2010-11-18, 14:35
The first thing you need to do is decide if MySQL is the best option for you. Whilst it has a lot of advantages there are also several disadvantages and other ways to achieve similar results so way up the pros and cons and decide if you really need a shared library at the moment.
Advantages:
New content only needs to be scanned once
Library always consistent on all systems
Update all pc’s libraries from one system
Stop watching a video and resume from same point in any room
Watched flags sync across all htpc's
Disadvantages:
Images do not get stored in database
Profiles not supported so each user will require unique databases if profiles used
If network down no access to library
Can be more problematic to set up
Can be slower than inbuilt local db
Some addons do not support MySQL databases
Slow entry into some views
Advantages:
New content only needs to be scanned once
Library always consistent on all systems
Update all pc’s libraries from one system
Stop watching a video and resume from same point in any room
Watched flags sync across all htpc's
Disadvantages:
Images do not get stored in database
Profiles not supported so each user will require unique databases if profiles used
If network down no access to library
Can be more problematic to set up
Can be slower than inbuilt local db
Some addons do not support MySQL databases
Slow entry into some views