Smartware: File That Pile of VHS Tapes
You've seen it before, in your house or the house of someone you know. Dozens upon dozens of videotapes piled up in the cabinets and a stack of who-knows-what's-on-these-VHS tapes lurking in the spare room. If this is you, friend, you are not alone. I have every Rocky movie Sly Stallone ever grunted in, but I'd have to dive headfirst into my entertainment center to find even one.
But organizing videos is for obsessive neat freaks, right? It's for people who alphabetize canned goods and clean their grout on a regular basis, right?
Not so. There are a host of free or inexpensive VHS tape catalog and database solutions available to help folks like you and me organize videos (and audio CDs, software CDs, DVDs, and if you like, even canned goods).
VHS databasing is a simple concept. For each video in your collection, you enter pertinent data such as title, actors, genre, etc. onto a form on your computer. The software keeps a running log of each tape organized by a reference number that is either automatically assigned by the software program or assigned specifically by you. You can then spit labels out of your printer, slap them on the spines of your tapes, slide them into a comfy new home on your shelf, and presto! You have an organized library. The inventory remains in your computer's brain (instead of yours) and you can sort your inventory by any of your categories to create simple reports. Some programs even allow you to keep track of who borrowed which tape and when they returned it. You could become the next neighborhood video rental store!
Simple concepts merit cheap software and these are practical solutions that do a good job of household databasing for little money. These Windows-based shareware programs allow a free evaluation and then ask for a fee to be paid to the developer.
Personal Possessions by HomeWorks
Price: $20.00
DOS
http://www.majordomo.net/crc/prod014.htm
HomeWorks Personal Possessions is a collection of DOS programs to organize everything from your video collection to your granny's heirloom jewelry. The Home Inventory program allows you to record all personal property and its location, value, serial number, model number, etc. The AudioFile program keeps tabs on VHS tapes, CDs, cassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes, DAT tapes, and LP records. HomeWorks includes multiple sort options and prints lists and reports.
Smart Tracker Videos by Insight Software Solutions
Price: $25.00
Windows 95
http://www.smartcode.com/isshtml/smtvideo.htm
Smart Tracker Videos is a Windows application that was designed for maximum customizability and ease of use. Searches may be conducted on any field or on multiple fields, fields can be custom named or even completely user defined, data can be sorted by any field up to four levels deep, and you can report from six pre-defined report designs or create your own. Additional fields track to whom you loaned your tape and when. Smart Tracker prints spine and face labels.
W-Video Library by Thomas Lafleur
Price: $10.00
Windows 95
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/tlsoftware
W-Video Library will help you create a database of video titles, recording information such as actors, rating, length of the video, and more. Options are included to add, search, delete, and view any records in your database. Printed reports keep all the information close at hand.
CATVids by FNProgramvare
Price: $29.00
Windows 95
http://www.prodat.no/fnp/eng/catvids.html
CATVids registers video information such as title, format, type of content, category, production year, release year, writer, producer, director, actors, rating, and lots more. Personal comments and user-definable fields are also available. You can even store a bitmap picture (like a shot of the cover so you know what to look for if your tape gets misplaced). A loan module keeps track of who has which videos and when they are due. You can sort and search by any field and cross-reference up to five fields. Report templates generate reports for screen, disk, or printer.
Video Librarian for Windows by Turbosystems
Price: $35.00
Windows 3.1
http://www.turbosystems.com/vlw31.htm
Video Librarian is a full-featured program with pre-defined fields including title, star, co-star, cast, director, content rating, critics rating, category, publisher, year released, and more. A sizable note field allows you to log a movie synopsis or other categorical information. Entries can be queried by title, star, co-star, director, category, movie number and tape number or any combination of these. A number of formatted reports and labels can be generated via point and click.
Manage Your Videos 98 by Turbosystems
Price: $25.00
Windows 95
http://www.turbosystems.com/vlman.htm
Manage Your Videos indexes entries by title, star, co-star, director, tape number, and category. Queries are available on any indexed field. Additional pre-defined fields include cast, rating, publisher, year, critics, loaned, borrower, due date, notes and more. Prints reports and labels. Supports multiple titles on a single VCR label.
Home Video Library by Sye Mitchell Sound
Price: $24.95; $29.95
Windows 95
http://www.syeco.com/
Home Video Library is designed for cataloging DVD, Laserdisc and VHS videos. Version 2.0 is the deluxe edition designed the collector who wants to store a more detailed amount of data. Version 1.0 is a bit simpler, but includes all the basic data fields to keep a simple library under control.
All Media Library by Latshaw Software
Price: $69.00
Windows 95
http://www.latshaw.net/software/AML.html
AML is designed for corporations and other large organizations to track all forms of media, including CDs, videos, books, and more. Keep track of who borrowed which items and when they borrowed them. Includes powerful search features and the ability to report statistics by medium or by category. Supports bar code readers making it a viable solution for corporations (or individuals) with a large lending library.
Bronwen Orner is a freelance technology writer
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