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Recently I had the idea that it would be good to organize all of my movies and TV shows into one central application (kind of an inventory), and from the research I have conducted, I was able to conclude that iTunes would be the best software for what I would be using it for.
So far, it has somewhat served its purpose in that I can import some of my library, but not all of it due to file format issues and iTunes not supporting these formats (mostly MKV and AVI formats).
All of the research I have done about importing these files says to convert them, but because I wont be syncing them anywhere and converting as many files as i have would take too long that would be a very long and unnecessary process, so naturally I am leaning away from converting.
The only solution I can think of is possibly modifying iTunes – or getting a plugin FOR iTunes – that allows me to do this, so my question is: is there anything such as said plug in or modification that can allow me to do this?
If not, is there a software that allows me to organize and play these files in a simple fashion, again, without conversion?
+1 for a great answer. I'd also add that I've had better success using MP4Box for the remux than FFMPEG, but YMMV. In addition iTunes won't recognise (or lookup AFAIK) any metadata for imported files that have been remuxed (unless you use AtomicParsley) so something like Plesk / XMBC is probably a better answer anyway. – James – 2013-04-26T07:47:54.297
1Thanks. That's correct – I just didn't want to assume too much technical knowledge of the OP, since I find using
ffmpeg
a little more straightforward than MP4Box and AtomicParsley. But anyway, I guess it boils down to the fact that iTunes just isn't made for movie libraries that don't come from the iTunes store. – slhck – 2013-04-26T07:56:21.6031
Maybe re-phrase to not made for movie libraries not purchased directly from the iTunes store, but agreed ;-) It's pretty disingenuous as a friend of mine is able to play .mkv's etc natively (not with DTS audio though) on his iPad using https://itunes.apple.com/az/app/avplayerhd/id407976815?mt=8 so it's not as though it couldn't support it
– James – 2013-04-26T08:00:05.4172Thank you for the answer, judging by the information here I determined that Plex would be the best software for my use. for the record, though, I do have the technological knowledge to understand all of this. just saying. thanks again :) – Ben Franchuk – 2013-04-27T05:47:23.110
@ShadowFrunchak Haha, fair enough. Some people are scared away by terminals, so I always try not to go in there too much. Of course, if you like playing around with FFmpeg or MP4Box, give it a shot :) – slhck – 2013-04-27T08:21:06.557