Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Thank you both, and all the other profiler users over the years. I just downloaded it, will enter 50 titles and play around with it for awhile.

Pretty sure I'll bite the bullet and just go with it. I need something desperately.

Would love an iphone app, hopefully they don't charge another $30 for that.

Might as well ask, do they ever have sales or coupons on Profiler?

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I'm go with Excel. I don't want to get involved with the online trackers, I would be so PO'd if they went under and I lost all that data. I track title, genre, production studio, director, year of theatrical release and how much I paid. Looking at this total every now and then is enough to give me a minor heart attack some days lol, but given that the media collection stands at 948, the overall average per disc cost could be a lot worse.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I've never seen one, but then I got my license years ago when it was still 25 bucks. Considering how many improvements that were made over the years plus an entire company switch, it was easily the best 25 bucks I've ever spent on a software program. I can't speak for anyone else, but I mess around with the program several times a week. If I had to pay a per/usage fee, I'd never be able to afford it!

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I couldn't agree more. I've had the licensed version since 2002 and use it at least a few times a week (if not more). It is a no brainer for $30. Type in the UPC and the purchase info and it's in there.

The best part, for me, is that you can export to XML and link to your own excel database if you want and (depending on how fancy you want to get) have your spreadsheet pretty much have update automatically.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Ditto. And there's a free plug in that lets you see how much you've spent/saved on titles. Which can be scary.
My only little peevse - I submitted a pic and information on a new title a few years back - that somehow I got, used, from Blockbuster, before the official release date - and when DVDPro updated to 3, for some reason someone else has credit for the submission. Also, multidisk/season sets are handled consistently - some break out each disk, some break out each season, some don't break it out at all.
But I love the program overall. It's one of two or three full programs with a trial I've paid for - the other being Roboform.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I don't think I could ever rely on a online catalog program since DVD Spot shut down. I currently (and always) have a Excel spreadsheet that has all the information including how much I've paid for each title on it. I have a local copy and a copy on my thumb drive. It's all I'll ever need.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I agree 100%, that's why I use Profiler. The company could die tomorrow and I still have my database on my hard drive with the ability to contribute to it myself for as long as I'd like to. The spreadsheet approach didn't give me the options I was looking for like cover art.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Does Profiler need the online database to function? arent all the disc files stored locally? and you can create new profiles without uploading them. The convenience factor of being able to access the collection anywhere is priceless, in my opinion.

Serves me right for not reading the entire thread before I replied. Mdnitoil answered my question. Thanks.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I know when I add a title it goes online to download the details, but I guess you could run it totally offline. Apparently with the new update you can have additional databases with other things, such as books or video games, but you have to manage the entries yourself.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Word.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I use DVDProfiler mainly to have a way to display my collection online. I use MS Access as my main cataloging tool, although if DVDProfiler would allow for additional statuses (e.g., Sold, Traded, Gave Away), I'd switch to that primarily. In addition to what I currently own, I also like to keep track of what I've owned in the past, and DVDProfiler does not seem to allow for that (as far as I can tell).

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Nope they never have sales, but it was years before they raised the price to $30.00 and they never charge for updates, been using Profiler since 2001.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

For anyone who has their collection cataloged on a spreadsheet and hosted on Google Docs, could I see it? I'm trying to get ideas on what kind of info I should include? Right now, I only keep a list of the titles so I could print off a "master list" from time to time. However recently I was toying with the idea of publishing a spreadsheet on Google Docs to share virtually. Thanks in advance.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

See my Sig.

The only thing I want to add is an "Titles" column, but I have to wait until Google Docs supports the drop-down menu function that Excel offers.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

My primitive Google doc for my Blu-ray library is in my sig. I've hidden columns with sort titlea and price paid.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Thanks, that's pretty much what I have now however I never bothered to include a column for UPC's.

Am I missing something? You do have a "Titles" column, don't know what you mean by a drop-down menu function like Excel offers.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

So basically, Google Docs' Microsoft Excel is a less fancy version of Windows Microsoft Excel. You can do a lot of the basic stuff, but as far as some of the more "advanced" things are concerned, they aren't yet available on Google Docs' version. What I have right now on Google Docs is the "DVD Title," but what I want to have is the "DVD Title" in addition to "Included Titles" (for box sets, complete season sets, etc.) On Windows Microsoft Excel you can set up one spreadsheet (I have it as DVD_Owned) and another spreadsheet (I have it as DVD_Titles), and have cells on the former spreadsheet reference cells on the latter spreadsheet. When you do this using a specific formula and formatting you can make a drop-down menu. The result is as follows:

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/6985/dvdn.jpg

EDIT: That is what I really want to do with my Google Docs Excel sheet, but you can't do it yet.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I have mine done in Word but just started to compile an Excel one. I use the following columns:

Title
Sub-Title (instead of a drop down box)
Year
Genre
Time
Starring (just one main Star)
Color (B&W or Color)
Episodes (number for episodes in a TV show, Miniseries, etc...)
Type (Film, or TV)
Format (DVD or Blu-Ray)

I may change the order around later but for now I am just entering all the data. I know I will have to play with it quite a bit later as I want to be able to print it to fit on a letter size paper. So amount of column are limited. And just looking at it now, I know it's not going to print out in the same order I have my collection in the book cases.

For example I have (on a shelf) all the Sherlock Holmes together but noticed that if I put a "Star" (say Rathbone, Cushing, etc...) in when I sort the list it will not keep them together so I will have to put in Sherlock Holmes as the star. The same with the Ray Harryhousen films, Star Trek, etc...

I want to be able to sort the list by Genre, then Star, then Title, so I will have to fiddle with it to keep all the Holmes, Star Wars, Star Trek, etc.. together.

It's not as easy as it sounds though.

James :)

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

My suggestion is to add a Series field. Personally, I think you could get away with sacrificing your Type field. If you're only entering values for TV shows in your Episodes field, then that can double as an indication that the item is, in fact, a TV show. I also suspect that the Color field is expendable, but you'd know better than me just how important that is to you.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Try doing a pivot table. Those are supported with an application gadget. http://google-pivot-tables.blogspot.com/

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Can I ask how you made your collection like that? Meaning having the links at the top to go to a separate section for Blu-Ray & CD? I've never used Google docs for a spreadsheet so I'm not sure if that's something easy or what. Thanks!

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I tried the demo verisons of DVD Profiler and Collectorz. I ended up going with Collectorz (http://www.collectorz.com/movie/) as it was more versitile and does all movie types (DVD, Blu-Ray, VHS, LaserDisc, etc). Also, around Christmas time there was a discount and rebate (don't remember details). I do remember I took the rebate money not $$ off another software title. I am glad that I did as not too long after I registered, they gave me a 50% off another Collectorz title, so I bit on their music version which will do CD, LP, MP3, etc with a very similar GUI interface. All in all, the only complaint I had was I had to pay my CC a foreign transaction fee.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

In addition, Collectorz Movie Collector software allows for Text exports as well output to a Palm based (not starting Palm vs iPhone vs Blackberry debate either) output. It also has iPhone apps, etc.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I use DVD Profiler and really enjoy it. But I wanted a portable version of my collection that I can see on my Android phone. So I have came up with this.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...ptureIndex.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/z...ptureOwned.jpg

At the moment I just want to be able to see my collection when I am at a store so I don't buy something I already have. I still have some more tweaks, but it is a start.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Hi. I'm still waffling between Profiler and Collectorz.
Would you mind being a bit more specific and tell us which features caused you to select Collectorz over Profiler? Thanks!

Also FYI, there currently appears to be a Collectorz $10 discount coupon mentioned on their Twitter (an April 2nd tweet and again on April 5th). Twitter link was on their home page.

Finally, I wonder if Paypal is used to pay Collectorz, if a CC foreign transaction fee can be avoided?

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

If I were you, I'd just do the trial versions and decide for myself before spending any money.

As for me, I use Collectorz because it has more than just DVD, HD-DVD, and Blu-ray. I can also export a list to my cell phone, to make sure I don't buy the same thing twice when I'm in a store.

If you have some web hosting, paid or free(I'm using free), you can export it to a web page and there's different styles to choose from. If you want, I linked to mine in my signature and from there you should be able to find the hosting, if you're interested.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I love my Collectorz software and have been using it for a few years, even with DVDSpot for my online listings. I was a bit disappointed when they moved away from using IMDB, Amazon, etc. as data sources, but their new database is pretty good and you can still fully customize your entries. And if you know some XML you can fully customize or create your own view/print/export templates. Their new online Connect feature is excellent as well, particularly when used in synchronization with the offline version (though the online can be used as standalone). You can check out my Collectorz Connect collection with the main link on my sig. As Mister Peepers mentioned you can also create an HTML export as well for free from the standalone version if you have your own webpage.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I converted my DVDAf account to DVD Profiler. I like how you can have charts and such. I wish you could make your own sub menus and categorize your collections would be a nice feature.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

There are several things that you can use in Profiler, custom genres, custom catagories, and you can use tags.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Can you import of any kind on dvd collectorz? Like maybe just a notepad with UPC's or an excel document. I can't seem to find this answer anywhere.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

You can import a .TXT file with title and UPC's like you mentioned and it will search their database for the title. There is also an import from DVDprofiler, but that is about it.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I did the same thing for quite a while.. but.. for me.. Overall, collectorz had more stuff to use than profiler.. I downloaded and tried both. I suggest doing the same. Then pick the one that fits your needs/wants.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

dkedvd: Can I make some suggestions?

Get a grammar checker to check your faq page - I got so frustrated reading it that I gave up.

Spell check the "The Collection" Page along with checking the grammar.

If you don't plan on putting any numbers on the "yearly purchases/spending" page than why bother with having it?

Finally - I wonder HOW/WHY X (the administrator) lets you get away with so blatantly advertising your own site - when I try to get people to look at my site he deletes my posts! I guess it's simple favoritism.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

^ Sound a little too bitter there Dan....

But anyway, anyone else hesitant to list the prices they paid in a public place, in case they ever have to file an insurance claim?

I know that my insurance covers replacement value, but I would rather not deal with the possibility of an argument over the value.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I would just have that page go mysteriously missing. :)

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I happen to like my grammar thank you very much. So deal! There will be totals on the spending/purchases page, they are just not there yet. And true, that is a bit of advertising but at the same time this thread is about what program you use to catalog your collection. Well I use my own. And it might be more difficult than using something like DVDAF but anyone can do it. It's an option for all. I would like to add that it is nice to know that some people (or just you) think that the administrator (I have no idea who he/she is) favors me over others. I must be more popular than I thought! Or at least more popular than you. :)

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Guess it depends on how the policy is worded. Is it "cost of replacement" or "cost paid"?

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Whether you like it or not, Danwiz does have a point. If you are going to write your page in English, you really should use correct English. This includes proper grammar. I too gave up on the FAQ page partly because of the tough reading, but also because I was more interested in seeing the actual layout of your collection list.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

Yeah, and I've heard horror stories of insurance companies denying claims or short changing people.

My collection might be (random guesses) 5,000 titles at $5 per, but it took lots of work, lots of time, and unique circumstances to get that. If I had to re-create my collection at that cost, it would take me ten years of careful shopping, and I'd still probably have to pay much more due to stuff being out of print.

I pay for insurance so that I can just get the entire thing back quickly, which would probably cost $15 per title if not more.

Re: DVD Cataloging - What Program Do You Use?
 

I just write like I talk. It's the only way I know how. Otherwise I fell what I'm writing isn't me.
Since I'm guessing you looked, what did you think of the collection layout?