Could a plugin be built for this software that would allow the ability to chose a DVD from the database and click on a button to send code to a dvd changer or dvd harddrive unit that will chose the correct dvd and play it. I know this is done already using other sofware and apps but this is a great datebase, a great app for dvd collections so it would be awsome to have this ability to use this app as the interface.
Any ideas, comments ect....??
Thanks

I now use the DMX-3000 software that picks up my DVD Profiler database info and downloads it to my remote, adding the proper keys for playing any DVD in my Sony DVPCX995V 400-Mega-DVD Changer.  It's really incredible, and even downloads all the graphics, the actors, the genres, etc. for all movies, lets you search right on the remote for any of your movies.  If you can get your hands on an MX-3000 remote from Universal Remote Control company, then this is the greatest solution!

I am working on a plugin for the firewire-based SONY VGPXLIB1/2/3. It is pretty much working, but I need to finish the installation package and documentation. The plugin will load a movie from the changer or from a file location, or from a file on a data disc in the changer.

Quoting Elmer Millikan:

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I 2nd (or 3rd) the request for a 777 rs232 control plugin for DVDP. I have several changers that would make cataloging (plus keeping the locations current) and movie playback much more enjoyable.

My (to be realeased) plugin makes calls to a low-level program that controls the Sony VAIO changer. I suspect that I could reasonably easily modify the calls to support an RS232 driver. Can you point me to a driver that is available that most people would use or have access to?

Quoting Elmer Millikan:

Quote:
I have drivers but they are for Charmed Quark's CQC. I believe the protocol is well documented and I will look around to see if I can find a copy.

Never mind. I found a driver, complete with source, RS232 specs on sourceforge.net.

Quoting Elmer Millikan:

Quote:
I am not sure what others are looking for as far as functionality but for me just the ability to read the contents of each dvd changer and populate to DVD db woud be outstanding!

Hmmm sounds cool. Actually you might be able to best accomplish that with the existing automation plugin making calls to the changer program (mediachanger.exe) aviailable at avsforum.com. When I get time, I'll look into it. Of course, you could explore it and post your findings as well.

Another way: The program "Mediachanger GUI" also at avsforum.com has a function that will cycle through all the discs in a changer, inserting a specified delay to allow for Autoplay activities to complete (such as CD Rip). Well, you could load DVDPro and set the option to scan a DVD when loaded, and then let the GUI program load the discs in succession. All you would need to get ready is to figure out the correct delay to allow DVDPro to do its thing.
(EDIT: Didn't quite work. Almost, but too much manual intervention)

The advantage of the automation plugin would be not having to worry about setting a delay, because of its integration with DVDPro.

Hope these ideas have helped you.

If you can't get the automation plugin to work, I will consider making the necessary changes to Mediachanger GUI to support loading into DVDPro. But that's off-topic here in  the plugins forum. Come to avsforum.com if that's what you want.

Edit: Ok I figured out that if you maintain focus on DVD Profiler, it does reliably pick up DVD insertion when the changer spins. I loaded DVDs into a test database at about 1 per minute by hitting "next", waiting for DVDPro to see it, then responding to the prompts. Certainly not worth it for anything but batch load. So now you have three choices: Either use the automation plugin, come to avsforum.com and talk to me about tweaks for mediachanger, or wait for that cool "Load DB from Changer" plugin that you have requested.

Quoting Elmer Millikan:

Quote:
Does the current mediachanger.exe work with the firewire 200 disc changers AND the Sony DVP-CX777ES (rs232)?

Thanks.... heading over to AVS.

Not yet.  There is really no need. There is an equivalent, free, utility out there for Rs232 support of the "777" that I found. The author kindly supplied C# source with hopes others could find it useful. On Sourceforge.

Once I get done with the Mediachanger project, I plan to complete my LoadDVD plugin (Sony version), and then I could fairly easily add support for calling the Rs232 program - that is, unless somebody else beats me to it - either way, win-win. Thanks for the idea.

Since I use other hardware to actually watch movies I am only interested in the inventory portion that you outlined in your post.

I.e... Upon initialization the plugin/app would read each disc in the changer and update DVDP with the corressponding information such as disc slot, changer number, etc.