On Line Database Doesn't Show

[JohnD]

Hi:
I recently upgraded to the Hoster v3.316
Now when I attempt to upload a disc the data base says there's no information, even tho the disc IS listed
[i.e.- NorthStar Country NSC 0312]
I AM on line and using the external Plextor PX760A I purchased from MTU
and an external 120g hard drive
Any ideas??

[JohnD]

Just tried again..
Made sure the ext.hd was attached and recognized.
Save to folder selected..
Plextor recognized.
Disc inserted.
Then entered Brand and DiscID from the dropdown windows
and after a few seconds recieved this message...

[The Online Database did not retutn any information.
Please enter a Brand and DiscID before continuing]

Then Hoster loaded the 18 songs
with blanks for me to type in the info.

[George]

Have you tried the built in(local) database?

NorthStar Country NSC3012 is listed there.

[JohnD]

Thank you George...
I had tried that a while ago,
rechecked my settings then fixated on the online db
Just tried and your suggestion worked.

Still... shouldn't the online db be working?

[George]

For ON LINE database info, you put a disc in the drive and click ADD TRACKS ONLINE DATABASE. DO NOT MAKE ANY ENTRIES REGARDING BRAND OR DISC I.D.

I just tested the on line database and it worked fine here.

[xxyzz]

Must of the music I purchased today is only 2-3 months old and never in the database anyway. I just tried using it on six Chartbuster disc. It was only able to find one cd and it came back with the wrong cd title and all the artist were labeled as Chartbuster. It did have the title of the songs correct though.

For me the database is pretty much useless.

[JohnD]

When you have 1200+ discs to input, it really is helpful. But I agree that is is woefully behind current labels.. Another thing--- I noticed quite a few with incorrect labeling.. right songs and artists, but not the correct order. So I made a point of reading the disc before I put it into the reader. But for the most, it deffinately saved a lot of typing.

[ddouglass]

The current online database is a redirect from FreeDB (http://www.freedb.org/). This is a user input database of all types of CDs including CDGs. So it is only as accurate as the users inout to it.
I do know that MTU has been negotiating with a couple of companies that keep these kinds of lists to try to get a more accurate and current database, but I don't know what the status of that is. Admin would have to provide any additional info.

[JohnD]

Thank you ddouglas for that info.. it's no suprise with so many discs out there that errors occur. it's still a very useful tool. and it's smart to double check anyway.. IMHO.

[George]

I don't believe it's all errors either.

Ever notice that the order the tracks are in on a CDG in a the Manufacturer's catalog does not always agree with the order the tracks are in on the disc you get?

Hmmmm...could we be intentionally foiling those who are trying to sell databases made from the material our publications?

There was quite a bit of discussion about this on the forums a few years back.

[xxyzz]

Originally Posted by xxyzz

Must of the music I purchased today is only 2-3 months old and never in the database anyway. I just tried using it on six Chartbuster disc. It was only able to find one cd and it came back with the wrong cd title and all the artist were labeled as Chartbuster. It did have the title of the songs correct though.

For me the database is pretty much useless.

It seems strange that both itunes and windows media player found these six disc just fine but Hoster could not.

[billyo]

i kinda noticed that, i too was importing a bunch of cdg's and using the online data base did not return any info..i used the local database and it worked..so i just stayed away from using the online..

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by billyo

i kinda noticed that, i too was importing a bunch of cdg's and using the online data base did not return any info..i used the local database and it worked..so i just stayed away from using the online..

As long as the ones you are importing are either in the local database because you have previously added them by importing them into Hoster or the product is at least a prior to 2004 then they should be in the local database that was maintained by MTU. They found they couldn't keep up with it, so tried the FreeDB. I don't in any way disagree with you guys that this situation leaves a lot to be desired and is frustrating. Just be assured that MTU is aware of the situation and have been working to try to rectify it. This may require an additional fee (monthly, quarterly?) but it would be well worth it to not have to type them in.

[gd123]

If I am going to pay a fee, I would rather pay it direct to the DB company.

At least, I would have an input as to DB problems...which exist whether MTU provides the DB or you get it direct.

[JohnD]

An interesting discussion, but upon a re-read, I just realized I mis-stated my issue.
It's not that the data base didn't give me the disc info:
It was that when I opened the IMPORT function,
the boxes supposed to display Disc info [i.e.- brand & number] were blank.
There was nothing to select from to even begin a search.
So I couldn't even type my own info in. nor import any new discs into my system.

[I have since taken the 4.30 upgrade and things are working again.
I'm convinced that the 3.321 was somehow disconnected?
I could use Hoster.. play existing songs in my database etc..
just couldn't add anything new.]

[ddouglass]

John did you have a newer version installed and then go back to 3.321? If so that would explain why the local database did not list anything. When MTU started updating the local database (Bucket.mdb) they changed the password on it. This password is imbedded in the Hoster code to keep it hidden. By going back it tried to use the older password on the newer Bucket and failed, thus you got blank fields.
To fix this you would have to delete the newer Bucket when you re-install the older version.

The On-line database is not controlled or run by MTU, but is provided as a curteousy for users. This on-line db is from FreeDB is a free database which is updated only by users/subscribers of it. Unfortunately they really do not have that many Karaoke discs listed.
MTU chose not to participate in this update process because they want the Artist name in First Name - Last Name form and Hoster does not use that.
Instead they have chosen to update the local database from Hoster user inputs. When you import a new CD then that information is sent periodically to MTU servers for inclusion into the Bucket. To get this to you MTU updates the Hoster set-up file once a month, so you can upgrade to include the latest changes.

[JohnD]

Douglass:
As usual, clear and informative... I didn't know that, but it makes sense.

And as to the "inhouse" labeling... that's a great way to do it.

Thanks again.