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    Invelos Forums->DVD Profiler: Plugins Page: 1 2 3  Previous   Next
Ziotek Carousel Plug-in
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DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantmsconcrete
Registered: June 17, 2007
Posts: 5
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Is there a plug-in to operate Ziotek Media Carousel Plus for DVD Profiler?  I know Movie Collectorz supports these storage units.  However, I would much prefer to use DVD Profiler.
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
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Registered: March 18, 2007
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Quoting mzconcete:
Quote:
Is there a plug-in to operate Ziotek Media Carousel Plus for DVD Profiler?  I know Movie Collectorz supports these storage units.  However, I would much prefer to use DVD Profiler.
Interesting. I'm finding out about about all these carousel units now. I made a Plugin LoadDVD for the SONY carousel, but there seems to be more demand for a bunch of others. So I will look into it until / unless another plugin author comes along that wants to do it. Anyway, can you get access to the software that ships with the unit? If I can take a look, I will let you know whether it is possible to easily modify my existing plugin to support your device.
Thanks for your support.
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Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantmsconcrete
Registered: June 17, 2007
Posts: 5
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Quoting mediadogg:
Quote:
Quoting mzconcete:
Quote:
Is there a plug-in to operate Ziotek Media Carousel Plus for DVD Profiler?  I know Movie Collectorz supports these storage units.  However, I would much prefer to use DVD Profiler.
Interesting. I'm finding out about about all these carousel units now. I made a Plugin LoadDVD for the SONY carousel, but there seems to be more demand for a bunch of others. So I will look into it until / unless another plugin author comes along that wants to do it. Anyway, can you get access to the software that ships with the unit? If I can take a look, I will let you know whether it is possible to easily modify my existing plugin to support your device.



The following link enables you to download the software.  http://www.dacal.com.tw/help.htm  I really appreciate you taking a look at the possibility of interfacing it with DVD Profiler.  I have been a long time user of DVD Profiler but with a 1200+ collection of movies I had to find a way to store efficiently.  Movie Collectorz enables me to find the movie in the database and eject it right from the software.  However, it is not nearly as good of software as DVD Profiler.  Thanks for your interest and help!!!!!
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
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Registered: March 18, 2007
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I was able to download and install the software, but it will not run without a device installed. Then I looked at the program folder and noticed that there is a single executable. There is no separate dll for device control. So all the logic is bundled up in that one application. This means that whoever wrote it, knows the details of carousel control codes and protocol. Without those codes or an API to control software (such as a dll), I'm stuck. Perhaps you could peruse the collectorz forums and see what you can find out. I'll take a look also.
Thanks for your support.
Free Plugins available here.
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Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantmsconcrete
Registered: June 17, 2007
Posts: 5
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I do have the install cd that came with the unit.  It is version 3.5 of the software.  I did have to install that software to have the device driver installed so that I was able to control the unit in Collectorz.  There are several .dll files on the cd but it doesn't appear to me that any are device drivers.  However, I am not a programmer and that's getting out of my league.  I do have it available though if you'd like to look.  In the mean time I will look through the forums to see if I can find anything.  Thanks again!
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantmsconcrete
Registered: June 17, 2007
Posts: 5
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The following was posted in another thread.  This is the same carousel unit I use...CD Carousel Plus.  Am I correct in assuming your plug in will work with this.  They are manufactured by Ziotek. 

Posted: June 29, 2007 4:36 PM
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Quoting les1941:

    Quote:
    thanks DR. Killpatient

    I want  one as I am not a programer. just hoping some one can make a plugin

The product is shipped with a software tracking application. It seems like an alternative to the more expensive and capable "CD Carousel Plus" which also ships with software. My point is that you may already have a solution. LoadDVD can call any software program and pass the slot# and title, etc. to the program, using a simple .BAT file that is supplied with the plugin. So now you just need to find out whether your carousel software can be executed from the command line. If so, point me to some documentation, and I'll tell you how to code the .BAT file. Edit: I went to the Century site and noticed that the product is no longer supported. I assume you knew that. I hope that you can find a way to use existing LoadDVD capability - I will help, but it probably would not make sense to write a lot of new code for a dead product. If you can PM me the software or doc, I'll give you my assessment.
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
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Registered: March 18, 2007
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Not yet, but I'm doing my best. There is a software API package made available by Dacal that may have the potential to be compatible with these units. I have not been successful in compiling the application, as Microsoft has changed some things. Even if I do manage to get the code compiled, and then make the necessary adjustments, I would have to code in the dark and rely on you guys to try it out - because I don't own any of those carousel products (except the SONY VAIO one). Thanks for following up. I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile if there are any experienced C++ programmers out there who would like to take a shot at resolving the compilation issues, please PM me. It has to to with the 32bit mfc libraries that used to be free - now only available as part of an SDK that you have to buy from Microsoft.
Edit: @mzconcete - please check your PM.

Edit: Still no response from mzconcete. If anybody else wants to try the carousel test program, please PM me. Can't move forward until I know whether first step is working.
Thanks for your support.
Free Plugins available here.
Advanced plugins available here.
Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantCarlos
Registered: March 18, 2007
Posts: 4
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mediadogg

I Just Reran your app just after I send you the last e-mail a minute ago. and I am getiing a diffrent response now.

Listed below are the DOS Window Messaeges.

Start of test.
I think there are 2 devices.
The Device ID of the first unit is: 18224
The status of the first unit is: I/O Error.
The Device ID of the second unit is: 13027
The status of the second unit is: I/O Error.
Unit 1 LED should be ON: I/O Error.
I think I just moved unit 1 carousel to slot 3: I/O Error.
I think I just ejected the disc from unit 1, slot 3: I/O Error.
Unit 1 LED should be OFF: I/O Error.
Unit 2 LED should be ON: I/O Error.
I think I just moved unit 2 carousel to slot 4: I/O Error.
I think I just ejected the disc from unit 2, slot 4: I/O Error.

As you can see your app does see me two devices but it does not do anything.

Thanks




Quoting mediadogg:
Quote:
Not yet, but I'm doing my best. There is a software API package made available by Dacal that may have the potential to be compatible with these units. I have not been successful in compiling the application, as Microsoft has changed some things. Even if I do manage to get the code compiled, and then make the necessary adjustments, I would have to code in the dark and rely on you guys to try it out - because I don't own any of those carousel products (except the SONY VAIO one). Thanks for following up. I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile if there are any experienced C++ programmers out there who would like to take a shot at resolving the compilation issues, please PM me. It has to to with the 32bit mfc libraries that used to be free - now only available as part of an SDK that you have to buy from Microsoft.
Edit: @mzconcete - please check your PM.

Edit: Still no response from mzconcete. If anybody else wants to try the carousel test program, please PM me. Can't move forward until I know whether first step is working.
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
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Registered: March 18, 2007
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Ok thanks. I also mentioned in  my PM that I was using code from the Dacal sample app from their web site. Do you plan to run  that app also? Their app is  GUI app, and I attempted to strip out the commands. Almost impossible without owning a changer, but if you keep trying stuff, so will I. Perhaps we will attract the attention of a programmer that owns a carousel who is willing to finalize the project.
Edit - update: Thanks to Carlos, I was able to create a test program that controls the Dacal carousel in code compatible with LoadDVD. I will release the LoadDVD update in a few days. Anyone with a different brand of carousel that wants to try out the test app, please PM me.
Thanks for your support.
Free Plugins available here.
Advanced plugins available here.
Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
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Registered: March 18, 2007
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I am pleased to announce that:

LoadDVD v0.4 Released
This upgrade adds support for:

Dacal (tm) - style disc carousels that connect via USB port. The software was modelled after Dacal source available on their web site, however it was actually tested with a more recent Ziotek brand, which also works with the Dacal sample applications.

Syntax is consistent with other LoadDVD commands:

  Personal Information Location: Dacalx  - where x is 1 - 127

  Personal Infomation Slot: n    - where n is 1 - 150


The menu structure for v 0.4 has been simplified. Instead of "DVD" -> "LoadDVD" -> "Play", this version uses "DVD" -> "(Auto)Play|Open|Select". In the event of more than 1 disc, the menu is extended by -> "disc1", ... "discn", wher en is the number of discs in the profile.

This would have not been possible wthout the tireless support of Carlos, who tested many iterations of the code on his two Ziotek units, and made many helpful suggestions.  I think we set a new record for Google Talk messages per minute! 

I would expect that this code will work on many Dacal-style units (not sure about Century). I would appreciate knowing your experiences.
Thanks for your support.
Free Plugins available here.
Advanced plugins available here.
Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantP1
Registered: May 13, 2007
United Kingdom Posts: 2
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I purchased two Datawrite DC-300 CD Library units for storage for some of my DVD's (I had run out of shelf space), they worked well as standalone units and I purchased another two.

Looking through the forums here, I spotted that Mediadogg's plug-in supported the Ziotek units (the Datawrite is a clone of these), so I thought I would give it a try.

The most painful part of the process was updating 600 disks within DVD-profiler to add the details for the location of the disks.

I have tested out the plug-in it works without any problems, the only thing to keep in mind is that all of the units need to be connected and powered up to access the higher numbered units (the standalone software will work with just one unit connected and works via the unit id).

I will probably buy another couple of these units for additional storage, it is a quick method of finding a disk and reduces the storage space required to keep disks.

I like DVD-profiler but it has become really useful now thanks to mediadogg for his efforts in spending the time to develop the LoadDVD plug-in.

Cheers,

David
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
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Registered: March 18, 2007
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Quoting P1:
Quote:
I purchased two Datawrite DC-300 CD Library units for storage for some of my DVD's (I had run out of shelf space), they worked well as standalone units and I purchased another two.

Looking through the forums here, I spotted that Mediadogg's plug-in supported the Ziotek units (the Datawrite is a clone of these), so I thought I would give it a try.

The most painful part of the process was updating 600 disks within DVD-profiler to add the details for the location of the disks.

I have tested out the plug-in it works without any problems, the only thing to keep in mind is that all of the units need to be connected and powered up to access the higher numbered units (the standalone software will work with just one unit connected and works via the unit id).

I will probably buy another couple of these units for additional storage, it is a quick method of finding a disk and reduces the storage space required to keep disks.

I like DVD-profiler but it has become really useful now thanks to mediadogg for his efforts in spending the time to develop the LoadDVD plug-in.

Cheers,

David
Wonderful news. I'm happy to hear it. The problem you had with the higher numbered units is interesting. When you get a few spare moments, perhaps you can send more more details via PM, and if I can improve the device handling, I will certainly try. Thanks for your kind comments.
Thanks for your support.
Free Plugins available here.
Advanced plugins available here.
Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantmsconcrete
Registered: June 17, 2007
Posts: 5
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What can I say?  Better late than never?  Life interfered with testing.  (I would rather be testing!)  My many thanks to mediadogg, who pursued my request after I had to jump ship.  The plug-in works awesome!  I am one happiy camper to be a DVD Profile user again!  Thanks!! 
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantnwrobel
Registered: September 3, 2007
Posts: 6
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Hi mediadogg,
I recieved my Ziotek carousel, I cna't get DVD Profilier to work/see the carousel. I down loaded the plugin from your site.
What I do is Right click on the movie from my list, click on play/retrieve, click on main feature, but nothing happens.
i did edit the personal info page for that movie with Location and Slot.
can you help.

thanks 
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
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Registered: March 18, 2007
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Quoting nwrobel:
Quote:
Hi mediadogg,
I recieved my Ziotek carousel, I cna't get DVD Profilier to work/see the carousel. I down loaded the plugin from your site.
What I do is Right click on the movie from my list, click on play/retrieve, click on main feature, but nothing happens.
i did edit the personal info page for that movie with Location and Slot.
can you help.

thanks 
Ah, there you are! Thank you.

Suggestions:

(1) The Ziotek comes with some software. If you haven't yet, please confirm that the vendor software identifies the carousel and properly sends it commands. Write down the device ID or whatever they call it. Got to tools/view plugins/loadDVD/options and confirm that the Ziotek device ID appears in the Dacal/Ziotek list. If not, you can edit it, but it should have been automatically identified.

(2) I assume that you have "dacal1" in the Location field. and a number between 1 and 150 in the Slot field. Maybe try "Dacal1" - I might have a case dependency - I'll check the code later.

Aside from that, it should work.

Now, my Ziotek unit works on my XP system, but not on my Vista system - something with the drivers. I don't use it so, I don't worry about it. The person who generously sent me the carousel for testing (thanks again!) was in fact using Vista. Not sure what system you are using, but if the Ziotek software works, so should mine.

What Ziotek model, by the way?

If I think of more, I'll let you know.
Thanks for your support.
Free Plugins available here.
Advanced plugins available here.
Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
DVD Profiler Unlimited Registrantnwrobel
Registered: September 3, 2007
Posts: 6
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thanks for the info I have the black carousel plus. I using Vista and have gotten the software CDLIB to work. I'll let you know
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