I have a WebDav server that contains some movies and shows. I use Infuse on Apple stuff and NOVA Video Player on Android to watch these. The directory is not organized, file names aren’t manually adjusted, and the movies and shows are mixed together. Yet, both of these programs are able to index recursively, get metadata, create a library and let me watch my media without issues.

Kodi, on the other hand, seems to be unable to index nested directories, requires you to tell it what type of media is in the individual directories and cannot identify anything correctly unless I go and manually rename directories/files. It also is exclusive for TV usage and not very suitable for desktop.

So, are there alternative programs to Kodi, ideally better suited to desktop usage or extensions I can install to make it work properly?

  • originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com
    191·
    2 months ago

    kodi is best as a front-end for an already curated library. ive used it extensively since the xbmc days…

    i use mediaelch to scrape, generate metadata files and rename files and folders into a standard way. it [can] generate things in a kodi-compatible format. kodi is set to just pull in that data. i concurrently use emby (jellyfin) to access that same metadata.

    your problem is conflating the curation of your library with the applications that will use it.

    kodi does need a full computer to run. thats where emby comes in. its for viewing the same shit on any other device

      • originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com
        141·
        2 months ago

        i cant even imagine wanting a mess of stuff as you describe, or expecting some media app to manage that mess on the fly. but hey, if thats how you want it. good luck.

        ive got 2500 movies and > 35,000 episodes in my library.

          • originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com
            71·
            2 months ago

            i do zero work for kodi. i curate a library i care about and that is not your end goal. kodi is definitely not for the ‘watch and delete’ crowd.

                  • Mugmoor@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
                    9·
                    2 months ago

                    If you’re on Desktop just use VLC, or try running Nova in an Android VM. Most Linux users are the type to meticulously organize their files, so I wouldn’t expect that there’s an app that’ll do what you’re looking for. There are plenty that will help you rename/restructure your WebDAV though.

      • calm.like.a.bomb@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        11·
        2 months ago

        other platforms already have applications that can do this without breaking a sweat

        Then go with those applications and that’s it. In the same vein, you can say that Kodi needs an organized library, so organize it and Kodi won’t break a sweat. That’s what a lot of people are telling you in this thread.