Backup

[MAVickers]

Typically a backup application will backup your files and then either remember what it backed up in a database (which the software will do a comparison against on future backups) or turn off the archive bit on the file (which will be turned back on by the OS when the file is modified).

I just backed up my music database using the SS backup tool, and for kicks I ran it immediately again to see if it keeps track using either method. It doesn't, apparently. After "calculating disk space" it tells me that it needs the same amount of disk space as it did the first time around.

That is dumb, dumb, dumb. Is mine just not working properly, or is that the way it is?

If that is the way it is, I'll be looking at something else to back all the files up (along with the database). Does anybody have any experience using a different backup tool for OMG files, and did SonicStage throw a fit when you restored the files?

Just curious.

[jadeclaw]

The SonicStage Backuptool ALWAYS backs up the whole kaboodle.

Reason: DRM.

A normal backup program doesn't have to prevent duplication, therefor it can allow for incremental backup, partial restore to a different pc etc.

To prevent duplication, it replaces the whole library on restore, preventing normal distribution of the compressed files.

Btw, you DO have to use the SonicStage Backup-tool to backup And restore the library.

[MAVickers]

The SonicStage Backuptool ALWAYS backs up the whole kaboodle.

Reason: DRM.

A normal backup program doesn't have to prevent duplication, therefor it can allow for incremental backup, partial restore to a different pc etc.

To prevent duplication, it replaces the whole library on restore, preventing normal distribution of the compressed files.

Btw, you DO have to use the SonicStage Backup-tool to backup And restore the library.

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Ugh, are you serious? If I use other backup software to just backup the OMG files, and then reimport them into a blank SS database (on the same computer)... is it going to choke on the DRM?

[jadeclaw]

Yes.

It might import them but then the files are not playable, as the key for the decryption is missing.

[zerodB]

And instead of just importing the keys, like some media players do (like WMP for example), SonicStage backs up the WHOLE media library. UGHH...

[MAVickers]

It might import them but then the files are not playable, as the key for the decryption is missing.

←

Wow, this just gets better and better.

Where are these keys stored?

[jadeclaw]

Registry and or Database in the Sony-folder under Documents&Options/Applicationsdata (Dokumente und Einstellungen in the German version)

[zerodB]

But the point is, you can't simply replace the keys. The thing is stored within the OpenMG subsystem. This was tried before on this forum - in the old NetMD 3-checkout limit days - by replacing and restoring the "procfile" folder (located in your Common Files\OpenMG directory). While the right limitations kept on showing up in Sonicstage, the files could not be transferred or played - the encryption must work on many levels - tied through the software, hardware, not to mention the individual OpenMG files, keys, and those MS Access databases as well.