Otaku Media Manager!!!

[jbsoum]

I know the meaning in western culture (as obscure as it is), it was a joke.

Here is a suggestion though, I don't only watch anime, could you make a similar support for western entertainment linked to imdb for us who also collect movies and series? If that was the case, it would be a must for more than just eh.... otaku... 

I'm not certain what you are trying to do, but if you want to go in the direction of an HTPC, then MyAnime functions as a part of MediaPortal for people like us, who want to enjoy anime, as well as other things, from the same interface.
 
I use MP-TV Series plugin for all of my non-anime shows, and that plugin pulls info from thetvdb.com, which is a free television database. For all of my movies, I use a plugin called Moving Pictures, which pulls data from imdb.com. There are also plugins for things like emulators, streaming sites, and plethora of other things. However, I'm not a fan of the emulator plugin, so I launch GameEx from MediaPortal, instead.

[AceHigh]

Interesting...

[bobe1]

I recommend people take a look at mediaportal if they havn't.

[AceHigh]

Yeah, I have seen the screenshots and grasped the concept of your program, but I didn't use anything comparable before, so it all is kind of new to me.

[jbsoum]

Yeah, I've been trying to make an HTPC centered around my video files for a couple of years, now. I messed with XBMC, Windows Media Center, and MediaPortal, and they all have their ups and downs. For video file management, MediaPortal is topps, because the video player interface lets you tap all of the functionality of matroska files with a remote.

Support for non-anime video files in an HTPC setting has been around for a few years now. As long as you don't have multiple subtitle or audio streams, it worked rather well at guessing what shows you had, so you didnt have to enter stuff into an sql database. Obviously, from a user standpoint, you just want it to work without any tech stuff, and these programs worked, except for anime.

As for anime, my problem was always getting the files recognized as what they should be. While thetvdb.com is great for non-anime shows, it's horrible for anime, since the name of each show could be listed in either kanji or an English translation, and you kind of have to guess. Also, reading the filename of most dvd-rip and fansub files is usually buggy, because most regex lines (used for reading the filename and 'guessing' what episode something is) will try and read the crc label in the file as a season or episode. Also, it will usually guess what show the episodes belong to based on the name of the folder they're in, and that requires guesswork, and checking on thetvdb, etc. So, oftentimes, I found myself renaming every episode, and then relocating them in utorrent so I could still seed them.

Well, MyAnime solves these problems in two ways: First, the filename and folder name don't matter, since it recognizes files with hashes. Second, it uses AniDB for show info, as opposed to thetvdb.com, which provides more relevant information. However, it will download fanart from thetvdb, so your front-end will look cool.

I know lots of people would prefer a standalone version, since they aren't trying to set up HTPCs. But, they are really cool, and these days, you don't even need to do anything crazy. But really, if you want to use any media center, get a remote!! I tried with the mouse and keyboard, and it's barely operable that way. With a remote, you just plug it in and use it.

I recommend this remote:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121002

So, AceHigh, or anyone who feels uneasy trying this setup, I'd be happy to help you through the process. I can help you setup anything from emulators to movies to anime to tv shows.

But, it's really gotten very simple since I started it a couple of years ago, lucky for you guys!

Just post here for questions, or find me on IRC. I'm usually in #animehq, #bakabt, #myanime, or #chihiro.

[bobe1]

You can use a keyboard with mediaportal quite easily. In fact, most remotes simply emulate the keyboard. I also only use a keyboard for the computer I develop myanime on. The keyboard controls are quite intuitive, and use keyboard commands used in most media players.

[sapsa]

Well, MyAnime solves these problems in two ways: First, the filename and folder name don't matter, since it recognizes files with hashes. Second, it uses AniDB for show info, as opposed to thetvdb.com, which provides more relevant information. However, it will download fanart from thetvdb, so your front-end will look cool.

Basically when I wrote MY program for cataloging anime I didn't use AniDB because I didn't like the way it tag few things - so i never used hashes for recognizing. I used simple method not even regex. One by one char is taking from string, if same string is in name of folder and name of file then it's "good" name, if name of folder don't have anything similar to name of file, the name of file is more important, my algorithm search for crc, and remove it from string, remove all things in ( ) and [ ]. Then you should have "clear" name of anime + numer of ep or "ep" and numer. Few "if" here and there to determine if the "number" is name of anime or number of episode (there are few animes that start with number in name). Cuting of "ep" with number - passing it into search field via class for http, waiting for results and if there is 1 name results that names is used, and if theres few message pop up with list which one you want to use. My app have auto pick option, that is accuracy about 95% the other 5% are bade names of files/folders.  I spend few weeks making those algoritms, didn't have a clue that you can search via Hashed, but I learn that aniDB lack with numbers of hashes my collection has.

To prevent confusions, I'm talking about my PRIVATE project, not related with jbsoum work.

[halfelite]

Someone should make one that uses thetvdb. It does not have newer animes like anidb. but the fanart and posters are way better.

[jbsoum]

To prevent confusions, I'm talking about my PRIVATE project, not related with jbsoum work.

To prevent further confusion, this is not my project. bobe1, as well as a few other developers, are the ones working on it. I just like it
Personally, I consider AniDB as the most accurate source of information for anime, but to each their own.

Also, your regex method is very creative, you should share your project with others.

Someone should make one that uses thetvdb. It does not have newer animes like anidb. but the fanart and posters are way better.

MyAnime does indeed use thetvdb for fanart and posters, and uses the anidb for show and episode info. There is an import setting that tells MyAnime to download that stuff, but I don't think it's checked by default.

I do wish that MyAnime would use the season info from thetvdb for the season info for larger shows, but I've been told that would make things very tricky. Small price to pay, imo.

[halfelite]

To prevent confusions, I'm talking about my PRIVATE project, not related with jbsoum work.

To prevent further confusion, this is not my project. bobe1, as well as a few other developers, are the ones working on it. I just like it
Personally, I consider AniDB as the most accurate source of information for anime, but to each their own.

Also, your regex method is very creative, you should share your project with others.

Someone should make one that uses thetvdb. It does not have newer animes like anidb. but the fanart and posters are way better.

MyAnime does indeed use thetvdb for fanart and posters, and uses the anidb for show and episode info. There is an import setting that tells MyAnime to download that stuff, but I don't think it's checked by default.

I do wish that MyAnime would use the season info from thetvdb for the season info for larger shows, but I've been told that would make things very tricky. Small price to pay, imo.

It is very tricky anime is a hard thing to make for a scanner. as anime uses absolute numbering so no way to pick out a season/ep out of the file name. You could always rename your anime to the S??E?? and it should pick up the seasion/ep number.  I dont use mediaportal nor can I as i run popcorn hours as my media streamers. They use flash/static html pages to display information. Does mediaportal/OMM have any sort of export to nfo or xml?

[Xiong Chiamiov]

You can use a keyboard with mediaportal quite easily. In fact, most remotes simply emulate the keyboard. I also only use a keyboard for the computer I develop myanime on. The keyboard controls are quite intuitive, and use keyboard commands used in most media players.

Before getting my multimedia keyboard (mostly) set up, I had to keep certain pages close at hand to do common tasks, like, uh, stop the video.

After getting a non-sucky skin and turning off fanart backgrounds (so I can actually read the damn text), I have to say it's pretty freakin' nice.  MediaPortal's configuration system for keybinds is god-awful, and I still haven't figured out how to get to certain things without the mouse (right-click shows awesomely useful information), but hell - if you're using AniDB, you certainly can deal with that.

[jbsoum]

[
Before getting my multimedia keyboard (mostly) set up, I had to keep certain pages close at hand to do common tasks, like, uh, stop the video.

After getting a non-sucky skin and turning off fanart backgrounds (so I can actually read the damn text), I have to say it's pretty freakin' nice.  MediaPortal's configuration system for keybinds is god-awful, and I still haven't figured out how to get to certain things without the mouse (right-click shows awesomely useful information), but hell - if you're using AniDB, you certainly can deal with that.

Yeah, I don't really like the keyboard thing for MediaPortal. Trust me, get this remote:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121002

It's 20 bucks well spent, imo. In MediaPortal config, you just check the microsoft mce remote, and all the buttons are automatically mapped. You use the skip buttons to skip chapters in mkv files, back and forward arrows to skip 15 seconds foward or ahead, the green button at the bottom changes audio tracks, and the yellow button changes subtitle tracks. It's really handy, and everything feels natural.

It is very tricky anime is a hard thing to make for a scanner. as anime uses absolute numbering so no way to pick out a season/ep out of the file name. You could always rename your anime to the S??E?? and it should pick up the seasion/ep number.  I dont use mediaportal nor can I as i run popcorn hours as my media streamers. They use flash/static html pages to display information. Does mediaportal/OMM have any sort of export to nfo or xml?

Well, renaming anime is irrelevant, since myanime uses crc32 via hash checks. You could name your file poop.mkv, and it would still know exactly what it is. The problem is that anidb doesn't really have arc information. thetvdb does to some degree, by organizing anime into seasons. However, the data pulled from anidb doesn't really match with thetvdb very well, and it's impressive they were able to find a way to pull their fanart and posters. And the arc thing is only really relevant for shows over 50 episodes. It's a lot trickier than it sounds.

[bobe1]

We use an optional "community server" to make the assoications between anidb anime's and thetvdb tvshows/themoviedb movies. There is also a search built in right as you try to assign it. The most common assignment is used automatically during import, which is why you dont have do anything with most anime, and if you do have to, just hit search (since the name is typed in for you automatically or change it if you like) and it will bring up the relevant results right there in the menu.

My Anime is built to make everything an otaku does easier and more automated. If it currently doesn't do something you think it should, chances are it's just because we haven't gotten round to coding that part yet. We are anime otakus, this is an open source project, what we do is for us and for you.

Also, F9 by default is the menu in MediaPortal, which is what right click brings up.

[halfelite]

what is this "community server" you speak of lol sounds like I could use it in a project of mine. I finally broke down and renamed things to match the tvdb.

[Blanchimont]

Well, renaming anime is irrelevant, since myanime uses crc32 via hash checks. You could name your file poop.mkv, and it would still know exactly what it is...

I can think of several groups who used the same crc for several of their files. Heck, sometimes it happened with whole series... (YuS with their DEADBEEF comes to mind...)

[halfelite]

Well, renaming anime is irrelevant, since myanime uses crc32 via hash checks. You could name your file poop.mkv, and it would still know exactly what it is...

I can think of several groups who used the same crc for several of their files. Heck, sometimes it happened with whole series... (YuS with their DEADBEEF comes to mind...)

Doesnt matter what the file name has it in the real crc would not be the same.

[bobe1]

The file name doesn't matter at all, as long as it is in anidb.net, then it will pick it up ( I have yet to find a downloaded file it doesn't know). You could name every file in your collection "zebra" and it would still know what it is. If the file is not known by anidb.net, maybe because its a self rip, then you can still tell it what it is.

[Xiong Chiamiov]

The file name doesn't matter at all, as long as it is in anidb.net, then it will pick it up ( I have yet to find a downloaded file it doesn't know).

I've got a shitton of unrecognized files I haven't gotten around to reporting yet.  Some of them don't even show up in the "we couldn't find these files on AniDB" box (like Coalgirl's CCS).

[Blanchimont]

Doesnt matter what the file name has it in the real crc would not be the same.

Actually, DEADBEEF(s) I mentioned were valid crc. And there are methods to 'force' a particular crc for a file; do a search for deadbeef on TT, and check what crcs AniDB lists for those specific files...

'Real' hashes, lie SHA1, TTH, or perhaps even old ED2K, would be more suited to keep track of files. I don't know what way AniDB uses to differentiate files, but very much doubt it's based simply on crc(crc32).

[jonbaby]

Yes AniDB, and subsequently Otaku Media manager or the MyAnime plugin for MediaPortal use the ED2K hash for identifying files.

CRC32's will not be unique.