Save Play Count to ID3 Tags?

savvy · 18th December 2005, 23:42

Hi all,

Did some searching but had difficulty finding a clear answer.

I'd love to be able to save my ratings and play counts to my audio files so I can easily switch between winamp and itunes etc.

I realize that this means modifying your files every time you play them which does not seem like a giant technical hurdle. But maybe there are other considerations.

Can folks explain why these fields aren't in the ID3 tags? Is this an area where Winamp can lead the pack or is this sort of thing tied up in some standards talks etc? Can anyone shed any light/perspective on this?

Thanks in advance!

Savvy

c2R · 19th December 2005, 07:38

There's nothing to stop anyone adding a new ID3v2 tag to include this data.

However, I don't think it's a good idea - basically the file would have to be loaded, edited, saved, the old one deleted, and renamed each time you played it - which isn't good as far as access times etc. go.

Files also become different for backup purposes regularly, meaning that more has to be backed up, and backup operations therefore take longer.

Filesharing applications would have problems as each file would be listed as a different copy, even if it is actually the same file, just because it contains different metadata about how often you've played it...

and finally, Apple, Nullsoft, Microsoft, and everyone would have to all implement the feature in the same way for it to be of any value to the end user...

Benski · 19th December 2005, 12:50

There do exists tags for it. See: http://www.id3.org/id3v2.3.0.html#sec4.17

c2R is correct, though. There are some unresolved questions around re-tagging a file on every playback. This is why the media library keeps its own playcount and rating in its database.

siebe83 · 20th December 2005, 10:47

As for the ML ratings, you can store them in the id3-tags using shane's ml_id3rate plugin.

Other options...

Backing-up Media Library database ratings/playcounts:
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=182413
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=158332
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=221054

CraigF · 20th December 2005, 11:15

ratings in tags also amuses me when it comes to sharing music between friends and family. my rating of "OMG THIS IS THE BESTEST SONG IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD" wouldnt agree with my dads "TURN OFF THAT GODDAMN RACKET!"

18th December 2005, 23:42	#1
savvy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1	Save Play Count to ID3 Tags? Hi all, Did some searching but had difficulty finding a clear answer. I'd love to be able to save my ratings and play counts to my audio files so I can easily switch between winamp and itunes etc. I realize that this means modifying your files every time you play them which does not seem like a giant technical hurdle. But maybe there are other considerations. Can folks explain why these fields aren't in the ID3 tags? Is this an area where Winamp can lead the pack or is this sort of thing tied up in some standards talks etc? Can anyone shed any light/perspective on this? Thanks in advance! Savvy

19th December 2005, 07:38	#2
c2R Stereotype? (Forum King) Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Ware, England Posts: 3,511	There's nothing to stop anyone adding a new ID3v2 tag to include this data. However, I don't think it's a good idea - basically the file would have to be loaded, edited, saved, the old one deleted, and renamed each time you played it - which isn't good as far as access times etc. go. Files also become different for backup purposes regularly, meaning that more has to be backed up, and backup operations therefore take longer. Filesharing applications would have problems as each file would be listed as a different copy, even if it is actually the same file, just because it contains different metadata about how often you've played it... and finally, Apple, Nullsoft, Microsoft, and everyone would have to all implement the feature in the same way for it to be of any value to the end user... lights out for darker skies # forums.winamp.com boinc team # tms

20th December 2005, 10:47	#4
siebe83 Forum King Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 9,229	As for the ML ratings, you can store them in the id3-tags using shane's ml_id3rate plugin. Other options... Backing-up Media Library database ratings/playcounts: http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=182413 http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=158332 http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=221054 If you're bored go here or, if the boredom is more serious, here.

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19th December 2005, 12:50	#3
Benski Ben Allison Former Winamp Developer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,057	There do exists tags for it. See: http://www.id3.org/id3v2.3.0.html#sec4.17 c2R is correct, though. There are some unresolved questions around re-tagging a file on every playback. This is why the media library keeps its own playcount and rating in its database.

20th December 2005, 11:15	#5
CraigF Passionately Apathetic Administrator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Hell Posts: 5,435	ratings in tags also amuses me when it comes to sharing music between friends and family. my rating of "OMG THIS IS THE BESTEST SONG IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD" wouldnt agree with my dads "TURN OFF THAT GODDAMN RACKET!"