Organizing MKV Videos So Their Metadata is Searchable

[richisgame]

I know this is an AppleTV forum, but this seems to be the best forum to put this.
I have a huge MKV video collection.
I can't possibly convert them all to mp4.
I watch these movies on my TV by plugging my laptop into it with a DVI to HDMI cable for picture, and line out audio minijack, to rca for audio.)

Basically this just turns my 46" Samsung into a large computer monitor, and then I play the movie I want in either Quicktime or VLC. I control volume and playback using my laptops remote. Stone-age perhaps, that I have to plug it in every time, but it works for me, and again, I don't want to convert a thousand hours of MKV's, and even if I did they wouldn't even come close to fitting on the drive of one AppleTV let alone three of them.

So, all I want to be able to do is catalog or organize these movies in my Finder, or through a Third Party App, so I can easily search them based on various criteria: genres (not just one); actors; directors; year, Academy Awards, IMDB User Rating; etc. MetaX wont add Metadata to MKV's, so that's out.

Any suggestions?

 

[Nosoforos]

Personally, I like DVDPedia. I use it to keep track of my ever expanding movie collection. It gives you the ability to add all the information you want about a movie, and let's you link to the original file on your computer. So by clicking on a movieposter in DVDPedia, VLC (if you chose that) will start to play that movie.
Plex is also very nice, as a mediaplayer and a way to get a visual impression of your stuff. I just like to have the DVDPedia option as well.

 

[Mackilroy]

My first, last, and only recommendation: Plex.

 

[spetykowski]

My first, last, and only recommendation: Plex.

I've been loking for a way to organize my movies as well... Thanks for the suggestion, This looks great downloading now!


[edit] Completed the download, and it is amazing!! It works very well, like marklight said, make sure you have your files labeled correctly, so imdb (or other sources) can get metadata for you. Layout, is beautiful, option of skins is great! very nice application.

Plus its Free!!

 

[marklight]

My first, last, and only recommendation: Plex.

yes plex is amazing. i'd get the newest build (.71) it's great. Make sure your files are named correctly, and Plex will find all the metadata for you. sweet. You can always add your own artwork if you dont like the ones it finds.

 

[richisgame]

Thanks for the replies. Just a few more questions...

Will Plex or DVPedia allow me to create searches or lists of my movies based on the following criteria:

Can I create smart lists or libraries, or searches to see a list of only movies with Harrison Ford? Or, Steven Spielberg? Or even movies including both of them?

Can I enter multiple genres for each movie? And if so, then can I search for all movies that match multiple genres? Like Action & Comedy, (yielding Rush Hour, and Midnight Run, for instance.)

Could I create a list of my films in descending order from highest IMDB rating, on down?

Or a list of movies that won Best Picture, or Best Actor?

Or see all the films I have from a specific year?

Am I limited to whatever information fields Plex or DVDPedia offer, or can I add my own custom fields, thereby enabling me to be able to do any of these things?

Does DVDPedia allow me to change the artwork it automatically adds as you said Plex does? Can I choose between the sources it uses, say IMDB or Amazon?

(Do I need to write my own software? [joke])

Sorry for all the detailed questions, and I really do appreciate your patience with answering any of them.

 

[spetykowski]

Tons of questions but ill do the best i can... all answers regard PLEX

Will Plex or DVPedia allow me to create searches or lists of my movies based on the following criteria:

yes, plex has a very handy search feature, it allows you to search through all files in PLEX. if it finds a match it will automatically grab all files associated to your search and show them to you.

Can I create smart lists or libraries, or searches to see a list of only movies with Harrison Ford? Or, Steven Spielberg? Or even movies including both of them?

YES! works very much like iTunes. you can create playlists that define limits such as, Actor, Director, Studio, Title, Plot, Tagline, Rating, Duration, Writer Genre, Year.. ect. You can select Actor: Harrison Ford, then whether he is or is not in a movie. can be as extensive and detailed as you want your smart playlist to be...

Could I create a list of my films in descending order from highest IMDB rating, on down? Or a list of movies that won Best Picture, or Best Actor? Or see all the films I have from a specific year?

Yes, one of the options for the smart playlists is to sort by this rating. as well as year. Though nothing on Awards... Sorry

Can I enter multiple genres for each movie? And if so, then can I search for all movies that match multiple genres? Like Action & Comedy, (yielding Rush Hour, and Midnight Run, for instance.)

Am I limited to whatever information fields Plex or DVDPedia offer, or can I add my own custom fields, thereby enabling me to be able to do any of these things?

Not sure on this one exactly... just got the software tonight.
But from what i see you cant, though Imdb (and other included sources) does a great job with this... When i imported Family Guy, it classified as TV show, Comedy, and Animation... Great by my standards.

Does DVDPedia allow me to change the artwork it automatically adds as you said Plex does? Can I choose between the sources it uses, say IMDB or Amazon?

Unfortunately ive only used PLEX and you can change the artwork, though i have no knowledge on DVDPedia.


Basically PLEX would be my choice between the two. Its free and its quite incredible.. I cant imagine going to anything else having used this.. Amazing piece of software.

 

[richisgame]

Thanks so much for that thoughtful reply to my barrage of questions.
I will give Plex a shot!

 

[spetykowski]

Thanks so much for that thoughtful reply to my barrage of questions.
I will give Plex a shot!

Yeah, no problem. Glad to help. Enjoy!