A good program for file database comparisons

So I have a large on the go music collection and I have encoded it all sorts of different ways. FLAC for desktop, AAC for phone, etc.

I rip most of my CD's on my desktop and try to transfer them over to my laptop when I get a chance, and sometimes I take some CD's with me to work and rip them on the laptop.

What has happened is I lost track of what is on what machine and do not have a 1:1 copy anymore.

I have updated/fixed cover art and ID3 tags and things at random on both machines as well.

Is there any kind of software that can scan the contents of a drive directory and put into a portable index file of sorts, and then I can use that same file on the same software on my other machine and have it compare the two to tell me what files are missing and/or have newer versions and things like that?

This way I can copy only the files needed and not try to copy over the entire amount or accidentally miss something.

 

Windows 7 is better about copying. As long as they're in the same structure, you should be able to copy one over the other, and just tell it to not copy when the file already exists.

Another option would be something like KDiff3, which has a directory merge option. Never used it myself, I just know it exists...

 

Yeah both machines are Win7 but last time I just tried to copy it all over I had to hit prompts over and over and just went blind clicking so many so started to hit "ok" when I should have hit "no" or something.

Plus I dont really want to connect both computers together for a full copy/merge (via network is the only way) I would rather just put the files I need to copy on a flash drive or something so I do not have to even have both computers up at once or on the network.

Im sure there is a program out there to do exactly what I want to do or very similar its just a matter of somebody knowing about it.

Index directory X
Index directory Y

Compare X & Y and generate log

X has file, A, B C that Y does not have
X has file X, Y, Z that Y has but a newer version
Y has file E, H, F that X does not have

etc.

Then I could take that log and grab the proper files and just copy them over.

 

You need a file synchronization program.

My favorite is PureSync. Another good option is SyncBack. Both are free (or at least, have free versions which is what I've used.)

 

In XP you can click 'No' with the shift key held down and it means 'No to All'...

 

Goodsync. Set up a left and right folder, do an analyze, click the changes button. It will just show the differences between the left and right folders. You can then choose to sync the left to the right folder, or two way.

Free for first 30 days then its limited to 3 jobs/100 files a day after that. License is cheap, its a very good program to have. I use it to backup all my stuff.

 

Yeah not an option sometimes I want "yes" say one file is newer because I updated the embeded cover art, then the next file would be "no" because its the same file with no update.

I'll check out those sync programs suggested. Not exactly what I wanted but close enough.

Means I'll have to network the computers and setup shares, I was wanting to keep my laptop at work and desktop at home and just transfer the stuff I needed without that extra step.

 

Interesting delimma, if it was pictures I know of a few good apps that helped me track down duplicates,edits etc. But music... not really. Have you tried something like Beyond Compare?

Once you have it all together Media Monkey plays just about any format including AAC and Apples Lossless which the later your not using, you can setup conversion rules for device syncs. Keep everything in its original or lossless format and then sync with the device and it will output everything in compatible formats if not already there.

Media Monkey of course would be a solution for using your machine as the primary source of the music and everything else just being compatibly sync'd. Its free minus a couple of features I bought it tho.

 

I use SyncBack and it's great. It has many advanced options for file comparison and synchronization.

Edit: I just went through your (OP) post' again and I would repeat > check out Syncback. I think (IMHO) that's what you should be looking for. I have used SyncBack for almost the same purpose you're asking for.

Cheers.

 

Ok going to give SyncBack the first honors.

I have a 500gb external so I am just coping all files to the HDD from the laptop.

I'll sync that to the desktop, and then sync it again to the laptop.

This way I dont have to do the other stuff I didnt want to do and have a 3rd copy of my files for use/protection.

 

Take a look at the Advanced options with SyncBack, it has many good features and tools, settings that you can customize according to your needs.

Cheers.