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    Invelos Forums->DVD Profiler: Contribution Discussion Page: 1 2 3  Previous   Next
Re-release contribution question
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLewis_Prothero
Strength Through Unity
Registered: May 19, 2007
Reputation: Superior Rating
Germany Posts: 6,730
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Quoting Mithi:
Quote:
Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:
IMO Disc-ID profiles should be reserved for those releases that don't have a UPC/EAN (Box-Sets, etc).

Why?


First of all ask yourself a question:
- You buy a new DVD it has a UPC/EAN on the back. How would you enter it to your collection?

UPC/EAN is the default method for a reason, you can't even search for DiscID when trying to add a DVD. DiscID-profiles if not attached to a parent are usually lost in the depth of the database (except if you perform a Title-search, of course)
It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up!
But why should I give up, when it all seems so stupid?


Registrant since 05/22/2003
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantpauls42
Reg: 31/01/2003
Registered: March 13, 2007
United Kingdom Posts: 2,692
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Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:

UPC/EAN is the default method for a reason, you can't even search for DiscID when trying to add a DVD. DiscID-profiles if not attached to a parent are usually lost in the depth of the database (except if you perform a Title-search, of course)


yes you can search for a discID when trying to add a DVD.
e.g.
a) When you search by name the UPC & DISC ID entries are shown in the resultant list
b) when you enter the disc and then search to add it uses the disc ID.
Paul
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLewis_Prothero
Strength Through Unity
Registered: May 19, 2007
Reputation: Superior Rating
Germany Posts: 6,730
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Edited by user for being incorrect

See post from Kathy below.
It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up!
But why should I give up, when it all seems so stupid?


Registrant since 05/22/2003
 Last edited: by Lewis_Prothero
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorKathy
Registered: May 29, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
United States Posts: 3,475
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You can search strictly by disc id.

DVD > Select by UPC > IA943E55FFC09A118 > OK

Edit: I should have stated that, as far as I know, one can only do this if the DVD is in your collection.
 Last edited: by Kathy
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLewis_Prothero
Strength Through Unity
Registered: May 19, 2007
Reputation: Superior Rating
Germany Posts: 6,730
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Thanks Kathy!

As one might have seen I didn't know of this.
It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up!
But why should I give up, when it all seems so stupid?


Registrant since 05/22/2003
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTheMadMartian
Alien with an attitude
Registered: March 13, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
United States Posts: 13,202
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Quoting marcelb7:
Quote:
I feel I have to weigh in on this discussion, because I submitted these contributions. Over the past year or so, I have scanned the database for incorrect entries. UPCs that were entered under wrong localities, disc id profiles that weren't yet linked to box sets, and ... incorrect entries by disc id.

****SNIP***

My goal is to improve the quality of the database. Now if you'll excuse me, I still have a few 1000 profiles to get through... and after that I'll be checking release dates on box set entries, adding/updating original titles and production years, and removing incorrect birth years. A dirty job, but someone's got to do it!

I honestly don't understand doing this as disc ID entries do not impact the quality of the database.  In fact, I would say removing them is what impacts the quality of the database for the people who use those profiles.
No dictator, no invader can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.
There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom.
Against this power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand.
The Centauri learned this lesson once.
We will teach it to them again.
Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.
- Citizen G'Kar
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLithurge
Paralysis by analysis
Registered: March 13, 2007
Posts: 1,279
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Quoting TheMadMartian:
Quote:

I honestly don't understand doing this as disc ID entries do not impact the quality of the database.  In fact, I would say removing them is what impacts the quality of the database for the people who use those profiles.


Yep, pretty much the first question that sprang to mind for me was how does this improve the database at all?

I understand getting rid of data for bootleg entries but for entries that are legitimate discs then it makes no sense to me.

It provides people with info that there is more than one release, so if they are thinking of buying a title they know what to look out for.

I do wish people would remember that a lot of these statements were written when the rules were called contribution guidelines, unfortunately when the title was changed to rules (for legitimate reasons) they weren't gone through with a fine toothcomb to iron out any potential issues that might arise from that title change. Of course it's an impossible job to cover every scenario...
IVS Registered: January 2, 2002
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLewis_Prothero
Strength Through Unity
Registered: May 19, 2007
Reputation: Superior Rating
Germany Posts: 6,730
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Quoting TheMadMartian:
Quote:

I honestly don't understand doing this as disc ID entries do not impact the quality of the database.


Because they are using an incorrect identifier that might be needed for another release that doesn't have a UPC/EAN.
That's how those contributions have a negative impact.

Imagine a boxset that has a disc included that was previously released as UPC 000000000000, sadly this was a re-release so someone decided to submit it by Disc-ID.
Since the identical disc is now used for the boxset too the boxset-child suddenly has:
- Incorrect Release Date
- Incorrect SRP
- Incorrect Overview
- Incorrect Coverscans

So someone may now come up with the "First Release" beats it all.
But fact is that this "First Release" shouldn't have been submitted by Disc-ID in the first place since it HAS a UPC it can be identified with.

A question comes up to those that want to submit Re-Releases with (IMO) incorrect identifiers:
Why not completely omit UPC/EAN and contribute all profiles only by Disc-ID?
At least this way some consistency may be achieved.

EDIT:
Until then ask yourself:
When buying a new title that has a UPC/EAN would you even try to add it to your DVDProfiler-collection using the Disc-ID or would you go by UPC/EAN?
And if you would add by EAN/UPC, what would be the point of having a similar profile with Disc-ID as identifier?
It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up!
But why should I give up, when it all seems so stupid?


Registrant since 05/22/2003
 Last edited: by Lewis_Prothero
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorscotthm
Registered: March 20, 2007
Reputation: Great Rating
United States Posts: 2,852
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Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:
Imagine a boxset that has a disc included that was previously released as UPC 000000000000, sadly this was a re-release so someone decided to submit it by Disc-ID.
Since the identical disc is now used for the boxset too the boxset-child suddenly has:
- Incorrect Release Date
- Incorrect SRP
- Incorrect Overview
- Incorrect Coverscans

Since the same disc (id) may find its way into multiple releases/packages there is no way to avoid this problem altogether.  I've seen discs find their way into multiple boxsets over the years.

Take a look at UPC: 012569-731264 released in 2006 and UPC: 883929-069200 released in 2010.  (By the way, the disc-level profiles reflect the 2010 release and not the 2006 release.)

---------------
 Last edited: by scotthm
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLithurge
Paralysis by analysis
Registered: March 13, 2007
Posts: 1,279
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Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:


Because they are using an incorrect identifier that might be needed for another release that doesn't have a UPC/EAN.
That's how those contributions have a negative impact.

Why not completely omit UPC/EAN and contribute all profiles only by Disc-ID?
At least this way some consistency may be achieved.



This really comes back to the fundamental problem with Profiler not being able to cope with multiple profiles under a single EAN.

I already have issues with a couple of box sets in my collection, not because people have submitted disc id profiles for re-releases, but because the same discs are used in multiple box sets.

Your point might address a small issue, but the real answer is for Invelos to address the underlying problem.

I'm not naive enough to think there's a simple solution, even using EAN or disc id and release date wouldn't resolve 100% of the issues (some German firms seem to have a habit of releasing horror films with several different covers), but it would address the re-release and most box set issues.
IVS Registered: January 2, 2002
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorEagle
Registered: Oct 31, 2001
Registered: March 15, 2007
United States Posts: 563
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Quoting marcelb7:
Quote:
I feel I have to weigh in on this discussion, because I submitted these contributions. Over the past year or so, I have scanned the database for incorrect entries. UPCs that were entered under wrong localities, disc id profiles that weren't yet linked to box sets, and ... incorrect entries by disc id.

There are three simple lines in the contribution rules. The first one:
Quote:
When creating a new profile for contribution, the preferred method is to create from the UPC number.

the second one, which Lewis_Prothero already kindly supplied:
Quote:
If a title does not have a UPC, then add the title by Disc ID, using your DVD-ROM drive.

and lastly:
Quote:
Studios occasionally re-release titles with the same UPC, but with changed content – for example Cover Images, Case Type and Overview. All information in the main DVD Profiler database is to be for the Original Release version of the disc; do not contribute any information that is specific to a re-release. You can of course keep this re-release information in your local database profile, but do not contribute it to the main database.

Please note the words "for example" in the above quote. It does not mean that this rule is only and exclusively about cover images, case type and overview. The important part is "the same UPC".

So... if there's a disc id profile that has images with a UPC on it, it's quite clear that it's not a correct profile. Most of these were contributed by less-experienced users, and users that have long left DVD Profiler altogether.
Before flagging a profile for deletion, I always check the notes. Sometimes the profile is part of a box set, but the cover images of the regular UPC-release were used. There are also a lot of entries where the main blu-ray disc of a combopack has been contributed (see the last paragraph here).

Sometimes I get a PM with the question "why did you delete this perfectly ok profile?", and when I reply to them with the above quotes, 99% understand it.

My goal is to improve the quality of the database. Now if you'll excuse me, I still have a few 1000 profiles to get through... and after that I'll be checking release dates on box set entries, adding/updating original titles and production years, and removing incorrect birth years. A dirty job, but someone's got to do it!


Marcel, my problem stems from the that last part of the rules you quoted above. The rules state:

Studios occasionally re-release titles with the same UPC, but with changed content – for example Cover Images, Case Type and Overview. All information in the main DVD Profiler database is to be for the Original Release version of the disc; do not contribute any information that is specific to a re-release. You can of course keep this re-release information in your local database profile, but do not contribute it to the main database.

The part I bolded is where I lose you. This particular profile that I had created is NOT the original disc that is profiled under the UPC. The original disc was a flipper that contained a widescreen version of the movie and featurettes that are not included on this disc. Since this disc uses a completely new disc ID, submitting this re-release by disc ID is a valid way to profile this release. If this re-release had used the same disc ID as the original release, I never would've submitted the profile in the first place as that could've lead to confusion.

As for the other lines you pointed out, the first one simply says the "preferred method is to create from the UPC number". Preferred does not mean only. And the second line only mentions what to do when no UPC is present, not what to do when there's a duplicate UPC.
My phpDVDprofiler collection
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorMithi
Sushi Annihilator
Registered: March 13, 2007
Reputation: Superior Rating
Germany Posts: 2,217
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Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:
- You buy a new DVD it has a UPC/EAN on the back. How would you enter it to your collection?

I would add a new title by UPC/EAN. As soon as I see that this profiles doesn't fit my release I would put the DVD into my DVD-ROM.
For BD I would have to go to "Search by Title" directly to find the best fitting profile, which in all likelihood is a Disc-ID-based one.

Deleting the Disc-ID-based leaves the poor schmuck with the re-release with NO data at all.
I'm quite sure that this is not the way to go.

As for the "blocking" of those Disc-IDs, again I fail to see the advantage to not contribute thousands of needed profiles because in a few instances this might lead into trouble later on.
As Lithurge pointed out the real solution would be a working variant-handling for profiles.


cya, Mithi
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 Last edited: by Mithi
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorMithi
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Registered: March 13, 2007
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double post
Mithi's little XSLT tinkering - the power of XML --- DVD-Profiler Mini-Wiki
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorMerrik
NON-STEPFORD PROFILER
Registered: September 30, 2008
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*edit*

Not worth it. The amazingly wise Lewis_Prothero can win the internet this round over my incorrect use of the term cherry picking. I'm good.

The night is calling. And it whispers to me soflty come and play.
 Last edited: by Merrik
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorMerrik
NON-STEPFORD PROFILER
Registered: September 30, 2008
Reputation: Highest Rating
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Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:
you can't even search for DiscID when trying to add a DVD.


You're right... your sig does fit...
The night is calling. And it whispers to me soflty come and play.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLithurge
Paralysis by analysis
Registered: March 13, 2007
Posts: 1,279
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Quoting Merrik:
Quote:
Quoting Lewis_Prothero:
Quote:
you can't even search for DiscID when trying to add a DVD.


You're right... your sig does fit...


While I disagree with his stance and attitude, he is correct, you can't search with disc id in the add DVD dialogue. The disc id search only works when searching your collection.

This is logical from a functionality pov as you're most likely to know either the title or UPC when adding a DVD from the online database if you don't have the title in your hand.
IVS Registered: January 2, 2002
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