# Plex/Nine Database
**URL:** https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453
**Category:** Dev/API Corner
**Tags:** other-dev
**Created:** [January 20, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453 "2010-01-20T16:15:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 9
### Author:  [@Burkan](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Burkan)
#### Post date: [April 18, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/161 "2010-04-18T14:42:20Z")
First of all let me begin by saying that you guys are doing a great job!!! The latest version of plex (0.8.5 with some tweaks of course) is running very well on my Media Centre Mac mini. I’m enjoying it every day!
But I hope 0.9 will be up soon!. I’m still a happy user of Plex 0.8.5 but the competition also has a very nice option. I’m talking about Boxee. I’ve dowloaded there BETA a few months ago but it was doing a very bad job in scraping my files.
But now there have been some new updates and the latest one makes it pretty stable and great actually. I’m even considering to move away from Plex because Plex is starting to look a bit dated! Boxee has a nice interface and feels “lighter” and is a lot faster!
It’s taking you guys a very long time to bring out 0.9. Even bringing out some teasing information seems like to much to ask. I know that you guys are doing this in your free time and are not funded like the Boxee team. But not being funded and Boxee bringing out some very great updates are even more reasons to keep the community up to date about your progress. I think that you guys are going to loose a big chunk of your users if you don’t release some more info. Even a release date of the alpha would be great…
Tease the community with some screenshots. Or even better yet; some video’s!
This way people know what to expect and won’t even consider switching to a different Media centre solution. Instead you (elan) mentioned that 0.9 is going to make you scrape all over again and that it’s going to be totally different. This way you’re scaring people away and giving them more reason to switch platforms.
Why are you guys not trying to “bind” the users to Plex? Give them some sneek peeks! More information about the releasedate! I can’t wait to see what’s next! And if this is going to take much longer: I and many others won’t!!!
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### Author:  [@atrus](https://forums.plex.tv/u/atrus)
#### Post date: [April 18, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/162 "2010-04-18T14:53:52Z")
That is enough. One more post not contributing to this thread will be deleted without notice. Keep on track guys!
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### Author:  [@elan](https://forums.plex.tv/u/elan)
#### Post date: [April 18, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/163 "2010-04-18T19:32:19Z")
> [@](#):
>
> It's taking you guys a very long time to bring out 0.9. Even bringing out some teasing information seems like to much to ask. I know that you guys are doing this in your free time and are not funded like the Boxee team. But not being funded and Boxee bringing out some very great updates are even more reasons to keep the community up to date about your progress. I think that you guys are going to loose a big chunk of your users if you don't release some more info. Even a release date of the alpha would be great....
>
> Tease the community with some screenshots. Or even better yet; some video's!
> This way people know what to expect and won't even consider switching to a different Media centre solution. Instead you (elan) mentioned that 0.9 is going to make you scrape all over again and that it's going to be totally different. This way you're scaring people away and giving them more reason to switch platforms.
You are completely right! From my perspective, it's hard to tear myself away from coding to do the communicating, but it is important.
It's actually on my list to post a screencast of the new library in action (as you can see from my last comment on the blog post. I wanted to write up more details, but let's face it, a screencast is worth a thousand words :)
The good news is that we're really happy with progress and will be making a public alpha available in a matter of weeks, not months.
---
### Author:  [@elan](https://forums.plex.tv/u/elan)
#### Post date: [April 18, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/164 "2010-04-18T19:44:09Z")
> [@](#):
>
> This baffles me a bit. I am not sure how moving away from nfo files is is a good thing. There is yet to be a automated scraper to get my library 100% correct all the time, and fixing it via apple remote is painful at best. This is aside from the nfo's for files that are not commercial scrapeable media. I get that parsing those files is a little expensive, but shouldn't be unreasonable. Is there a technical reason for this that I don't fully understand?
We're moving towards something more centralized and more comprehensive than NFO files. And moving away from fixing things with an Apple remote.
> [@](#):
>
> Do you mind expanding on this a little? At first blush I take this to mean there are XML formatted files being accessed off the filesystem along side of something like sqlite. Which brings performance questions to mind, as well as other twisted notions about the drawbacks to having separated dependent data sources.
This is a result of the move to a less coupled and monolithic architecture. The metadata agents (on the back end) run asynchronously and crunch away on data, and then write to a metadata "bundle" which is the authoritative store, and then notify Alexandria so that it can read the data into the database for speedy access.
> [@](#):
>
> My biggest concern is speed, at the moment it can take a bit for a big library to scrape, even with locally stored NFO and fanart, and a bit to populate during navigation. Are there going to be some performance gains in this regard?
There's heavy caching at play, so scanning big libraries can be slow the first time, but after that if you have to make adjustment or even rescan from scratch, it's quite fast, and only going to get better.
> [@](#):
>
> Great job on this project, I much appreciate all your hard work.
Thanks for the kind words!
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### Author:  [@atyrelyoung](https://forums.plex.tv/u/atyrelyoung)
#### Post date: [April 18, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/165 "2010-04-18T22:40:06Z")
> [@](#):
>
> This is a result of the move to a less coupled and monolithic architecture. The metadata agents (on the back end) run asynchronously and crunch away on data, and then write to a metadata "bundle" which is the authoritative store, and then notify Alexandria so that it can read the data into the database for speedy access.
Sounds really great. How is Alexandria going to deal with file moves, example: Have media files on a certain usb drive then move them to a NAS. Will a re-scrape be needed or will Alexandria recognize them. Another example would be renaming the file. For some reason I find myself hoping Alexandria is a fairly promiscuous girl and recognizes anything thats touched her before. I suppose digests are slightly slow and expensive too however.
> [@](#):
>
> You are completely right! From my perspective, it's hard to tear myself away from coding to do the communicating, but it is important.
Apologies for the Off Topic here, but perhaps the team needs to find a community relations person to handle that for you. As I'm sure you are aware most development departments have a relations person to communicate with the non developer types, perhaps your project is big enough to require such a person. I'm sure there is someone around on the forums up to the task. Regardless I think the feedback is/has been more than adequate given the scope and nature of the project, I wouldn't loose any sleep or code time over it.
---
### Author:  [@sansnipple](https://forums.plex.tv/u/sansnipple)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 3:21am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/166 "2010-04-19T03:21:37Z")
the reason the old library is so slow to scan/scrape is because it goes through your files sequentially, one at a time, fetching metadata from the net for each before it can start the next one, no mutlitasking, just one http request at a time, and you have to sit there and wait for it to download each poster and piece of fan art one at a time, slow slow slow slow slow.
Alexandria does everything totally differently, A. all the network operations are highly parallelized, B. the metadata/art fetching is detached from the file scanning, so it no longer runs sequentially, and you no longer have to sit there and watch a progress bar, stuff will show up in the library as soon as the file scanner finds it and then the metadata/posters/etc will populate in the background as they’re fetched. so yeah alexandria is fast and will probably keep getting faster.
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### Author:  [@wally007](https://forums.plex.tv/u/wally007)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/167 "2010-04-19T13:39:58Z")
> [@](#):
>
> the reason the old library is so slow to scan/scrape is because it goes through your files sequentially, one at a time, fetching metadata from the net for each before it can start the next one, no mutlitasking, just one http request at a time, and you have to sit there and wait for it to download each poster and piece of fan art one at a time, slow slow slow slow slow.
>
> Alexandria does everything totally differently, A. all the network operations are highly parallelized, B. the metadata/art fetching is detached from the file scanning, so it no longer runs sequentially, and you no longer have to sit there and watch a progress bar, stuff will show up in the library as soon as the file scanner finds it and then the metadata/posters/etc will populate in the background as they're fetched. so yeah alexandria is fast and will probably keep getting faster.
That sounds nice , but how will new library deal with added metadata AFTER initial scan. Lets say i have episode American Idol S01E01.avi and at the time Alexandria does its updating thetvdb.com has just limited metadata. Next day somebody adds more info about the episode, will that EVER going to show up in PLex automatically or will i have to re-scan the file manually from scratch ?
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### Author:  [@41john](https://forums.plex.tv/u/41john)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/168 "2010-04-19T17:22:55Z")
> [@](#):
>
> That sounds nice , but how will new library deal with added metadata AFTER initial scan. Lets say i have episode American Idol S01E01.avi and at the time Alexandria does its updating thetvdb.com has just limited metadata. Next day somebody adds more info about the episode, will that EVER going to show up in PLex automatically or will i have to re-scan the file manually from scratch ?
This is a very good question, I would love to know this too as I often need to do that if an episode picture hasn't been added or something like that.
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### Author:  [@jam](https://forums.plex.tv/u/jam)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/169 "2010-04-19T18:21:12Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Sounds really great. How is Alexandria going to deal with file moves, example: Have media files on a certain usb drive then move them to a NAS. Will a re-scrape be needed or will Alexandria recognize them. Another example would be renaming the file. For some reason I find myself hoping Alexandria is a fairly promiscuous girl and recognizes anything thats touched her before. I suppose digests are slightly slow and expensive too however.
Alexandria remembers all her former lovers ;)
> [@](#):
>
> That sounds nice , but how will new library deal with added metadata AFTER initial scan. Lets say i have episode American Idol S01E01.avi and at the time Alexandria does its updating thetvdb.com has just limited metadata. Next day somebody adds more info about the episode, will that EVER going to show up in PLex automatically or will i have to re-scan the file manually from scratch ?
The library will periodically check for new or updated metadata and automatically download it.
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### Author:  [@marklight](https://forums.plex.tv/u/marklight)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/170 "2010-04-19T19:07:15Z")
man this all sounds so great!..
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### Author:  [@El\_Massman](https://forums.plex.tv/u/El_Massman)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/171 "2010-04-19T20:14:34Z")
> [@](#):
>
> The good news is that we’re really happy with progress and will be making a public alpha available in a matter of weeks, not months.
That's awesome. Is there going to be any documentation of the new features for those of us working with skins? Really excited to see the alpha. Normally I'd be worried about the 'alpha' tag but seeing your 'unstable' branch of Plex I'm sure it'll be solid as a rock. :) It's all sounding amazing so far. Keep up the great work.
Marc
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### Author:  [@elan](https://forums.plex.tv/u/elan)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/172 "2010-04-19T20:19:25Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Is there going to be any documentation of the new features for those of us working with skins?
Yes, once we release, we'll fill you in and there will be a few examples to look at.
> [@](#):
>
> Really excited to see the alpha. Normally I'd be worried about the 'alpha' tag but seeing your 'unstable' branch of Plex I'm sure it'll be solid as a rock. :) It's all sounding amazing so far. Keep up the great work.
Trust me, it's unstable :-)
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### Author:  [@Advocate](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Advocate)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/173 "2010-04-19T20:19:42Z")
We’re all excited to see the alpha, I can’t wait. I also second the request for documentation for those of us skinning Plex 🙂
Can I ask if there’ll be any provision for editing movie/tv show info? Something like the numerous media info editors available for XBMC but built in to Plex?
Keep up the good work fellas and take your time getting it right, but at the same time, hurry up would ya! 😉
Alistair
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### Author:  [@elan](https://forums.plex.tv/u/elan)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/174 "2010-04-19T20:21:19Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Can I ask if there'll be any provision for editing movie/tv show info? Something like the numerous media info editors available for XBMC but built in to Plex?
It won't make it into the first cut, but it's planned, and all the underpinning are there to be able to do some wild things :)
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### Author:  [@Advocate](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Advocate)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/175 "2010-04-19T20:23:19Z")
> [@](#):
>
> It won't make it into the first cut, but it's planned, and all the underpinning are there to be able to do some wild things :)
Yay!! I wish I could pay you guys to work full-time on this :)
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### Author:  [@wally007](https://forums.plex.tv/u/wally007)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/176 "2010-04-19T20:51:23Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Alexandria remembers all her former lovers ;)
>
>
>
> The library will periodically check for new or updated metadata and automatically download it.
I hope thetvdb doesnt crumble under load :-)
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### Author:  [@elan](https://forums.plex.tv/u/elan)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/177 "2010-04-19T20:56:15Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I hope thetvdb doesnt crumble under load :-)
Heh heh...we're very good about caching things, so that will lower the load considerably.
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### Author:  [@GSX](https://forums.plex.tv/u/GSX)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/178 "2010-04-19T22:47:28Z")
> [@](#):
>
> The good news is that we're really happy with progress and will be making a public alpha available in a matter of weeks, not months.
Wow, that sounds great!
I think this is the first we've read in regards to any official announcement concerning a release date.
I'm eagerly anticipating 9's arrival. :)
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### Author:  [@creativo](https://forums.plex.tv/u/creativo)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/179 "2010-04-22T15:38:23Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Wow, that sounds great!
>
> I think this is the first we've read in regards to any official announcement concerning a release date.
>
> I'm eagerly anticipating 9's arrival. :)
Yes! I'm eagerly anticipating 9's arrival, too!
---
### Author:  [@Healeydave](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Healeydave)
#### Post date: [April 22, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-nine-database/3453/180 "2010-04-22T16:12:39Z")
Has it been a few weeks yet?
:rolleyes:
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