improved library like forever and their request have fallen on deaf ears.
I will try and explain why I use file mode. With file mode I am able to create and browse my own custom folders rather be limited to Movies and Series. I need additional folders for Downloads, Youtube video's, Music Videos, Documentaries, Personal Videos, Kids Programs, Adult, HD Movies including the usual Series and Movie folders. Each folder can map to many real physical folder locations.
Why not use playlist? Because XBMC does not import everything into the library and playlists are very limited themselves. First I spend most of my time browsing my new download folder as that is were all new content goes automatically. The files don't magically get sorted into folders that are part of the library. Even if there is a way to magically sort them using some application why should users have to go to the trouble. I might sort the folder manually once per month or when I have time. But for the most part most of what I watch is in my download folder.
For a folder to be indexed in the library the folder needs a scraper assigned and a content type set. However the content types are predefined and very limited. Not only that you cannot have mixed content in folders. Like my download folder has all types of content: Series, movies, documentaries, youtube video's, basically any playable content, but not of a specific content type. Media browser has no problems scraping mixed folders like this and files that cannot be scraped still get listed or shown in the library.
In a ideal world I will not even need to have a downloads folder choice. You should just configure folders that contain media and not the type or scrapers to use. You can still configure scrappers but no on a folder level but a global level. Say for movies you x and series y. It is possible to determine from the filename the type usually and when you cannot determine you can maybe have hints for certain folders or just try all configured scrapers. There are lots of solutions and Media Browsers work pretty well so it's not impossible either.
Finally creating nfo files is also not a solution. Nothing that requires external applications or manual editing is a proper solution.
And finally in a unrelated note the ribbon like left to right scrolling home page menu on XBMC is a bad idea. Too few options fit on the screen that way and allot of screen space is wasted. I could probably use other skins but I had no problem with the default on 10.1
