PS3 Media Server Thumbnail Generator

[Boz]

Sweet app, just out of curiousity what is your background Boz? Do you do much web application stuff?

I am a creative director so I do mostly design stuff and such but I do web dev too on occasion. I just have usually other people on my team do it who are solely in charge of dev.

How does that work, just name the cover file the same as the movie file name?

If you file name is like this:

Anger Management.mkv

You should name your file:

Anger Management.mkv.cover.png

That's why I name it in the dialog box you get cover.png..

What I usually do when I use my app is I copy .cover.png into clipboard and then I just find the movie, I click on it once to get the name in the file textbox and paste .cover.png at the end of it and hit save.

[AbandonedTrolley]

Is there any way to speed up the loading in of the thumbnails, would say it takes roughly 3-4 minutes for it to load in each time PMS is restarted. Is there some way to cache these, both the videos and thumbnails are stored on an external USB and I'm wondering if this may be the bottleneck in speed.

[SimplySchizo]

Excellent work Boz. Thank you.

[TonyLock]

NICE!

[AbandonedTrolley]

Is there any way to speed up the loading in of the thumbnails, would say it takes roughly 3-4 minutes for it to load in each time PMS is restarted. Is there some way to cache these, both the videos and thumbnails are stored on an external USB and I'm wondering if this may be the bottleneck in speed.

Seem to have found my own answer on the official forums, need to enable Media Library, so will check that tonight and see if things speed up :)

[Boz]

Scheduled for Version 2.5:

- Further execution optimizations

- Several more templates for cover templates to offer more choices (XBMC, plain 2D with BD, HDDVD, DVD covers, Film Reel template and so on)

- Search existing covers created by users. This feature will track how you create covers with options and files you look for (anonymously of course), make a copy of your generated covers but it will allow users to search through the database of already premade covers by defining the template they want, name of the movie etc. This should allow those who don't want to make covers to search through a large number of already pre-made covers. This library could be possibly integrated within PS3MS directly and load covers based on your files. It would possibly require one addition to PS3MS when a user could generate a simple meta file for each movie that could be used to dynamically load covers based on options in the meta file. So it would become a really cool social tool where those who create covers for themselves also help those who don't and eventually create a large library of covers for use with PS3MS directly.

- Will try to allow more optimized application by pulling your list of files you want to create covers for, and it will be kind of like a playlist, the app will pull your list of movie files, load one by one as you process them, once you hit SAVE it will temporarily generate files on the server and continue with the next one in queue and once you are done it will zip all files and allow you to download with proper naming applied to your pngs.

[KoL Veteran]

That is pretty awesome Boz :D

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Scheduled for Version 2.5:

- Further execution optimizations

- Several more templates for cover templates to offer more choices (XBMC, plain 2D with BD, HDDVD, DVD covers, Film Reel template and so on)

- Search existing covers created by users. This feature will track how you create covers with options and files you look for (anonymously of course), make a copy of your generated covers but it will allow users to search through the database of already premade covers by defining the template they want, name of the movie etc. This should allow those who don't want to make covers to search through a large number of already pre-made covers. This library could be possibly integrated within PS3MS directly and load covers based on your files. It would possibly require one addition to PS3MS when a user could generate a simple meta file for each movie that could be used to dynamically load covers based on options in the meta file. So it would become a really cool social tool where those who create covers for themselves also help those who don't and eventually create a large library of covers for use with PS3MS directly.

- Will try to allow more optimized application by pulling your list of files you want to create covers for, and it will be kind of like a playlist, the app will pull your list of movie files, load one by one as you process them, once you hit SAVE it will temporarily generate files on the server and continue with the next one in queue and once you are done it will zip all files and allow you to download with proper naming applied to your pngs.

Boz you should definitely try to get some help on the PS3MS forums from the coders to get a plugin made that uses your website.

The IMDB plugin currently pulls poster images off of IMDB and saves them for your movies cover art. It does so by filename, looks up the movie, then grabs the image. A plugin for PS3MS for your site could do the same thing with covers that are stored? Obviously relies on user generated covers being correct though.

[clotz2000]

This is awesome Boz!! Great Work

[Guest]

Late to the party here, but this is awesome. Looking forward to the 2D cases.

Much appreciated (Y)

[AbandonedTrolley]

Absolutely love this Boz, now if only I could get PMS to play nicely with Windows 7!

[Boz]

Absolutely love this Boz, now if only I could get PMS to play nicely with Windows 7!

What's the problem? Works here just fine and I'm even using the 64bit version.

[Aj_uk]

Hi firstly great work mate, secondly bit of topic but just curious if anyone could recommend a good media server app, I am using Tversity at the moment,

but i find it a little buggy. Thanks

Ps I have been reading the neowin main page daily for over 2yrs without joining, so this is my first post, feels like i have lost my virginity all over again! ;)

[Jimmy0]

For all your streaming needs - http://ps3mediaserver.org

Go onto the forums to find the latest build.

[AbandonedTrolley]

What's the problem? Works here just fine and I'm even using the 64bit version.

Rarely detecting my PS3, have even done the install as service and have it to start Automatically. Seems the only sure fire way to get it to find it is to reinstall each time :/

Will have a hunt about to see what I can find. It's running from the BETA trial key so not sure what build it was, possibly not RTM. Might just install that.

It's only running on an Aspire Revo which I use as it's nice lower power and quiet as hell. When it's working it's lovely, when it's not it's a pain in the backside.

[Joel]

Rarely detecting my PS3, have even done the install as service and have it to start Automatically.

I've been having some issues like that, and I've found the install as a service useless. I can't detect the PSM from the PS3 when I haven't started the interface as an admin, so the service is useless. When I lose a connection because I do an HTTP-Reset, I'm better off stopping the service if it was running and just running the program by itself. Right this minute, the service is stopped but the PSM works just fine.

[AbandonedTrolley]

I've been having some issues like that, and I've found the install as a service useless. I can't detect the PSM from the PS3 when I haven't started the interface as an admin, so the service is useless. When I lose a connection because I do an HTTP-Reset, I'm better off stopping the service if it was running and just running the program by itself. Right this minute, the service is stopped but the PSM works just fine.

Will test a few things out, wondering if disabling UAC might help things as well, although not too sure. Not a firewall issue as I have even tried it dropped as well.

[AbandonedTrolley]

Dropped the UAC all the way to 'Off' and it works perfectly now, no need for resetting or anything :)

[FiB3R]

Great app Boz, love it. Thanks for the heads up Audioboxer.

Had a few probs getting the thumbnails to display, not sure exactly what settings I changed now because I was messing about with it for so long, but in the end restarting the service sorted it.

The fact that I cant have folder.jpg for windows and cover.png at the same time is a bitch, the PS3 always wants to use folder.jpg :(

An F.A.Q on the site for common problems like I just had would be cool.

The border around the edge of the edit box is not even on all sides, and maybe having another 1 pixel border on the inside to show the actual edge would make it a tiny bit easier when trying to align the image.

Will it be possible to upload files in future revisions?

What are the best dimensions for an image you want to use?

Would it be possible to have the option to use an image with a spine, rather than repeating the image?

[Boz]

Will it be possible to upload files in future revisions?

What are the best dimensions for an image you want to use?

Would it be possible to have the option to use an image with a spine, rather than repeating the image?

1. Unfortunately no because uploading files to the server would cost a lot of bandwith and money so I'm kind of avoiding that and trying to keep it local.

2. 320x240 is the output for the PS3MS format. But anything that fits within that middle box of an app would work.

3. Yes, I will be adding the option for custom spine on the boxes in the new version as soon as I find some time to code the new features in. So essentially you could search for an image you want to use as a spine and define it for nicer look.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Boz any more updates on the way?

I'd still love for this to be an application some day as well :)

Also is there any potential for future improvements on the quality of the transformation of image to cover? Sometimes it can look a little rough, where as if you transform in say Photoshop, it looks smoother.

Lastly dimensions are working on a slider based system just now that can be a bit fiddly, do you think you could make it as simple as dragging with mouse pointer? I know the mouse moves the image just now, maybe have a tick box to toggle between moving the image, and resizing it? Dunno, that might be even more fiddly than sliders...

(Y)

[Boz]

Hi guys.. just wanted to give you an update..

Over the course of holidays I will be redoing a lot of stuff..

Here is what the new application will have.

1. It will not be limited only to PS3MS but it will of course have the option for generating for it too

2. Community and your movie libraries (yes, the application will expand to a full blown site)

3. You will be able to share your movie libraries in numerous ways

4. As you enter your full library (there will be support for Xbox 360, PS3, Blu-ray, HD DVD, DVD, MP3s, CDs etc) you will be able to check default appearance for your movie covers and it will offer you automatically to generate files for you.

5. Less manual adjustments and support for numerous APIs about movies, games etc including covers, reviews, trailers etc. The reason for this is that I want to create a very engaging way to showcase your movie collections online and eventually allow you to access these collections through iphone apps and other mobile devices.

6. Will try to add support to generate covers for XMBC and Windows Media Center as well based on some great ideas I've seen in other apps.

All of it will remain fully free and with very few ads cause I'm struggling to pay for the bandwidth costs now generating images and so on. The ads won't be annoying but simple amazon associates text ones completely unintrusive. I'll also put the donate button so anyone who feels this is awesome for them can send a few bucks. I am using numerous services and due to thousands and thousands of covers generated with the app my costs are rising sharply. Some of these have to go through my server as proxies as some APIs require me to proxy through my server If you do mind minor advertising I guess I can just leave donate button but it will be tricky for me financially to cover all costs in regards to this so I'll have to find another way. Just thinking about how this thing can stay alive and online pretty much forever.

It will be a great time now to give me suggestions on what you want to see implemented as an ultimate online library for your movies/games/music with the cover generation and all the info you want (I'll add A LOT of templates and variations too). I've read some of the suggestions for covers and I will make sure all of them are implemented but if you have anything else on your mind feel free to let me know.

Cheers.

[AbandonedTrolley]

Hi guys.. just wanted to give you an update..

Over the course of holidays I will be redoing a lot of stuff..

Here is what the new application will have.

1. It will not be limited only to PS3MS but it will of course have the option for generating for it too

2. Community and your movie libraries (yes, the application will expand to a full blown site)

3. You will be able to share your movie libraries in numerous ways

4. As you enter your full library (there will be support for Xbox 360, PS3, Blu-ray, HD DVD, DVD, MP3s, CDs etc) you will be able to check default appearance for your movie covers and it will offer you automatically to generate files for you.

5. Less manual adjustments and support for numerous APIs about movies, games etc including covers, reviews, trailers etc. The reason for this is that I want to create a very engaging way to showcase your movie collections online and eventually allow you to access these collections through iphone apps and other mobile devices.

6. Will try to add support to generate covers for XMBC and Windows Media Center as well based on some great ideas I've seen in other apps.

All of it will remain fully free and with very few ads cause I'm struggling to pay for the bandwidth costs now generating images and so on. The ads won't be annoying but simple amazon associates text ones completely unintrusive. I'll also put the donate button so anyone who feels this is awesome for them can send a few bucks. I am using numerous services and due to thousands and thousands of covers generated with the app my costs are rising sharply. Some of these have to go through my server as proxies as some APIs require me to proxy through my server If you do mind minor advertising I guess I can just leave donate button but it will be tricky for me financially to cover all costs in regards to this so I'll have to find another way. Just thinking about how this thing can stay alive and online pretty much forever.

It will be a great time now to give me suggestions on what you want to see implemented as an ultimate online library for your movies/games/music with the cover generation and all the info you want (I'll add A LOT of templates and variations too). I've read some of the suggestions for covers and I will make sure all of them are implemented but if you have anything else on your mind feel free to let me know.

Cheers.

Honestly Boz you don't need to justify to people that you are having to put ads on your own site to cover costs. I think most people will accept that, only ad's that annoy people are generally popup and ones with sound :)

Great app and certainly look forward to seeing the new revision.

[.KICK]

Only just noticed this, looks very nice (Y)

[Jimmy0]

Sounds amazing Boz, and like AT said, you don't need to justify the ads to us!