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.

[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

[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]

Originally Posted by mikez111

I have a question... Should I drop the brand, disc, and track numbers from my file names?

That's what I did when I imported some MP3+g zip files I paid for.

Would that make it easier? Also, I was wondering what the benifit may be to keeping those in the file name?

There is no benifit that I see. Once the songs are imported into Hoster, they can be found by using Search feature either by title or artist. The only issue I see is the time it will take to do this to 6000 to 11000 files. The less fields you use, the fewer places you can have problems.

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

Hoster is a very advanced program with a ton of features. This is why the manual is so large. To tell you the truth, I have never read the whole manual from front to back. I only use it as a reference.

Jim

[RIKKI TIKKI]

[quote=mikez111;91133]

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?

Remember that you are sure to have a bunch of duplicates! Are you going to delete the ones you don't like? Once you start making a songbook, you'll want to differentiate which ones you like, or be able to tell which version (by manufacturer) is best. Believe me, you'll get clients/customers that will !

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

[madjim- with the Lord]

[quote=RIKKI TIKKI;91139]

Originally Posted by mikez111

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?

Remember that you are sure to have a bunch of duplicates! Are you going to delete the ones you don't like? Once you start making a songbook, you'll want to differentiate which ones you like, or be able to tell which version (by manufacturer) is best. Believe me, you'll get clients/customers that will !

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

Hey Rikki,
I have no doubles in my show. I choose the best sounding track (the one that is closest to the original recording) and don't import the others. This works for me in my market but may not be good for everybody.

Thanks for bringing this up!

Jim

[Roy Dennis]

Originally Posted by mikez111

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?

Yes it would be easier.

But I and many others like to know the brand, sometimes especially if you have any duplicate songs. I usually prefer a Sound Choice version over say a Legend version. or if some one requests a track and asks if you have another version it is easy to find from the search dialog.

Roy

[madjim- with the Lord]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

I usually prefer a Sound Choice version over say a Legend version.

I agree Roy,
I only use Legend Series when I have no other choice. Their tracks sound tinny to me and can be hard to listen to.

Jim

[RIKKI TIKKI]

[quote=madjim;91141]

Originally Posted by RIKKI TIKKI

Hey Rikki,
I have no doubles in my show. I choose the best sounding track (the one that is closest to the original recording) and don't import the others. This works for me in my market but may not be good for everybody.

Thanks for bringing this up!

Jim

I have no duplicates in my book ( 5000 of the most requested songs) but I have 12000 songs in computer, of which approx 3000 are probably duplicated by different manufacturers/brands. The other 4000 are obscure, obscene, or only sung once in a blue moon! So to keep the book size relatively small, I hide or remove those, and the duplicates, from my book making program ( I don't use Hoster for my books) and only once in a great while, I'll get a visiting KJ, or picky customer that will ask which brand is it in the book, or if I have the version, that they are more familiar with! I will usually sell them on the book version, since I spent 15 years trying to get it to the version that it is right now! That is where the manufacturer or Brand listing benefits me during the show! I usually add new entries/songs when I deem newly requested songs would be sung by more than the one requesting it! Adding new songs using custom song discs, at $4-$5 bucks a song is expensive, but that is where the value is for me, so I can limit the duplication, and maintain the sound and graphic quality that I like to maintain!

Yeah, I'm still using books, with signup slips for the newbies, and love the singer database for the regulars, who also love that Hoster feature! As well as seeing their names in the send (upcoming singers) during the show!

Color me happy with Hoster!

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

[ddouglass]

Mike,
Jim mis-stated something early in this thread. When you import Zip files in Hoster it does not convert them to HDBIN. It converts them to MP3+G. Actually it is unzipping the files inside which would be 2 files, one MP3 and one CDG both having the same exact file name.

So if you are going to use Songverter to convert your files don't change them to BIN files, but convert them to MP3+G. BIN files are full size uncompressed files which are huge. MP3 +G are much smaller compressed files and won't eat up your hard drive. And since you zip files contain the two files already in this format the conversion will go much faster.

You asked should you remove the Brand, DiskID and Track number from your file names, I say no, because this will make them easier to import with less information for you to enter.

I think where you problem is with that many files in one folder is you should be using Batch instead of Single for the import. That way it will look for your Brand, DiskID and Track information in the file names.

[madjim- with the Lord]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

Mike,
Jim mis-stated something early in this thread. When you import Zip files in Hoster it does not convert them to HDBIN. It converts them to MP3+G.

Thanks keeping me staright Dale. I just made a Karaoke track using KHpro and had Bin files on my mind. Had a senior moment.

I'm sorry about that Mike, I hope I didn't waste too much of your time. Please forgive me.

Jim

[mikez111]

Thanks to all of you that helped me out. Im well on my way to a healthy song book. Madjim, you're over the top bud. Thanks for all the extra help. I really appreciate all of you that helped me get on my feet quickly!!!

Any tips you may have that will help me out will be greatly appreciated as well. (I need all the help I can get!)

Thanks again!
Z.

[madjim- with the Lord]

Glad I could help Mike. Keep on Rockin'!

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