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Is MBC off Beta? If so, what should I do before I update?


Malickfan86

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Malickfan86

I'm using the Diamond theme with the BackDrops SS, CoverArt, MediaBrowser Trailers, MediaInfo Provider, and Trakt plug-ins.

 

I'm HDMIing my notebook to my TV with personalized screen borders in the registry and in MediaBrowserXml.config.

 

Will the entire ImagesByName folder be migrated to its new location? What settings will I have to change in Metabrowser?

 

Thanks.

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Yes, I would consider the 117 version as a Release and have marked it as such.  There will still be a lot of improvements and changes coming and I will be releasing new versions under both the beta and release levels.

 

If you are asking about migrating from MB 2.x there is no real migration done as the two systems are so different.  You can point the server to your existing IBN though.

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Malickfan86

Thanks ebr. Is it difficult to switch over, then? It looks like my Xbox 360 finally decided to work as an extender again with MB 2.6.2.

Edited by Malickfan86
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Everyone's definition of difficult will be different and will depend on your level of experience with computers, networking, etc.  I think the best thing for you to do is try it in a limited setup.  You should make the switch though as MB2 is stagnant and being left behind quickly.

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  • 11 months later...
Malickfan86

When you say limited setup, what do you mean? Do I install Classic and Server, or just Classic? Is there some sort of guide I can use? I don't want to mess up my current settings. I did notice that MB Trailers no longer works, but if there are performance upgrades, it may be worth the effort.

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When you say limited setup, what do you mean? Do I install Classic and Server, or just Classic? Is there some sort of guide I can use? I don't want to mess up my current settings. I did notice that MB Trailers no longer works, but if there are performance upgrades, it may be worth the effort.

 

here is a quick start guide

 

https://github.com/MediaBrowser/Wiki/wiki/Quick%20start

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Malickfan86

Say I have my media on a WD Passport and I want to be able to play everything through Windows Media Center on a Windows 8.1 computer and on a TV through the Xbox 360 wirelessly through the WMC Extender app. Accessing the collection with WMC on other computers on the same network would be a plus. What do I install and where do I install it?

 

I'm only using two plug-ins now since they're all that's compatible with MB2: CoverArt and MediaInfo Provider, along with the Diamond theme. Will the switch-over maintain everything exactly the same way?

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Macburp

Say I have my media on a WD Passport and I want to be able to play everything through Windows Media Center on a Windows 8.1 computer and on a TV through the Xbox 360 wirelessly through the WMC Extender app. Accessing the collection with WMC on other computers on the same network would be a plus. What do I install and where do I install it?

 

I'm only using two plug-ins now since they're all that's compatible with MB2: CoverArt and MediaInfo Provider, along with the Diamond theme. Will the switch-over maintain everything exactly the same way?

 

Presuming the WD Passport is connected to the Windows 8.1 PC - install MBS and MBC on the computer with the WD passport, and MBC on your other WMC computers.

 

My set-up was almost the same as yours when I migrated. Diamond is not being updated for MB3 so I switched to Chocolate. which works well.

 

Expect some teething troubles. My set-up worked fairly well from the outset. 

 

The big plus of MB3 is the ability to get your media on other devices - I use the iPad and Android apps - and remotely using MB Connect, which is easy to set up.

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Macburp

It works - I used it for a couple of weeks after I upgraded. But you will miss out on some new features in MBC by using it. The cover flow view in Chocolate is similar to the view I used in Diamond, with extra things that are an improvement. Is WAF an issue?

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AdrianW

Just go with Chocolate - there are a number of views to choose from, and you can adjust the size of the posters to suit.

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Malickfan86

If I upgraded to Chocolate, would I see the MB logo all the time or when accessing the menu? I'm using Diamond with EHS so the focus is on the content, the way I like it. I'll post some screenshots.

 

What is WAF?

Edited by Malickfan86
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Malickfan86

Wife Acceptance Factor

 

Haha, you're serious. No I'm not married so as long as I'm happy, that's all that matters.

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Malickfan86

Take a look at some of the videos on youtube.

 

Here's a couple of examples by @@Starkadius

 

 

 

Wow, MB really has come a long way!

 

This is my current set-up. Perhaps it's a little old fashioned but I worked hard on it and at some point decided it was good enough.

 

52ef31b8a4ec9_IMG2014020300091.jpg

 

(Ignore the border: that's been dealt with. Also, MB Trailers is no longer compatible with MB 2.6.2, so that's no longer there, either.)

 

With all of the animations, how much extra work will I have to do? I use Metabrowser for my metadata and I currently have 35 TV shows and 235 movies, many of which are older and/or foreign and don't have banners. Some don't even have trailers on YouTube.

 

I believe one of the major reasons I didn't switch over to Chocolate back in the day was because it didn't have the default view that I use. I can't remember the name of it, but I'll make some fresh screenshots tonight and post them here.

Edited by Malickfan86
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Malickfan86

Here are those screenshots:

 

54c16f9c1defb_MB1.jpg

 

EHS Home screen  - Movies

 

54c16fd606a18_MB2.jpg

 

"Movies by Genre" - War

 

54c16ff915f12_MB3.jpg

 

"Movies by Year" - 2014

 

54c170202fc45_MB4.jpg

 

"Movies by Director" - David Lynch

 

54c17044768e5_MB5.jpg

 

"TV Series" - The Knick

 

54c170942aaaf_MB6.jpg

 

"Movies" - Mary and Max

 

54c170c0b817b_MB7.jpg

 

Seconds

 

54c170dfbf9e1_MB8.jpg

 

"TV Series" - Broadchurch (Season 1)

 

54c1710f7669a_MB9.jpg

 

"TV Series" - The X-Files (Season 5) - Patient X

 

According to IMDb, the most viewed movies in my collection are Django Unchained, V for Vendetta, The Wolf of Wall Street, Amelie, and The Big Lebowski. The least viewed movies are Medium Cool, Il Grido, Pyaasa, The Honeymoon Killers, and Under the Volcano.

 

Is it worth it to upgrade? If yes, what options would you recommend?

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Steven

ebr has done some incredible stuff with Chocolate and is THE premier theme imho, as it tightly reflects the style of mediabrowser, and you need to get over to the MB server because it is a truly stunning. The web client alone is worth the move. Let alone now opening it up to letting you use other platforms. You'll no longer need metabrowser as the server does everything and you can just point it to your original ImagesByName folder. Just do it - you won't regret it. 

Edited by Steven
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Malickfan86

I suppose I'm just looking for some answers so I won't have complications later on. Considering what I currently have, will the transition be straightforward? There are a few things I've noticed in particular:

 

- Many screenshots have an MB logo. Is that always present our can it be disabled?

- Where do the background animations come from? Are they available for all movies? Do they appear automatically?

- Can I keep my current backdrops and folder icons the same?

- Does Chocolate have views that are similar to my current setup?

- Where does MB fetch metadata from? I always preferred to use Metabrowser since it pulls info from wherever I choose (ie. ratings from IMDb and overviews from TMDb).

- What about performance? Since I'm using an Xbox 360, would streaming be improved or weighed down?

- Is there anything else I should know before I upgrade? Are there other features I'm losing or gaining?

 

Sorry about all the questions. Like I said, I've set it up perfectly and I would like to upgrade, but I want to make sure I do this properly.

 

Thanks again for all the help so far.

Edited by Malickfan86
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Xzener

Hi Malickfan86,

 

Looking at your screenshots brings back some good memories.

 

- The MB logo is prevalent and shown proudly in most clients... No, its not configurable (on/off).

- The "background animations" are called video backdrops. They can be downloaded automatically using a plugin, or you can add them yourself. They are hard to find if you wish to go about it yourself. The plugin actually has a feature where they are shared by those who enable sharing. It's a fun feature, and really adds to the MB3 upgrade IMO.

- Yes, backdrops are compatible with MB3... Folder icons, can still be controlled with the old IBN method (IBN is compatible too, may have to cut paste your IBN). MB Server has an images edit feature where you can modify your fan art on the fly, using scrapers to add new images too. A very useful feature.

- I use MBC, but utilize the Subdued theme strictly. Unable to comment on Chocolate theme questions. But know, Ebr has done amazing work with MBC, and the Chocolate theme. You should be happy with new features as well as the classic feel of MBC and Chocolate.

- I've been out of the testing scene for a while, but MB Server has a fully configurable metadata configuration. It uses multiple sites to grab metadata and fan art on the fly. It's very fast too... Sometimes when adding a movie/episode... The fetching is so fast, the metadata has been downloaded and configured before you can launch a client to see the newly added media.

- I don't use my old Xbox360, bought an Xbox One and never looked back. I never used the 360 as an extended much. The performance was never up to par with me. The Xbox One on another hand, already is leaps and bounds better performance wise with the DLNA and streaming video player features. Also, the Devs are pursuing an Xbox One app... So if that ever comes to fruition... Well, lets just say have a look at the Windows 8.1 client. It very well could be easily ported over.

 

I can honestly say, coming from MB2.X... MB3 performance wise, IMO, is much better. Plus with all the clients, you have access to your library anywhere you go. I watch TV episodes at work on a daily basis. After you upgrade, you will never look back. Keep in mind, there are many plugins, clients and features. The learning curve is higher... But you will have fun along the way guaranteed.

 

Good luck.

Edited by Xzener
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