A Library management option

The reason that the iPod is so successful is not because of its ease of use, it is because you can edit the library on your computer via iTunes. This functionality allows you to set up complicated libraries with complete data such as year, genre, etc. as well as playlists in a way that you could never do on the iPod alone. This library management is also part of the success of AppleTV. I believe that adding this sort of functionality to Boxee would help in making it more of a killer app.

I see that boxee is trying to make it usable without access to a computer, however I feel that not having this function cripples the effectiveness of Boxee as a player of a personal library. No complaints with the online stuff (and I come from Australia, where almost none of it works!), but many people have large personal libraries, and it would be sweet to have more control over the libraries I think.

I can imagine a sort of “setup” screen that where you can edit the library in a somewhat similar way to iTunes, except you don’t have to worry about playing the files in this setup screen. For example, you could have two different windows, one with the files on the computer, the other with the Boxee library. You would be able to easily edit the Boxee library, dragging files into “Movies”, or “TV”, and then being able to specify each TV show, and then each season, episode, etc. Obviously there are much more options that could be enabled within this type of setup screen.

An advantage of this is the possibility for more personalization of the library. Eg, in videos I would like to have a “Music Videos” section, this would be easily added in the setup screen I am thinking of. Also, for music you could easily add playlists, and even smart playlists like winamp, iTunes that are accessible in the boxee screen once you confirm.

I feel that this library management outside of the boxee experience would enable people to take more control of their libraries. People like to be able to personalize, why not let them?