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Topic: virtual folders vs playlist? - Page: 1

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whats the difference in these what would you use a playlist over a virtual folder or a virtual folder over a playlist? i know playlists could be played with the auto play. which one do you prefer using?
 
Posted Thu 10 Sep 09 @ 10:07 pm
Correct, it's not very clear. Just in case, the basic definition of them is that they're "lists" of tracks that you create. They do not move or copy music files on your hard drive(s) - they are just a "reference pointer" to the track. You can use the same track in multiple lists. If the file moves/deletes, the song remains in the list, but will not play and it turns a different color to show the track isn't available.

But, there's alot of disucssions on the finer details out there - do a search. Here's 2 recent ones that cover them. The 2nd post also throws in iTunes functionality which plays a roll depending on how you function.

http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/114461/General_Discussion/Playlists_vs_Virtual_Folders_-_Preference_.html

http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/115191/PC_Version_Technical_Support/tunes_from_Ipod_didn_t_play_on_VDJ_.html

Here's a few key points on each:

Virtual Folders
• Cannot re-sort the order you put them in (if it matters to you; it does to event/wedding jocks)
• Cannot nest/sub-nest virtual folders (causing your screen/browser to become very cumbersome
• "moving" virtual folders up/down is a PIA, especially if you have alot. It doesn't auto-sort, nor can you simmply drag/drop.
• Theres a bug/oversight that once you 'sort' by a column heading, you cannot get back to the default sort order.(#1 killer for me to not use VFs for specialty lists, so i use iTunes)
• Some users report bugs of dissapearing data out of VF's. (though i haven't seen this)

Playlists
• Dismal saving funtionality (or lack there of) important if you want to edit/re-save your playlists (who doesn't?)
• You can re-sort your list, but the user interface to do so is a bit goofy, and then if you do, you're stuck with the saving issue above.

Youll find discussions on all of these topics 'round here. I'm a wedding/event DJ. I use Virtual Folders for "common dance tracks" for all major genres and other. I use iTunes for "specialty mixes" like special wedding/event songs, cocktail hour mixes and dinner hour mixes. I do not use Playlists at all and have disabled them.

The problem is that there are some pros and alot of cons for both, but neither seem to suit everybody. Your post/question points to the core issue - "What *is* the difference?" It gets asked around here alot. Youl'll learn that many have "workarounds" for scenarios. Workarouds are evil.

IMO - if the best of both were combined into a single function, *it* could be made great, whatever they call it!!
 
ok ok thanks for the info..i been sing the playlist but i did notice the lack of being able to edit the list in a simple easy way...example: like when you want to add songs to the list from different folders i have to put the playlist on auto mix in order to not lose it while opening another music folder into the broswer then once i added the new songs to the playlist i have to save it and so on...kind of a pain than just adding songs like you do to a virtual folder without having to save and name the list over and over again.
 
djpanda818 wrote :
ok ok thanks for the info..i been sing the playlist but i did notice the lack of being able to edit the list in a simple easy way...example: like when you want to add songs to the list from different folders i have to put the playlist on auto mix in order to not lose it while opening another music folder into the broswer then once i added the new songs to the playlist i have to save it and so on...kind of a pain than just adding songs like you do to a virtual folder without having to save and name the list over and over again.


You won't lose your playlist if you go into the Settings>options> and disable the "Auto Playlist" button. Once you do this your playlists will stay until you close them.

What I don't like about the play list is that it won't autofind files that have been moved and you can't just drag and drop the playlist in the playlist area you have to open it in the search area and then select the entire list and drag in into the playlist....a couple of time wasting steps in my opinion.

I understand that the playlist and autoplay was not a major concern as this is a DJ program first...however, now that all the really required features are in the program a bit of time to make the playlist and autoplay functions more user friendly (especially to non Djs who mostly use it like bar managers and the like during the time of the day there is no Dj).
 

Originally Posted By djblakemiller:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
• Theres a bug/oversight that once you 'sort' by a column heading, you cannot get back to the default sort order.(#1 killer for me to not use VFs for specialty lists, so i use iTunes)
________________________________________________________________________________________________




Actually, that is not true. If you click on the little tiny column heading that has no writing in it. It is the one on the very left. Ayways, click on that and your sort order will go back to the default. I actually stumbled across this by accident one night.
 
Also, don't forget, many of us have "LOST" many a virtual folder" and require a "saved" playlist in order to restore, which I think is SOOOOO redundant an operation. basically, there are deeper problems within the database integrity that they need to resolve before you can really trust virtual folders.
 
Man there has got to be something else wrong in your setup. I use Virtual folders and have not lost a one. There has got to be something that VDJ isnt liking on that system. I dont know what that is but I had TONS of issues with Vista if I wasnt running in Administrator mode, and before you tell me you are the admin I will tell you that there is more to it settings wise, but it has been so long I dont remember how to set it up.
 
Smokeshow wrote :

Originally Posted By djblakemiller:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
• Theres a bug/oversight that once you 'sort' by a column heading, you cannot get back to the default sort order.(#1 killer for me to not use VFs for specialty lists, so i use iTunes)
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Actually, that is not true. If you click on the little tiny column heading that has no writing in it. It is the one on the very left. Ayways, click on that and your sort order will go back to the default. I actually stumbled across this by accident one night.

Not sure what version/system you're running, but this has never worked on my side. (That skinny/label-less column was the very first one i tried, as it *is* the most logical one to try - and the same one that other programs use.) I click on it, and the display/graphic even changes visually (indicating that you're doing something) but nothing happens at all.

I postd this recently too and it was never responded to by users or staff . . . I would have thought if it was this easy, it would have been answered in no time. http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/114867/General_Discussion/Default_Sort_Order__Re-order_in_Lists.html

 
discobrian24 wrote :
Man there has got to be something else wrong in your setup. I use Virtual folders and have not lost a one. There has got to be something that VDJ isnt liking on that system. I dont know what that is but I had TONS of issues with Vista if I wasnt running in Administrator mode, and before you tell me you are the admin I will tell you that there is more to it settings wise, but it has been so long I dont remember how to set it up.


I have XP sp 3 running and I am not the only one that has experienced this, and as I have stated before, I have seen it on both my laptops and my wife has seen it on her Shuttle PC. One laptop has songs on internal HD and one has songs on ext. HD. Shuttle is a PC with XP sp3 and has songs on an internal HD.

Even when i restore the database from a backup copy, when VDJ opens it acts on it the same way, so saving the database doesn't help. and I use fix, check, clean all the time before i save the database.
 
Hi discobrian24

I also have used VDJ going on two years now and can't remember losing any VF's at any time so, The mystery of the third kind continues.

I'm not a tech person, but in my guestamation it might be related to system overhead problems....

It's like trying to full a pool with a straw, while the processor is jumping in and not waiting for the fill. something's bound to happen.

So check rec. tweaks in The forum and computer rec. spec's to see if there is something missing with you're equipment first.

Then also check this website to further refinding you're setup.

Website link: http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/OSguides.htm#Windows_XP_Professional

Good Luck

Joey.......
 
It appears to be linked with "after I insert a usb drive" than load up VDJ, and add new songs to the folders using VDJ. that seems to be the common thing I do to each computer. Something to do with having two drives each with it's own database working at the same time. The internal "C" drive and the USB in this case. Recently, I started to add songs with VDJ closed and just moving files from one drive's (usb)folder to another in the main drive; then removing the Usb drive, then opening VDJ..So far I have seen no missing song info OR lost VF's.

I hope this can be a clue to what might be happening? How about those who have experienced this?
 
While i have not lost any VF's or a substantial amount of data, i do witness some oddities with the database and drives as you mention. I get annoyance pop-ups every once in a while. They're benign, though annoying. (Though they do halt BPM scans until you "ignore" the error)

http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/115313/General_Discussion/There_is_no_disk_in_the_drive__Please_insert_a_disk_into_drive__Device_Harddisk1_DR1__.html?search=drive&page=1

I also notice my database getting jacked up after every few uses. While i don't have a single track on my C:\ drive, the database always ends up with a few dozen "bad tracks and videos" that i end up cleaning and fixing away on that drive. I also notice my main G:\ database will end up "dirty" too. Cleaning and fixing clears those up. I won't do a single thing on the physical drive or track (rename, move, etc.) but VDJ will always report the db is dirty after a few uses.

My "not in searchable db" filter folder also mysteriously ends up with tracks in them. Same with my "not scanned" FF. Also at times when I"m not doing anything to the physical tracks or location of them.

Again, no substantial errors or crashes or disappearing data on my end, but all of the above would also lend to "issues" and not surprising that some do experience more badness than mine.
 
Hi bryantpd

Are you saying that you are moving files from folder "A" into folders "B" and somehow not getting a link error (yellow) for those files in VDJ?

Joey.....
 
No, they are all going in the correct folders they belong in (Where all my music is stored and "databased". When they all get in their respective (correct) folders I scan them all, fix, check, and clean the database. Save the newly updated database in a separate folder.
 
"While I have not lost any VF's or a substantial amount of data,"

Ah, but you have lost "some" data. That is my point again, data, sometimes a small amount and sometimes more, is being lost; and in my case seems to follow "adding of songs" from another drive using VDJ's right click on the songs and "copy-to" methods.
 
Yes, I'm agreeing with you. I have not had any catastrophic errors, but i've *seen* some mysterious stuff going on with the db. Has me worried that I'll get hit with something worse . . . knock'n on wood.
 
Ah, I see, and YOU and I are definitely not the first, second, or third or fourth. I have spoken with many others I know that do Not frequent the forums that see the same "missing" stuff, some big, some small, doesn't matter...database has issues as things like this do not allow the proper use of filter folders based on parameters such as "firstseen". So why have filter folders, seems to me the datbase should have been on solid ground first. Just my opinion. In all due respect, i still respect the developers, the team, and all their hard work, but s why Iseem to post every time Ihave missing info in case some one else may have the same problem for the same common reason. I try to look for simple things I might have done just prior to the "bad database", and see if the team can build on it, and others may find similarities.
 
bryantpb wrote :
No, they are all going in the correct folders they belong in (Where all my music is stored and "databased". When they all get in their respective (correct) folders I scan them all, fix, check, and clean the database. Save the newly updated database in a separate folder.


So then if your not making any edts you'll be fine.

But if you make a any edits including spacing change between words you'll lose the link to that song.

Joey.....
 
I'm NOT ever losing any links to songs. It is always losing bpm info, etc., on songs that are visible and IN the database. Then I have to rescan them, anywhere from 5 to 20 on average at a time. I'm thinking a lot of ppl don't experience this as they most likely don't check every song in the database for complete info before they start their gig. I sort by bpm, then go to the bottom of the sortlist, and almost always find 5 to 20 songs missing their data. Once in a while, a complete virtual folder just disappears. To me, this a serious malady with the integrity of the database.
Why it has been ignored (not repaired), I do not know.
 
bryantpb wrote :
I'm NOT ever losing any links to songs. It is always losing bpm info, etc., on songs that are visible and IN the database. Then I have to rescan them, anywhere from 5 to 20 on average at a time. I'm thinking a lot of ppl don't experience this as they most likely don't check every song in the database for complete info before they start their gig. I sort by bpm, then go to the bottom of the sortlist, and almost always find 5 to 20 songs missing their data. Once in a while, a complete virtual folder just disappears. To me, this a serious malady with the integrity of the database.
Why it has been ignored (not repaired), I do not know.


Hi bryantpb

Wow I'll Have to check more closely to see if this happens to me too and start monitoring my folders.

I run my shows through different venue folders and playlist I setup for my gig's, so haven't focus attention to this.
Will report back.

Thanks

Joey....
 
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