Best DVD/Blu-ray inventory software for 2015

[zak88lx]

Hey guys,

I'm sorry if this topic gets brought up a lot, but I need to purchase a software to organize my DVD and Blu-ray inventory as it has gotten completely out of hand!
In the past I have used Microsoft Access with custom input masks which worked quite well, but everything has to be manually entered which is quite time consuming, and it's only attribute based (no graphics).

This is what I want:

-A software that can utilize my Adesso NuScan 1000u USB contact CCD bar code scanner.
-Something that can hold separate DVD and Blu-ray inventories.
-Something that I can backup, as I re-image my PC's frequently.
-Something that I can use from PC to PC (laptop, desktop), not locked to one PC.
-Something that also crosses over to my iPad, so I can browse titles from my iPad while sitting in my La-Z-Boy.

What would you recommend?

Thanks!

[rdodolak]

DVD Profiler

http://www.invelos.com/

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

DVD Profiler

http://www.invelos.com/

Seconding. It's Windows only and I keep forgetting to add my Blu-rays to it though since I use Blu-ray.com to keep track of my bought/gifted Blus in my main username which I post with. My two other usernames I only use to keep track of the rest of the Blus I don't want in my main collection and one which has all my DVDs.
DVDProfiler is great but they need to add codecs used for video.

[lilboyblu]

I'd suggest using this very site's "My Movies" app. It's cross platform (iOS/Android), and free. If you just want to update here via the website on your desktop/laptop, you can do that too. It does all the things you mentioned aside from being able to connect your scanner. However, since it has its own built in via the app, it's a moot point.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=32287

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by lilboyblu

I'd suggest using this very site's "My Movies" app. You can find it right in iTunes App Store. Free. It does all the things you mentioned aside from being able to connect your scanner. However, since it has its own built in, it's a moot point.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27

How do you backup the collection?

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

How do you backup the collection?

If you go into your collection(s) via the website, there's a link for an "Export" function. It looks to be very basic (I've never used it), but it's an option.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by lilboyblu

If you go into your collection(s) via the website, there's a link for an "Export" function. It looks to be very basic (I've never used it), but it's an option.

It only exports the UPC/EAN which you already have though. As far as I'm aware any notes, purchase date, retailer, price, etc. that you enter for each release is not exported at this time.

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

It only exports the UPC/EAN which you already have though. As far as I'm aware any notes, purchase date, retailer, price, etc. that you enter for each release is not exported at this time.

True; that doesn't really seem very useful.

On the other hand, no matter where you log in from and as long as this site isn't down, your collection, notes, etc. are always backed-up and available here at anytime too.

[benricci]

Yeah, why not just use this site's collection feature? Or something like filmaf.com (which does have a robust export function). I've been using filmaf for years (starting back when it was called dvdaf) and it's easy.

It takes the same amount of time to search the title and click 'add to collection' as it will to scan the barcode and wait for the software to pull up the title.

[erlinmeyer]

Zak88lx, I use software from Collectorz.com. Just a few items from a May 1 email:

Here's the 5 top reasons for using the CLZ Cloud:
1. To always have a backup of your data:
If you regularly sync with the CLZ Cloud, you always have an online backup of your database. Hard-disk crash? Lost your phone? No problem, no data lost!
Remember that we make *daily* backups of all cloud data too, so even if our server crashes, your data is still safe!


2. To view and share your collection list online:
Did you know you can actually view and browse your CLZ Cloud data online? Super handy for showing your list to friends, but also a great way to check your own list from where ever you are, from any computer or mobile device.
(log in to your account at my.clz.com to make your CLZ Cloud "Public" first )


3. To transfer data to the CLZ mobile apps:
Syncing through the CLZ Cloud is the easiest and fastest way to keep your desktop software and mobile apps in-sync. In any case, it's much smoother than the old-skool "Export to CLZ ..." method (which is still available but pretty much obsolete and unsupported).


4. To synchronize data between multiple computers:
Do you use our software on multiple computers? Maybe even a mix of PCs and Macs? Then the CLZ Cloud is *the* way to keep the databases in sync. Don't bother with the nightmare of shared network drives or endless XML exporting and importing. Just Cloud Sync!


5. To sync with the Connect software:
To take reason 4 to the next level: why not sync to the CLZ Cloud from one master computer, then use our Connect software on your other computers and mobile devices? Connect is web-based, so you can manage your cloud data by just logging in to the Connect website, no installed software or apps needed.

[HD Goofnut]

Another vote for Invelos' DVD Profilier.

[Count Zaleska]

I've always just used FileMaker Pro for all kinds of tape/DVD/CD/BD inventory; maybe not as quick as "enter bar code and it does the rest," but I could add pix and stuff if I need to.

Still, DVD Profiler looks interesting. Is the download free, or will it just be a version asking for money to unlock all the features?

[tallrichard]

Originally Posted by erlinmeyer

Zak88lx, I use software from Collectorz.com. Just a few items from a May 1 email:

Here's the 5 top reasons for using the CLZ Cloud:
1. To always have a backup of your data:
If you regularly sync with the CLZ Cloud, you always have an online backup of your database. Hard-disk crash? Lost your phone? No problem, no data lost!
Remember that we make *daily* backups of all cloud data too, so even if our server crashes, your data is still safe!


2. To view and share your collection list online:
Did you know you can actually view and browse your CLZ Cloud data online? Super handy for showing your list to friends, but also a great way to check your own list from where ever you are, from any computer or mobile device.
(log in to your account at my.clz.com to make your CLZ Cloud "Public" first )


3. To transfer data to the CLZ mobile apps:
Syncing through the CLZ Cloud is the easiest and fastest way to keep your desktop software and mobile apps in-sync. In any case, it's much smoother than the old-skool "Export to CLZ ..." method (which is still available but pretty much obsolete and unsupported).


4. To synchronize data between multiple computers:
Do you use our software on multiple computers? Maybe even a mix of PCs and Macs? Then the CLZ Cloud is *the* way to keep the databases in sync. Don't bother with the nightmare of shared network drives or endless XML exporting and importing. Just Cloud Sync!


5. To sync with the Connect software:
To take reason 4 to the next level: why not sync to the CLZ Cloud from one master computer, then use our Connect software on your other computers and mobile devices? Connect is web-based, so you can manage your cloud data by just logging in to the Connect website, no installed software or apps needed.

Does the PC software download include the mobile app?

Or is it another $14.99 like the mobile app is on iTunes store? Plus $7.99 for the barcode scanner??

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Count Zaleska

I've always just used FileMaker Pro for all kinds of tape/DVD/CD/BD inventory; maybe not as quick as "enter bar code and it does the rest," but I could add pix and stuff if I need to.

Still, DVD Profiler looks interesting. Is the download free, or will it just be a version asking for money to unlock all the features?

There is a free and an unlimited registration. You can see the differences between the two on this page:

http://www.invelos.com/dvdpro/Registration.aspx

The difference though with DVD Profiler is that the fee for the unlimited registration is for a lifetime registration. Any future upgrades are free to the registrant where as most other programs charge a new fee for each major new release.

[Count Zaleska]

Thanks. The comparison is invaluable. The one time license does seem like a very good way to go.

[zak88lx]

Thanks for all the replies guys!
I ended up going with DVD profiler, and so far so good.
My scanner was smoking after 2 hours of entries.

The only thing I don't like is that it always returns the French title when scanning the Canadian Blu-rays, so I have to go in and delete the French version every time, and then pick the English version instead.
E.g. "Water for Elephants" comes up as "De l'eau pour les éléphants", but on the cover the primary language is English.

The other thing I don't understand is what are all these "child profiles" that it keeps asking for?!
It seems like every other title pops up with "do you want to add child profiles?" , and I don't see an option to turn this off.

Also, how do I differentiate DVD inventory from Blu-ray inventory?
It looks like this program just throws them all together.

Thanks!

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by zak88lx

Also, how do I differentiate DVD inventory from Blu-ray inventory?
It looks like this program just throws them all together.

I'll answer this first since it's an easier question. There are a couple of methods you can use depending on your preference. The first is you can have multiple databases; one for Blu-ray and one for DVD. Your collection will be completely separate and you'd have to open the appropriate database each time you wanted to view that content.

The second option is to employ the tabs feature. In the Collection List window pane, the default tabs are All, Owned, Ordered, and Wishlist. However, you can create custom tabs. To do this, move your mouse cursor over one of the existing tabs and right click the mouse button. From the popup, select Other -> Edit Collection Categories. From the popup window you can create new tabs and make one for Blu-ray and one for DVD.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by zak88lx

The only thing I don't like is that it always returns the French title when scanning the Canadian Blu-rays, so I have to go in and delete the French version every time, and then pick the English version instead.

E.g. "Water for Elephants" comes up as "De l'eau pour les éléphants", but on the cover the primary language is English.

Try setting your default locality to Canada and not Canada (Quebec). The French Canadian version are supposed to be under the Canada (Quebec) locality.

From the menu bar select Tools -> Options. On the Options window, under Defaults, set the locality to Canada and click the OK button.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by zak88lx

The other thing I don't understand is what are all these "child profiles" that it keeps asking for?!
It seems like every other title pops up with "do you want to add child profiles?" , and I don't see an option to turn this off.

Child profiles allow a user to create a separate profile for each movie or disc in a box set. These child profiles are optional and not required. Some of these child profiles are contributed to the online database and are linked to what is called the parent profile (i.e. UPC/EAN main profile). When adding a main profile to your database the user is asked if they also want to download the child profiles. This is optional though.

You can remove this prompt each time you add a new profile. From the menu bar select Tools -> Options. From the Options popup window, under the General section, uncheck the "Check for child profiles during add" option and click the OK button. You should no longer be asked if you want to download child profiles.

[BHolst]

Originally Posted by zak88lx

...The other thing I don't understand is what are all these "child profiles" that it keeps asking for?!
It seems like every other title pops up with "do you want to add child profiles?" , and I don't see an option to turn this off.

Child profiles is used for example when it's a Blu-ray/DVD combo, the DVD then becomes the Child profile (hopefully...).
Also if it's a 3D release that includes 2D on a separate disc, you usually get one of them as a Child profile.
Finally, some TV-Series have each disc entered as a Child Profile. I like this a lot since I also use DVD Profiler to keep track of when I watch any movie/TV-Series and I can then get it a bit more granular (Disc 1 watched 21st of April, Disc 2 28th and so on) instead of the complete season (or series!) watched on the 1st of June.

Since I personally don't want to turn this off I have never looked into how this can be done (if it can be).

Also, how do I differentiate DVD inventory from Blu-ray inventory?
It looks like this program just throws them all together.

You can create Custom Categories in DVD Profiler (under Tools).

Hope this helps!

Edit: Damn, you're fast rdodolak