Why I am now a fan of DVDpedia

[NJRonbo]

Long time PC user who has been loving DVDProfiler for years.
However, I recently switched to MAC and was forced to look
for an alternative.

After reading many favorable reviews, I went with DVDPedia.
All in all, it seems like a great program, but there are a couple
things that are just ticking me off about it at this point....

First, it takes forever to enter a title. After punching in the
barcode, it takes 25 or more seconds to scan through a dozen
different sites (Amazon, etc.) for artwork and information.

If I just select ONE of those sites to scan for information (rather
than CASCADE) it doesn't find the title.

Secondly, since this is not a USER Supported database, you can't
really catalog BOXED SETS. For example, take the LAUREL AND HARDY
boxed set (region 2). I can get the scan for the main box artwork
and information -- but it is impossible to catalog the 20+ individual
discs inside because they aren't sold separately. If this was
DVDPROFILER, I could have easily been able to obtain information
for each disk inside thanks to other members who submitted that
information to the database.

Thirdly, take a title like the Collector's Edition of Animal House.
Since it is no longer in print, there is no record of it on any of the
Amazon type of sites. This is a HUGE problem for most of us that own
many titles that have gone out of print long ago.

It seems that I am taking a huge step down from DVDPROFILER
for DVDPedia. However, I am trying to rid myself of Windows
completely, so it leaves me little choice.

If anyone can help me overcome the obstacles I noted above,
I would be very happy to re-examine this program on those merits.

[druid]

If anyone can help me overcome the obstacles I noted above, I would be very happy to re-examine this program on those merits.

No, you should go back to the PC. And take Laurel and Hardy with you.

[NJRonbo]

A shame that people like you ruin the reputation of a forum
where you would expect polite help.

Too bad there's little intelligence to be found in the responses
here thus far.

[druid]

Sorry, friend. I was making fun of your tone, which was more than a little snippy. It sounds as though you are unhappy to have switched to a Mac, and I have NEVER heard that before!

The problems you describe are not insuperable. When you switch to a new platform and a new application, you have to expect differences. Just describe them, not as demands, but as suggestions for improvement. Conor is very responsive and so are most members of this forum, including the old druid, from time to time.

[NJRonbo]

druid,

Listen, first time here and no offense was meant. Your
comment was just "off the wall" rude.

I'm not a troll celebrating the virtues of DVD PROFILER.

Additionally, if you read my original post again, I said that
I am trying to rid myself of Windows completely (via Parallels)
which MEANS that I absolutely LOVE my Mac.

To be honest, since my original post, I have been adding
more titles to DVDpedia and have actually solved some of the
problems.

For instance, DVD PROFILER only wants the shorter barcode.
DVDpedia wants all 12 digits. That was the reason why it took
forever to enter/search a new title. Now that I know that little
trick, I am whizzing through my collection as we speak.

Having problems importing DVD PROFILER to DVDpedia. Nora
has been helping me with that in SUPPORT, so I am very impressed
by the help here.

The end result thus far is this....

DVDPedia is growing on me. I like the program. Hopefully
you and I can get a fresh start here and I can look forward to
some help along the way.

Nice to meet you.

[druid]

For instance, DVD PROFILER only wants the shorter barcode. DVDpedia wants all 12 digits. That was the reason why it took forever to enter/search a new title. Now that I know that little trick, I am whizzing through my collection as we speak. .....Nice to meet you.

Likewise, and I apologize for my earlier flip remark. I have found that just entering a few keywords from the title works faster than entering the digits. For me, it's faster to type words. Sometimes I add a director's name like "stagecoach john ford" or a year and a format. My collection is not very exotic, and mostly amazon.com turns up the correct result fast. The only big multiple-disc set I needed to find was the 13-disc set of Astaire and Rogers. In that case, I did enter the digits and all of the titles within the set came up. Not sure why you had a problem with the L and H set. --Peace.

[Conor]

Getting along, this is what I like to read. Especially the part about DVDpedia growing on you. The user generated database that DVD Profiler has is a great feature, and it's an advantage that we are not oblivious to; particularly useful when it comes to vintage DVDs and box sets where the movies in the set are not for sale separately.

[NJRonbo]

You guys will be very happy to read this:

http://www.bruji.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5199#5199

I also amended the title of this thread.

[Conor]

Thank you for the kind words and also amending the title.