The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

Introduction

This component stores playback statistics (play count, first played date, last played date) in a tag like foo_playcount_mod, but has a faster response time. If the component is unable to write a tag, you can have it write the information into the custom_info database (this requires you to have foo_custominfo installed).

Features

Writes playback statistics (play_counter, first_played, last_played) in tags
Allows you to select which information to be written
Allows you to select the tags where the information is to be stored: only in the tag, only in the custominfo database or in custominfo database only if tag cannot be written.
Allows you to select when the information is updated (when the song starts playing, when it has finished etc).

Default Settings

Note: All of the following can be changed

Default tag name for play count: %play_counter%
Default tag name for first played: %first_played%
Default tag name for last played: %last_played%
format of first played and last played is: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
Update playback statistics: when song has been played for 60 seconds

Installation

Copy the foo_playback_custom to foobar2000's components directory. Restart foobar.

Settings

. Run foobar2000
. Check to see that foo_playback_custom is installed by going to Preferences -> Components. Also, check to see if you are using the latest version
. Go to Preferences -> Tools -> Playback Statistics Custom

Playback Statistics Update Timing

This option allow you to change when the plugin updates information:

Disable (Do not update)

 (self explanatory)

Update when a track is started

 (self explanatory)

Update when a track is ended

 (self explanatory)

Update when playback percentage is

 You can select a value between 1% and 99%

Update counter when playback second(s) is:

 You can set any value greater than 1 second

Playback statistics settings

Use the dropdown menu to select where you would like to store the information:
- 'only tag': this option will write the information into the song's tag.
- 'only foo_custominfo database': this option will write the information into the foo_custominfo database. You need the foo_custominfo component to be installed.
- 'tag and foo_custominfo...': this option will write the information to the song's tag whenever possible, if it is unable to do so (e.g. format does not support tagging -> wav), then the information will be stored in foo_custominfo.

Which option should i choose? Writing tags in information means that the information will always be present regardless of whether you rename or move the file. However, when you back up your collection even a single change in tag will register as a file change and will result in the backup program copying the entire file again. if you play lots of music, you could easily be forced to copy a lot of (otherwise unchanged) music needlessly. Also, writing the tag will change the file's MD5 signature, which will wreak havoc if you're using MD5 to verify your files. Foo_custominfo database option avoids the need to write the tags in the file, so you don't have the backup or the MD5 problem. However, foo_custominfo information is lost when you rename/move the file, and the options aren't acccessible through masstagger/properties window. The third option is a compromise between the two, however requires the foo_custominfo component to be installed. So it's not justified for people who don't use wav/wma files very often..

Use the checkboxes to select which tags you want to write
If you want to use a different tag to store the information (e.g. Play_Count instead of Play_counter), type Play_count in the box next to the tag and press the apply button.

Other Settings

Only Tracks in media library update playback statistics

If selected, no information will be written to songs that are not in the media library

Store playback statistics with foo_custominfo database...

If selected, the component will write information to custominfo database if it fails to write a tag. NOTE: foo_custominfo has to be installed.

FAQ

Q. I get a popup window when playback statistics is being updated. Is this normal?

A. Normally, the window shouldn't appear while using the component. it only appears when I/O processing time while writing the tag is long. The track might also stop playing.

Cause:

While playing losssless files (e.g. Flac, APE, Wavpack, TAK) which are highly compressed, IO processing time can be long
Another component is trying to update the file information at the same time
Your Hard drive is slow/ fragmented

Solution:

Use a lower compressed lossless file
Try changing the update time setting. (Usually components like foosic and audioscrobbler update at around 1 min.)
Defrag your hard drive

If none of the above works, use foo_custom_pc instead.

Foobar2000:Components 0.9/Playback Statistics Custom (foo playback custom)