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Quoting nanoron:
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Unfortunately,I don't know if this is a Mac OS, Windows 11 or VMware problem. Have people had success using Windows 11 to sync with iPads? Syncing is done over a simple TCP/IP port. The application needs only the IP address and port, and should be OS independent. Again, I would check to make sure that the required IP address and port can be forwarded through the firewalls on all three machines. Does the VMware machine have a separate IP address from the host machine? Is it on the same subnet? Is the firewall setup to pass traffic between the iPad and virtual machine? | Posted: Topic Replies: 13, Topic Views: 565 |
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Quoting nanoron:
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While DVD profiler seems to be working fine, I can't get it to sync to my iPad. I've tried all the usual tricks but no luck. BUMMER!
I'll keep trying and will report back here if I succeed in getting it to work.
It might have to do with port forwarding and firewall settings. They probably need to be setup on both the host computer and the virtual one. Of course you know this. Just maybe something to double check. | Posted: Topic Replies: 13, Topic Views: 565 |
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| DVDFab has a range of solutions. I have no affiliation. | Posted: Topic Replies: 2, Topic Views: 210 |
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Quoting nanoron:
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OK. While I am not totally sure about what I am doing, I seem to have successfully loaded DVD Profiler onto my new M4 iMac using VMware Fusion and Windows 11 Home. It took about an hour. I'll now test things out to see if everything is working properly. I'm sure I missed some things during the install and will get back to you. Anyone else giving it a try?
I am waiting for you, our valiant pioneer! We are all cheering for you!  | Posted: Topic Replies: 13, Topic Views: 565 |
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Quoting WoJe:
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I want to convert CSV of my old app to XML format of DVD Profiler.
Here is one pissibility:
(1) Create a new clean database using DVD Profiler for Windows
(2) Install the BulkEdit plugin
(3) Use the Generic CSV Import of BulkEdit to load your data. You are given a way to map any input field to the corresponding DVD Profiler field.
(4) I believe that BulkEdit will try to synthesize a profile ID, for any records that are missing a UPC. If you try this and have issues, I will help you.
(5) Once you have created DVD Profiler profiles, then you can export the database in XML format.
Of course you need a license for DVD Profiler to use plugins. Then you can participate in the main forum, in the BulkEdit thread. This is the best way I can help you. | Posted: Topic Replies: 16, Topic Views: 811 |
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Quoting mediadogg:
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Quoting GSyren:
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Quoting mediadogg:
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Ummm ... unless it has been broken, BulkEdit can import everything. Hundreds of hours of work, it should be able to import Mark-style CSV and official DVD Profiler XML exports. But I haven't tested for awhile. And the CSV import has a mapping function to allow for non Profiler headers.
Yeah, but Mark's CSV Export doesn't include cast and crew. It does export Directors, but only full name and no birth year. Not sure how one would export full cast and crew to CSV. So I stand by my statement that it's iffy.
Oh, we have both called it iffy. I didn't remember that Mark's does not include cast and crew. I wonder if that same limitation is in the BulkEdit version. I'll check just for grins.
Well, ha ha, BulkEdit does not export CSV - only XML!  | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1900 |
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Quoting rdodolak:
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The custom backup shows 9 main things to backup, one of which is for cover scans. 8/9 is 88.88% so it's possible it's based on that.
Perfect example. | Posted: Topic Replies: 9, Topic Views: 1299 |
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I guess he should have tested using your collection. 
Semi-seriously, it is possible that "way back when", the ratio was a bit different, and his progress was based more on percentage of tasks completed, not time. | Posted: Topic Replies: 9, Topic Views: 1299 |
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Having developed a bunch of plugins that crawl through masses of data with unknown content, yet still trying to give the user an idea of expected completion, I have sympathy for what Ken must have faced.
- Do you simply report on the number of completed items?
- Do you take past progress into account when estimating time to complete?
- Do you report on the basis of bytes processed?
I usually try to do all of the above, and usually arrange for the task bar to move to a specific point at the completion of each task. For example, for 4 tasks, at 25, 50, 75, 100. It seems from your observation that Ken has done something similar, so that when he starts that last task, he has completed 88% of the tasks, but having an indeterminate amount of processing required to complete the final 12%.
I have one plugin that keeps track of bytes processed and adjusts the progress based on a prediction of the processing needed for remaining tasks. That has the odd result of the progress bar sometimes going backwards! 
(Actually I'm not sure about that - I think what happens is that each task segment's progress moves at a different speed) | Posted: Topic Replies: 9, Topic Views: 1299 |
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Quoting GSyren:
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Quoting mediadogg:
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Ummm ... unless it has been broken, BulkEdit can import everything. Hundreds of hours of work, it should be able to import Mark-style CSV and official DVD Profiler XML exports. But I haven't tested for awhile. And the CSV import has a mapping function to allow for non Profiler headers.
Yeah, but Mark's CSV Export doesn't include cast and crew. It does export Directors, but only full name and no birth year. Not sure how one would export full cast and crew to CSV. So I stand by my statement that it's iffy.
Oh, we have both called it iffy. I didn't remember that Mark's does not include cast and crew. I wonder if that same limitation is in the BulkEdit version. I'll check just for grins. | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1900 |
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Quoting GSyren:
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I agree with mediadogg. Exporting everything to CSV is iffy. Cast and crew especially, but also Overview and Other Features. Not ideal for transferring to another program. XML is better for that purpose, but I haven’t seen any program that can import everything.
Ummm ... unless it has been broken, BulkEdit can import everything. Hundreds of hours of work, it should be able to import Mark-style CSV and official DVD Profiler XML exports. But I haven't tested for awhile. And the CSV import has a mapping function to allow for non Profiler headers. | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1900 |
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Quoting nanoron:
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For what it's worth, I've tried a number of XML to CSV conversion apps with only limited success. My best results came from working directly with the MyMovies developer on importing the XML file. They seem responsive.
Agreed. And if needed, you can also manually edit the xml and try to meet the other guy in the middle, as they say. | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1900 |
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The safest method of all, is to use a double conversion. First export to XML, using the built-in one, or any plugin that supports that feature. Then you get a well-defined, easy to parse and repeatable output.
Next, there are various tools that allow you to make a script to parse the XML and create the CSV output of choice. Again, FYI for awareness of your options. | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1900 |
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Parsing CSV can be very tricky for a database schema as complex as used in DVD Profiler. You have to be sure that the Export and Import formats match, or you will get garbage and / or errors.
I would suggest doing a test export from both plugins, using the most complex filter you need, and compare results. See which one most closely matches the specifications for the application you are using for import.
When I wrote the CSV tools within BulkEdit, I modelled my Export on Mark's plugin. BulkEdit Import can be tailored somewhat. So far as I know, BulkEdit is the only tool that can build a DVD Profiler database from scratch, using CSV or XML. You might not need that, just FYI as awareness of the complexity.
Microsoft Excel can import CSV, and has the ability to create a corresponding schema. This might be a good way to compare the results of different export tools. One big caveat when using excel, is to make sure that you protect numeric fields such as profile ID. Excel will treat the text as a number, and if you save it, you will have a mess of large numbers in scientific format. You need to either format the column as text or perfex a "'" before each number to force Excel to treat as text. I believe BuilkEdit CSV export does this automatically. Not sure.
If I were you, I would lean towards ProfilerQuery becuase you are more likely to get a tweak or additional feature or bug fix more quickly from Gunnar than anybody else. | Posted: Topic Replies: 11, Topic Views: 1900 |
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| One reason I like your posts is that they help explain and demonstrate to some of the non technical users why DVD Profiler is so powerful, and so hard to duplicate. It is far more than a spreadsheet with screenshots. Not often, be sometimes we get comments that suggest that it should be so easy to duplicate, or to "simply" add this or that feature. Well, you are helping us understand why it is not, and thanks for that. | Posted: Topic Replies: 99, Topic Views: 38121 |
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Quoting Marcccc:
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Certainly there must be someone out there who wishes to keep this software going? I don’t understand the plan here.
FYI, a couple of years ago I emailed Ken and proposed the idea of pursuing a collaboration of users that wanted to invest and own the company. Never got an answer to the email, but I always did in the past. | Posted: Topic Replies: 4, Topic Views: 1459 |
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Quoting TheMadMartian:
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Quoting Marcccc:
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Certainly there must be someone out there who wishes to keep this software going? I don’t understand the plan here.
I honestly don't see the upside for someone to buy and maintain the software. As far as I can tell, without a huge overhaul to the business model, it's a money pit. I don't maintain my own servers but maintenance and bandwidth have to be costing Ken something and, without new revenue streams, it's a money pit.
Or am I wrong? 
I think you are absolutely correct. That is the reason I get so annoyed with people who are constantly complaining about things - even that they "paid" and "how much could it cost to run a website anyway".
It is enormously expensive for whomever is supporting the ongoing availability of the website, the database and the contributions process. Whatever is preventing the involvement of Ken Cole and program updates must be super serious. I for one am so grateful and terribly sad that an industry genius and pioneer is for whatever reason, no longer able to participate on this stage. | Posted: Topic Replies: 4, Topic Views: 1459 |
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Quoting scotthm:
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Quoting mediadogg:
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If that is meant to be some sort of retort, your point escapes me. You could quote the entire forum as reminders. The only thing that embodies our legal entitlement is the license agreement.
It was meant as an addendum to this thread.
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Ah, sorry I misunderstood. You are wise and patient with the old man. | Posted: Topic Replies: 62, Topic Views: 23809 |
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Quoting scotthm:
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Quoting mediadogg:
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As a reminder, this is the license agreement we agree to when installing DVD Profiler on the PC:
As a reminder, here is the last message I remember seeing from Ken, on February 25, 2024
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One additional note: We're aware of the Android app absence, and will be working to resolve soon.
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If that is meant to be some sort of retort, your point escapes me. You could quote the entire forum as reminders. The only thing that embodies our legal entitlement is the license agreement. | Posted: Topic Replies: 62, Topic Views: 23809 |
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As a reminder, this is the license agreement we agree to when installing DVD Profiler on the PC:
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The software is licensed to you for use only under the terms of this agreement, on a single computer. The software may be installed on more than one computer, if there is no possibility that it will be used on more than one computer at a time.
This license is non-transferable.
You acknowledge that the software contains trade secrets and other proprietary information of Invelos Software, Inc and its licensors. Except to the extent expressly permitted by this Agreement or by the laws of the jurisdiction where you are located, you may not decompile, disassemble or otherwise reverse engineer the software, or engage in any other activities to obtain underlying information that is not visible to the user in connection with normal use of the software.
The license granted to you is effective until terminated. You may terminate it at any time by uninstalling the software and destroying any copies of the software. Upon termination, Invelos Software, Inc. may also enforce any rights provided by law. The provisions of this agreement that protect the proprietary rights of Invelos Software, Inc. will continue in force after termination.
This software accesses information from the DVD Profiler Online Database. You agree to restrict your use of this information to personal use as it relates to the DVD Profiler program. Under no circumstances will you reverse engineer the data formats, or use this information in a commercial or public manner, with the exception of abilities designed and incorporated into DVD Profiler.
Warranty
There is no warranty express or implied from Invelos Software, Inc. You acknowledge that this software may not perform as desired, and may interfere with other installed software. You further agree to hold harmless Invelos Software, Inc. in the event of damage to applications or data caused by this software.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from country/state to country/state. Some countries/states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.
Indy Components Terms and License
Portions of this software are Copyright (c) 1993 - 2001, Chad Z. Hower (Kudzu) and the Indy Pit Crew - http://www.nevrona.com/Indy/
License
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation, about box and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
No personal names or organizations names associated with the Indy project may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission of the specific individual or organization.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY Chad Z. Hower (Kudzu) and the Indy Pit Crew "AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. | Posted: Topic Replies: 62, Topic Views: 23809 |
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| Oops, I replied to an old post. Sorry. | Posted: Topic Replies: 37, Topic Views: 29931 |
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| Wow! Above my pay grade, but I can appreciate the impressive achievement. | Posted: Topic Replies: 25, Topic Views: 5849 |
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Quoting AlunH:
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Quoting dobrzpe:
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yea, but you are failing to realize: i bet people (MYSELF INCLUDED) would rather have info in the profile than NO INFO WHATSOEVER. i, too, have been using it since it was Invocative. i've submitted several profiles back in the day and they were rejected. so i said to myself, fine - i won't help out. now, for the last 18+ years, if it's not in the database, i have to go through the pain of putting in BASIC info and cover image myself. (no cast info, which REALLY sucks...)
i'd just be nice to have the info there, THEN if someone sees a mistake, and wants to fix it - GO FOR IT!
pulling from IMDB or even TMDB would be better than NOTHING.
But pulling IMDb info is illegal - that material is protected by copyright. Pulling their data (which is easily checked because of the mistakes) will get this site shut down.
I think it all depends on what you mean by "pulling". If I am reading from multiple sources, including IMDB, the list of cast and roles and I own the DVD and looking at the credits on the cover or from the screen and putting that information into DVD Profiler, IMHO that could not be construed as illegal. All the information is public knowledge. I agree that using an automated process, such as a computer to collect and extract from the proprietary presentation or database representation of the information might be construed as illegal. That's why Invelos rules do not allow contributing information gathered that way. To contribute, one is supposed to promise that all information has been verified by watching the movie credits directly or extracting directly from the DVD covers. Once this verification has been done, there is no way to tell what process the user employed to gather the information. | Posted: Topic Replies: 25, Topic Views: 5849 |
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| Whoa, forgot all about TMDb. I signed up for the API 11 years ago!!! I don't remember why I didn't incorporate it into Contribution Assistant. | Posted: Topic Replies: 32, Topic Views: 5041 |
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Quoting hydr0x:
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Quoting sneaks66:
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There should be a way to remove the "Wish List" from the "All" group of movies, as to me, the "All" are ones that I have and should not include ones that I don't have...
Patrick
That makes no sense. The very purpose of the "All" tab is to have a way to show ALL profiles in your database. It's the only way to search across all of them.
If it annoys you, just remove it from your display. Right click the category/tab list > Other > Edit Collection Categories > Hide built-in categories: "All"
There is no need for such drastic measures. As I explained, "Owned" is what he needs. Maybe he didn't realize. | Posted: Topic Replies: 4, Topic Views: 1682 |