Manually adding game videos to Launchbox/BigBox

[djdaveoc22]

Hi all,

I have a full membership to EmuMovies and have the paid version of LaunchBox/BigBox and media syncs.  However I noticed that there are only about 90ish videos for Microsoft Xbox.  I went to EmuMovies FTP and found 395HQ and SQ videos and downloaded them.  Other than copying them into the correct folder will I need to do anything else to get them recognized in LaunchBox/BigBox like manually renaming the files?  I forget how the system treats media names compared to rom names for example and if everything has to match up.  It's been quite some time since I setup the cab and I haven't used it much so sorry for the noobish questions and thanks in advance.  I'm hoping to NOT have to manually rename hundreds of files and also wondering why they don't sync over automatically like some other media does.

[JoeViking245]

6 hours ago, djdaveoc22 said:

Other than copying them into the correct folder will I need to do anything else to get them recognized in LaunchBox/BigBox like manually renaming the files?

I can't answer the syncing issue. But as for image/video file naming conventions, LaunchBox looks for file(s) that either:

• Have the same name as the games Title
• Have the same name as the games ROM

The suffix (i.e. _01) to the name is not required.  But is helpful if you have more than on media of that type for that game.  Mostly useful with i.e. Screenshot-Gameplay images.

There are some caveats with using Game Title that pertain to Invalid Characters.  The 2 common ones you come across are ' (apostrophe [single quote]) and : (colon).  Those get replaced with _ (underscore).

i.e.  an image for Joe's Game: Volume One would become Joe_s Game_ Volume One.png (or Joe_s Game_ Volume One_01.png)

 

The nice thing about images and videos, if you manually copy them into their respective folder(s) and they meet the criteria of one of the 2 bullets above, and account for the invalid characters (as necessary), there's no other associating needing to be done.  For Images you'll probably want to (need to) Refresh the image cache. 

• LaunchBox: View < Media < Refresh All Images.
  • Since they're all new images... you can press Ctrl+Shift+M to Refresh the media that was missing (is newly added).
• BigBox: System Menu < Options < Image Cache - Refresh All.

[djdaveoc22]

Thank you.  I'm talking about videos only and so far the only system I checked was Xbox.  When I was in BigBox trying to select a theme I noticed that gameplay videos weren't playing for most games even though the theme was supposed to be playing them.  Then I checked the folder and there were only about 90 there.  Now I manually copied the videos I downloaded from emumovies FTP and deleted duplicates.  Now I guess I have to scroll through all the games 1-by-1 in BigBox to determine what games don't have correctly titled video files.  Then I'll have to go possibly rename 10s to 100s of video files manually to fix this issue.  I'm really not looking forward to that as I had to do it when setting up Hyperspin previously.  Is there any official support from LaunchBox/BigBox where someone can tell me why the videos aren't syncing from emumovies into LaunchBox/BigBox as they are apparently supposed to?

[skizzosjt]

35 minutes ago, djdaveoc22 said:

Now I guess I have to scroll through all the games 1-by-1 in BigBox to determine what games don't have correctly titled video files.  Then I'll have to go possibly rename 10s to 100s of video files manually to fix this issue.

use the audit feature to see which games don't have a video file associated with them. renaming files or entries would still be part of the process though to fix ones that have no video file associated. that or assigning the video file to the entry within LB, it will automatically rename it to the standardized naming scheme if needed.

[djdaveoc22]

How do I assign the video file to the entry within LB like you mentioned (assuming that is a less time-consuming process than manually renaming many many files).  Thank you.

[djdaveoc22]

It looks like I have 435 Xbox games in my system and 356 currently have no video.  I guess I'll need to manually compare the names of the roms/isos to what is in the LaunchBox database and manually rename all those files.  Then if I sync again maybe LaunchBox will download more videos for me.  And any other games still left missing a video I'd need to find another source for besides emumovies.  Am I understanding all this correctly and going about it the right way?  Also, does anyone have any other good video sources for gameplay videos since EmuMovies appears to be missing a lot of them?  Thank you.

[zugswang]

On 11/23/2024 at 1:32 AM, djdaveoc22 said:

It looks like I have 435 Xbox games in my system and 356 currently have no video.  I guess I'll need to manually compare the names of the roms/isos to what is in the LaunchBox database and manually rename all those files.  Then if I sync again maybe LaunchBox will download more videos for me.  And any other games still left missing a video I'd need to find another source for besides emumovies.  Am I understanding all this correctly and going about it the right way?  Also, does anyone have any other good video sources for gameplay videos since EmuMovies appears to be missing a lot of them?  Thank you.

I have 1,000 XBOX games and it only finds 296 videos.

EmuMovies is woeful for a business that JUST deals in videos for games  (hence the name EmuMovies)

The other stuff they have is just given to them by it's members and EmuMovies then profit from it.

I could set up a business that literally has EVERY video/logo/boxart for ALL main systems like Switch, Wii, XBOX 360,XBOX etc ... the reason being is I had to download/record 80% of them myself due to their laziness.

Even with Arcade videos I must have recorded 100's over the years as they don't exist on EmuMovies, so I wouldn't bother renaming anything .... they just don't exist.

Launchbox hasn't done the community any favours by doing a deal with EmuMovies NOT to have videos on their downloads.

Maybe it's time for a rethink ?

Edited November 25 by zugswang

[JoeViking245]

2 hours ago, zugswang said:

Launchbox hasn't done the community any favours by doing a deal with EmuMovies NOT to have videos on their downloads.

LaunchBox doesn't require you to make use the EmuMovies optional service. Making use of EmuMovies API to download videos is indeed inherent to the LaunchBox program. As is the utilization of the API's from several storefronts and RetroAchievements.

And of course they're not doing any favors. Rather offering a viable solution.

 

3 hours ago, zugswang said:

Maybe it's time for a rethink ?

I'm sure Unbroken Software would be open to any suggestions you may have regarding an alternate service that can reliably offer downloadable [non copywrite] videos and manuals [and images].  The service would of course need to be accessible to LaunchBox via [something like] an API.  There are probably some other pertinent requirements (i.e. proven consistency and quality) and legal ease involved that's beyond of my paygrade.

I don't think there'd be a source that can make available attainable media that would cover all games (obviously).  But would love to hear options. I'm sure LaunchBox staff would be intrigued and [if nothing else] myself (a non-staffer) and other non-staffers might be enticed enough to create a plugin to accommodate that source.

[djdaveoc22]

I'm no freeloader.  I have a full paid membership to Hyperspin, Emumovies, and Launchbox.  What I don't have is gameplay video clips for 541 of the 7500 or so games on my cab.  If anyone is willing to help me fill in my collection I don't mind compensating people for their time.  Since I've already done the sync from emumovies I assume they're just missing the videos that I am.  About 60% of what I'm missing is original Xbox and there are maybe 10-20 missing for a lot of the Sony and Nintendo systems.  I will have to go check the file names to see if some just need correction and then maybe more videos will download from EmuMovies.  For the others I'm looking for help and like I said, I'd be willing to pay a small amount if that's allowed.  I have a fast internet connection and could download via FTP or through shared cloud file storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.  Or if anyone knows of a source besides emumovies please do share.  Thanks guys.

[zugswang]

On 11/23/2024 at 1:32 PM, JoeViking245 said:

LaunchBox doesn't require you to make use the EmuMovies optional service. Making use of EmuMovies API to download videos is indeed inherent to the LaunchBox program. As is the utilization of the API's from several storefronts and RetroAchievements.

And of course they're not doing any favors. Rather offering a viable solution.

 

I'm sure Unbroken Software would be open to any suggestions you may have regarding an alternate service that can reliably offer downloadable [non copywrite] videos and manuals [and images].  The service would of course need to be accessible to LaunchBox via [something like] an API.  There are probably some other pertinent requirements (i.e. proven consistency and quality) and legal ease involved that's beyond of my paygrade.

I don't think there'd be a source that can make available attainable media that would cover all games (obviously).  But would love to hear options. I'm sure LaunchBox staff would be intrigued and [if nothing else] myself (a non-staffer) and other non-staffers might be enticed enough to create a plugin to accommodate that source.

What I am saying is that Launchbox could easily have Videos on their downloads, yet don't

This is because they struck a deal with each other, EmuMovies knowing that if they did have them they would be finished.

While I love EmuMovies (I am a member) imo it could do a lot more and if it's not willing to then let the Launchbox community step up and fill in the gaps.

As for copywrite, are you saying the 1,000's of Switch videos EmuMovies have already are all legal ?

Even Nintendo and other companies can't be that petty about video recordings (there are millions on Youtube already)

Also the quality issue is also something EmuMovies do not follow as many of their videos are woeful quality (but better than nothing)

Edited November 25 by zugswang

[JoeViking245]

3 hours ago, zugswang said:

What I am saying is that Launchbox could easily have Videos on their downloads, yet don't

This is because they struck a deal with each other, EmuMovies knowing that if they did have them they would be finished.

While I love EmuMovies (I am a member) imo it could do a lot more and if it's not willing to then let the Launchbox community step up and fill in the gaps.

As for copywrite, are you saying the 1,000's of Switch videos EmuMovies have already are all legal ?

Even Nintendo and other companies can't be that petty about video recordings (there are millions on Youtube already)

Also the quality issue is also something EmuMovies do not follow as many of their videos are woeful quality (but better than nothing)

My guess is that upon inception, LaunchBox's intent was to make use of an existing already-available resource for video clips (EmuMovies).  As you know, media takes up a lot of real-estate (drive space). Especially videos. But also, the curation was already there (or at least started [and is growing]). So instead of creating a duplicative effort, utilize something that already exists.  My guess.

For filling in the gaps on EmuMovies, I thought they already had a place for user (LaunchBox users, or otherwise) submissions. Or are you thinking something like - when videos are uploaded to the LaunchBox Downloads section, they should be sent to the EmuMovies site as well?

My use of "copywrite" was probably not the right choice of words. My intent was for attaining material from somewhere, with that source's approval... and on-up-the-chain.  Which lends towards "and legal ease involved that's beyond of my paygrade."  

I can't attest to the quality assurance requirements EmuMovies has. But I think you're right in that it's better than nothing. And I can't not believe that it's a fill-in-the-gap for now, and update/upgrade the asset(s) later.

[zugswang]

19 hours ago, JoeViking245 said:

My guess is that upon inception, LaunchBox's intent was to make use of an existing already-available resource for video clips (EmuMovies).  As you know, media takes up a lot of real-estate (drive space). Especially videos. But also, the curation was already there (or at least started [and is growing]). So instead of creating a duplicative effort, utilize something that already exists.  My guess.

For filling in the gaps on EmuMovies, I thought they already had a place for user (LaunchBox users, or otherwise) submissions. Or are you thinking something like - when videos are uploaded to the LaunchBox Downloads section, they should be sent to the EmuMovies site as well?

My use of "copywrite" was probably not the right choice of words. My intent was for attaining material from somewhere, with that source's approval... and on-up-the-chain.  Which lends towards "and legal ease involved that's beyond of my paygrade."  

I can't attest to the quality assurance requirements EmuMovies has. But I think you're right in that it's better than nothing. And I can't not believe that it's a fill-in-the-gap for now, and update/upgrade the asset(s) later.

I have been with EmuMovies for over a decade so I see what they do/don't do.

They were primarily for Hyperspin use before LB arrived and on the Hyperspin forums they were all crying about LB doing their own videos and that it would affect them.

Now it would be fine just having EmuMovies if they actually kept it all up to date for ALL systems, but they have NEVER done that.

Examples - I have (first column are games I have)

XBOX 360 - 1,252 isos - EmuMovies - 11 videos

XBOX - 982 isos               EmuMovies - 296 videos

PS2 - 2,650 chd's -           EmuMovies -  2,236 videos

PSP - 1,075 chd's              EmuMovies - 982 videos

PS Vita - 1,000 games      EmuMovies - 0 videos

Switch Eshop - 950           EmuMovies - 273 videos

XBOX,PS2, PSP finished a decade+ ago and should ALL be there by now but aren't because nobody has updated them.

This is why people come on here moaning because they get practically all other media here for these systems but not the videos.

As I say I have recorded/downloaded all missing videos for systems above but it takes forever.

I am sure if Launchbox community had got involved there would not be so many missing, that's for certain.

Keep in mind this is just a few examples, over 100's of systems there are 10,000's missing.

ps, These are just observations I have made over the years and just commented as I have seen person after person wondering why videos are missing (thinking they are doing something wrong)

Edited November 26 by zugswang

[damageinc86]

I'm just going to say that it took yeeeaaaarrrrrrrssss for Emumovies and everyone involved in the community to take care of the systems that are taken care of.  xbox and up is still rather new to expect the entire sets to be taken care of.  Sometimes it just takes one, or a few determined individuals to just do it and get it done and uploaded there, so everyone can enjoy it. 

[zugswang]

On 11/25/2024 at 4:43 PM, damageinc86 said:

I'm just going to say that it took yeeeaaaarrrrrrrssss for Emumovies and everyone involved in the community to take care of the systems that are taken care of.  xbox and up is still rather new to expect the entire sets to be taken care of.  Sometimes it just takes one, or a few determined individuals to just do it and get it done and uploaded there, so everyone can enjoy it. 

XBOX new ? It's been going since 2001 (I think 23 years is enough time to get them done)

If they were giving them all away for free you would have a point.

But they charge $60 for a lifetime subscription.

It's like joining Netflix and 80% of the content is missing ... I am sure people would not be so forgiving finding this out after handing over their cash.

For example, I am just one person and I have them ALL for XBOX, XBOX360, PSVita,PS2,PS3, Switch eShop and on and on (including logos and boxart)

Yes it hard work, but it can be done.

Again, this is just my opinion, if others are happy with what they supply then that's fair enough.

I would suggest if they had them all, their business would see a major spike in customers.

Edited November 27 by zugswang

[damageinc86]

Yes, that and 360, etc., are still RATHER new compared to the rest in terms of emulation status.  Still barely playable for most of us.

The lifetime sub has taken care of over 90 percent of my collection over the last 10+ years that I've had it. 

You might be the one to spearhead the captures for these systems.  Sometimes you just gotta do it yourself.