db import and metamasks

[Atlas]

I've searched the forums and seen several different topics on metamasks and db import but none mention the solution I need. I record HDTV with myHD. The recordings for one show are split into multiple files. My goal is to be able to use Xlobby to view/launch the pre-recorded shows. The directory structure is created as follows

CSI;Miami\0307-2100.tp
CSI;Miami\0307-2100_01.tp
CSI;Miami\0307-2100_02.tp
CSI;Miami\0228-2100.tp
CSI;Miami\0228-2100_01.tp

.
.
and so on with other show titles as directories and episodes in the directory. I have a metamask that works

\\(?<name>.*)\\(?<episodedate>\d{4})-(?<episodetime>\d{4})\.tp

I also choose "Import Type" as custom and "Folder" as Container. When I look at the db (both edit and through the category) I see the "containers" with the episodes listed under them. However I also see entries for the _01, _02 files listed. They don't have meta info but they still appear in the category as an entry. How do I prevent these files from showing up? Do I need to use the "Ignore masks" and if so how are those to work?

[gamejester]

This is the expected behaviour I am afraid for your set up.

You will have told Xlobby to find all the files with a .tp extension, so that is what it is cataloguing, the mask merely tells xlobby how to populate the various fields, if it finds a file that does not conform to the mask, the item is still imported but without the various field information (as you have seen).

The only way (that I know of) to have just 1 entry for an episode or film that is split into multiple parts is to have all those parts in their own directory, then configure the import type to
<folderitem>item</folderitem>

So the dir structure you would need to achieve this is:

CSI;Miami\0307\2100.tp
CSI;Miami\0307\2100_01.tp
CSI;Miami\0307\2100_02.tp
CSI;Miami\0228\2100.tp
CSI;Miami\0228\2100_01.tp

[Atlas]

Thanks gamejester! I was afraid of that. Unfortunately myHD will only allow a 2 level recording option....ie Title/date-time. You can set them to anyorder but only 2 levels.

Steven,

I guess this is a request. Any chance of getting a toggle button in setup for "Import files that have metamask info only"? Or something like that. Maybe check if the regex calls all return nothing then don't add to/remove from the db. Could be an 'if' in the writing of the XML? Or even maybe a option on the category dealing with displaying db items with no metamask.

[gamejester]

Atlas, create a new message in the features request forum for this or I doubt it will get read.

For clarity, what player are you using to play back these files? I ask this as if xlobby only knows about the first file of a set of files that make up an episode, then how to the other parts get queued?

[Atlas]

Good point...I meant to do that yesterday and got sidetracked.

I can use either the myHD software that came with the card or TheaterTek 2.0. Both know the naming scheme and load the following "pieces" correctly. You only have to pass the first file in. In this case I would want to launch TT. I prefer to use TT for viewing so I can keep the card available for recording. Also TT 2.0 searches(skips) a LOT faster than myHD (mainly for commercials)!