How to Set Up Filmotech: Step-by-Step Movie ManagementFilmotech is a lightweight, open-source movie cataloguing application designed to help film lovers organize their collections — physical discs, digital files, and wishlists — with minimal fuss. This guide walks you through installing, configuring, and using Filmotech effectively, plus tips to automate imports, manage metadata, and keep backups so your catalog stays accurate and safe.
What you’ll need
- A desktop or laptop (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
- Filmotech installer for your OS (download from the official site).
- Internet connection (for metadata lookups).
- A folder with your movie files (optional) or a list of physical media to catalog.
- Optional: a barcode scanner for fast entry of DVDs/Blu-rays.
1) Install Filmotech
- Download the latest Filmotech release for your OS from the official website.
- Run the installer (Windows: .exe; macOS: .dmg; Linux: AppImage or package).
- Follow prompts to install — accept default locations unless you need a custom path.
- Launch Filmotech after installation; the first run will create a new blank database.
2) Create and configure your database
- On first launch, choose “Create a new database” and pick a storage location. For portability, store the database in a synced folder (Dropbox, Nextcloud) or on an external drive.
- In Settings → General, set language, display units (GB/MB), and default currency if you’ll track purchase prices.
- In Settings → Paths, set:
- “Covers” folder where Filmotech saves downloaded cover images.
- “Files” base path if you’ll link local video files to catalog entries.
3) Importing your collection
There are three common import methods:
A) Manual entry
- Click “New movie” and fill fields: title, original title, year, director, cast, format, location, purchase price, and notes.
- Use the “Add cover” button to attach an image (Filmotech can also download covers automatically).
B) Import from files / folders
- Use File → Import → “Import files” or “Import directories.” Filmotech scans video filenames to create entries and can try to match them to online databases using the filename or embedded metadata.
C) Batch import via CSV or other apps
- Export data from other cataloguing tools to CSV and use File → Import → CSV. Map CSV columns to Filmotech fields carefully during the import wizard.
D) Scan barcodes (for physical media)
- If you have a barcode scanner, go to Add → Barcode search (or the designated barcode module). Scan the barcode and Filmotech will try to find the corresponding release and metadata.
4) Fetching and editing metadata
- Filmotech can fetch metadata (plot, year, director, cast, runtime) and covers from online databases. In an entry, use the “Online search” button to query sources.
- Review matches carefully — especially for alternate cuts, regional releases, or movies with identical titles. Select correct year, runtime, and edition before importing.
- Edit metadata fields manually when needed. Use the “Notes” field for edition-specific details (e.g., “Director’s cut, includes booklet”).
5) Linking local video files
- In a movie entry, use the “Files” tab to add one or more file paths. You can:
- Link single files (e.g., /Movies/Inception.mkv).
- Link folders containing multiple files for multipart releases.
- Use relative paths if your database and files are on the same drive to keep portability.
- Use the “Play” button in Filmotech to launch the linked file with your system default player.
6) Organizing with categories, tags, and collections
- Create categories (e.g., Blu-ray, DVD, Digital, 4K) and assign each movie a format to filter quickly.
- Use tags for genres, moods, or personal lists (e.g., “watchlist,” “Criterion,” “Horror Classics”). Tags are flexible and great for custom queries.
- Use collections to group related items (box sets, trilogies, director retrospectives).
7) Searching, filtering, and advanced queries
- The main window offers quick search by title, director, actor, year, or tag.
- Use advanced search to build boolean queries (e.g., Year >= 2000 AND Tag = “Sci‑Fi” AND NOT Format = “DVD”).
- Save frequent searches as smart lists for one-click access (e.g., “Unwatched 4K movies”).
8) Managing covers and images
- Filmotech stores cover images in the Covers folder. You can:
- Download high-resolution covers via online search.
- Replace covers manually by dragging an image into the cover slot.
- Generate thumbnails automatically for faster browsing.
- Keep covers size-optimized to avoid ballooning your database folder.
9) Backups and portability
- Regularly backup the Filmotech database file (and Covers folder). Options:
- Manual copy to external drive.
- Automatic backups via cloud-synced folder.
- Export database to XML/CSV for migration.
- If using relative file paths and storing DB + Covers together, you can move your entire library to another machine easily.
10) Automations & integrations
- Use file-watcher scripts or scheduled tasks to auto-import new video files placed in a watched folder. Filmotech doesn’t ship with built-in watchers, but you can set up a simple script (PowerShell, Bash, or a third-party tool) that triggers Filmotech’s import routine or places parsed CSV into the import folder.
- Integrate with media players/servers by keeping accurate file-path links so Plex/Emby/NAS systems and Filmotech point to the same files.
11) Troubleshooting common issues
- Missing metadata: try alternate online sources or search by IMDB ID/UPC for precise matches.
- Broken file paths after moving files: use Settings → Paths to update base path or run the “Relink files” tool to fix relative/absolute paths.
- Duplicate entries: use Tools → Find duplicates, review matches, and merge carefully to preserve file links and notes.
12) Tips for power users
- Standardize filenames before importing (Title (Year) – Source.codec) to improve automatic matching.
- Keep a separate “Wishlist” database for movies you don’t own yet.
- Use the Notes field for provenance (purchase date, seller, special features).
- Export periodic CSV snapshots for offline audits or inventory checks.
Example workflow (quick)
- Install Filmotech and create a database in a cloud-synced folder.
- Standardize and drop newly ripped files into a watched folder.
- Run the import routine to create entries and automatically fetch metadata.
- Review matches, link missing files manually, tag and categorize.
- Backup database weekly.
Filmotech is straightforward but powerful when you combine careful metadata checks, consistent file naming, and regular backups. Follow the steps above to build a searchable, reliable movie catalog you can trust for years.
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