2011-04-06, 11:38
Since you pushed me in the right direction i will share what i did maybe it will help someone else too
Smart playlists were the answer, and after a few hrs i got it to work the way i like it..
step 1)directory structure and naming
d:\Anime series | d:\Anime movies | e:\Tv shows | f:\Movies
All the files are in there, i named the TV shows as showname.s01e01, Anime series were named as showname 1x01 etc, proper naming will help with show information. If your show, series is not visible in the list just rename the file on your hdd. Example Gits standalone 01.mkv is not visible but Gits standalone01[1x01].mkv will be recognized as episode 01. I used total commander with its multi rename tool but im sure you could find similar tools to do the job.
step 2)anime scrappers
from the addons menu i added the anidb.net, anime news network and best anime add-ons to catch the show information and thumbnails.
step 3)Sources
in the home menu under videos i added sources for my folders in the step 1. So for anime series i put the path,confirmed with ok, and on the next screen i selected that the directory contains TV shows. Under that i had an option for TVDB, Anidb.net, Best anime and Anime news network. You could probably use any of them, i selected anime news network, selected Run automatic scan and after a few moments i had me my first anime show in the library. What show scrapper you use is up to you, anidb is probably no1 but whatever works for you is good. Repeat step 3 to add other folders/categories etc.
The problem when using this is that the anime series get mixed up with the regular shows so our next step is to create smart playlists to divide the two.
step 4) smart playlists
(or playlist filters...) On the home screen, go to Movies, push down on to the "playlists" button and then select it, on the next screen select "new smart playlist"
name - select something you prefer, in my case i placed Anime TV shows
Rule i made was: Match items where PATH and STARTS WITH and then browse to the path with your anime series and confirm by clicking OK
under Type i placed TV shows
Now confirm the filter with ok,then right click on your newly created playlist and select "add to favorites"
you should repeat step 4 to create smart playlists for movies, tv shows, documentaries, cartoons, whatever you want/need
Step 5)Add the New menu item
Go into the settings > skin settings > shortcuts
Shortcut 1
Home label: Anime Series
You enable the menu by select it on the right, the little blue dot makes it active
Selected favourite - will open a menu and after a few seconds you should see your playlist created in step 4 (along with other playlists)
Icon: Path to some icon to explain what the contents are (pure eyecandy)
Wallpaper: Background image when you select the menu (also eyecandy)
now exit to the main menu and look happy
You should see the newly created menu next to the old ones. Now its just repeating the steps to add the other categories. Once you've done that, go into the settings again, skin settings
under Home turn off:
Movies control visibility
TV shows control visibility
The reason i did that is because Anime will mix with your regular tv shows and make a mess of things. I like my things correctly ordered and numbered.
I thank you for your help Sharpe, for pushing me in the right direction and keep up the good work
some images of how it looks now until i find some better pictures
Smart playlists were the answer, and after a few hrs i got it to work the way i like it..
step 1)directory structure and naming
d:\Anime series | d:\Anime movies | e:\Tv shows | f:\Movies
All the files are in there, i named the TV shows as showname.s01e01, Anime series were named as showname 1x01 etc, proper naming will help with show information. If your show, series is not visible in the list just rename the file on your hdd. Example Gits standalone 01.mkv is not visible but Gits standalone01[1x01].mkv will be recognized as episode 01. I used total commander with its multi rename tool but im sure you could find similar tools to do the job.
step 2)anime scrappers
from the addons menu i added the anidb.net, anime news network and best anime add-ons to catch the show information and thumbnails.
step 3)Sources
in the home menu under videos i added sources for my folders in the step 1. So for anime series i put the path,confirmed with ok, and on the next screen i selected that the directory contains TV shows. Under that i had an option for TVDB, Anidb.net, Best anime and Anime news network. You could probably use any of them, i selected anime news network, selected Run automatic scan and after a few moments i had me my first anime show in the library. What show scrapper you use is up to you, anidb is probably no1 but whatever works for you is good. Repeat step 3 to add other folders/categories etc.
The problem when using this is that the anime series get mixed up with the regular shows so our next step is to create smart playlists to divide the two.
step 4) smart playlists
(or playlist filters...) On the home screen, go to Movies, push down on to the "playlists" button and then select it, on the next screen select "new smart playlist"
name - select something you prefer, in my case i placed Anime TV shows
Rule i made was: Match items where PATH and STARTS WITH and then browse to the path with your anime series and confirm by clicking OK
under Type i placed TV shows
Now confirm the filter with ok,then right click on your newly created playlist and select "add to favorites"
you should repeat step 4 to create smart playlists for movies, tv shows, documentaries, cartoons, whatever you want/need
Step 5)Add the New menu item
Go into the settings > skin settings > shortcuts
Shortcut 1
Home label: Anime Series
You enable the menu by select it on the right, the little blue dot makes it active
Selected favourite - will open a menu and after a few seconds you should see your playlist created in step 4 (along with other playlists)
Icon: Path to some icon to explain what the contents are (pure eyecandy)
Wallpaper: Background image when you select the menu (also eyecandy)
now exit to the main menu and look happy
You should see the newly created menu next to the old ones. Now its just repeating the steps to add the other categories. Once you've done that, go into the settings again, skin settings
under Home turn off:
Movies control visibility
TV shows control visibility
The reason i did that is because Anime will mix with your regular tv shows and make a mess of things. I like my things correctly ordered and numbered.
I thank you for your help Sharpe, for pushing me in the right direction and keep up the good work
some images of how it looks now until i find some better pictures
