CDIni Database

[TheSaint]

CDIni Database

The CDIni Database program is one I've been working on and updating for some time. Currently it appears to be my biggest project, with a code base of more than 8,700 lines. It was reasonably complex to create, with some of the search functions being the most complex.

You can download from here. (It is in my new installer package format, so I recommend you also download Universal Installer, but you don't have to.)

Try out the example 'Cdplayer.ini' content below (Post #4), if you don't have an existing file.

Artist INI Files

I've decided to upload a whole stack of Artist files (.ini) created with my copy of the program (i.e. Albums & Singles I've scanned in, etc). You can download the whole lot in a .zip file, or browse the alphabetical folders where the zip file is located. I will update these from time to time. You can store these wherever you like, but if you want the program to use them, then either import them, or probably better still, just store the names (etc) in the CD ID Search Dialog list, by browsing to them ... that way the program can just check & import them as needed (i.e. when you scan a matching CD).

INI_Files_Link.txt

Another good source for Artist files, that still seems to be available, even though it doesn't appear to have been updated since 2005, is here. Just check out the alphabetical section in the left frame.

If I can't find a CD in any of the files I've stored locally, then I just use CDex to query the FreeDB on-line database. You used to be able to download their files and create a local database version, but they may not be available anymore ... and they took all day (i.e. many hours to finish installing ... on top of being pretty hefty downloads as well ... at least initially and with only a 56k modem). My PC used to always crash (this was years ago), because of the many, many thousands of small files eating up the memory or something like that.

Screenshots

Main Window (Scan update)

Right-Click Context Menus

Artists

Albums

Tracks

------------------------------------------------------------------

Item Text Editor ** UPDATED

Album Details Editor

Track Details Editor ** UPDATED

------------------------------------------------------------------

Settings Dialog

------------------------------------------------------------------

CDID Search Window

CD ID Search Results Dialog ** NEW

------------------------------------------------------------------

Check & Report Dialog

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_Check.jpg

------------------------------------------------------------------

File Choice Dialog

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_Choice.jpg

------------------------------------------------------------------

Backup Dialog

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_Backup.jpg

------------------------------------------------------------------

Search Dialog

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_Search.jpg

Search Results Window

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_Results.jpg

------------------------------------------------------------------

Compare window

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_Comp.jpg

CDID Selector

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_SelID.jpg

------------------------------------------------------------------

Music File Renamer

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_Rename.jpg

New Name Preview

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_Namprv.jpg

------------------------------------------------------------------

Scan - Add New CD ** UPDATED

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~timbhall/timbhall/downloads/Screenshots/CDID_Scannew.jpg

I use this program in conjunction with CDex, Tagscanner and my own programs - Abbreviation Database, Export To Nero and TextFiles Joiner, etc. None of these programs are necessarily required to be used with the CDIni Database, but they make my audio file world nearly idylic (especially CDex, which I use to download CD info from FreeDB - because it saves to the Windows Cdplayer.ini file and saves me typing). Primarily I'm concerned here with burning CD Text, converting to Mp3 (wav, etc), tag editing, playlists, etc.

The CDIni Database program has one major requirement to get started, and that is, a populated Windows Cdplayer.ini file. While many new music programs now ignore this older database format file, there are still plenty of good ones around that read &/or write to it (i.e. CDex).

One of the major flaws with the Cdplayer.ini file, was the 64kb limit on older versions of Windows. If you have upwards of Win2000, then the limit is no longer so small. On top of that, my CDIni Database program converts entries from the Cdplayer.ini file into multiple .ini files - making the limitation even harder to reach.

The CDIni Database program can check for new entries in the Cdplayer.ini file and import them, plus if you prune the Cdplayer.ini file, any missing entries that are required at a later date, can be exported back from the CDIni Database back into the Cdplayer.ini file.

While over the years since the Cdplayer.ini file first appeared in Win95, many people have created viewers and database converters for it. Some have been quite good, but none have done all I wanted, so I made my own.

Many of you are probably quite happy using Windows Media Player and it's current database format or one of the other myriad of players and databases. If so, then you don't need to use the CDIni Database. However, I like to get down and dirty and have more control over my audio files - that's why I still use the Cdplayer.ini file ... it's very easy to edit manually, but much easier with a program like the CDIni Database.

Over the years, I have made several programs to work with the Cdplayer.ini file. Most I no longer use very often and the others are now redundant because of my CDIni Database. Most were made using VB6, and one in particular was very handy, because it played middleman between the Cdplayer.ini file and other programs that like to access it. This program called CDLocate, worked somewhat similar to the Autorun menu that first appeared with WinXP. It ran when you inserted an Audio (or mixed) CD and gave you a GUI with buttons to start other programs. But more importantly, it retrieved CD details from other pre-specified files when the currently loaded CD did not exist in the Cdplayer.ini. If it found the details, it automatically exported them into the Cdplayer.ini. If not, then it could display another VB program of mine (CDEditor), to create them. Because many programs like Nero no longer check the Cdplayer.ini, I have not included this feature in the CDIni Database.

While the CDIni Database is quite a comprehensive program, it still lacks some features that I might add later. I may add the CDLocate ability if I ever find it would be handy, but I am more interested in giving it the ability to scan a CD and then interrogate FreeDB (I notice someone at the forum has already provided some code, that will maybe allow me to do just that). It would also be handy to incorporate an Editor with that feature, or on it's own. I may also incorporate more compatability with rarer ini keys like pic, burnt, lyrics, times, media, comments, etc. In particular, storing track times and year (if a compilation), would be a nice addition.

At some time in the future, I may even convert the program to a more modern (non ini) database.

Most of the details you need to know about the CDIni Database, can be found within the program.

Anyway, for those of you who have wanted a program like this (or find you do now), I hope you enjoy!

Edited March 9, 2009 by TheSaint

[TehWhale]

"You cannot currently create or update the database,

because the 'Cdplayer.ini' file is missing or empy.

i.e. 'C:\Windows\Cdplayer.ini'."

[TheSaint]

"You cannot currently create or update the database,

because the 'Cdplayer.ini' file is missing or empy.

i.e. 'C:\Windows\Cdplayer.ini'."

See above (2nd paragraph under screenshots).

The CDIni Database program has one major requirement to get started, and that is, a populated Windows Cdplayer.ini file.

[TheSaint]

For those who want a Cdplayer.ini file to test the program with, here is a pretty basic one taken from my laptop at some point. It's imperfect, but that kinda makes it ideal for playing with.

Just paste the following content into a text file, rename it to 'Cdplayer.ini', and place it in your Windows folder.

[291084D]

entryType=1

artist=DAVID BYRON

title=Man Of Yesterday - The Anthology - CD2

numTracks=18

0=DAVID BYRON\Man Full Of Yesterdays

1=DAVID BYRON\Love Song

2=DAVID BYRON\Steamin' Along (single edit)

3=DAVID BYRON\Midnight Flyer

4=DAVID BYRON\What's Goin' On (unreleased version)

5=DAVID BYRON\Silver White Man (unreleased version)

6=ROUGH DIAMOND\Rock'n'Roll

7=ROUGH DIAMOND\Hobo

8=ROUGH DIAMOND\Seasong

9=DAVID BYRON\Baby Faced Killer

10=DAVID BYRON\Heaven Or Hell

11=DAVID BYRON\I Remember

12=BYRON BAND\Every Inch Of The Way (a-side)

13=BYRON BAND\Routine (b-side)

14=BYRON BAND\Tired Eyes (b-side)

15=BYRON BAND\How Do You Sleep?

16=BYRON BAND\Piece Of My Love

17=BYRON BAND\Rebecca

numplay=18

year=2005

genre=Rock

[250BB50]

entryType=1

artist=DAVID BYRON

title=Man Of Yesterday - The Anthology - CD1

numTracks=17

0=JOHN SCHROEDER\Wanna Thank You Girl (edit)

1=JOHN SCHROEDER\The Bird Has Flown (edit)

2=JOHN SCHROEDER\Witchi Tai To

3=SPICE\Magic Lantern (alternate version)

4=SPICE\Born In A Trunk (unreleased version)

5=URIAH HEEP\Come Away Melinda (unreleased version)

6=URIAH HEEP\Wake Up Set Your Sights (unreleased version)

7=URIAH HEEP\Gypsy

8=URIAH HEEP\The Wizard

9=URIAH HEEP\Easy Livin'

10=URIAH HEEP\Rain

11=URIAH HEEP\Stealin'

12=URIAH HEEP\Sweet Freedom

13=URIAH HEEP\Wonderworld

14=URIAH HEEP\The Easy Road (unreleased out-take) (live)

15=URIAH HEEP\Beautiful Dream (alternate version)

16=URIAH HEEP\Rock'n'Roll Medley (live)

numplay=17

year=2005

genre=Rock

[17B69AD]

entryType=1

artist=J.J. CALE & ERIC CLAPTON

title=The Road To Escondido

numTracks=14

0=Danger

1=Heads In Georgia

2=Missing Person

3=When This War Is Over

4=Sporting Life Blues

5=Dead End Road

6=It's Easy

7=Hard To Thrill

8=Anyway The Wind Blows

9=Three Little Girls

10=Don't Cry Sister

11=Last Will And Testament

12=Who Am I Telling You?

13=Ride The River

numplay=14

year=2006

genre=Blues

[EE8695]

entryType=1

artist=ENYA

title=Amarantine

numTracks=12

0=Less Than A Pearl

1=Amarantine

2=It's In The Rain

3=If I Could Be Where You Are

4=The River Sings

5=Long Long Journey

6=Sumiregusa

7=Someone Said Goodbye

8=A Moment Lost

9=Drifting

10=Amid The Falling Snow

11=Water Shows The Hidden Heart

numplay=12

year=2005

genre=Folk-Rock

[2759D49]

entryType=1

artist=Various Artists

title=In The Garden - Soothing Music For Relaxation

numTracks=18

0=JOHNSTONE/Lydia's Garden

1=GRAINGER/Beautiful Fresh Flower

2=SATIE/Gymnopedie No.1

3=NOVELLO/We'll Gather Lilacs

4=VAUGHAN WILLIAMS/Fantasia On Greensleeves

5=TCHAIKOVSKY/Waltz Of The Flowers

6=PACHELBEL/Canon In D

7=GRIEG/Morning Mood

8=SAINT-SAENS/The Swan

9=RAVEL/The Fairy Garden

10=TRADITIONAL/Down By The Sally Gardens

11=ELGAR/Chanson De Matin, Op.15 No.2

12=MASCAGNI/Intermezzo

13=CHOPIN/Prelude Op.28 No.15 In D-Flat

14=BACH/Air On A G String

15=HANDEL/Largo - Ombra Mai Fu

16=FAURE/Pavane Op.50

17=MOZART/Adagio

numplay=18

year=2003

genre=Classical

[11C82D5]

entryType=1

artist=GEORGE

title=Unity

numTracks=12

0=Falling Inside

1=Still Real

2=One

3=Beauty Of All Things

4=Captive

5=Today

6=Fall

7=Fortunate Smile

8=Change

9=Jaded

10=Surrender

11=Growing With Love

numplay=12

year=2005

genre=Rock

[1ECD242]

entryType=1

artist=GEORGE BENSON

title=Anthology - CD1

numTracks=15

0=GEORGE BENSON / Shadow Dancers

1=GEORGE BENSON / Ain't That Peculiar

2=GEORGE BENSON / A Foggy Day

3=GEORGE BENSON / Ready And Able

4=GEORGE BENSON / What's New

5=GEORGE BENSON / Chattanooga Choo Choo

6=GEORGE BENSON / White Rabbit

7=GEORGE BENSON / Summertine (live)

8=GEORGE BENSON / Breezin'

9=GEORGE BENSON / This Masquerade

10=GEORGE BENSON / Shark Bite

11=GEORGE BENSON / Nature Boy

12=GEORGE BENSON / Greatest Love Of All, The

13=GEORGE BENSON / On Broadway (live)

14=GEORGE BENSON / We All Remember Wes (live)

numplay=15

year=

genre=Rock

[25264D1]

entryType=1

artist=GEORGE BENSON

title=Anthology - CD2

numTracks=17

0=GEORGE BENSON / Love Ballad (single version)

1=GEORGE BENSON / Off Broadway

2=GEORGE BENSON / Moody's Mood

3=GEORGE BENSON / Give Me The Night (Single Version)

4=GEORGE BENSON / Turn Your Love Around

5=GEORGE BENSON / Love All The Hurt Away

6=GEORGE BENSON / Mimosa

7=GEORGE BENSON / Being With You

8=GEORGE BENSON / 20-20

9=GEORGE BENSON / New Day

10=GEORGE BENSON / Kisses In The Moonlight (Single Version)

11=GEORGE BENSON / Mt. Airy Road

12=GEORGE BENSON / Let's Do It Again (Single Version)

13=GEORGE BENSON / Tenderly

14=GEORGE BENSON / Ready Now That You Are

15=GEORGE BENSON / Long And Winding Road, The

16=GEORGE BENSON / C-Smooth

numplay=17

year=2000

genre=Rock

[219384C]

entryType=1

artist=Various Artists

title=Video Hits - 1000th Show Celebration - Disc 1 - 70s

numTracks=17

0=JACKSONS \ Blame It On The Boogie

1=WILD CHERRY \ Play That Funky Music

2=DAVID ESSEX \ Rock On

3=BILL WITHERS \ Ain't No Sunshine

4=AMII STEWART \ Knock On Wood

5=IKE & TINA TURNER \ Nutbush City Limits

6=MENTAL AS ANYTHING \ Nips Are Getting Bigger, The

7=MEAT LOAF \ You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth

8=DADDY COOL \ Eagle Rock

9=BILLY PAUL \ Me & Mrs Jones

10=JO JO ZEP & THE FALCONS \ Hit & Run

11=NORMAN GREENBAUM \ Spirit In The Sky

12=EARTH, WIND & FIRE \ Boogie Wonderland

13=SANTANA \ Black Magic Woman

14=EXILE \ Kiss You All Over

15=BARRY BLUE \ Dancin' On A Saturday Night

16=BLACKFEATHER \ Boppin' The Blues

numplay=17

year=1998

genre=Rock

[1C5F431]

entryType=1

artist=Various Artists

title=Video Hits - 1000th Show Celebration - Disc 2 - 80s

numTracks=16

0=BANGLES \ Walk Like An Egyptian

1=SWINGERS \ Counting The Beat

2=ROBERT PALMER \ Simply Irresistible

3=MARVIN GAYE \ Sexual Healing

4=MEN AT WORK \ Down Under

5=EURYTHMICS \ Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)

6=EARTH, WIND & FIRE \ Let's Groove

7=BLACK BOX \ Ride On Time

8=J GEILS BAND \ Centrefold

9=VAPORS \ Turning Japanese

10=CYNDI LAUPER \ Time After Time

11=PARTY BOYS \ He's Gonna Step On You Again

12=OMD \ If You Leave

13=DAVE DOBBYN \ Slice Of Heaven

14=CHAMPAIGN \ How 'Bout Us

15=REDGUM \ I Was Only 19 (A Walk In The Light Green)

numplay=16

year=1998

genre=Rock

[1FF0630]

entryType=1

artist=Various Artists

title=Video Hits - 1000th Show Celebration - Disc 3 - 90s

numTracks=17

0=AudioTrack 01

1=AudioTrack 02

2=AudioTrack 03

3=DIANA KING \ Say A Little Prayer

4=HUMAN NATURE \ Wishes

5=UNIQUE II \ Break My Stride (fm track)

6=REAL McCOY \ Another Night

7=LA BOUCHE \ Sweet Dreams

8=TINA ARENA \ Chains

9=TAYLOR DAYNE \ Can't Get Enough Of Your Love

10=SWOOP \ Apple Eyes

11=AudioTrack 12

12=NO MERCY \ Where Do You Go

13=EDWYN COLLINS \ A Girl Like You

14=RICK PRICE \ Not A Day Goes By

15=ROACHFORD \ Lay Your Love On Me

16=CDB \ Let It Whip

numplay=17

year=1998

genre=Rock

[DC1F71]

entryType=1

artist=ROBIN TROWER

title=Living Out Of Time

numTracks=11

0=What's Your Name

1=Step Into The Sun

2=Another Time, Another Place

3=Sweet Angel

4=Please Tell Me

5=One Less Victory

6=Ain't Gonna Wait

7=Living Out Of Time

8=The Past Untied

9=You Still Came Back

10=I Want To Take You With Me

numplay=11

year=2003

genre=Rock

[234A24E]

entryType=1

artist=STYLE COUNCIL

title=The Singular Adventures Of The Style Council - Greatest Hits Vol.1

numTracks=16

0=You're The Best Thing (alternate mix)

1=Have You Ever Had It Blue (12" version)

2=Money Go Round (parts 1 & 2) (alternate mix)

3=My Ever Changing Moods (12" version)

4=Long Hot Summer (12" version) ('89 mix)

5=The Lodgers (alternate mix)

6=Walls Come Tumbling Down

7=Shout To The Top!

8=Wanted

9=It Didn't Matter

10=Speak Like A Child

11=A Solid Bond In Your Heart

12=Life At A Top Peoples Health Farm

13=Promised Land

14=How She Threw It All Away

15=Waiting

numplay=16

year=1989

genre=Rock

[D3B7E0]

entryType=1

artist=ANIM8

title=Anim8

numTracks=10

0=Sputnik

1=Jethro

2=Epic

3=Embryo

4=Mission

5=Dawn

6=Trilogy

7=Freeway

8=Cosmos

9=Just Drive

numplay=10

year=2007

genre=Rock

[217185]

entryType=1

artist=CAROLYN OATES

title=Carolyn Oates (EP)

numTracks=5

0=Nature Boy

1=What Is Beautiful

2=So Many Things

3=Silence Speaks

4=All Consuming Insignificant

numplay=5

year=2008

genre=Rock

Edited March 1, 2009 by TheSaint

[TheSaint]

CDIni Database updated to v3.1 *

I remembered today, that I hadn't gone back and checked something with the search options in CDIni Database. I'd spent most of my time working on the more complex side of it, and then got interrupted. By the time I got back to it, I'd forgotten I hadn't quite finished the simple bits. Anyway, it should be all fixed now, and I've added the ability to stop the search by pressing your 'Ctrl' key, and done that also for the remove duplicates feature as well (which can take a very long time - make a cuppa sort of time, if you have several hundred entries to compare). Mind you, since my improvements, you may never get duplicates ... if you do, I'd like to hear about it. I apologise to those few who have downloaded it so far.

[TheSaint]

CDIni Database has been updated to v3.2.

This involves a new Scan CD feature that will scan a loaded CD, check the Database, then provide a window to enter CD details if the entry does not yet exist.

I have also implemented a bugfix, for an overlooked error in one method of renaming an album, that involved the later duplicate album check added on feature. This mean't that you ended up with an unnamed .ini file and blank entries in the main indexing files ... sorry about that for those who may have encounted this ... none reported so far though. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT FIX THAT SAVES LOSS OF AN ARTIST'S DATA in the database.

Some of the renaming windows now have the NEXT button as the default, with the main INPUT gaining the focus - something I should have added before, but forgot.

It is my intention, at some future time, to also provide a FreeDB database query using part of the new scan option. I just need time to research and understand this ability first.

Edited February 16, 2009 by TheSaint

[TheSaint]

CDIni Database has been updated to v3.6. This involves several improvements and new features since v3.3 was uploaded, and includes some minor bugfixes.

The SCAN CD option is now fully functional as far as Track & Artist editing goes, with many special buttons to save on repetitive typing, etc. The scan feature is also now tied to the CD ID Search Dialog, and so doesn't just check the database for the CD, but will also check any other files you care to store in the search list, and import any found details for checking/editing. When you browse to add files to that list, you can now multi-select to save hassle and time. I've now also supplied a link for INI Files.zip, which is a copy of most of the Artist files taken from my database. A great idea, is to store these in your shared music folder, and then browse to them with the CD ID Search Dialog option, so that they will be available during scans. Some renaming options have been improved by more special buttons - in particular track renaming. The compare dialog can now work with more than one copy of the same album in the list (i.e. Fireball (Copy 1), Fireball (Copy 2), etc). The Compare window has had some other improvements, relating to default button, and a choice of two options rather than the one (complete overwrite) for Import / Export. Support for a missing Cdplayer.ini file has been implemented, so you can start scanning CD's in right away (bypassing the need for any other program, etc). Numerous other minor improvements.

To Do List

I'd like to add an ability to querie FreeDB.

I'd also like to store Total Disc & Track Times.

I'm considering adding a Playlist element - create, edit, add, etc. Which would entail playing options, and maybe a collection folder option (incorporating - load, eject, prompts, etc). So that Burn or Mp3 lists can be compiled (based on times, etc). I also want to eventually get back to working on my Lplex GUI (frontend) program for making Audio DVD's (care of Bahman the Lplex creator). Features in my database program could assist with elements for Lplex (including Jpegs too).

And various other things that come to mind from time to time (SQL, etc).

Edited March 9, 2009 by TheSaint

[TheSaint]

Just a quick note to let those who are interested know, that I'm now up to v4.0 of the program ... though I'm yet to upload it (last upload was v3.6). It features a whole raft of changes - improvements, new features, bugfixes, completions, etc.

I've added both a time and comment field, as well as providing other keys such as live & cdtext, etc. When scanning a CD into the database, the Total Time for all tracks is added (time key & value)when entries are saved ... for an existing CD entry, it gets added automatically after clicking SCAN CD (with the disc in your drive of course). The main window has had some changes - button relocation, removals (incorporated in a different way) & additions. I've added a few build options for stored CD ini type files in the Search CD ID section. I both broke and then hopefully fixed the other Search/View options. I discovered I hadn't completed the Rename Audio Files feature for ALL files in a folder, which I have completed now ... needed it the other day after stuffing some Mp3's up whilst experimenting with code for Tagscanner in my Abbreviation Database program ... and discovered the ALL option was only partially finished (not renaming in fact) ... I probably new I hadn't finished it, then promptly forgot about it ... not something I use much.

Due to the number of bugs I found, and things that got broken (hopefully all fixed now), I'm a bit reluctant to provide the latest version just yet ... without further testing first. I'm also keen to add Track Time & Year, which I'm still deliberating the best way to do so ... anyone familiar with the standard Cdplayer.ini type file, and my recent chat post, will maybe understand my dilemma somewhat. Both that type of file and CDText itself, have been poorly instigated by the powers that be (especially CDText, which doesn't even support a CD year field apparently ... let alone individual track years). In past years, other programs have added various keys to the Cdplayer.ini file, some of which I've adopted, and some like track time & track year I want to reduce eventual file overhead before implementing.

While the limitations of the Cdplayer.ini file are somewhat well known, and for the most part overcome by programmers and or other programs, CDText is a major disapointment. You can kinda see why so few CD's these days (at least in my experience) have it. In fact, it has never really been implemented big time ... though to be sure, the benefits are pretty obvious ... you don't have to query the web for details for starters, and many car CD players, etc support it ... though I believe much of the problem may be due to licensing. All that said, the developers had pretty stupid ideas when they created it ... aren't these people music lovers and users themselves ... jeez why does that always have to happen? Surely adding year was pretty obvious ... and what about all the Various Artists discs ... they really limited things didn't they ... morons (worst kind of nerd)!

I may even implement a FreeDB query element shortly (next?).

Keeping you in touch!

Edited March 18, 2009 by TheSaint