Best Free DVD Collection Software
I have been collecting DVDs for many years, and I now have a wall that's full of them. The first time I bought a DVD that I had already bought, it became obvious to me that I needed to better organize my collection. So I thought about what I needed in a software package. My needs were relatively simple:
- free
- user-friendly interface
- easy input
- support for free online information
- filtering, statistics and reports
DVD Profiler - Invelos offers a free version of it's amazing DVDProfiler. All basic features are available for an unlimited time and unlimited DVD's and that's more than enough. Some of the nice-to-have features become disabled after 50 DVD's, but nothing you would really miss. DVD Profiler Free is undoubtedly my top choice in this category. The application looks very professional, and the variety of features and configurability is amazing. You can design the layout to your liking by using skins and themes and reorganizing window elements. To add a new DVD, simply enter the UPC code or movie title, and DVD Profiler will download all of the related information, including cover images. You can use DVD Profiler to organize and rate your DVDs by categories (Movie, Audio, etc.), and it also supports rental tracking if you decide to lend your movies to your friends. The wide variety of statistical information includes Genre, Film Studio, Rating, Release Dates, and much more. If you use phpMyProfiler with your data (see below) you'll get even more stats (e.g. that Samuel L. Jackson plays in nearly every movie I own!).
Some of the features that become disabled after 50 DVDs are: Upload/Share your collection at Invelos Online, Download/View/Print Reports, Export to XML and High Resolution Cover Scans. But even without these features, you'll enjoy a professional and powerful tool that offers excellent organization of a DVD collection of unlimited size, with no ads and no nag screens. Worthwhile, yes? My top choice.
phpMyProfiler - is not a Windows based program. It's a PHP/MySQL web script and an excellent addition for those of you who use DVD Profiler and want to host your own DVD-collection website. Just install the script on your web server, and import the XML file that you've exported from DVD Profiler (remember that "Export to XML" in DVD Profiler is limited to 50 DVDs in the free edition; the "unlimited" purchase price is $29.95 as of June 13, 2008). See this example.
MediaMan - Version 2.2 (which I'm reviewing here) and earlier versions of MediaMan are free, whereas later versions are not. Even though it lacks some features (i.e., statistical reports and some important loan information), I decided that it merits second place in this list of contenders. MediaMan installs quickly and uses the Internet Explorer API to display its main panel. I have gotten a few JavaScript errors during the startup of MediaMan, but these are easily "clicked" away, and the application then presents itself in a very comfortable and organized design.
The start screen shows a useful overview of your collections (MediaMan offers seperate sections for Books, Games, Software, Audio CD and VHS Video). An online connection that runs in the background enables an automatic version check. Entering a DVD is an easy excercise: you can type in all information manually or you can use a Wizard that supports online search for ISBN, UPC and title. MediaMan communicates with Amazon (you can chose between different countries) to download all general information about the movie, including a cover scan and movie shots. If you want to store individual information, 7 custom fields are available which can be configured to your liking. A nice touch is the visual-shelf feature. Enabling it displays your collection as DVD cases on a bookshelf (see screenshot). MediaMan will export your collection in several formats, such as CSV, TXT and HTML (although the HTML code that's created is flawed, and that renders this function nearly useless). Even though desirable features, such as visual statistics, reports/printouts and more options to adjust the display (e.g., font type and size), are missing, I'm still fond of this little slick and effective media manager.
PVD (Personal Movie Database) - PVD surprises with a quick-to-learn, simple and effective interface. I liked how easy it is to add a movie and all its relevant information: click New, type in the title, download info from IMDB, download cover from Amazon - Done. IMDB and Amazon are not the only online sources that are supported by PVD. OFDB, AllMovie.com, AdultDVDEmpire and AnimeNfo are only a few others. PVD is a good example for a tool that makes it difficult to decide whether you want to pick functionality over GUI. Even though it is no match for DVD Profiler, this movie-collection software definitely points in the area of usability. Once your collection reaches a certain size you will enjoy the statistics features and people reports (what actor is in what movie of your collection etc.). PVD offers special fields for referencing file based movies. Should you have made backups of your movies you can enter path, codec, bitrate and such as well. Downsides are a very rudimentary GUI, some missing info fields (casing, media type, easter eggs) and no UPC based identification. I'd compare PVD with EMDB, however, I'd prefer PVD by a little bit. If you should not be happy with DVD Profiler or MediaMan in some way, try PVD next.
EMDB (Eric's Movie Database) - EMDB is movie-collection software that is quite user-friendly, and very capable if you are just looking for a tool to catalog your movies. EMDB communicates with IMDB (International Movie Database) when you add new movies by their titles. However, because IMDB does not provide any media information, you'll receive only basic information about the movie itself; media type (i.e., DVD, BluRay), casing, edition and such won't be included. But EMDB does offer several dialogs whereby you can enter this information yourself. An interesting feature is prepared selection lists about Video Codec and Video Source. You will find this valuable if you want to also catalog home-made movies that you've compressed or converted into specific formats. Simple text-based exports and printouts, as well as loan tracking, are available, and the Search feature offers filtering by title, cast, director or Genre. I found the user interface a little old-fashioned, and I experienced some display refresh faults when I resized the window. You may be quite satisfied with EMDB if you simply want to keep track of movies you own, without concern for the media and its specific features. EMDB comes in third in my eyes; it's not feature-rich like some other contenders, but it will maintain a collection of unlimited size.
Movie Collector - Another contender offering a restricted but unlimited free version of their collection software is Collectorz.com. Collectorz.com also offers several other cataloging applications like Music, Books, Games, etc. Though not as beautiful and customizable as DVDProfiler, Movie Collector offers a comparable palette of features for maintaining your DVD collection. The DVD data are entered in a seperate windows, and much there is to fill in if you want. Like in DVD Profiler you can maintain DVD's you own, you loaned, you ordered or that you just have on your wish list. Entering DVD information can also be done automatically, accessing sources at Collectorz.com, IMDB, Amazon and DVD Empire. You can search by movie title or UPC code.
If you are just looking for a basic tool to maintain a small collection, Movie Collector is well equipped to do so. Collectorz.com is following a different concept with their free version: fully featured unlimited use up to 50 DVD's. This surely is a drawback when you reach that threshold, thus, even though Movie Collector offers a lot of features, it finishes last in this race.
Product Details
DVD Profiler
Website: http://www.invelos.com/
Download link: http://www.invelos.com/Downloads.aspx
Author: invelos software
Version: 3.1
Date: 08.Oct.2007
Download file size: 8.5 MB
License: Freeware (limited features after 50 DVD's)
Operating systems supported: 32bit Windows
64 Bit version available: No, but this 32 bit program runs in a 64 bit environment
Portable version available: Yes
Other languages supported: No
Additional software required: No
phpMyProfiler
Website: http://www.phpmyprofiler.de
Download link: http://www.phpmyprofiler.de/index.php?page=3
Version: 0.9.7b
Date: 18.Dec.2007
Download file size: 2MB
Operating system supported: IIS/Apache, PHP, MySQL
MediaManager
Website: http://www.imediaman.com/
Download link: http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page18.html#MediaMan
Author: MediaMan
Version: 2.2
Date: unknown
Download file size: 5.3 MB
License: Freeware
Operating systems supported: 32bit Windows
64 Bit version available: No, but this 32 bit program runs in a 64 bit environment
Portable version available: No
Other languages supported: No
Additional software required: Internet Explorer
PVD (Personal Movie Database)
Website: http://www.videodb.info/forum_en/
Download link: http://www.videodb.info/forum_en/index.php?action=down
Author: Yanishevskyy Alexander
Version: 0.9.8.20
Date: unknown
Download file size: ~4.5 MB
License: Freeware
Operating systems supported: 32bit Windows
64 Bit version available: No, but this 32 bit program runs in a 64 bit environment
Portable version available: No
Other languages supported: No
Additional software required: No
EMDB (Eric's Movie Database)
Website: http://www.emdb.tk/
Download link: http://www.snapfiles.com/php/download.php?id=109534&a=7115180&tag=601108&loc=10
Author: Wicked & Wild Inc.
Version: 0.62
Date: unknown
Download file size: ~800 KB
License: Freeware
Operating systems supported: 32bit Windows
64 Bit version available: No, but this 32 bit program runs in a 64 bit environment
Portable version available: No
Other languages supported: No
Additional software required: No
Movie Collector
Website: http://www.collectorz.com/movie/
Download link: http://www.collectorz.com/movie/download.php
Author: Collectorz.com
Version: 5.5.3
Date: unknown
Download file size: 10.8 MB
License: Freeware (limited to 50 DVD's)
Operating systems supported: 32bit Windows
64 Bit version available: No, but this 32 bit program runs in a 64 bit environment
Portable version available: No
Other languages supported: No
Additional software required: No
This category is maintained by volunteer editor George.
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I've tried many, many free DVD/CD database apps and sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet and spend some $$. I selected ReaderWare as my choice since it came with a bar code reader. If the title could not be found anywhere by bar code, you can go into one of several sites (Amazon, Barnes & Noble) etc., find it your self and drage the website into ReaderWare. All info is ripped from the site and put into the program for you. Hated to pay for it, but it works the best of all of the free and trilaware apps I tried.
Why nobody mentioned All My Movies? I am using this organizer for several years and it is better than Movie Collector or DVD Profiler for me. It is not free, but you always may ask for a discount :) Am I alone with All My Movies here?
Hi,
the answer is easy, AllMyMovies is not Freeware. This is not judging the product, we strictly only honor free software.
Best regards,
George
I found a download list of free DVD Ripper and video converters, share it here
http://www.freedvdripper.net/free-dvd-ripper.html
Hi,
and thanks for the link. It is actually a category that we haven't covered yet. Interesting programs there. I have worked with most of them and can say that they performed very well.
Best regards,
George
I recommend Datacrow. [http://datacrow.net]
Hi,
thanks for your recommendation. I downloaded DataCrow and played around with it for a while. I do not think it meets all the requirements to be listed in this category. DataCrow's approach is to general and as often in those cases you get a little bit of everything but not enough of a particular thing, in this case a DVD collection feature. The information you can store about a movie is not sufficient in my eyes and I was not able to download anything from imdb.com. DataCrow tells me it found matches but does not list anything to chose from.
It is a very nice Java program though, you don't see that very often. If you have more or less general needs for storing information about collectible items it is worth a try.
Best regards,
George
Hi guys,
thanks for your posts and sharing your individual experiences about the tools. It will be very helpful for others since they refer to certain functions that some might be looking for more than others. PVD is a great tool and I am happy you confirm that to us. I used DVDP Free for quite a while and was also happy with its features, however, I did not lend out my DVD's.
Anyways, this is a user driven site and I appreciate your comments a lot.
Best regards,
George
DVD Profiler is a complete program more for a local video store or a serious collector who wants more than just a lookup. I rarely have time to organize my DVDs much let alone catalogue them and that’s where PVD shines, the easiest and fastest cataloguing I've ever done, its simplistic layout with big image and highlighted loan movies right at the screen make it easy to see what I have and besides I just needed something to say I have that DVD.
Time is the biggest issue and if a program requires a learning curve even if its just a half hour is a big deal. Don't get me wrong I love your list but glad I suggested PVD.
George, Your right my impression from your review was that DVD Profiler was limited. I did not try it. I went with PVD which I liked. It does not have as many options as DVDP, but it has enough to keep me happy. When searching for movies PVD always found my movie. Not the case with DVDP which couldn't find a couple of U.S. releases. I had to search Europe for another one. Even though it was released in the U.S. After reading your new post on DVDP, I gave it a try.
It does look very Professional. Lots of nice bells and whistles. I started adding movies, had problem I stated above. Then I added #51 and Wow, it became a very basic program. It still looked good but it lost all the best features that, in my opinion make it better than PVD. All statistics gone (charts and graphs),and Collection view options gone. Just to name a few.
When I loan a movie on from PVD the movie is highlighted in red, right on my list of movies. That's a nice feature, always know whats out. Not so in DVDP you have to click on the movie on your list, then look in general info and you see the highlighted icon. If I was paying for a program DVDP would win hands down. But when comparing free versions. I think PVD has more useful options. Well LOL for me any way.
Hi all,
when reading your posts I was wondering why you would chose PVD or EMDB over DVD Profiler. You might have good reasons but when I read my review of DVD Profiler again I noticed that it might have made the impression that it is limited to 50 DVD's. Sorry for that. It's not!
So just to make that clear. DVD Profiler Free is unlimited in time and DVD's. Only some of the nice-to-have features become disabled after 50 DVD's but you can go on adding as many as you like and the remaining feature are still amazing and top all of the other tools in my opinion. Give it a shot if you like.
Best regards,
George
if someone is online all the time, they could as well go for e.g.
http://www.listal.com/
and I have dl this, though not tried it yet, but the barcode scanner sounds great!
http://www.getlibra.com/
Libra is a library software to organize your stuff: Books, Audio CDs, Movies, & Games (for a start). And it does so beautifully, and at an amazing price ($0 for non-commercial use).
Turn your webcam into a barcode scanner
Hook up your webcam, and Libra turns it instantly into a barcode scanner. Point your webcam towards the barcode (in any orientation) on the back of your books, DVD's or CD's and Libra will auto-retrieve the product information automatically, and add it to your library. You can use a normal barcode scanner (including CueCats) too.
Hi ender,
thanks for the info. I am a little tight in the moment but will check out Libra later.
Best regards,
George
George, thanks for being on top of the game. I notice , once you get a tip on software you check it out and add it very fast (PVD, Winbubble). Nice Job George and Thank you.
I've been using Personal Video Database for five days now. I have added over 200 Movies to it and no problems at all. Only 300 more to go. Really like the statistics feature. If you have a large collection go straight to PVD No limits.
WOW. Ok, Love the list but I've only tried Movie Collector and Ant Movie Catalog mentioned in comment. Point is that these are 50-limit or 30-day trials or ad-sponsored besided EMDB and ANT.
I found this one and LOVED IT, simply called:
Personal Video Database
Found at videodb.info
and its all free. Thank you, ALL.
Thanks for the tip on Personal Video Database. Been using it all day and it works great. This should be put in Hot Finds
Hi there,
and thanks for the note. Looks very good on the homepage. I will surely check it out.
Best regards,
George
In my opinion the best freeware to catalog your collection of movies is Ant Movie Catalog, you can check it out here
http://www.antp.be/software/moviecatalog/
Hi again,
with big expectations I have installed and worked with Ant Movie Catalog 3.5.1 (latest exe from July 2008, works in Vista). I must say I am disappointed and decided not to include it in my reviews as a competitor. I honor the work that the author put into this tool. I am not saying it is bad, but it simply does not meet my requirements for this review.
The major drawbacks I see is that only a few information can be stored per movie and that the online information download is very user-unfriendly and does not support UPC codes. You actually have to pick one from 228 Visual Basic scripts, each targeting a specific website you want to download the movie info from. I only knew a few of them so I picked 'Amazon' for a test. I couldn't even enter a search string. Ant downloaded nothing, left the fields empty and called the movie '1'. Aeh? I used YahooMovies then, only to get the message "Forbidden". I gave IMDB a try and actually got the information with a tiny little cover image (really tiny). Then I tried Amazon again hoping it takes the new movie title to search for. It did and answered "Movie Braveheart not found". Hmm, does not seem to be a popular movie. I could of course open the code of the script and do a little Visual Basic coding myself. But I wanted a DVD Collection Software not an IDE. I do not want to discourage anybody to try this tool (it is free after all) but it does not belong here imho.
Thanks anyways and best regards,
George
Does this work in Vista? It seems not to have been updated for a long time.
Hi,
thanks for the note. The screenshots look very promising. I will check it out soon...
George
Another alternative would be an online catalog. No software to download. And you can allow your friends to browse your collection and watch trailers if they want to borrow something.
http://www.chasingthefrog.com/catalog/
Great list, thank you!
Thanks a lot for the note. I couldn't find it on MediaMan's homepage anymore. I got it from 321download now and added it to the review.
Best regards,
George
A very good alternative is the last Freeware edition of Mediaman
http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page18.html#MediaMan
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