What's new in CLZ Movies? (page 7)
In this update we introduce a new quick-search for your folders, sorting your folders by the counters, and more stable cloud syncing through our brand-new dedicated Sync-server.
Quick-search your folders
Grouping in folders is a powerful way to browse and filter your collection. Just group by Format, or Director, etc… tap a folder and the list will give you all movies for the selected Format or Director.
However, if your collection spans thousands of movies, that “tap a folder” part is sometimes easier said than done. It may require lots of scrolling in the folder list.
But not anymore! This version introduces a new search box right above the folder list, that lets you instantly search/filter the folder list as you type! Just typing a few letters is often enough to bring the folder you are looking for into view:
Sort folders by count
By default, the folders are sorted alphabetically. But as of today, there is another option: sort your folders by the counter, that is by the number of movies contained.
Sorting by the counters is a nice way to find the most popular Formats, Studios, Directors, etc..
Switch between the Alphabetical and By Count sorting using the sort toggle at the top:
Improved barcode scanning
We have improved the scan engine and gave it a larger “scan area”. This should help scan barcodes faster and easier.
Now uses our brand-new CLZ Cloud Sync-server
Previously one big server was handling the Connect website, the CLZ Cloud website AND the CLZ Cloud syncing from the desktop programs and the mobile apps.
But this week we have set up a brand-new dedicated Sync-server to handle just the CLZ Cloud syncing.
In today’s update, CLZ Movies has been updated to sync through this new server, which should result in faster syncing and a more stable syncing experience during high load times (weekends).
In this update we introduce a new quick-search for your folders, sorting your folders by the counters, and more stable cloud syncing through our brand-new dedicated Sync-server.
Quick-search your folders
Grouping in folders is a powerful way to browse and filter your collection. Just group by Format, or Director, etc… tap a folder and the list will give you all movies for the selected Format or Director.
However, if your collection spans thousands of movies, that “tap a folder” part is sometimes easier said than done. It may require lots of scrolling in the folder list.
But not anymore! This version introduces a new search box right above the folder list, that lets you instantly search/filter the folder list as you type! Just typing a few letters is often enough to bring the folder you are looking for into view:
Sort folders by count
By default, the folders are sorted alphabetically. But as of today, there is another option: sort your folders by the counter, that is by the number of movies contained.
Sorting by the counters is a nice way to find the most popular Formats, Studios, Directors, etc..
Switch between the Alphabetical and By Count sorting using the sort toggle at the top:
Improved barcode scanning
We have improved the scan engine and gave it a larger “scan area”. This should help scan barcodes faster and easier.
Now uses our brand-new CLZ Cloud Sync-server
Previously one big server was handling the Connect website, the CLZ Cloud website AND the CLZ Cloud syncing from the desktop programs and the mobile apps.
But this week we have set up a brand-new dedicated Sync-server to handle just the CLZ Cloud syncing.
In today’s update, CLZ Movies has been updated to sync through this new server, which should result in faster syncing and a more stable syncing experience during high load times (weekends).
Fixed:
- Field Defaults: It wasn’t possible to set the rating field back to zero.
- Manage Pick Lists: Merging list items caused too many sync changes.
WebP is a new image format, developed by Google, that is producing smaller images compared to JPG and PNG, while preserving image quality. All modern browsers fully support the new WebP format so many websites are now using WebP for a faster browsing experience, consuming less bandwidth.
Of course, our Connect web-based software and the free CLZ Cloud viewer sites are quite heavy on cover images, especially in the Image and Card Views. So we figured switching to WebP could produce a nice boost in performance!
So today, we switched over and are now delivering all cover images and backdrops in WebP format, on all browsers that support it (older browsers still get JPG images).
You will find that your Image View and Cards View will load faster now. The difference is especially noticeable on slower internet connections and mobile devices (if you have a very fast internet connection, the difference will be minimal).
Noticeable on all connection types is the faster loading of the details panel after selecting a different item in your list. Because of the huge difference in the backdrop image sizes, viewing item details is now a lot snappier.
Enjoy!
Multiple small tweaks to your Connect software today, improving both the Edit Movie screen and the Add Movies screen.
Editing pick list fields: checkbox multiple values in one go
The Edit screen is where many users are spending most of their time, so we’re always trying to make your editing life faster and easier.
Today, we improved all multi-value pick lists fields (e.g. Genres, Subtitles, Tags) by letting you add multiple values in one go. In the Select Value screen we have introduced checkboxes now, that let you checkbox multiple values and add them instantly.
This is now available for the following fields:
- Genres
- Studios
- Extras
- Audio Tracks
- Screen Ratios
- Subtitles
- Tags
Adding Movies by Barcode: instant adding to queue
Previously, when you searched by barcode (either by typing or scanning), the barcode instantly disappeared from the search box, but only appeared in the queue when the search was complete. Also with no “loading” indicator showing in the meantime. Not a problem when searches are instant, but it could lead to confusion in situations where it took a bit longer for the search to complete.
So we got to work and made it better: after hitting search, the barcode now instantly appears in your queue, showing a “Searching” indicator. This gives you instant feedback the barcode was accepted and is searching. Then, when the search has completed, the queue entry is filled in with the movie details and cover image.
The above tweak also applies to the opening of the screen while you still had some barcodes in the queue. This saved queue list will now populate faster.
Fixed:
- Rare incident where timeouts occurred during CLZ Cloud sync.
Fixed:
- Rare incident where timeouts occurred during CLZ Cloud sync.
A big update for the CLZ Movies app again, introducing a new Statistics screen, a cool “infographic” style screen, showing totals and statistics about your movie collection.
To open it, just choose “Statistics” from the menu.
In this new screen, you can find:
- Your total number of movies and TV Series and how many different formats you have.
- A nice pie chart showing the distribution of your movies over formats (DVD, Blu-ray, etc..).
- A top 5 list of your most recent additions.
- A bar chart of your movies by genre.
- A bar chart of your movies by director.
- A bar chart of your movies by IMDb rating.
- A pie chart showing your Seen and Unseen movies.
A big update for the CLZ Movies app again, introducing a new Statistics screen, a cool “infographic” style screen, showing totals and statistics about your movie collection.
To open it, just choose “Statistics” from the menu.
In this new screen, you can find:
- Your total number of movies and TV Series and how many different formats you have.
- A nice pie chart showing the distribution of your movies over formats (DVD, Blu-ray, etc..).
- A top 5 list of your most recent additions.
- A bar chart of your movies by genre.
- A bar chart of your movies by director.
- A bar chart of your movies by IMDb rating.
- A pie chart showing your Seen and Unseen movies.
A useful and fun new option in your Movie Connect software today!
By default, the folders in your folder panel are sorted alphabetically. But as of today, there is another option: sort your folder panel by the numbers, that is by the number of movies contained.
Sorting by the numbers is a nice way to find the most important Formats, Actor, Directors, etc.. in your collection.
Switch between the Alphabetical and Number sorting using the new toggle to the right of the search box:
The app could crash during syncing of certain items. Shouldn’t happen anymore now!
Fixed:
- App could crash while syncing with CLZ Cloud
Roughly a month ago we introduced the ability to use multiple levels of folders in the folder panel. At the time, limited to several built-in field sensible field combinations.
Today we’re giving you the next logical step: the ability to create and save your own multi- and single-level favorites for the folder panel.
The Favorites are shown at the top of the Folder menu, with the single-field options still available at the bottom.
Two updates for your Connect software today. An improved Statistics screen, with cool new charts and lists, plus a re-designed toolbar that clearly shows your currently selected folders and filters.
Another big update for your CLZ Movies app today. In version 5.1, we added many new fields for DVD/Blu-ray/4K specific information. These fields are now editable on the new Edition tab of the Edit Movie screen and also available as folder options:
- Subtitles
- Audiotracks
- Screen ratios
- Layers
- HDR (HDR10 / HDR10+ / Dolby Vision)
- Color vs Black and White
- Edition Release Date
- Extras
Of course, all the new fields sync to/from the CLZ Cloud too.
Another big update for your CLZ Movies app today. In version 5.1, we added many new fields for DVD/Blu-ray/4K specific information. These fields are now editable on the new Edition tab of the Edit Movie screen and also available as folder options:
- Subtitles
- Audiotracks
- Screen ratios
- Layers
- HDR (HDR10 / HDR10+ / Dolby Vision)
- Color vs Black and White
- Edition Release Date
- Extras
Of course, all the new fields sync to/from the CLZ Cloud too.
Fixed:
- Custom images were uploaded too often
Fixed:
- Custom images were uploaded too often
- The amount of items for each pick list could be wrong
A very cool and useful addition to your Movie Connect software today: the folder panel on the left now allows multiple levels of folders!
This is a powerful way to browse your movie collection, e.g. Format then Genre, or by Seen it then Format.
Changed:
- Add by barcode: Swipe to remove a single barcode wasn’t working. To remove a single barcode now, just press and hold on it!
Fixed:
- When changing a cover, the list and images view wasn’t updated correctly
- Date pickers weren’t showing correctly
- Some colours were wrong (tabs/switches)
Instead of working on new features, we decided to take a few weeks to look at existing screens and functionality and see where things could be improved, of course all based on your feedback.
Today’s update brings you new iOS 13 style “sheet” screens and a batch of user interface improvements we implemented (more coming up!):
Instead of working on new features, we decided to take a few weeks to look at existing screens and functionality and see where things could be improved, of course all based on your feedback.
Today’s update brings you the first user interface improvements we implemented (more coming up!):
New “Update IMDb ratings/votes” menu option to update all movies in 1 go
Easier to find Edit and Remove buttons on movie details screen (phone only)
Easier editing of pick list fields, especially multi-value fields
- Selected/checked values are now always at the top
- For multi-value fields (like Genre, Studio), check/uncheck multiple values in one go!
- Easier to find big button at the top for adding NEW values..
Complete Re-design of Manage Pick List screen
- Easier to find big button at the top for adding NEW values.
- Remove Unused and Merge action have now been moved to action (…) button top right.
- Easier to use Merge mode.
Add by barcode: New Clear Queue button and new “Scanning tips” popup
Fixed:
- Edit screen: the “Seen it” checkbox wouldn’t always work
- Re-introduced a “sync changes pending” icon to the “Sync with CLZ Cloud” menu item
A big step forward for the Movie Connect software today, in which we add many new editable fields for DVD/Blu-ray/4K specific information. Also, a handy new tool to fill these new fields (and other fields) with information from our Core online movie database.
Many new DVD/Blu-ray specific fields
Today we have added many fields to the software, all now editable in the Edit Movie screen. These are all ‘edition-specific” fields, that is, information specific to the DVD, Blu-ray or 4K edition that you own:
- Subtitles
- Audiotracks
- Screen ratios
- Layers
- HDR (HDR10 / HDR10+ / Dolby Vision)
- Color vs Black and White
- Edition Release Date
- Extras
Of course, the above fields are immediately available as folder fields too, so that you can browse your collection in folders by subtitles, HDR type, etc…
New: Add your own back covers
With this big update for Movie Connect we have another surprise for you: Back Covers! That’s right, a brand new back cover field you can modify yourself.
Use the “Find Back cover” button to find one, or upload one yourself:
New Update from Core tool
Since most of these new edition level fields are available in our Core online movie database already, you’ll probably want to pre-fill these new empty fields with the data we already have available. This is where the new Update from Core tool comes in.
Update from Core fills in the fields in your data entries with data from our Core central online movie database. By default, it only adds new data into fields that were still empty on your side, but the config screen also lets you opt to overwrite your data with our Core data.
This new feature is now available for the following fields:
- Audio tracks
- Color
- Edition release date
- Genre
- Layers
- Plot
- Release date
- Runtime
- Screen ratio
- Subtitle
How to use Update from Core on your movie entries?
- Select the movies you wish to update by clicking the checkboxes in front of them.
- Click “Update from Core” from the blue action toolbar (it’s under the 3 vertical dots
button)
You can choose if the update process should leave, update or replace the current data for each field with the Update from Core settings popup:
Fixed:
- Fix for a crash that some iPhone users experienced after adding/editing entries
Several small tweaks for your CLZ Movies app today:
- iPhone: details page now has clearer Edit and Remove buttons at the bottom
- New “Update All IMDb Rating & Votes” option in menu.
- “Sync with CLZ Cloud” menu now indicates whether there are sync changes pending.
Fixed:
- Preferred data language setting was not working meaning plots, titles, genres etc. would always be downloaded in English instead of your preferred language.
Fixed:
- Issue where users could not sign up for a new CLZ account.
- Improved error handling in the Add-screen.