It was just pointed out to me that Mark’s CsvExport can indeed be configured the same way that ProfilerQuery can. I had missed that when I tested it. So the advantage with ProfilerQuery isn’t that big when it comes to just export to CSV.

That said, ProfilerQuery is so much more than just exporting to CSV. It’s a very advanced query tool that can also produce simple text-only reports. And it offers statistics and other useful functions. So if you have ProfilerQuery there is no need for a separate CSV export program.

And, for what it’s worth, Mark has stopped developing for DvdProfiler, but I’m still here supporting and improving my programs.

Parsing CSV can be very tricky for a database schema as complex as used in DVD Profiler. You have to be sure that the Export and Import formats match, or you will get garbage and / or errors.

I would suggest doing a test export from both plugins, using the most complex filter you need, and compare results. See which one most closely matches the specifications for the application you are using for import.

When I wrote the CSV tools within BulkEdit, I modelled my Export on Mark's plugin. BulkEdit Import can be tailored somewhat. So far as I know, BulkEdit is the only tool that can build a DVD Profiler database from scratch, using CSV or XML. You might not need that, just FYI as awareness of the complexity.

Microsoft Excel can import CSV, and has the ability to create a corresponding schema. This might be a good way to compare the results of different export tools. One big caveat when using excel, is to make sure that you protect numeric fields such as profile ID. Excel will treat the text as a number, and if you save it, you will have a mess of large numbers in scientific format. You need to either format the column as text or perfex a "'" before each number to force Excel to treat as text. I believe BuilkEdit CSV export does this automatically. Not sure.

If I were you, I would lean towards ProfilerQuery becuase you are more likely to get a tweak or additional feature or bug fix more quickly from Gunnar than anybody else.

For what  it's worth, I've tried a number of XML to CSV conversion apps with only limited success. My best results came from working directly with the MyMovies developer on importing the XML file. They seem responsive.

Quoting nanoron:

Quote:
For what  it's worth, I've tried a number of XML to CSV conversion apps with only limited success. My best results came from working directly with the MyMovies developer on importing the XML file. They seem responsive.

Agreed. And if needed, you can also manually edit the xml and try to meet the other guy in the middle, as they say.

Quoting mediadogg:

Quote:
Ummm ... unless it has been broken, BulkEdit can import everything. Hundreds of hours of work, it should be able to import Mark-style CSV and official DVD Profiler XML exports. But I haven't tested for awhile. And the CSV import has a mapping function to allow for non Profiler headers.

Yeah, but Mark's CSV Export doesn't include cast and crew. It does export Directors, but only full name and no birth year. Not sure how one would export full cast and crew to CSV. So I stand by my statement that it's iffy.