Skip to main content

Managing the Library

The VidRedi media library is where all your recordings and uploaded media are stored and organized. Learn how to effectively manage your content.

Understanding Packages​

In VidRedi, media items in the library are called packages.

What is a Package?​

A package contains everything related to a video recording:

  • The video file itself
  • Metadata
  • Sidecar files
  • Thumbnails and preview images
  • Recording information

Think of a package as a complete bundle that keeps all related files and information together.

Package Benefits:​

  • Organization: All related files stay together
  • Portability: Easy to move or export complete recordings
  • Metadata Preservation: Recording details are never lost

Renaming a Package​

Giving your recordings meaningful names makes them easier to find and manage.

How to Rename:​

  1. Select the Package:

    • Navigate to the library
    • Find the package you want to rename

  2. Open Rename Dialog:

    • Hover over the package and select the edit icon to edit the name.
    • Alternatively, you can click the filename on the channel and rename.

Naming Best Practices:​

  • Be Descriptive: Include content type, date, or event name

    • Good: News_Broadcast_2024-01-15_Evening
    • Less helpful: Recording_001

  • Use Consistent Naming:

    • Develop a naming convention for your organization
    • Include dates in a sortable format (YYYY-MM-DD)
    • Consider including channel or source information

  • Avoid Special Characters:

    • Stick to alphanumeric characters, dashes, and underscores
    • This ensures compatibility if you export files

Uploading a Media File​

In addition to recordings, you can upload existing media files to the library.

Upload Process:​

  1. Access Upload Function:

    • Navigate to the library interface
    • Click "Upload"

  2. Select File(s):

    • Browse to the file location
    • Select one or more video files to upload

  3. Start Upload:

    • Initiate the upload process
    • Files will upload to the current folder

  4. Processing:

    • The system processes the uploaded file and creates thumbnails and preview data
    • Adds the package to the library

Supported File Formats:​

VidRedi supports common video formats:

  • Matroska (.mkv)
  • MPEG-TS (.ts)
  • MP4 (.mp4)
Processing Time

Large files may take time to process after upload. The package will appear in the library but may not be immediately playable until processing completes.

Upload Considerations:​

  • File Size: Large files take longer to upload and process
  • Network Upload: If uploading over network, consider bandwidth, especially if also streaming
  • Storage Space: Ensure adequate free space before uploading
  • Format Compatibility: Some formats may need transcoding before uploading if they do not play properly

Deleting a Package​

Remove unwanted packages from your library.

Delete Process:​

  1. Select Package(s):

    • Navigate to the library
    • Hover over package and select the delete icon, or drag and drop to the Trash folder

  2. Moved to Trash:

    • Deleted packages are moved to the trash
    • They are not permanently removed until deleting from trash/emptying trash

Important Notes:​

  • Deletion is Reversible: Packages in trash can be restored
  • Two-Step Process: Trash must be emptied to permanently delete
  • Storage Not Freed: Disk space is not freed until trash is emptied
warning

There could be automations set to delete the trash automatically.

Emptying the Trash​

Permanently remove deleted packages and free up disk space.

Empty Trash Process:​

  1. Access Trash:

    • Navigate to the trash folder in the library
    • View all deleted packages

  2. Review Contents:

    • Check that you really want to permanently delete these items
    • Restore any packages you want to keep

  3. Empty Trash:

    • Click "Empty Trash" or similar option
    • Confirm the permanent deletion

  4. Permanent Deletion:

    • Files are permanently removed from the system
    • Disk space is freed
Cannot Be Undone

Once the trash is emptied, packages cannot be recovered. Make sure you truly want to delete the content before emptying the trash.

Trash Management Tips:​

  • Regular Maintenance: Empty trash periodically to free disk space
  • Review Before Emptying: Double-check contents before permanent deletion
  • Storage Monitoring: Check freed space after emptying trash
  • Backup Important Content: If in doubt, back up packages before deleting

Library Organization​

Folders and Categories​

Organize your packages into folders:

  • Create folders for different content types
  • Group by date, event, or channel
  • Use nested folders for hierarchical organization

Storage Management​

Monitoring Storage:​

Keep an eye on available disk space:

  • Check free space regularly
  • Set up alerts for low storage conditions
  • Plan storage capacity based on recording volume

Storage Best Practices:​

  1. Archive Old Content:

    • Move older recordings to archival storage
    • Keep only active content on primary storage

  2. Regular Cleanup:

    • Delete or archive content you no longer need
    • Empty trash to free space

  3. Manage Recording Settings:

    • Balance quality vs. file size
    • Set appropriate bitrates for your needs
    • Use efficient codecs

Download Video Files​

Video files can be downloaded by hovering over the package and choosing the download icon.

tip

Some formats, such as HLS, will allow for local-cached streaming of the downloaded media. This could be very useful in cases where a secondary local backup may be useful.