Thumbgen

I,m trying to use thumbgen with my Dlink nas. The wdtv streams movies great but ive followed all the forums and cannot get any coverart/moviesheets to work. Do i need to put all the data thumbgen has generated into a new folder for each movie and upload to wdtv files menu, or do i have the folders on my nas? I,ve also plugged in a usb drive 120Gb but unable to access any ideas pls.

Hi, marmate2.  I had similar questions I posted in another thread:  http://community.wdc.com/t5/WD-TV-Live-Streaming-Discussions/Adding-movies-to-the-Library/td-p/477668

When I add a movie file to my library folder, then turn on the SMP, it does not “see” the movie file at all, so I can’t prompt the SMP to get the movie info.  So I tried HubFlow to generate the cover art and XML files, which go into the same folder as the movie file.  The SMP still would not display the movie or movie info.  (By the way, HubFlow downloads a JPG file for the cover art, and you have to rename it with a .metathumb extension for the SMB to read it.)

No one has responded as to how the WD SMP is supposed to work when adding new movies, but here’s what I’ve discovered myself (and I’m certainly no expert on this device.)  When I add a new movie as noted above, it seems to finally show up in the My Library view on the SMP after roughly 24 hours, and it doesn’t matter what time range I’ve configured in the Auto Scan settings.  I was reluctant to try the “Clear Library” function, because much of the movie info I have I had to manually find, as the SMP scan found either no info, or found multiple movies of a similar title, so I had to select which movie I had.  I didn’t want to lose the info added in these cases.  Finally, though, I decided to go ahead and try clearing the library to see what would happen.  The SMP did NOT actually remove any of the existing movie info or cover art, and DID pick up any new movies, and the info added using HubFlow.  After the scan, all previously existing movie info was still there as well.

Jack

I see what your getting at. However when i highlight the Video tab it says no films, same with Files. i must be missing a step or something here.  Is there a foolproof tutorial on thumbgen just for WDTVLive smp Gen 3. Ive tried about 4 so far, followed them to the letter and none work. All i get is the default cine reel image, even though i can go to my nas drive on my mac and see all the images/moviesheets/xml files and cover art in there. I,ve tried putting all the data from each movie into its own folder and also put that folder onto a portable hdd, but still no luck. it will not even recognise the usb hdd. i may as well not bother trying its been everyday for 2 wks trying to figure this out and i,m computer savvy. The mojo theme works a treat first time why wont everything else. Please help   someone.

Hi, marmate2.  Yeah, I agree that a nice user-friendly tutorial would be nice.  I DID get the user manual that’s found somewhere here on WD’s site.  It’s helpful, but is not real detailed.  As I recall, the related steps below are not all under the same setup menu section.

I don’t have access to my SMP right now, but from memory, the basics you need are: 

  • Enable My Library by setting it to On (don’t remember the exact Setup function where it’s found.)

  • Select the souce(s) for your library.  This should be the root-level folder where you’ve stored your movie files.  If you have sub-folders under that, they will automatically be included.  You can select multiple folders, including on your NAS and your USB drive.  The user manual notes that both may be included in the Lbrary at the same time.

  • Select the option to “Clear the Library.”  This should initiate a scan of your My Library source, and add the movies and info to the UI.

  • Select My Library in the UI.  I believe you do this by selecting Videos from the top menu, then press one of the colored function buttons on the remote; maybe the yellow one?  This cycles through options like Files, Folders, My Library, etc.

Hope this is helpful.  If needed, when I can get to my SMP again, I’ll get more specific setup steps.

Jack

Thanks for that, will try later when i can get to the tv. Someones watching that funny game that england seems to keep losing. Will also look for that manual. It might be even easier if i go out and buy a cheap hd  tv for the study that way i can just unplug the **bleep** thing and set it up upstairs quietly in my own time. Appreciate your help.

You’re welcome.  One part that initially confused me was after enabling My Library and scanning my movies, I still didn’t see the cover art and movie info when I selected Videos.  That’s where you have to use the yellow button to toggle the view to My Library.  Would be nice if that were the default view when you’ve enabled the Library.