Operating Manual
OPERATING MANUAL v2.8.5.0 Introduction Zappiti Media Center is a Windows based software developed by Group Archisoft to create movie and TV show cover arts. Zappiti™ is PCHC-friendly (PC Home Cinema) and allows uploading of cover arts browsing system on media players such as Zappiti player or Dune HD media player. Operating principle is as follows: download Zappiti™ software on PC computer (or Mac with Windows based virtual machine) then point out your Movies, TV shows and Music files.
How to operate Zappiti with a PC Home Cinema (PCHC), main principles: 1. Arrange and rename files then store them in two distinct categories: movies and TV shows. 2. Install and startup Zappiti™ app on your PC. 3. Set your media folder location through Zappiti Media Center using wizard assistant. 4. Click on “Scan” (list of movies will be displayed). 5. Click on “Scrap all” (cover arts will be downloaded). 6. Zappiti Media Center is now ready. To start playing a movie, just click on its data sheet.
SUPPORT Despite our efforts to publish tutorial (e.g. on forums), operating manuals and videos (see “Help” tab on zappiti.com), users may have some problems to properly achieve Zappiti™ setup with specific settings. If you do, please notice paying help (hotline) is available by HD LAND. Please contact us for details at +33 144 692 900 or refer to following informative service file: http://www.hdland.fr/lecteurs-multimedias/1681-forfait-formation-zappiti.
Files names Movies: Ideally, files must be properly named, using only movie titles (either in French or in English). Title words (if more than one) must be properly separated. Blank and Caps can be used, but other special characters cannot. Characters such as point, hyphen, apostrophe or underscore can be used. Movie date of release can be entered too and added at the end of name so as to enhance search. E.g. “The.Green.Horse.1978.mkv” or: “The Green Horse 1978.mkv”.
track, a picture will be downloaded from LAST FM audio database. Categories are based from audio files tags data. Playlists cannot yet be managed by Zappiti™. For now, music related options are still limited but will soon be updated and enhanced so as to be more user-friendly. SETTINGS The software is delivered for free, so you can download freeware on official Zappiti™ website: http://www.zappiti.com/FR/download.html Download latest software version on top of homepage.
3. Setup Wizard When setup wizard process is started, two options might be selected: either “close” wizard assistant or ”Where your multimedia files are stored”. Click on ”Where your multimedia files are stored” button. 4. Where your files are stored? Select on this screen one of the options (two available) to locate your multimedia files. Options are the following: either “Add a local folder” or “Add a shared network folder”. Select one of these options, depending on your computer settings.
With the help of files browser, browse folders to locate either movies, or TV shows or music folders selected to be added to Zappiti™. These files can be located on computer (internal hard drive), on an external hard drive, on multimedia player hard drive, on network drive, and so on. Beware! If media player icon cannot be displayed in Zappiti Media Center files browser (while Dune HD or Zappiti Player is connected to network), the reason may be your network drive has been created without Windows letters.
- - Then click on “Browse” button and locate media player. With Dune HD or Zappiti player, this network folder has to be named “Dune”. Save your selection by clicking “OK” so as to come back to the previous window. In this window, mark “Reconnect at logon” then click on ”Finish” button. Go back to Zappiti media center app. Exit Zappiti Media Center then re-start it. Start back at Step 1 of process here over. 6.
The same process can be used more than once for as many folders as you need to add. Once all required folder(s) have been added, click on “Next” button. 8. Categories of movies If you missed to mention into Zappiti which media category is stored in a given folder, Zappiti is fitted with an extra Step to fill missing data. So, click on the fitting button so as to describe category content, such as “Movies content”, “TV shows content” or “Music content”.
9. Have any other peripherals? This step allows to mention into Zappiti Media Center which kind of player you own, either Dune HD or Zappiti media player and/or Zappiti™ App for smart phone/iOS tab (to be noticed an Android version is under development by now). If you have none (no PCHC), mark no selection then just click on “Next”. Setup is now completed. Click on “Close” button then go to “Scrapping data” chapter.
connected to network, you can access to hard drive by clicking on “My Network Places” on your browser. Network folder should be displayed as “Dune”, whereas it is a Dune HD or a Zappiti player. Click on “Dune” network folder to highlight it. Finally, apply this selection by clicking “OK”; the window will be closed. Back to screen “Uploading settings to a media player”, path should now be displayed left hand of “Browse” button. Make sure path is the fitting path then click on “Next” button to step forward.
12. iTunes settings (for iPhone / iPad) This step allows to setup upload parameters for iOS devices. Begin by clicking on “Browse” button then select location where Zappiti will generate iOS data files, e.g. desktop (data files will then be synchronized with iPhone / iPad via iTunes). This location has to be remembered and saved as it will be required later to perform synchronizing process (as explained further below in this manual). Apply selection by clicking on “OK”. Select encoding parameters.
Please wait until data scraping process is completed. Beneath each media file will be displayed a synthetic feedback of data scraping status as follows: [Identification], [Scraping], then [Scraped].When all files have been scraped, the window will disappear and an indicator box on top of screen will display downloading data status. Tip: if data uploading process is too long, please restart your computer (don’t startup any software but Zapitti only).
this step, write down a keyword in research field then click “Scrap”; Zappiti will download the fitting movie. If movie still doesn’t match to requirements, another way to proceed is explained further in this operating manual, named “Scraping data” (process only available for movies for now). At the top of the interface is displayed the amount of completed tasks along with the total number of tasks to be processed. Movie not found Check the spell of movie name, and its convenience.
then click on matching movie. On TMDb movie datasheet, copy movie title and drop it in Zappiti scraping window. Whenever a TV show still cannot be found even through TMDB website, maybe TV show is no more available. If there is no existing movie datasheet, you might fill out a new datasheet in French language. This can be achieved through logging on TMDB website.
Browsing chart of Zappiti Media Center VIDEOS L--- All files L--- All L--- A, B, C (in alphabetical order) L--- Cover arts L--- Page Synopsis (data) L---MOVIES L--- Cover arts L--- Synopsis page (data) L--- TV SHOWS L--- TV shows cover arts L--- Seasons cover arts L---episodes thumbnail L--- Synopsis page (data) L--- MOST RECENTLY STORED FILES L--- COVER ARTS L--- Synopsis page (infos) L--- GENRES L--- War, Science Fiction, Thriller, ...
Cover Art / Movie Cover Editing To modify a movie or TV show cover art straight from a list, just point the required cover art and click right on mouse to display Pop-up menu. Then click on “Modify” button and a pop-up window will be displayed. After a short while, movie cover arts will be displayed on screen. To match a cover art, just select it by clicking then click on “Select” button below the window. To browse pictures when lots of them are displayed, just use scrolling bar below pictures list.
Data editing Zappiti displays in Synopsis screen page data related with movies (or TV shows) or with file. Can be found e.g. movie title, synopsis, TMBd mark, movie duration, date of release, name of film-maker(s) and main actors, aspect ratio, file picture frequency, resolution, audio codec (issued from first audio track by default), number of channels, format (can display a DVD or a Blu-ray logo), video codec, available languages, subtitles and categories (genre).
Scrap data (movie or TV show not fitting) Whenever it occurs a media file has not been linked to the fitting movie, the scan (scrap) can be operated once more by the user. To perform this, just click on covert art of a movie stored on Zappiti Media Center interface. Movie data (synopsis) will be displayed; then click on “Scrap data” button in the toolbar. A window will then display original movie name in the text field along with a list of movies that will be displayed below file name.
Customizing of categories (genres). Files can be sorted out by genre in Zappiti. To have an access to genres, click on “Category” button on Zappiti main page. By default, Zappiti uses 18 separate genres categories, but others can be added as you will then linked to freely selected key words. To add a new category, click on “New category” button on top of Zappiti interface. A table will then display many settings options: 1. Enter here the required category; e.g. “Theater”. 2.
link allows you to modify category parameters such as name, linked key words, linked icons or button. “Cancel” link allows you to cancel any selected category. And “Reinitialize categories” will cancel all categories customizations and come back to the Zappiti “by default” categories. Creating movie groups Zappiti is fitted with an extra capability allowing creation of movie groups.
1. Slide mouse arrow over the cover art of a movie you want to link to a group then press right button on mouse. 2. When Pop-up menu is displayed, click with mouse left button and mark the checkbox located in front of the required movie groups. To modify location of cover arts inside a given group, slide mouse on the required group cover art then click on “Edit” button in Pop-up menu. The group management window will be displayed. 1.
Note: if neither Performance nor Support is displayed, go to step 3. Performance and Support can be displayed only if categories display has been selected. This option will not be displayed in standard/by default screen display mode. 3. Click on Administrator tools, double-click on Computer management then click in left window on Disks management. 4.
How to export to a Zappiti Player Along with your Zappiti Player, you are delivered a license giving access to upload Zappiti Music for your multimedia Zappiti Player and for any other Dune HD players. To proceed to upload, click on “Zappiti Player upload”. Saving process if you are not yet logged, you will be invited to mention whether you own a Zappiti Player. If you do, click on “I have a Zappiti Player” button then you will be invited to create an account on Zappiti Market.
How to export to a Dune HD player If you own a Dune HD, you don’t need any more to be logged (as it was on previous version). How to upload data on a multimedia player Once you are logged, on the first time you click on “Upload” button, Zappiti will ask you to upload in “Full” mode. Next time you use the player then, an “Incremental” upload will be proposed. If you wish to upload music, mark the dedicated checkbox. Upload will start as you click on this button.
1. Startup your iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch. Purchase a Zappiti app from Apple Store. You may also download this app from iTunes Store. 2. Connect your iPhone / iPad / iPod Touch to your PC computer. 3. In Zappiti PC app, click on “Setting” button then on Upload tab and setup access path. This area will be used then to upload data for iPhone. 4. Click on Upload to iPhone button on top right of screen. 5. Once upload is processed, startup iTunes app on your computer.
7. Startup Zappiti app on your iPhone / iPad: a warning window will display on the screen. Validate by clicking on "YES" option. 8. Wait till synchronization is totally performed.
9. Disconnect your iPhone. When a multimedia player has been used, startup your multimedia Dune HD or Zappiti Player. 10. Startup Zappiti app on iPhone. If an error warning is displayed, then quit app and restart. On app main page, click on « Settings » button located top right then enter your multimedia player or PC (PCHC) IP address. To have access to your multimedia player IP address, press SETUP button on remote then click on “I” button.
Video tutorial for video files compression and local playback on your iPhone/iPad : http://youtu.be/GlJl-v9OLuc Note: during Play mode, buttons 1 to 9 allow access to corresponding percentage of the movie (e.g.: “5” corresponds to 50% of movie length). Press “0” button to rewind and come back to the movie starting point.
5. Enter NAS server IP address (or computer IP address) where files are stored. Note: a NAS server is a box set containing network connected hard disks. 6. Enter name of shared file (taking care of Capitals if some are typed). File name can vary, depending on type of NAS. For QNAP servers; this name may be QMultimedia but depending on user, the folder where files have been stored can be different. WARNING: depending on NAS type, access path can include "/" or "\".
Playing music on PC computer Click right on either title or album and select “Play” option in Pop-up menu. Playing music on Dune HD media player or Zappiti player. In Zappiti Music, click on “TITLES” button then press “PLAY” button in Pop-up menu. A random access playing mode is available for albums and for the whole music database stored. To use this, press “Pop-up menu” button during play mode then select “Playing list”.
Optional functions Viewed / Not viewed (for movies) An experimental function named "Viewed/Not viewed” allows tagging movie cover arts so as to be able to identify movies which have been viewed. To activate this function, mark dedicated checkbox in file “Others” of Settings panel. A status can be linked to a given movie by right clicking mouse button on a movie cover art and marking your selected option.
More details about this function along with examples of buttons and Fan art customizations performed by other users can be found and downloaded on Zappiti orum and at the following address: http://www.zappitiforum.com Zappiti “skins” are available too to customize Dune HD player or Zappiti Player interface with Zappiti brand or logo. A selection of “skins” can be downloaded at the following address: http://www.zappiti.com/zappiti-skin.html.
3. Once file is found, highlight it then press Pop-up Menu key on Zappiti Player remote controller and select option “Add to favorites”. 4. With Zappiti Player remote controller, set arrow on “Favorite” tab. The previously created “Zappiti” favorite should now be displayed. 5. Highlight this favorite then press again Pop-up Menu key on Zappiti Player remote controller. Now, select “Zappiti on Startup” option.
recommend to save your Zappiti database. WARNING! Take great care to avoid suppressing either Local or AppData file. This may alter your operating system stability and your computer may be damaged too. Users’ forum If you have any problem to use Zappiti, please refer to users’ forum available at following address: http://www.zappitiforum.com You will find at this address lots of tutorial files and technical tips.
Zappiti Media Center™ is a free software offered and developed by Groupe Archisoft. CREDITS Project manager: Jacques Bensahkoun / Christophe Cherel (HD LAND) Graphics / Ergonomics / Project management: Christophe Cherel (HD LAND) Responsible for Development: Damien Hoffschir (HD LAND) iPhone / iPad Development: Gregory Mac-Connell Android Development: Francesco Bevillacqua (HD LAND) Zappiti™ All rights reserved – 2010-2013. Developed by HD LAND. Zappiti™ is a registered trade mark.
