DVDAttache FAQ

DVDAttache Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the information I used to get from Amazon Add is now missing. What happened?
Why can't DVDAttache just go out to IMDB and get the missing information?
With all of the Amazon changes, what's the best way to add to my collection?
When I use Amazon Search to add titles most of the data is missing. What gives?
Can you rewrite this to be more like a regular Mac application?
Why are some labels contained in parenthesis, like (title) and (director)?
Can you add so-and-so feature, like such-and-such software has?
Can you modify DVDAttache to enter VHS tapes, CDs, video games, books, etc.?
Why didn't you use IMDB for your DVD information?
Do I have to be connected to the internet to use it?
What is your relationship with Amazon?
Where is my data stored?
How do I move my data?
Can I manually add titles?
Why can't I Update from IMDB for some titles?
Where are the docs?
I click Update, but my images never refresh .. how can I force this?


Q: Some of the information I used to get from Amazon Add is now missing. What happened?
A: During Sep 2004 Amazon made significant changes to their DVD product pages, both the main product page and the technical page. Some of the changes were simple relocations while others have been removed. Amazon is fully within their right to do this but it does mean certain information available to you and DVDAttache is no longer available. Some new missing information will be: Anamorphic and THX indicators, Audio tracks, DVD extra content/features, plot description, and awards. Personally, I believe it was a huge mistake for them to drop the first few on the list as they were very useful to buyers (the last few were obtained from IMDB via their IMDB linkage, which doesn't exist anymore).

Q: Why can't DVDAttache just go out to IMDB and get the missing information?
A: Sure sounds simple. For those computer geeks out there it's an issue of "primary key". The previous IMDB link from the DVD product page on Amazon provided a direct link to the plot and awards information on IMDB. Without that link there is no way for DVDAttache to ask IMDB for the information. Each movie has an IMDB "id" which is a number that identifies a title. Without this number your only means of locating a title is via a text search, which is problematic because they are not exact. Very often the title of the DVD on Amazon is not the same as the movie title in IMDB. Also, exact title searches on IMDB will yield multiple results. So there really isn't a simple solution other than the user getting the info from IMDB and pasting it into DVDAttache.

Q: With all of the Amazon changes, what's the best way to add to my collection?
A: As always, start with Quick Add to setup your initial database of titles. This is the fastest and most painless way to setup. After that, it's up to you. I advice you continue to use Quick Add when adding new titles. If the title is not in the Quick Add list the use either Amazon Add or IMDB Add. If you want more stable and reliable data I recommend sticking with Amazon Add. If you really want the plot description, awards, or audio details I suggest using IMDB Add. But understand that IMDB is a movie database -- not a DVD database. There are movies they have no DVD information for, and they have no information on DVD series and sets. Also, titles added via IMDB Add cannot be Updated. The only way to "refresh" one is to delete it and add again. Parsing IMDB data is extremely complicated and implementing the Update feature just wasn't feasible.

Q: When I use Amazon Search to add titles most of the data is missing. What gives?
A: Sometimes Amazon either experiences issues or makes page format updates that confuse the DVDAttache parser. In most cases if you wait awhile (maybe a day) and try again on a particular title it will be fixed. However, persistent and consistent loss of data should be reported to support@dvdattache.com as it may be related to significant updates to Amazon or IMDB that require application changes.

Q: Can you rewrite this to be more like a regular Mac application?
A: I could, but I won't. This is a pure Java and Swing application and does not use platform-specific controls. Therefore it will run on any Java-supported platform. I love the Mac, and they are my main machines. But this project started out as a Mac/Windows/Linux portable one and I see no need to rewrite it just to use spinners, sheets, drawers, and metalized features. It's just not that important of an application in the grand scheme of things and my spare time goes mostly to my kids.

Q: Why are some labels contained in parenthesis, like (title) and (director)?
A: These indicate a field that may be hot-filtered, meaning that you can click on that label to quickly create a filter based on the current field contents. For example, if you click on (director) whatever director name is currently being shown will be used to create a filter on the director field (more in the documentation).

Q: Can you add so-and-so feature, like such-and-such software has?
A: I consider all reasonable features to add, but one thing I have not done and will not do is look at other people's DVD software and rip off their features (like has been done to me already based on what some users tell me). If I have features that overlap with other software it's purely by coincidence. I just don't want to be influenced by what other people have written. And most features have come from me, with about 25% of them from user feedback.

Q: Can you modify DVDAttache to enter VHS tapes, CDs, video games, books, etc.?
A: I get this question the most. I appreciate that people like DVDAttache and want to use it for other things -- really -- but it's just for DVDs. All features are DVD-centric and anything else is just hacking away as a simple and well-defined intent. I have, however, toyed with the idea of writing other software for these types of collections but it won't be part of DVDAttache.

Q: Why didn't you use IMDB for your DVD information?
A: While IMDB is a great movie resource it's DVD content is rather lacking. It's also very difficult to parse that data since multiple versions of DVD are listed in the same space. Amazon, however, has a very complete product catalog as well as competative prices so I aligned myself with them. But DVDAttache has some IMDB integration, primarily for the Plot description. And titles added via Quick Add or Amazon Search/Add since version 1.2.3 allow you to right-click and jump to the title's IMDB page.

Q: Do I have to be connected to the internet to use it?
A: Only if you use Amazon features. Otherwise your DVD data and images are stored locally and you can access it anytime you like.

Q: What is your relationship with Amazon?
A: I'm just a happy customer who likes their DVD catalog and prices. Since I use their product data it's the least I could do to provide Buy and Sell button links to their site.
Additionally, if you use the Buy (or Wish List/Buy) button to purchase DVDs a small percentage of the retail price will be used to help support this software. But you are under no obligation to purchase anything. But if you do, you will help support this software (your Amazon cost is not increased).

Q: Where is my data stored?
A: When you install for the first time you are prompted for the folder to store your data in. The default is Documents/DVDAttache folder ($HOME/DVDAttache for *nix).

Q: How do I move my data?
A: Move your current folder to any other location you like. When you start DVDAttache it will prompt you for the location of your data and remember it from then on.

Q: Can I manually add titles?
A: Yes, in the Edit menu select Manual Add. This allows you to add a title that's either not in the Amazon product catalog or something direct-marketed thru the distributor (such as Time-Life).

Q: Why can't I Update from IMDB for some titles?
A: If your title doesn't have an IMDB ID then the feature won't work. Without this ID the application doesn't know how to get the plot details from imdb.com. This ID is usually captured from Amazon during an ADD or UPDATE (since version 1.2 only). If you have added titles with an older version DVDAttache just select the titles you want an IMDB ID for and click Update.

Q: Where are the docs?
A: A manual is available at www.dvdattache.com or in the full download.

Q: I click Update, but my images never refresh .. how can I force this?
A: During updates the images will not be downloaded again if they already exist. The thought here was that images don't change but the tech specs may, so save the download time by skipping them. However, occasionally you may want to download them again (if, say, one gets damaged). Just go to your DVDAttache folder under images/small and images/large and find the thumbnail of the title of interest and delete them. The next time you Update they will be downloaded again.