Recommendation Needed: Media Management Software

[daschneider]

I'm about to begin ripping our CDs and DVDs to a home network share and I'm interested in hearing people's recommendations for software to manage the media library. Some of the things I'm looking for are:

- Works with Windows 7.
- Allows access to the library from multiple computers on our home network.
- Manages multiple copies of the same CD or movie so we can have a high quality master and lower quality copies for mobile devices.
- Syncing with mobile devices.
- Access controls so my kids don't alter or delete things.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[velillen]

Um it sounds like all you need is windows? Or are you asking for a server software or something. Allt he features you want are easily handled by windows though.

-Add to network can be WHS, XP, vista, W7 simply networked
- Once added to network any other computer can access it
- Thats more on you. Just have a HQ copy and LQ copy made and stored
- This probably will need whatever software for mobile device. IE itunes if its ipods but you can point itunes at the networked media library
- Im sure you can do that one in windows but not sure how. Make Read-Only or something


Or am i totally missing what you are asking?

 

[poofyhairguy]

XBMC

There is not a better piece of software on the planet (not counting its forks) for playing local content with a ten foot interface....

 

[Gooberlx2]

In terms of sharing the media library, WMP12 in Windows 7 will see any DLNA/UPnP shares on the network.

For example, My whole media library is shared (via media streaming options) in Win7 on my upstairs desktop. When using my laptop downstairs, in WMP12, under "Other Libraries", there's a library listing for "gooberlx (srv)" and all my media is available for playback there.

If you want access to the actual folders, homegroup network sharing makes for easy access control.

so:

- Works with Windows 7.
built-in

- Allows access to the library from multiple computers on our home network.
combination of media streaming/homegroup network sharing

- Manages multiple copies of the same CD or movie so we can have a high quality master and lower quality copies for mobile devices.
as said before, this is sort on you to manage. WMP/Zune will auto convert for their compatible devices. Dunno about iTunes

- Syncing with mobile devices.
see above

- Access controls so my kids don't alter or delete things.
for networked computer, check out the homegroup sharing options. For multiple logins to the same system, look in to setting file/folder permissions based on users/groups.

 

[Aharami]

XBMC

There is not a better piece of software on the planet (not counting its forks) for playing local content with a ten foot interface....

is XBMC only for XBOX? Or can it be installed on a HTPC also?

 

[Dirigible]

XBMC has a windows version, a linux version...

http://xbmc.org/download/

 

[velillen]

is XBMC only for XBOX? Or can it be installed on a HTPC also?

HTPC too

 

[vbuggy]

You're not too clear about whether you're looking for Management or Playback.

XBMC, Windows Media Center, etc all do various degrees of playback.

Programs such as j.River Media Center do more in terms of library management, while also offering up extensive playback features. I'd suggest taking a look at that actually, and figuring out whether it's worth it for you ($50). It is for me, despite a few tics.

http://www.jriver.com/

MediaMonkey is an excellent limited-free library manager, although ultimately it's not a patch on jRMC in terms of power and capability. However it is free (+ enhanced 'Gold').

http://www.mediamonkey.com/