I have perhaps a couple of hundred movies that need to be listed to see what I have but never seem to get round to it. The various movie database programs available are good but you have to enter each movie title and I just don't have that many years left to do all that.

My movies are stored on an external USB drive so if I need to check on certain movie I have to fire up the drive and scroll through the files to see if I have that movie.

What I needed was a directory printer that just lists the movie titles. Lots of those around but found most will list files separately from folders, so if you have a movie in two parts or with subtitle file in a folder it will not be alphabetically listed with the movies and you have to search the folders as well.

Finally found this neat little program that will list and print files and folders.

http://www.infonautics.ch/directorylistprint/index.htm

I use the Fee Version.

You have the choice to output the list in Notepad or Word among others or just print it.

I output to Word and alphabetize (!) the list before moving it to Notepad and have it on my desktop for easy reference.

If you want a proper Movie Database program this Free prog seems pretty comprehensive.

http://www.emdb.tk/

"EMDB is a small utility to keep track of your DVD collection. With an automatic import from the database of IMDB, export to csv, text or complete website, thumbnail cover preview, a loan tracker, search function and multi-language user interface. EMDB doesn't need a .NET framework or any other external libraries. And best of all... it's free!"

I use Movie Label 2012 - there's a 2013 out as well which I haven't tried. Quite fast and user friendly, works for USB drives and or DVD disc collections (latter much slower of course). Easier than doing directory lists, I always use it to choose what to watch.

It's not free, but you can download it from where everyone gets their movies from anyway these days.

There is also Personal Video Database. http://www.videodb.info/forum_en/

This is free too. Not saying it is better than either of the above, but it probably deserves a mention.

Ant Movie Catalog is the way to go. I used it since 2002 to keep circa 4,000 movies and TV shows, across various locations (personal CD's, hard drives, etc).

As a killer feature I was especially happy with is automatic population of movie data. Just type the movie names, and let the application download all info from IMDb or other sources. See screenshot.

Yet another thing is powerful scripting. I used to run it against the whole movie database to download subtitles in my language and print an unified set of CD labels.

Thanks for your replies and suggestions.

What I wanted and got from my program was just a listing of the movie titles - like this.

Some time ago my drive threw a wobbly and I lost some movies so now when I come across a movie that I should have I need a quick check to see if in fact it is still on my drive or I need to download it again.

I know I need to get round to making a proper database of my collection at some time in the future so thanks for your suggestions.

Cheers

As mentioned there is a wide choice available - I have tried several and I thank Daffy for the mention of EMDB which downloaded yesterday and very impressed - suspect will make a donation as it seems to be better than pay versions. I recall the name from years ago but it did not come up in recent search I had made so was not aware of current features.

If you want a list like this;

10.rules.for.sleeping.around

1911 Revolution

21 Jump Street 2012

21.&.Over

A.Good.Day.To.Die.Hard

Absolute.Deception.2013

Act of Valor 2012

admission.2013

After Earth 2013

Aftershock.2012

amasing spiderman 2012

American Pie Reunion

American Virgins 2012

And.Then.There.Were.None.1945.

any.questions.for.ben

Then as mentioned above bytebuster the Ant Movie Catalog will do it for you just fine as this small sample shows above.

I use it to check that my media player is finding everything as it should.

Total Commander (a file manager) can print directory/file listings. It also allows you to "flatten" the contents of subdirectories so that all files in a directory are visible. (Menu - Commands - Branch View or "Ctr B").

You can sort/search the display by name, date, or file type and set searches to hide unwanted file types.

It is shareware, but the "trial" version works forever with just a nag screen at startup.

Great free tool for windoze users google 'Karens Directory Printer'. You can tell it to itemize all the folders/files in a folder, with/without extension names etc.

It will also give other values you may want eg. date of creation, size.

You can get it to print, or just create a basic file (.txt etc) with what you have.

For films, you can add what details you want.

Here's mine. Cheers, AA

Film list 8 Sept 2013.txt

try to use the Plex app. You can install the plex media server on your computer where the movies are stored and it will build your library, pulling content, cover photos, genre, and all information and present it to you neatly. If you have a smart tv, or an ipad, etc you can stream to your device through wifi. It is amazing !

Plex, IMHO is not worth the time installing even the free serviio app runs rings around it but both can not touch XBMC, smart TV or not, but this is off topic from what the OP asked abut.