Actor Database Problem

[Discaciate]

Guys,

I'm having a small issue with the XBMC. I tried to search for a solution, but didn't find any.

My problem is that my libary is getting bigger and so I'm having a gigantic list of actors. A lot of them are not famous and only figure in a single one of my movies. I would like to narrow it down to the most famous actors and delete the other ones.

I have tried to delete a few those actors them via the XBMC interface. It asks me if I want to delete it or not, but nothing happens.

I'm using IMDB as my scrapper and I have "Full Cast Listing" disabled.

I also tried to use the MovieCompanion software (the other one that I found here at the forum don't work on my machine) and I also didn't work as I wanted.

I also tried to edit the mymovies DataBase, but also with no sucess.

So, my question is simple: Is there a way for me to delete some of the actors and keep only the most famous ones?. Please mind that I'm a total noob.

Thx for the help.

[jmarshall]

The easiest way is to export your db to XML, then just go through it (it's a large file) and delete the actors for each movie that you don't want.

Once that's done, re-import the XML and you're done.

I'd suggest, however, that you probably want to create nfo files, so instead of the above, export to separate nfo files (the UI will ask you if you want to do this if you have a late enough version) and then go through them individually (they're text files) removing the actors you don't want.

Cheers,
Jonathan

[Discaciate]

Thx a LOT for your reply.
It's great to be able to use such a fantastic free software and even get support from the Devs. Truly amazing.

I will try that as soon as I get home. Since I'm away from my HTPC, I will just ask a bit more.

Being a total noob, I dunno what database format is the mymovie in (I only know that it has the .db). Is it SQL? If it is, than it should be easy to google for a converter.

Another thing, regarding your second tip. Could anyone be a bit more specific about the .nfo files? How do I create them via the UI (I have a pretty recent version of XBMC Windows from the SVN)? Could someone please be kind and point me in the right direction?

Once again, thx a lot for the help.

[jmarshall]

Settings->Video->Library->Export library...

Choose "export to individual files" or whatever that setting is called, and it will create a .nfo file for each movie in your library, which is placed next to the movie.

Next time you scan, XBMC will use that information rather than going to the web.

Edit the information (it's just a text file containing some XML) and it'll pick up the edited info.

Cheers,
Jonathan

[Chrisleben]

Settings->Video->Library->Export library...

Choose "export to individual files" or whatever that setting is called, and it will create a .nfo file for each movie in your library, which is placed next to the movie.

Next time you scan, XBMC will use that information rather than going to the web.

Edit the information (it's just a text file containing some XML) and it'll pick up the edited info.

Cheers,
Jonathan

One question what do it do with files in the library that ive added via dvd?
since it cant save files on burned dvds so where do i find them?

[jmarshall]

We don't support burned media I'm afraid. You can still export to one large XML file and then re-import it - you choose the location.

[MrTourettes]

Not sure if you are still looking into this but if you are I will explain the way I handled it.

Right 1st off I used the superb app called Media Info to create nfo files for all my movies.

Find details here if you ahve not already read up on it.

http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41129&highlight=media+info

This app will allow you to select which images you require for fanart etc and it will create all nfo files and associated files in the directory of your movie.

Now open one of those nfo files with wordpad or another suitable editor and scroll to bottom of file. You will see actor entries like so

<actor>
<name>Johnny Depp</name>
<role>Gilbert Grape</role>
<thumb>http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BNTcxNjg2OTc5MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTY3NTYyMQ@@._ V1._SY30_SX23_.jpg</thumb>
</actor>

Now this is the pain in arse bit but basically go through each of your movies nfo files and delete the actors you do not require. Make sure you delete from the start which is indicated with <actor> and end with the </actor> .. Make not of what the start and end markers look like else you could mess up the structure of the nfo file.

Now when you inport all your movies into xbmc they will be imported using the nfo files and only the actors that you have left in the nfo's will be in your actors list :)

O and start with a clean video db make sure you remove all sources and use clean library before re-importing.


Just as a footnote it might be a nice idea if in the actor browsing section of movies you could click a hide tag next to each actors name which will hide that actor form the main list. <-----Any dev team reading PRETTY PLEASE ;)

[forcedalias]

It's IMDb's fault! :(

The ordering of actor listing on that site is just plain silly, with the main actors/actresses often falling into the 'show the rest of the cast list' page.

If they somehow fixed that, XBMC would be automagically fixed, right? :)

I too tried the option to download all cast/credits and found myself looking at a 60,000+ item actors page. Loads very slow but currently the only way to ensure the main actors are searchable.

[jmarshall]

Use themoviedb then, as the data is editable by you. You fix it for one, and you fix it for everyone.