Searching 500 DVD changer

[dglienna]

I talked to someone with scsi device(s) that is interested in cataloging and searching. I was thinking SQL Express (or Server) could hold the location info, but wondered what options I would have to develop something for it?

[PeejAvery]

Are you talking about indexing all the file contents of 500 DVDs or just indexing of files? This makes all of the difference. 500 DVDs can be over 2TB of files. However, if you are just indexing name and structure, just about any database can do that.

[dglienna]

Well, they can license software for $5K per year, which we're trying to avoid.
I haven't seen what it does. Probably find out tomorrow. Right now, it's probably just indexing the movies he has in there (using an older program)
but I want to see the pay software (which is on another machine i think)

Ultimately, it'd be nice to index the contents. :)


EDIT: Remoted in tonight, and looked at some C++ and Java versions. Mostly navigating 50 trays with 10 slots or 480 discs.
http://www.opticaljukeboxes.com/dvd-plasmon_d-480.htm

[dglienna]

OK. Now I have an 8 tray device. It has a SCSI interface. 64 CD's total

Would a SCSI to USB device allow me to 'talk' to the device just like a SCSI cable? I would assume so, but don't want to spend the $120 before I find out.

[PeejAvery]

Your method of communication would be different because of the use of a different port (USB instead of SCSI).

[dglienna]

Someone else has one, and is downloading the driver for it now.
I'm thinking it'll work, and once that's done, this device will show up as another CD device as the next available drive.

The program would index them and cache some results. We just need to come up with something modern that works. I've seen docs on Multi-Changer SCSI devices. You send it SEEK messages with a drive number. Then you can mount the drive.

This thing will do 100 or so a day, as it's old.