MM4 Feature: Read/Write iTunes Metadata/Atoms [#7621]

[ACraigL]

Hi,

Coming from iTunes, I have a large video library that uses the iTunes 'Media Kind' attribute (TV Show, Movie, Podcast, etc). Tagging independently in MediaMonkey would rewrite the file and change the creation date. This will affect how I sync these (5 newest TV Shows, etc). In addition, these files are networked, and it will be painfully slow to rewrite these (roughly 75 video files, currently in the library).

I'd lile to request that MM4 support read/write of iTunes 'STIK' atom/metadata (sets media kind) so that this information is interchangeable between the 2 programs.

Thanks for the consideration!

[Peke]

Problem is that we have not yet found listing for STIK Atom and we are not alone http://gryphondwb.xanga.com/615474010/i ... really-do/

[ACraigL]

I'm confused... I use atomic parsley all the time to write the stik atom to my files using --stik "TV Show". That's a pretty old article you referenced as well -- surely there is a way to do this -- even if it meant using AP (assuming it's opensource) which is pretty well documented: http://atomicparsley.sourceforge.net/mpeg-4files.html

I guess I don't understand the problem.

[Peke]

It is no problem to read and use it, but question is to use it for what??? AP also do not have complete info

Code: Select all

4char code|Name     |Class/Flag  |Appearance
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
stik      |?? (stik)|21    |uint8|??

It doesn't help us at all Only usage I see is use it to determine Collection where file belongs and again we do not know what is what My link at least partially explains what are used/found whitch are not known (21 for example).

[ACraigL]

My interest is to use it for categorization, as you say, but primrarily to be able to do so without retagging numerous, large video files.

Think of it as a way to transition iTunes users to MM4. If this carried over, there would be less issues in trying to categorize videos (I'm having this dilemma now). It can be a tree/search option, but not a requirement... it's not necessary for MM4-only customers to use it, but for those that come from iTunes, it could be there as a way to help organize the content they already have.

[Lowlander]

You could just tag the Genre in iTunes and have MediaMonkey use that to Auto-Categorize as a workaround?

[ACraigL]

For new items (e.g. managed entirely through MM) this is not a problem. It's the legacy videos I have in iTunes. Adding any new metadata -- be it in MM4 or iTunes -- will require rewriting 75+ videos. It's simply challenging to do things like, "get all TV shows" (this is disposible content for me and changes frequently) or "5 most recent movies" (I have a library of 30 or so movies I will eventually "get to", but usually I find I watch items that are newer, first).

If I had unlimted storage, this would also be OK, but given the memory restrictions of my smartphone, this is the preferred way for me to manage it. I understand that MM4 should not have to care about the way iTunes indexes video data, but since that data does exist, I don't see why it couldn't be an option, particularly for those in my situation.

[Peke]

It is no problem to read that Atom field but problem is how to interpret/use it in MM

Anyway I add it as http://www.ventismedia.com/mantis/view.php?id=7621 for further investigation in MM future versions.