Scanning into Music Collector

I wonder if they are mac friendly. I'd love to catalogue this lot.

Hi Chris

There is a Delicious Library program for the Mac - you just point your iSight camera (built in on the MacBook) - snap the bar code and it puts it in the library - I've used the trial version, but there is no obvious way to buy it except on-line by typing in credit card details and trusting to luck. A shame because it is very nice software.



I think you can get Music Collector for the Mac too.

ATB Rotf

Thanks guys. That sounds like a good task for the coming winter months!

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Rotf can you just scan with one to your pc?
Or do you need a set program?
Munch

Hi munch

I may be a bit out of my depth with a PC, but on the Mac you need a special program that can read what the camera sees as a bar code and nip off to Gracenote or wherever to get the album details and cover art.

I would guess it would be the same for a PC. However, as PCs don't have built in cameras, you would need a bar code reader. However, as lots of your records don't have hideous barcodes on them, you really need a program that just lets you type in very basic details and goes off and fills in the rest. I have seen Mac programs that do this, so there must be PC equivalents. I think Music Catalogue may be the type of thing you need.

ATB Rotf

PS - I'm thinking of just making a list with a pen and paper.

quote:

PS - I'm thinking of just making a list with a pen and paper.

"The pen is lengthier than the PC/MAC" maybe.

It is worth checking with the Music Collector Forum, but from what I remember (probably in error) the bar codes on CDs can vary from country to country and that the bar codes are only accessible on the US Amazon site - so if you have a European CD the bar code search is not so useful.

Also there have been comments that scanning a heap of CDs and then running the catalog process you can end up with failed searches and you have to do quite a manual check to find out which CD has failed.

Because of these issues and the fact that some of my CDs are more than 20 years old (and so not in any catalog) I decided to rely on only reading each CD in the CD reader on the Mac and then doing any manual updating to ensure that the information is correct - some covers had to be scanned in as the covers of the CDs has changed over time.

At times I was doubting my life balance by cataloging all the CDs and I have only once used the catalog to search for a specific track (which I did not have)

However do take a read of the Music Collector forum, they do not answer many questions on Naim equipment though.

I'm going through the laborious task of scanning them in the cd tray. 6 months in and about 1/3 of it done so I'm not setting the world alight. I'm hoping to use it eventually to locate cd's in my collection as they are currently in random order so I'm using the cataloging to cement their place on the rack and so become more easily accessible.


How do any of you back up your database? is there a specific /easy way to back it up after adding some titles or is it just simply part of you larger back up processes?


SJB

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
All i would want to do is scan and get the info ie band name album name and number onto my own list.I am not bothered about album cover pics or track listings.
Can this be done with one of these hand held scanners you can get on amazon?
Munch

Not unless you have some software that works in conjunction with the scanner. My guess is the bar code contains a catalogue number and the scanner would read it. The software needs to take that catalogue number and look it up in Gracenote or Amazon or AMG until it finds the title and artist - it will probably get the other details whether you want them or not. However, as Derek says there may be problems with American vs UK barcodes.

All I really want to do is have a list of titles and artists - so I'll have a think about this one.

ATB Rotf

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:
How do any of you back up your database? is there a specific /easy way to back it up after adding some titles or is it just simply part of you larger back up processes?


SJB

Depends on the database - Apple's Filemaker keeps all its data in one directory so you can stuff the directory and just copy it to CD. I think others would be similar, it is a matter of finding where it puts its data and copying that folder to somewhere safe.

ATB Rotf

In the Mac version of Music Collector a backup copy of the database is written to the username - Library - Application Support - Music Collector - Backup directory when the application is closed

I use Delicious Library for the Mac and the barcode search has access to all of Amazon. The only recent disc that did not scan is on a small Welsh label. I rarely have to input manually. I can only imagine that PC based programs offer the same functionality. It may just be the case of selecting a country preference as the default search to speed things up,

You can export the data to Excel to create a data pool of everything entered into the library and it is easy to back up. The only risk with backing up from the program is that you need to maintain the OS and software. The Excel data drops quite nicely into Access if you need to transition into a Windows world.

Also, I have added all my DVDs and new books. If I remember correctly I paid via Paypal, was a few years ago now.

Huw

quote:

Originally posted by Derek Wright:
In the Mac version of Music Collector a backup copy of the database is written to the username - Library - Application Support - Music Collector - Backup directory when the application is closed

Thanks Derek,

I see on a pc a similar backup is made in the data>backup folder. I'll stuff this in the ether as ROTF suggests.



SJB

It's Mac speak, SJB, on PCs you zip files on a Mac you stuff 'em using a program called Stuffit.

Aaaah, I get it now



SJB

I have just received a newsletter from Collecterz (the makers of Music Collector) indicating that Amazon UK now allows barcode searches just like the US, DE and FR Amazon online sites.

They actually said:

Top Tip: Adding items by barcode or ISBN is so much quicker

Have you ever tried adding DVDs, CDs, books or games by barcode? The big advantage is that you get only one result: the exact edition that you own. You may want try a few, because a lot has changed since we introduced the barcode search feature in the Collectorz.com programs:

* Our own online databases now provide excellent results for barcode searches. We now have over 100 thousand DVD barcodes, 20 thousand game barcodes and 45 thousand CD barcodes. Our coverage for US barcodes has always been great and now you will find most of your European releases by barcode too.
* Amazon UK finally allows barcode searches too, just like Amazon US, DE and FR. Great news for our UK users.
* Book Collector 5 now has ISBN-13 support, making sure your new books are found too.

Of course, adding items by barcode works best in combination with our Collectorz.com barcode scanner. It now comes with an included USB cable, so that it can be connected to any computer with a USB or serial port.

end of quote

I've re-entered about 1000 CDs and LPs so far. Up to "E" so far for LPs and all my CDs.
I can say that even entering the bar code does not guarantee getting the exact disc, unless I am doing something wrong.Also the full barcode is needed if entering by hand,12 digits?
Mind you I have found out this time by adding extra discs and headers I can enter tracks as the LP layout regarding side and second or third discs.
One way is to enter the CD info and then edit by adding extra discs side and drag and drop the required tracks.
Sorry if this smacks of granny and egg sucking.

Howard

Forgive my ignorance.

This is clearly a time consuming exercise. Why are you all doing it?

Jamie - it is impolite to ask such personal questions about about a persons very private habit.

Have you stopped beating your wife <g>

huh?

Quote JamieW "This is clearly a time consuming exercise. Why are you all doing it?"

Mind your F**king business.

I have failing memory (old age) and to find a specific CD out of 850 is quite difficult. With the shelving system I use I find alphabetical for the CDs is impracticable.It would require a lot of "shunting" because of the small Benno shelves.
LPs sit on wide shelves and are arranged alphabetically and are easier to move about. While I'm inputting data for CDs I might just as well do the LPs too.
When junior asks for a specific track I can usually find it straight away.
Plus can you remember every album you own? How would you know what to replace if they were lost?

Howard

Right, now I get what it is.

Like others it seems I have the inevitable IKEA CD shelves but just do the occasional re-shuffle. You're right, LPs are much easier.

For insurance, I just take some digital piccies every few weeks. Takes about 30 seconds. These clearly show the spines of the software in situ and are easy to zoom in for any detailed I.D. required. Although I concede listing on a claim would be a bugger, though only needed if claim ever made I guess.