FileBot

FileBot is an Open Source, cross platform renaming utility, targeting TV shows.

Main features:1)

Installation

Ubuntu

10.04 Lucid and above

Because FileBot is written in Java, you need a functional Java Runtime Environment (JRE) before you can use it.

There are no packages right now. But FileBot consist only as a small, executable .jar file. Simply download and execute it:

java -jar /path/to/FileBot_<version>.jar

If you want to “install” it for all users and make it available via filebot command:

  1. Open a terminal and create a fitting directory:2)
    sudo mkdir /opt/filebot/
  2. Download FileBot as /opt/filebot/filebot.jar and make it readable for everyone:
    wget "http://sourceforge.net/projects/filebot/files/latest" -O "/opt/filebot/filebot.jar"
    sudo chmod a+r /opt/filebot/filebot.jar
  3. Create a launcher script:
    • Open editor:
      gksudo gedit /usr/local/bin/filebot
    • Put the following content into the file:
      #!/bin/bash
      #FileBot starter. See http://readm3.org/app/filebot/ for details
      java -jar /opt/filebot/filebot.jar

      If you did not install Filebot into /opt/filebot/filebot.jar, replace it with the path you used.

    • Make the script executable:
      sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/filebot
  4. If you want to update FileBot after a new version was released, simply re-run the download command:
    wget "http://sourceforge.net/projects/filebot/files/latest" -O "/opt/filebot/filebot.jar"

Windows

XP and above

Because FileBot is written in Java, you need a functional Java Runtime Environment (JRE) before you can use it.

There is no installer right now. But FileBot consist only as a small, executable .jar file. Simply download and execute it:

java -jar x:\path\to\FileBot_<version>.jar

If your Java is configured correctly, a simply double click might do the job as well.

Tips and tricks

Get localized episode names

In some countries (e.g. Germany), it is common to translate/localize the titles of shows. There is no FileBot option for this by default, but you can use a custom renaming format to get localized episode names from TheTVDB automatically. Open the “Rename” window, right-click on the “Match” button and choose “Edit Format” from the context menu. Copy and paste the following format then:

{n} - {s+'x'}{e.pad(2)} - {if (!episode.season) return t; import static net.sourceforge.filebot.WebServices.*; TheTVDB.getEpisodeList(TheTVDB.search(n)[0], Locale.getDefault()).find{episode.episode==it.episode&&episode.season==it.season}.title}

You can ignore the “java.lang.NullPointerException: Cannot get property 'title' on null object” warning. Click on “Use Format” to apply it.

Now use the FileBot renaming functionality as usual (even though the custom format is based on TheTVDB, it does not matter which source you chose – for me, TVRage worked best as initial matching source). Simply wait a few seconds after your clicked on the “Match” button. The found English episodes titles should appear in your native language bit by bit. If FileBot does not find anything (happens from time to time on the first usage of a custom format), try to restart it.

If FileBot does not find anything...

…your problem is probably rooted in the original file names. FileBot splits these names into different pieces to get usable strings for searching the correct episode names. It is using several separators for this, e.g. ., -, x and spaces. The original filename f00bar.simpsons-s1xe01.yaddayadda-does not matter.avi would be no problem cause the name “simpsons”, season and episode number are extractable. Therefore FileBot got usable strings to search for. But f00barsimpsons[…] might be a problem, cause FileBot got no chance to find the separate “simpsons” substring (note the missing dot). Simply use another renaming utility to prepare the files before using FileBot to solve such problems (a quick and simple rename f00barsimpsons[…]f00bar.simpsons[…] would do the job).

Screenshots

The FileBot website also provides detailed screenshots, showing interesting renaming possibilities and features.

See also

  • pyRenamer – Lightweight Open Source renaming tool for the GNOME Desktop.
  • GPRename – Lightweight Open Source renaming tool for the GNOME Desktop.
  • regexxer – Powerful “search and replace” GUI tool for the GNOME Desktop.
2)
I use /opt/filebot/ to follow the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard
Print/export
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QR Code app:filebot:start (generated for current page)
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