User:DJ VorTechS/PhatHack Media Manager/Manual/Adding Media

PhatHack Media Manager - Adding Media
PhatHack Media Manager has TWO main ways of adding media to a folder/device.

1) Importing Media

2) Transferring Media

Importing Media is the method of importing links to the media database, either through the 'Import Local Media' dialog, the 'Import iTunes Media' dialog or the 'Import Playlist Dialog'.

Transferring Media is the method of taking media files from one folder/device and copying it to another folder/device through the application, and is achieved using the 'Transfer Files' dropdown on the main screen, or through the 'RIP CD' option.

Importing Media
As mentioned above, importing media can be performed in one of 3 ways


 * Using the 'Import Local Media' function
 * Using the 'Import iTunes Media' function
 * Using the 'Import Playlists' function

Each of these functions is applicable to the currently selected media source.

Importing Local Media
This function can be accessed by selecting a media source in the media source tree on the left side of the main UI and then either:


 * Right-clicking on media source and selecting the item 'Import Local Media' from the popup menu

or


 * Clicking on the 'Tools' drop down on the toolbar, and selecting 'Import', 'Local Media to Library'



This will result in the 'Import Media' dialog being displayed, where you can specify how, and from where, the media import should be performed.

The 'Media Import' dialog requires 3 bits of information to be able to successfully start an import:

The Source Location: The directory at which it should start scanning for files. Clicking on the '...' button next to the source location will allow you to select an appropriate file/directory to start the import from

Media Scan Type: What type of import should be performed, of which there are several options:


 * Single Media File - Allows the source location to be a single file, for the purpose of importing only that file[[Image:PhatMM ScanningMedia.JPG|thumb|200px|right|The skinned progress dialog, showing a media import in progress]]
 * Single Album: Deep Scan - Scans all directories, and including the specified source location for media files to be added to a single playlist
 * Single Album: Selected Folder - Scans ONLY the specified source location for media files to be added to a single playlist
 * Albums By ID3 Tags: Deep Scan - Scans all directories below, and including the specified source location using the ID3 tags for the source of album/playlist name
 * Media Center Style: Deep Scan - Scans all directories below, and including the specified source location using folder names as the source of album/playlist name

Generate Playlists By (ID3 Tag scan only): The tag the application should take the value from to be used as the name of a playlist used to add media items to

Generate Playlists By (Media Center Style only): The method of determine the playlist name - either the top-most folder, or the bottom-most.

Once the import options have been specified, then clicking on 'Import' will start importing the media.

Importing Playlists
If you have used WinAMP or Windows Media Player to generate playlists, and want to import them... then you can do so using the 'Import Playlists' function.

The 'Import Playlists' function can be accessed by either:


 * Right clicking on a media source in the media source tree

or


 * Right clicking on 'Media Categories' list when in 'Playlist' view

Resulting in the Import Playlist dialog being displayed. All this dialog needs, is the directory at which it should start scanning for playlists. It will then go ahead and import playlists using a deep scan method (working through all sub-directories) and import any media required at the same time.

Importing iTunes Media
PhatHack Media Manager can directly integrate to iTunes software version 7.0.25 or below. Using such versions, the application is able to import iTunes media and where appropriate, transcode DRM files to native AAC files.

The iTunes import process, creates an import playlist within iTunes and associates existing iTune playlist media with the playlist based on user selection through an interface in PhatHack Media Manager. This process relies on iTunes being installed correctly with all necessary components present. Whilst using the iTunes import process it is entirely normal for the iTunes software to be loaded and visible (although minimized).

You can get access to the 'Import iTunes Media' function by either:


 * Right-clicking on media source and selecting the item 'Import Local Media' from the popup menu

or


 * Clicking on the 'Tools' drop down on the toolbar, and selecting 'Import', 'Local Media to Library'

When either of the above menu items are clicked, the iTunes Importer dialog will appear as illustrated just to the left.

Split into two sections, with a small toolbar this screen represents your iTunes albums (listed under the 'Albums' heading) and the media associated with a selected album (under the heading 'Available Tracks').

At the very top of the dialog, as the title, you will see which version of iTunes you are running - assuming the integration has successfully completed. In the case of the example dialog illustrated, it shows that the application has connected successfully to version 7.5.0.20.

The iTunes import process is a bulk process, and by default all tracks will be marked for import. Unfortunately there are no bulk selection/de-selection methods within this screen (at the time of this documentation) to simplify the selection process.

To select, or de-select individual tracks for import simply click on the relevant 'Album' under the 'Albums' heading, and check or uncheck the appropriate track under the 'Available Tracks' heading. Once all tracks have been selected for the import, simply click on the 'Import' button on the toolbar and the import process will begin.

Dependant on whether or not DRM has been applied to a track, the original iTunes media may be transcoded to an AAC format. This process occurs on a byte-for-byte basis, and so no encoder format options are required in order to achieve this.

The 'iTunes Importer' also has the ability to play a selected track, useful if you are unsure as to whether or not you wish to import a track. To do this, locate and select the album under the 'Albums' heading, and select (highlight as opposed to check) the relevant track under the 'Available Tracks' heading. Clicking on 'Play Selected Item', will use iTunes integration to play the track from within the iTunes software.

To stop playback of any currently playing track, click on the 'Stop Playing' button on the toolbar.

To close the 'iTunes Importer' either click on the 'Close iTunes Import' button on the toolbar, or close the window using the 'X' icon.

Note: There is currently a known issue with the launching of the 'iTunes Importer Dialog' which causes the application to crash without error. There is presently no fix available for this, although restarting the application and attempting the process again seems to be an available workaround.

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