Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

hi...new to the forums. I have seen several threads that address issues concerning importing songs to hoster but not my specific question. I have a folder full of mp3g zip karaoke songs that I want to import into hoster. These were from a previous other karaoke program that I had been running. Now I will be running hoster and I need to import them and convert them to KMA files? At least I think that's what i'll be doing from my reading. My big question is this...when I first uploaded my songs into my harddrive using the other karaoke program I used the template they had so that I could label the files a cetain way to be able to search for them and also so they would come out a certain way in the books. I used this format.

"Artist"-"Title"-"SC7501"-"Tracknumber"

Now the reason I used "Sc7501" instead of "DiscID" is because I want to be able to use my own CD discID to be able to keep my books the same basic format using my KJPro. Of course in order to be able to import them into the other karaoke program and be able to search for them the way I wanted I had to disable the "internal database" on importing so it could use my descpripion and not pull up the pre-entered database info because that would always change my "SC7501" in the DiscID to "The Foundation 7501since it was called that in the internal database. So, I imported them in using the template only and not the "free database" naming. From what Im reading Im not sure Im able to do that with Hoster? Sounds like you can use the database for it to name your files with the pre-entered data already or otherwise it will use the title and artist information and leave the discID and Track# catagorized as "Unknown?" Or am I reading that incorrectly? Will I be able to import my files in and disable the "database" so that I can use my own DiscID instead of the one in the database? Hopefully, I have explained my requests properly. I also need to convert my mp3g zip files to KMA. Is that feature in the hoster or do I have to buy a separate program for that? Thanks!

Lance

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

Let me be a little more specific. LOL. This other karaoke hosting program I was using you have two separate programs. One to actually media shift the song from cd to hardrive..then there is a separate program you import it into and actually run your show. The original program that you upload with does have an internal database that pulls in the artist/song information for you to use to upload to keep you having to type it in. That's when I use the format

"Artist"-"Title"-SC7501-"Tracknumber"

Then, when I go to actually import those songs into the karoake program itself..it gives you the option to either use the database to pull up the information or to ONLY use the template above to copy in the information the way I typed it in manually using the template. So, then it won't use the database which would end up looking like this if I used it...

"Otis Redding-Sitting on the dock of the bay-The foundation 7501-01"

And will use my template of...

"Otis Redding-Sitting on the dock of the bay-SC7501-01" which is that way I want it because I have my books labeled that way with SC7501 instead of "The foundation 7501". Do I have the option of loading these files I already have uploaded with just a template so it will keep my information for DiscID or is it either automatically going put in whatever DiscID is in the database or if I choose not to use the database...is it even going to recognize my information or is it going to look like this...

"Otis Redding-Sitting on the dock of the bay-Unknown-Unknown"

Before I start this process I want to be sure. I want mine to have the discID and track number. Thanks!

LAnce

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

I'm not quite sure how Hoster will treat the Quote marks if they are in the file name, I should copy about 50 of them and put them in a seperate folder and do a test run with these first, then if your happy with the result delete them through the Hoster edit Dialog and start again from fresh with your complete folder.
Part of Hosters import procedure uses the bookID as you show it so that should be no problem although Hoster will assign it a book ID as well but you can still search for tracks using your DiscID,Artist or Title.
The internal database naming is only used if importing direct from disc, even then you do not have to use it.

If you are importing files as ziped mp3+g files it does not compare it to an internal database, it just reads your file name and uses the info there, if it doesn't find a Discid then it will give it one of it's own like"xyz001" as an example.

Hoster gives you a various choices of importing your zip files.
I would think you would be better using the KMH option not KMA as the KMH option just adds a small file in the same directory as your zip files which just contains all the info For Hoster to quickly find your track.

If you use the KMA option you would need as much hard drive space again.

Using your sample folder try the Tools/Songs database/Build database/ from the dialog that opens select zip from the karaoke choices then at the bottom select Add folder and brows to your test folder and select it. This will load these in the database and you can do a test run with Hoster to see if the way it lists them is to your liking if not the other way is to use the Import Songs menu > "Index HD files" screen gives you more control of how you list them but is more involved, best to follow the manual for this. Also in this last method you can choose to "index" your zip files as KMH or "import" them as KMA option.

Whatever you do it is best to delete any mistakes or alterations in Hosters Edit dialog, don't be tempted to alter things through Windows explorer as this can cause problems with the database.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

So, you're saying that if it does see something in the space for discID it will go ahead and copy it in that way? As far as the quotes I was just using them to uncompass the catagories...in the other program the format is actually this...

{Atrist}-{Title}-SC7501-{TrackNumber}

And in that format it will put the information under the template for

Artist-Title-DiscID-Tracknumber

Namely because you have told the program what you want it to assign each of the catagories and it can tell the separation of each by the "-" in the middle. So, it puts in in that template without using the internal database.

I know what you mean as far as assigning the KMH to the zip file. I actually already went in and uploaded some songs in the demo version of hoster and I saw where it added that addtional file to each of the Zip files...I didn't know what it was but now that you have explained it to me...it makes sense. So, it's just assigning a way for it to identify the track while actually keeping it in the mp3g format? Kind of like putting a desktop icon for programs to keep you from having to go hunt for them? So, it will still be in mp3 zip format actually?

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

If it sees a Disk id as you have pointed out it will use that. As I say if you try a small test folder first this will show you if the quick method uses the file name in the correct order, if not you will have to use the other longer method where you define a field order.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

I will try the quick method. Seems like I remeber the other day when I tried to actually pull up one of the files I had imported into the database...it came up like this...

"Otis Redding- Sitting on the dock of the day - Uknown - 01" or something to that effect. I remember wondering why it didn't recognize the disc number I had already assigned it and put "unknown" is that because I didn't have the internal database recognition turned off?

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

I just tried a test one myself using the quick method and as you say you do get Unknown. It just treats it as one long file name.
So you will be best of with the index HD files option. providing you select the correct field setting here it will put in your disk id.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

And the field setting gives you the formats like I'm talking about? So, that you can put it in a template form?

I haven't had a chance to look at that one with the field setting you're talking about. Under what tab or catagory do I find that? ? And you're sure that setting will do what I need it to do as for as putting it in the format I prefer with my own discID? Because if I have an issue with a song being mispelled or an artist...I want the option to just be able to do a search say with "SC7505" so that it will only pull in the songs off that disc and I will see the song on that disc whether the title or artist is mispelled or not. It was a great help when I was using the other program...as long as my customer puts the correct CD number from the book. They do most of the time.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

Yes.
You find find it: Import songs Tab then Index HD files, Select KMH option on the top then Zip for Karaoke type brows to your folder and highlight one of the songs in the top list. Then define the field order, providing you set this right it will list your data as you wanted. Follow the instruction in the left window.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

Ok..doesnt' sound too bad. I'll give that a try. Thanks for the info!

Lance

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

From what I see in the way your filenames are listed is you have only a dash in between each section of it. You will need to pick the defined field order of Artist, Title, DiscId, track number and then edit the separators to be exactly what you have. The default for Hoster is space dash space between all except between DiskID and track number. If you change the field order to be what you have then it will come out right.
From the examples you have given this is the kind of DiskID that is normally used in Hoster. They do not use things like Foundation. Hoster is setup for a letter code for brand and the number from the disc. Thus SC7505 is Sound Choice 7505.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

Well, I really don't even want Sound Choice 7505 to be the description. I only want it to say SC7505...just like my DKK says DK3045...Pioneer is PC309 and so forth. That's the way I have them in my books and I don't want to have to do a lot of work with that. And also as I mentioned earlier in the thread about if the song or possibly artist is mispelled and it becomes difficult to locate...I just want to be able to put in there SC7505 in search and it will pull in only those 15 songs on that disc. That way...even if the song or artist is mispelled it won't matter because it will be on that disc so I can find it easy. Since I have it labeled as SC7505 in my book...that's what the singers will put on the slips in the way of discID numbers...so I don't even have to do a search by artist or song title..just put in the disc number and there it is on that disc. That was working so much better for me on my other hosting software program I was using. I prefer that method to searching artist and title. Now...granted occasionally someone did bring up the wrong number but a quick look the book and I had the correct disc number. If I go with Sound Choice 7505 then I have to put all that in the search field.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

It will come out as it is in your file SC7505 for discID there is another column where you can enter sound Choice. You will still be able to search for it using SC7505.
The best way to find out is just import 1 disc id worth first then you will understand how it works.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

Roy is correct and that was not what I was saying. I was trying to say that SC7501 will show as DiskID SC7501 which means a Sound Choice disk with the disk number 7501. This should also pick up that it is a Sound Choice and enter the data in the Brand field in the database for you. Your DiskID will remain SC7501 and not Sound Choice 7501.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

Ok...thanks guys...I will give this stuff a try first chance I get. I appreciate it!

Lance

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

As long as your actual filenames appear as: Artist-Title-DiscID-Tracknumber.zip
Then you can set Hoster's "Import Hard Drive Files" screen to break apart the filename into its separate fields. This screen ONLY identifies the data fields from the FILENAME.

The "Build Database" newer screen ONLY identifies the data fields from the fields embedded within the MP3 HEADER. IF the Title field is blank it then takes the entire filename as is with "-" included, and stores that in the Title field (64 characters long). This screen is designed to allow folks to SLAM IN all their songs into Hoster's Songs Database, then over time use Hoster's "Edit Songs" dialog to make changes.

I've attached the Import Hard Drive Files screen image so you can see the "Define Fields" section. It is EXTREMELY flexible, which means it is a bit more complicated. I STRONGLY suggest you read the manual topic on how to use it.

You WILL be able to index your files and the FIELDS you have withint their filenames exactly as you desire.

Also, as Dale pointed out, when you select a filename in the "File Window" (shows all files in the selected folder with .zip extension), then you select the Fields and Delimitors in the "Define Field Order" section to match the format used in THAT SELECTED FILENAME, only filenames that match that exact format (yes, _-_ is different from " - " or just "-"). All other filenames are SKIPPED over. The factory default is to hide already imported songs, so you will ONLY SEE those that had different filenames. If all your filenames are in the exact same format, you won't need to do a second, third, etc. pass to get them all indexed.

The "Build Database" ONLY uses the fields in the MP3 Header, or the entire filenamd added to the Title field if there is no Title found in the header. I would NOT suggest you even try indexing your songs with this method. Once you understand the "Import HD Files" screen, you will see it is highly polished to allow you to have the exact precision you desire. :w

If you filename contains SC7505, that is exactly the "string" of characters that will be stored in the DiscID field within the Songs Database for that song.

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

Ok, thanks again for all the information. I will admit I'm very new at the computer karaoke host thing. I haven't even used that other programmed I mentioned but a couple of weeks before deciding to go this route because I like the way it looks and operates better than the the one. So, in a nutshell I'm saying that a LOT of this is going right over my head for now. I will need to get the manual and read and try to figure out exactly what you're talking about here. Im very smart and will always figure this stuff out...it just tends to take a little time. But, I will print out all these replies and try to follow them too along with the manual.

One more question before I close the topic. The KHM and the KMA files? They are non compressed files? I was generally told that since I have a huge database (Around 22,000 songs) that I needed to make sure they were in mp3g format to take up less space. But, you guys do them in KMH or KMA files. So, why do you opt for a non compressed type of file? Is it for sound quailty? Or are these somehow small files...as if they were compressed? I notice your program seems to be the only one that puts these songs in a KMA or KHM format. Even that other program has the ability to change FROM the KHM or KMA format to mpg3 zip files...and they even call them HOSTER format. LOL. Just trying to understand it all. So much to grasp when I've just been doing these off CDG for 15 years. Thanks!

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

I guess what Im asking is..what are the benefits of going with the KMH or the KMA files over the mp3g zip files? :)

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

The kma format is a Hosters own format, it is compressed format. disadvantage in your case is as you already have 22,000 songs you would have to use about the same hard drive space again doubling your hard drive space.
KMH format just adds a small file alongside your existing mp3+g or zip files with information for Hoster to find your file and keep all relevant data in.
The advantages of this format in your case are:
1: it will be a lot quicker for you to initially set up.
2: very little extra hard drive space required.
3: your original zip files are not altered in any way should you want to use them in other programs.

You must have one or the other for fast file retreiving you can't just leave them as Zip or mp3+G

Re: Importing mp3g zip files to hoster
 

Ok. Im not sure the best way to handle that just yet. I may just go ahead and convert everything to KMA files for ease since this is the only program I intend to use. IF I were to end up going with the another I know I could always just convert them to mp3g zip again. But, I will probably just go with the KMH files. I looked at that attachment that one of the admistrators sent me above. I see there is a list on the top rt side of the formats that you can import your files in but it doesn't show the order I was talking about but there is the drop down menu about midway down the screen where you can put them in the order that you want to import. That is what I would need to use, correct? Since I don't see my format on the top rt side? So, how do I disable the list on the top rt side so that Im only using the define field order in the center? Does that one automatically supercede the list on the rt? I just notice I don't see a way to disable that list on the rt based on the list choices.