new guy cant import

[mikez111]

Hi all, Im really new to this so be gentle. I have tried for many hours to get my zipped files to import. Mostly I get a field error, but for the life of me, cant figure out the problem. Sometimes Hoster will let me import, but only a small fraction of what is in the folder will be set to import. Im at a loss... Is there something special I need to do? Should I drop my disc ID and track number? Any help would be much appreciated.

[madjim- with the Lord]

Hey Mike,
What version of Hoster are you using? I ask this becaue I see you joined the forum in 2006. The answer to this qestion will let us know what advice to give you.

Hoster 4.08 imports zip files but they are converted to "HDBIN" files before they are added to the database. The zip file format is very inconsistent. Some of your zip files may be bad. If you have some bad zip files you can purchase a copy of Songverter for $40 (well worth the money) and either convert them into bin files (which Hoster 4.08 is going to do anyway so I advise you do this ) or re-convert them to zip files and they will import into Hoster 4.08 (and be converted of course).

If you have an earlier version of Hoster that impotrs zip files without converting the to "HDBIN" files, you can see if the files that did not import will play in Hoster by using the buttons at the top of the main page (The manual will tell you which one to use). Odds are they won't which means they need to be repaired (using Songverter) in order for them to import into Hoster.

Hang in there, we'll get you going!

Jim

[mikez111]

Hey Jim,

Ive had Hoster since 06 but havent been arond long enough to use it. (military) Im finnaly in a place that I can get a show together and have some fun. Im using 4.08. All my file names have been cleaned up and should be in good order. I will take your advice and get Songverter. I would like to be able to import an entire folder at one time. Is that possible? I have anywhere from 6000 to 11000 zip files that Ive acquired over time in each folder.

Im decent with a computer. I can follow instructions well, but sometimes Im scratching my head when reading the Hoster manual. (cover to cover) I have been able to figure out most of the neat eye candy in the prog but if you have cool gee wiz info... Please let me know. That'll get you beer!!!

[Roy Dennis]

I think one of your problems could be in the define field order, as seen in attachment taken from Hoster manual.

When you start importing files with a large # songs,
it will only import the ones where the define field order matches what you have set and only up to I believe 99 tracks unless this number has been increased in this update. Any that don't match (IE your field separators may be slightly different) will be left behind study these and see if any separators are different, even a space before or after a separator will stop it importing or perhaps order of data is different. Mess around with the separators and see if more files load.

Roy.

[mikez111]

Hi Roy, thanks for taking the time to help. I thought the define field was the issue, but I made sure that every one of my folders were exaclty the same. I use MP3Toolz to correct file names. Maybe it only fixes the zip file name and not the name inside the zipped folder. I just thought of that. I never checked. Believe me when I tell ya, I changed everything I could in the field. I did notice it found more files as I changed the field order.

I followed Jims advice and purchased Songverter. It had no problem finding all the songs. The conversion process is a little slower than I thought it would be, but not that bad. Im converting into BIN format as I write this.

Thanks again for your time, and if you have ant tips or tricks, I would appreciate your input!

[madjim- with the Lord]

Mike,
It sounds like you are on the right track. Any file the is converted by Songverter, will import into Hoster.

Jim

[Roy Dennis]

I've spent many an hour staring at the separators trying to see what is different, as I said some times it is just an extra space suddenly you spot it and your away again.

Roy.

[mikez111]

Jim we think alike. I tried doing 99 songs at a time, but the darn field errors were driving me up a wall. Sometimes it would find only one song to import. Crazy!!!

I already purchased Songverter. I figured that I spent thousands over the years on music, whats another $40? So Im in the process of converting my zip into BIN files. So far, its working like a champ.

I know it must seem weird for someone to import all those files at once, but like I said earlier... I have'nt been in a position to start a show until now. Im hitting it hard, but it's worth it.

I have a question... Should I drop the brand, disc, and track numbers from my file names? Would that make it easier? Also, I was wondering what the benifit may be to keeping those in the file name? I don't think I had any other problems with the instructions. I just couldnt get past the import problem. It would be very cool if there were a simplified version of the manual, with only the most widely used parts of the program listed. A quick reference guide if you will. Maybe with a tips and tricks section? Just a thought from the new (old) guy

[madjim- with the Lord]

Mike,
Please understand that I have never tried to import 6000 to 11000 zip at one time.

If I recall correctly there was an issue where we can only import 99 files into Hoster at one time. It has something to do with the BookID/DiscID not being able to handle more than 99 files at a time.

Before you buy Songverter (like I said, well worth the $40) try importing your files 99 at a time.

Dale, Sam or one of the other forum members may have more information on this than me. They should chime in here and straighten me out before the day is done.

(I see Roy slipped in to help, thanks Roy!)

What feature is it you want to use that you can't figure out from the manual?

Jim

[madjim- with the Lord]

Originally Posted by madjim

Hoster 4.08 imports zip files but they are converted to "HDBIN" files before they are added to the database.

So everybody knows, Hoster converts ZIP files to MP3+G files (HDMP3G) NOT BIN files (HDBIN). I was very tired when I posted the statement above and want this point to be clear.

Jim

[Vince Cravotta]

Can you tell me again how to lower the recording speed when burning a disk using the MTU burner? I thought I copied the info but I can seem to find it.
Appreciate it.

[madjim- with the Lord]

Hey Vince,
You must be talking about Miicrostudio. This is the Hoster forum. (If you had posted this in the Microstudio forum, somebody may have answered you by now. No big deal.)

In Microstudio the only settings that adjusts the speed of your CD/DVD drive are located in Tools > Default Drives > Select Reading And Writing Drives window. Work with these settings and see if you get the results you are looking for.

I Hoster there is an adjustment for the Import speed in the Import CD Tracks window, but Hoster doesn't burn discs.

I hope this helps.

Jim

[Vince Cravotta]

Thanks MadJim,
I was talking about Hoster. My partner is having problems with his Hoster software. He is not able to import a new disk that we purchased. I went throught the instruction book and could not find out weather we can import .Zip files? (if we convert the files on the new disk to zip files and then import them into the Hoster program using a flash drive with the .zip files on it. Will the software accept the zip files?

Thanks MadJim

[madjim- with the Lord]

Originally Posted by Vince Cravotta

Thanks MadJim,
I was talking about Hoster. My partner is having problems with his Hoster software. He is not able to import a new disk that we purchased. I went throught the instruction book and could not find out weather we can import .Zip files? (if we convert the files on the new disk to zip files and then import them into the Hoster program using a flash drive with the .zip files on it. Will the software accept the zip files?

Thanks MadJim

Yes you can import zip files into Hoster.

Is the new disc you purchased a CD+G disc or does it have zipped MP3+G files on it?

If it has zip files on it, copy them from the disc to a folder on your hard drive then use the Import Hard Drive Files window to import them into Hoster.

Jim

[Vince Cravotta]

They are on a Karaoke disk but not in zip files. I have programs that will convert them to zip files right through my flash drive.

Thanks MadJim

[Vince Cravotta]

When he tried to import the files from the disk, the program ran as usual but came right back to where he first started to the start screen. Once I gave him a flash drive with the disk songs converted to zip files on it they were imported within a couple of minuets.

Thanks,

[ddouglass]

Do you mean it closed the "Import from CD" screen and went back to the main screen?

[madjim- with the Lord]

Originally Posted by Vince Cravotta

Once I gave him a flash drive with the disk songs converted to zip files on it they were imported within a couple of minuets.

Vince,
I was under the impression that you used your friends drive to convert the songs to Zip files. (A drive has to read the disc to do anything with the files on it.) Since this is not the case, I think you will find that Dale is correct. The drive is probably bad or starting to fail.

Jim

[Vince Cravotta]

Yes, it came back to the original screen. He tried a couple of times. But it worked fine when he used my flash drive with the converted zip files.

[Vince Cravotta]

Thanks guys. My partner is in the process of sending his drive in for testing. I will let you know when I find out the results.

Thanks again,