Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming AMG info help

So I understand that Sooloos has some issues with data. However outside of 100 or so albums, the system never seems to work. Here is an example: I am uploading this Rachmaninov

Now there is clearly an AMG code there. However, when I use it, Sooloos cannot find it. It keeps bouncing back some Barbara Streisand album or a Spanish something or other.

I should add that it couldn't find Violent Femmes, Usher (the latter is wifies.. not exactly a tragedy!)

Am I doing something wrong, or are classical AMG codes, a no go?

Thank you

Are you importing FLAC's or direct from CD?

If from FLAC's, have you checked the meta data already present.

If you go into the edit screen, have you tried the import meta data and explicitly inputting the MW number.

Cheers
Greg

Edit: it would be handy to know if you are Mac or PC?

I am using a PC. I am importing .WAV files that were on a NAS, from my old NAIM system. My saving grace so far is that service that initially ripped all my CD's for me, leaves an "AMG report" file in the folder, allowing me to find the correct data on most. However, seems for classical its completely hopeless.

Yes, I do go into the edit screen and I do add the AMG MW number, and still nothing.

As an aside, the service that I used often finds several AMG #'s, as they rate each AMG # for quality of data, picture and language.

You have got to be kidding me. It doesn't even have The Who correct. The Who, Live at Leeds. The AMG # is R 443429. I have the two disc variant. Now when I add it to disc #1, it says its NOT in the data base. But when I add it to disc two, it accepts it, overwriting the part that is correct, with the data for disc 1.

I'm emailing Tim Ireland!

Try the Rovi Number MW0000014217 and ensure that you have Disc Number set to the correct 1 or 2 before you select Update

I would be interested in knowing ripped track lengths vs AMD/Rovi specified track lengths. I wonder if the original rips are 'contaminated' in some way such that they don't match those in AMD.

Could it be that the 100 or so that do work were ripped by another method?

Obviously Meridian haven't documented how they match metadata to AMGId's. However, I have imported quite a few albums now and I can offer some observations.

Direct CD import via Control:Mac is the most reliable. However it's very slow so I avoid. In the context of this post

RELIABLE == FINDING TO AMG ENTRY

This is nothing to do with rip accuracy!

If you import FLACs, it starts to get more difficult. The existing metadata that say XLD will have found can make a difference to how successfully the Control:Mac import FLAC process works in terms of matching to an AMG Id. It gets worse when there are multiple versions of the release. This has been documented in the Wiki.

Of course you have a bigger problem! You have WAV files which have no meta data embedded in them.

This is hardly a Meridian problem but I can understand your frustration.

First off, I would try and use Control:Mac on the original CD that was used. I'm not suggesting you re-rip. I would just like to make sure that Control:Mac can find the AMG data. This will give you some confidence in the import process.

In order to use WAV files, I would investigate generating a cue file from the CD.
You can then use a program like xAct to convert the WAV to FLAC which will use the cue file to autofill the metadata in the FLAC file.

In my opinion, importing FLAC will be much simpler than trying to import WAV files.

Ah, I just reread your post, and you are using a PC. I'm not sure what programs to use instead. But I'm sure there are equivalent programs that can generate a cue file and convert WAVs to FLACs.

Cheers
Greg

dBpoweramp has a batch converter that would do the whole lot at once, posting the FLAC files into individual folders for each album (with Replay Gain etc). There is a free full functionality trial but I suspect most people on this site who use it have happily paid for a full license, I have and I mainly use Macs.

MP3Tag will get you metadata from a variety of specifiable sources and write them to FLAC files. dBpa has similar functionality.

For multi disc sets I usually check and double check the disc numbers are right in Sooloos before importing. Correct disc number metadata does not usually guarantee that Sooloos picks up this nuance, and I find I usually have to do a separate data save for disc number (ie I edit disc numbers only, save data in Sooloos, then edit any other metadata separately before importing).

Sooloos does not read or rely upon the embedded ID3 Metadata Tags when Importing either FLAC, WAV or any other files

The Sooloos Import relies completely on an Algorithm of Artist and Album Name combined with the Number of Tracks and Track Length

Many times any deviation from AMG's record of the above (especially the Number of Tracks or Track Length) will lead to an error of "Cannot Find"

Given the way that many here work, i.e. Rip & Tag outside Sooloos, the biggest Error or bug that Meridian need to rectify is to truly enable the "Prefer Local Metadata" option as this would overcome many of these issues for Users

IMHO, the algorithm used by Sooloos is too finicky and only leads to user frustration

Try looking up the Rovi ID number for the album on the All Music Guide site http://www.allmusic.com.

Not once has the AMG number worked to help identify an album when importing but he Rovi number has worked sometimes.

I will take a look at the Rovi data. I will also do a little study. I just tried The Police box 4 CD set. What is weird is that the cover art is correct, but the data is all wrong! I will review the files I have in terms of track length vs what is on AMG and get back to you.

Are you absolutely sure?

I recently ripped a sampler CD. I had to edit the Tags manually with "Tags.App". When I imported the FLACs using Control:Mac the Track info had been picked up from the FLAC file. Its the only place it could have. The track names were 01 - Unknown Title.FLAC etc

I have read on the forum before though that Sooloos ignores embedded meta. It just at odds with behaviour I have encountered.

I have had other albums that have been "difficult" yet a little massaging with the Tags and they have imported ok.

With the issues the OP has been having, I feel using WAVs is a major contributor and trying a FLAC conversion could help. Happy to be proved wrong. But given the classical CD mentioned appears to have surprisingly good AMG data, Im surprised it won't import.

I couldn't agree more. But then Hitchhikers are probably at the obsessive end of the spectrum of Ms target customer these days.

But given the number of posts this subject generates, a bit more information could possibly be helpful

Cheers
Greg