Print out CD list on B2

[rogerls...@gmail.com]

On my older Brennan  JB I can save to USB a list of CDs. Can I do the same thing with the B2? Apologies for elementary question. I cant find answer with the search option on this forum.

[Peter Lowham]

Hi Roger,

The equivalent function for album listings in the B2 is found at 'Settings'-->'Maintenance'-->'List Albums'.  This sends the CD list to USB C.

I have attached a PDF copy of the B2 Menus listing also.

Regards,

Peter.

[Peter Lowham]

Hi All,

Roger responded to me via PM so I have reposted that here so that others might help if necessary.

Peter - many thanks for your very rapid and useful response.

I would like to be able to get the list into a spreadsheet so I can edit it efficiently. As I'm sure you know, the data base entries are often fairly unhelpful, giving much space to unimportant info and neglecting composer, orchestra and piece title.

Regards

roger

[Peter Lowham]

Hi Roger,

No problem.  But I should explain that, in terms of editing the database data, the methods to make changes are very different between the JB7 and the B2.

As you know, to make changes to the JB7 artist, album or track data, you use 'Export Names' to write the 'jb7 catalogue' file to USB, load that USB stick into a PC, make the necessary edits and finally reload the 'jb7 catalogue' file using 'Import Names' back into the JB7.

For the B2 the process is completely different.  The equivalent database file is named 'b2db', but this file is driven by the B2 and is regularly rebuilt within the B2 by functions like 'Scan Disk'.  This means that if you make changes to the 'b2db' file, these changes will be overwritten by the B2 at some point. So, to make permanent changes to artist, album or track names to the B2 database there are a couple ways to achieve this.

1.  Use the B2's WebUI to make the necessary edits to the artist, album or track data.  Any changes performed using this method will automatically update the 'b2db' database file.

2.  Set up 'NAS' access (Network Attached Storage) on your PC/Mac/Chromebook which will enable you use Windows Explorer/Mac Finder etc. to view and edit the artist and album folder names and the track names files.  NAS enables the B2 'music' folder to be shown on the PC as just another folder set.  When you have completed an editing session you need to run 'Scan Disk' to tell the B2  that the changes have been made.  NAS is already enabled on the B2 by default.

If you need further inforation just post back here.

Regards,

Peter.

On Monday, 18 October 2021 at 22:26:04 UTC+1 Peter Lowham wrote:

[Bruce Robinson]

I was just about to ask a similar question. I want a list of albums and artists on the B2. I am away from my machine at the moment so cannot try things out so I have to ask what precisely the 'List albums' command lists. Does it include all the album information shown on the front panel when a disc is playing?

Best wishes,

Bruce

[Peter Lowham]

Hi Bruce,

Here is a 'List Albums' output for the first twenty of the albums in my collection.  It gives the artist name followed by the album name.  If you want the track names also, then you can use the 'b2db to USB' function.

'List Albums' function output

  0 Ed Sheeran / +

   1 Jimi Hendrix / 10 Tracks Performed Live at the Royal Albert Hall

   2 Fun Lovin' Criminals / 100% Colombian

   3 Imelda May / 11 Past The Hour

   4 Human League / 12 Inch Remixes CD1

   5 Human League / 12 Inch Remixes CD2

   6 Travis / 12 Memories

   7 Neil Diamond / 12 Songs

   8 The Beatles / 1962-1966 - Disc 1

   9 ZZZX - Christmas / 20 Classic Christmas Carols

  10 Frank Sinatra / 20 Classic Tracks

  11 Glen Campbell / 20 Golden Greats

  12 The Hollies / 20 Great Love Songs [UK]

  13 The Everly Brothers / 20 Greatest hits

  14 Ethel Merman / 24 Classic Songs

  15 Fleetwood Mac / 25 years - The Chain CD1

  16 Fleetwood Mac / 25 Years - The Chain CD2

  17 Fleetwood Mac / 25 Years - The Chain CD3

  18 Fleetwood Mac / 25 Years - The Chain CD4

  19 Toby Keith / 35 Biggest Hits CD1

  20 Toby Keith / 35 Biggest Hits CD2

Here is the 'b2db to USB' function output for the first three albums in my collection.

Version 3

1510 Albums 0 mirror

10,000 Maniacs/Blind Man's Zoo

11 tracks

01 - Eat For Two.mp3

02 - Please Forgive Us.mp3

03 - The Big Parade.mp3

04 - Trouble Me.mp3

05 - You Happy Puppet.mp3

06 - Headstrong.mp3

07 - Poison In The Well.mp3

08 - Dust Bowl.mp3

09 - The Lion's Share.mp3

10 - Hateful Hate.mp3

11 - Jubilee.mp3

10,000 Maniacs/Our Time in Eden

13 tracks

01 - Noah's Dove 1.mp3

02 - These Are Days.mp3

03 - Eden.mp3

04 - Few and Far Between.mp3

05 - Stockton Gala Days.mp3

06 - Gold Rush Brides.mp3

07 - Jezebel.mp3

08 - How You've Grown.mp3

09 - Candy Everybody Wants.mp3

10 - Tolerance.mp3

11 - Circle Dream.mp3

12 - If You Intend.mp3

13 - I'm Not the Man.mp3

10cc/Sheet Music

10 tracks

01 - The Wall Street Shuffle.mp3

02 - The Worst Band In The World.mp3

03 - Hotel.mp3

04 - Old Wild Men.mp3

05 - Clockwork Creep.mp3

06 - Silly Love.mp3

07 - Somewhere In Hollywood.mp3

08 - Baron Samedi.mp3

09 - The Sacro-Iliac.mp3

10 - Oh Effendi.mp3

Regards,

Peter.

[Bruce Robinson]

Thanks, Peter. That is exactly what I'm after.

Bruce

[Davywhizz]

Thank you Peter, that was very timely. I'd printed out an album list yesterday and it seemed to show one album fewer than the B2 reported having. I didn't notice why at first, but your list shows that the print-out runs from 0 not 1, so it all made sense.

[RandyT]

This is great info. Has anyone given thought on how to best port this information over to a smart phone? Format is not that important other than being alphabetical. Simple text would be fine since it takes up little storage space.  I suppose the easy answer is to copy/paste the list to an email and simply send it to myself and handle it from there.

I only ask because I have a great used book/CD/vinyl/etc. store, I frequent on the weekends and I've previously bought a couple of used CD's that I already have. 

Anyone have more workable solutions?

Thanks!