I think the article makes a good point, that in the age of graphical user interface, clean metadata and cover art are essential to the user experience.  But let’s be honest, GD3 metadata? A little self serving don’t you think? Companies like Gracenote and AMG are multi-million dollar data companies that have armies of people grooming their data.  If the hardware or the digitization service isn’t using Gracenote or AMG, I would be wary.

My previous and current employer both license AMG for meta data for our set top boxes. AMG has fairly wide coverage but the quality is not always great. Top tier loading companies like TerraSan do not rely solely on one meta data provider but use a combination of many resources to groom their customers data, the most important step being the manual QC done by hand.

I think it’s unfamiliarity that leeds to this mis-understanding. While GD3 is not the most recognised, it is amongst those who handle the data everyday. Unfortunately, manufacturers and some ripping companies fall prey to the “Bigger is Better” trapping of AMG and Gracenote who have Playstation and iPod as their models. GD3 is based on Professional Media Servers and delivering CEDIA level quality and support. After importing over a million disks
combined using and reviewing the data from all the providers mentioned, I can honestly say the consistancy and overall quality of GD3 as a metadata resource is noticably superior- especially on a touchpanel.

At MetaRip, we’ve been using GD3 exclusively for the past year based on several factors. With 2M music and 500K DVD/Blu-Ray titles, it’s got great coverage. New metadata is generated and supported by the professional ripping community with an emphasis on server-grade accuracy required by the CEDIA dealers for their clients. GD3 metadata is structured according to rules for consistency, which results in high coverage and reduces matching errors. This also makes it possible for servers to parse the data and present it according to their own rules. MetaRip, Terra-SAN, and other rippers around the world gather and submit GD3 metadata groomed to GD3 standards. This method of feeding the database results in unmatched quality.  At MetaRip, we also scan all cover art at 1000 pixels (the new GD3 standard) for best performance on high resolution user interfaces. Watch out for GD3...it’s the next generation database.

Any one notice that ‘some’ fanboy mentions Terrasan and then 5 minutes later a Terrasan employee actually posts?  That’s not obvious.

I’m surprised CEPro would allow such a one-sided article.

Am I the fanboy you speak of? I am a huge fan of Terra-SAN. When I worked at Kaleidescape, they bailed us out of many a jam, the perfect partner. I worked with a number of other ripping companies as well, some great, some bad. I now work at VUDU and AMG is our least favorite option for meta data, it’s just not that good. It should come as no surprise that someone from Kaleidescape & VUDU and someone from a ripping company would respond to the same CEPro article.

I don’t see why you would think an article on GD3 is one sided...Nick made mention of other ripping companies besides MetaRip.