Import-export library: Difference between revisions

From Official Kodi Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
(26 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{mininav|[[General topics]]|[[Video library|Videos]]{{l2|[[Music/Audio]]}}|[[Video library/Management|Management]]<br />&nbsp;}}
{|class="infobox" style="width:200px"
{{see also|NFO files|HOW-TO:Backup the library}}
! Import-Export Contents
<section begin="intro" />Kodi offers the capability to import and export data manually into/from the [[Library|Media Library]], as well as importing media info automatically from [[NFO files|.nfo files]].<section end="intro" />
|-
|
* '''[[Import-export_library|Import-Export]]'''
** '''[[Import-export_library/Music|Music Library]]'''
** '''[[Import-export_library/Video|Video Library]]'''
* '''[[HOW-TO:Create_Music_Library|Return to Music Guide]]'''
* '''[[HOW-TO:Create_Video_Library|Return to Video Guide]]'''
|}


{{mininav|[[Video_library|Video Library]]{{l2|[[Music_library|Music Library]]}}}}
{{see also|NFO files|Artwork|Backup}}


Kodi has the option to both Export and Import its Video and Music database. These options can be used for a number of reasons including the following more popular ones.
*Perform database backup and recovery (This is not the only method for backup and recovery)
*Reorganization of data or eliminate database fragmentation (export, clean/remove database, re-import)
*Move data between Kodi databases on different platforms (eg Widows to Linux)


When exporting, database objects are dumped to a nfo file which can then be used to import into the same or another Kodi database. The method used to import is dependant upon the export options used.


Various options are available to control what objects are exported or imported.
= Introduction =
<section begin="intro" />Kodi has the option to Export and Import the library databases. These options may be used for a number of reasons including the following more popular ones:
*Perform database backup and recovery
*Reorganization of data or eliminate database fragmentation {{resize|0.8em|(export, clean/remove database, re-import)}}
*Move data between Kodi databases on different platforms {{resize|0.8em|(eg Widows to Linux)}}<section end="intro" />




== Video Library Export / Import ==
The option is accessed via the Settings menu as detailed in the first image.


Upon selection of the Export Library setting, you will be required to choose the Export method as depicted in the second image below. Continue reading for an explanation of the options.
= Music Library =
This page details how to Import and Export the Music Library. It has been completely overhauled for v18 and adds more functionality and integrates the new ''[[Artist information folder]]''


<gallery widths="700" heights="400">
'''''See: [[Import-export_library/Music| Import-Export Music lIbrary]]'''''
File:LibExp01.jpg|Location of setting
File:LibExp02.png|Select which Export option you require.
</gallery>




=== Export to Separate Files ===


This option will export the metadata stored in the database and save it into a nfo file alongside the movie file. This is a good example where Movies and TV Show episodes would benefit from being in their own directory.
= Video Library =
This page details how to Import and Export the Video Library which consists of:
*'''Movies'''- Metadata and artwork
*'''TV Shows'''- Metadata and artwork
*'''Music Videos'''- Metadata and artwork


After selecting '''Separate''', you will then be asked if you would like to '''Export thumbnails and fanart?'''. This will export the Fanart, Posters, Banners and Episode Thumbs.
'''''See: [[Import-export_library/Video| Import-Export Video lIbrary]]'''''
*Choosing '''Yes''' will save a copy of the cached artwork into the Movie, TV Show and TV Show Episode directory alongside the video file and the nfo file.
*Choosing '''No''' will not export the artwork


The next option is '''Export Actors Thumbs'''.
*Choosing '''Yes''' will export a copy of the Actors artwork in a directory named ''.actors''
*Choosing '''No''' will not export a copy of the Actors artwork


The final option is '''Overwrite Old Files'''.
'''Note:''' You cannot selectively Import or Export parts of the database.
*Choosing '''Yes''' will overwrite the existing nfo files and artwork. This is useful if you have modified your metadata such as changed the artwork, created or modified movie sets, etc. Any movies/tv shows that were not present since the last Export will have the nfo and artwork exported to their directory.
*Choosing '''No''' will add nfo files and artwork to those movies/tv shows that do not already have them. eg they are new and added after the last export. If you made changes to a movie/tv show that already has an nfo created, these changes will '''not''' be exported.
*If this is the first time this option has been run and/or you have no nfo files and artwork saved in your movie/tv show directories, both choices will have the same result.


The Export will commence immediately once the final option is selected. An onscreen progress bar will indicate progress.


<gallery widths="500" heights="300">
File:LibExp03.png|Do you want to export Thumbnails and Fanart?
File:LibExp05.jpg|Do you want to export Actors Thumbs?
File:LibExp04.png|Do you want to Overwrite Old Files?
</gallery>


= A Note on Artwork =


=== Export to Single File ===
The optimized image from {{Kodi}}'s [[Artwork/Cache]] is exported, rather than the original full-quality image, so it is best to avoid exporting artwork if at all possible.
[[File:LibExp06.jpg|400px|right]]


An easily understandable explanation of the effects of these optimizations can be located in the [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=315806&pid=2599318#pid2599318 forum here].




This option will export all metadata and all artwork to a single directory as follows
*The only option available is the save location which you will be prompted and required to enter
*Kodi will create a directory in your selected location named ''xbmc_videodb_yyyy-mm-dd''
*Library metadata will be saved into a single ''videodb.xml'' file within that directory
*Artwork will be saved within multiple sub-directories according to type
*Subsequent exports '''will not''' overwrite existing Single File exports
*Subsequent exports are '''full''' exports. They are '''not''' incremental backups.


{{note|Some users may find the single file export problematic in Frodo and higher, due to an issue with artwork. The export process changes the artwork location URL to the folder location of the export, which causes an issue if you need to refresh the image. To fix, you will need to manually source the image in the Information page of the Movie/TV show }}


{{top}}


 
{{updated|18}}
=== Import ===
[[Category:FAQ]]
 
[[Category:Index]]
If you exported your library using the '''Export to Separate Files''' option, then you must use the normal scraping process to re-import the data. {{small see also|Library_update}}
[[Category:Guides]]
 
[[Category:Manual]]
If you exported your library using the '''Export to Single File''' option, you will need to use this method to import the data as follows
[[Category:Karellen]]
*Select '''Import''' to commence the import process
[[Category:Music library]]
*Locate the the directory for your previously saved single file export
[[Category:Video library]]
*If you have multiple single file exports, ensure you have selected the correct one.
[[Category:Advanced topics]]
*Select '''Ok'''. A progress bar will be displayed to indicate progress
[[Category:First time user]]
*Once complete, your library should be functional again
[[Category:Quick Start Guide]]
 
Be aware that if you have removed movies or tv shows since the export, the metadata for those movies and tv shows will be re-imported into the library. You will need to run a '''Clean Library''' to remove them. This option is located just above the '''Export''' entry.
 
 
 
== Music Library Export / Import ==
 
The option is accessed via the Settings menu as detailed in the first image. It is on the same page as the Video Export option. You may have to scroll down to locate it.
Upon selection of the Export Library setting, you will be required to choose the Export method as depicted in the second image below. The process is similar to the Video Export and Import instructions above, but there are some slight variances. Continue reading for an explanation of the options.
 
<gallery widths="700" heights="400">
File:LibExp01.jpg|Location of setting
File:LibExp02.png|Select which Export option you require.
</gallery>
 
 
=== Export to Separate Files ===
 
This option will export the metadata stored in the database and save it into a nfo file as follows:
*Artist nfo file and artwork will be saved in the Artist directory
*Album nfo file and artwork will be saved in the Album directory
*If the music source has not been scraped, no nfo file will be written
*Only Album and Artist data is exported.  Song data such as rating, play count, and last time played are not included.
 
After selecting '''Separate''', you will then be asked if you would like to '''Export thumbnails and fanart?'''. This will export the Artist and album artwork.
*Choosing '''Yes''' will export a copy of the cached artwork into the appropriate Artist and Album directory.
*Choosing '''No''' will not export the artwork
 
The final option is '''Overwrite Old Files'''.
*Choosing '''Yes''' will overwrite the existing nfo files and artwork. This is useful if you have modified your metadata such as changed the artwork, created or modified album or artist information. Any Albums/Artists that were not present since the last Export will have the nfo and artwork exported to their directory.
*Choosing '''No''' will add nfo files and artwork to those Albums/Artists that do not already have them. eg they are new and added after the last export. If you have modified data of an Artist or Album that was previously exported, this change will not be exported.
*If this is the first time this option has been run and/or you have no nfo files and artwork saved in your Artist/Album directories, both choices will have the same result.
 
The Export will commence immediately once the final option is selected. An onscreen progress bar will indicate progress.
 
<gallery widths="700" heights="400">
File:LibExp03.png|Do you want to export Thumbnails and Fanart?
File:LibExp04.png|Do you want to Overwrite Old Files?
</gallery>
 
 
=== Export to Single File ===
[[File:LibExp06.jpg|400px|right]]
 
 
 
 
This option will export all metadata to a single file
*Export will write an empty XML file if the music source has not been scraped.
*The only option available is the save location which you will be prompted and required to enter
*Kodi will create a file in your selected location named ''musicdb.xml''
*Artwork will not be saved
*Subsequent exports '''will''' overwrite the existing Single File exports
 
{{note|Using the '''Single File''' export option for music can be problematic when it comes to compilation albums or various artist albums}}
 
 
 
=== Import ===
 
If you exported your library using the '''Export to Separate Files''' option, then you must use the normal scraping process to re-import the data. {{small see also|Library_update}}
 
If you exported your library using the '''Export to Single File''' option, you will need to use this method to import the data as follows
*Select '''Import''' to commence the import process
*Locate the the directory for your previously saved single file export
*Select the ''musicdb.xml'' file
*The '''Import''' process will commence immediately
*Once complete, your library should be functional again
 
Be aware:
*if you have removed Albums or Artists since the export, the metadata for those Albums and Artists will be re-imported into the library. You will need to run a '''Clean Library''' to remove them. This option is located just above the '''Export''' entry.
 
 
 
== Importing library information from "My Movies" media management software ==
 
[http://www.mymovies.dk/ My Movies (www.mymovies.name)] is an online database for profiling DVD-Video movies. [http://www.mymovies.dk/ My Movies] saves an XML file and a poster cover image which with this patch will get scanned by Kodi in the same way as Kodi's own XML formatted NFO files are scanned/scraped.
 
Kodi has the ability to get the import movie library information from "[http://www.mymovies.dk/ My Movies]" via the mymovies.xml files that it generates, these mymovies.xml are checked after the movie.nfo file.
 
 
== Other Options ==
By adding suitable code to ''advancedsettings.xml'', you are able to further modify which data is exported. {{small see also|Advanced_settings}}
 
<videolibrary>
  <exportautothumbs>false</exportautothumbs>  -- export auto-generated thumbs. Defaults to false --
  <importwatchedstate>false</importwatchedstate>  -- import previously exported playdate and playcount from .nfo files. Defaults to false --
  <importresumepoint>false</importresumepoint>  -- import previously exported resume point from .nfo files. Defaults to false --
</videolibrary>

Revision as of 02:25, 16 February 2020

Import-Export Contents
Home icon grey.png   ▶ Video Library
▶ Music Library
▶ Import-export library


Introduction

Kodi has the option to Export and Import the library databases. These options may be used for a number of reasons including the following more popular ones:

  • Perform database backup and recovery
  • Reorganization of data or eliminate database fragmentation (export, clean/remove database, re-import)
  • Move data between Kodi databases on different platforms (eg Widows to Linux)


Music Library

This page details how to Import and Export the Music Library. It has been completely overhauled for v18 and adds more functionality and integrates the new Artist information folder

See: Import-Export Music lIbrary


Video Library

This page details how to Import and Export the Video Library which consists of:

  • Movies- Metadata and artwork
  • TV Shows- Metadata and artwork
  • Music Videos- Metadata and artwork

See: Import-Export Video lIbrary


Note: You cannot selectively Import or Export parts of the database.


A Note on Artwork

The optimized image from Kodi's Artwork/Cache is exported, rather than the original full-quality image, so it is best to avoid exporting artwork if at all possible.

An easily understandable explanation of the effects of these optimizations can be located in the forum here.



Return to top