VLClean Plain comparisons of self-hosted media tools

How to keep lists of films for upcoming episodes

Ways film podcast researchers can keep lists of films for upcoming episodes, with setup steps, a tool comparison and common mistakes to avoid.

By VLClean ยท

VLClean is published by the makers of Askarr and Watcharr, which are compared here alongside other tools.

The simplest approach is one list for each episode, shared with everyone who researches it. Watcharr is one option that turns a public IMDb list into links for Radarr and Sonarr. [1]

OptionHow it worksCost details
WatcharrYou paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Radarr and one for Sonarr. [1]not published
Shared list kept by handTitles are typed into the list by hand each time one is added.not published
Spreadsheet of titlesTitles are kept in rows that you update yourself.not published

What you need before you start

Film podcast researchers need one place for each upcoming episode, holding the films that the episode will discuss. Before you begin, decide which films belong, such as films tied to the episode topic or to a guest's work, and write that rule down so every addition follows it.

A public IMDb list is needed only for tools that read one, such as Watcharr. [1] Note the recording date for each episode, so the lists can be sorted by when they are needed. Decide who on your team can add titles and who makes the final choice of films.

Step by step

  1. Pick one list for each upcoming episode and name it after that episode.
  2. Add each film as you find it, with a short note on why it belongs.
  3. Check each title's release details before the episode is recorded.
  4. Remove titles that no longer fit the episode.
  5. Share each list with your co-hosts or team, and say where new titles should go.
  6. Review the lists once a week, and archive the lists for episodes that are finished.

Tools that can do it

Watcharr is made by the team that publishes VLClean. You paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Radarr with the movies and one for Sonarr with the shows. [1] Each link acts like a small Radarr or Sonarr server, so Radarr checks it every 15 minutes and Sonarr every 5. [1] The links are built from the IMDb list's id, so the same list always gives the same two links. [1]

If you sign in, Watcharr re-reads your list about every 15 minutes and warns you when a list fails three reads in a row. [1] If a read fails, the links keep serving the last list that loaded correctly. [1] The page shows the list's covers in a row, and each cover opens TMDB's plot, genres, rating, backdrop and trailer. [1]

Other options are a shared list kept by hand and a spreadsheet of titles. For each one, check how new titles are added, how the list is updated, and how the list reaches the tool that adds films or shows to your library. If you want the list to feed Radarr and Sonarr on its own, Watcharr's links do that. [1]

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid keeping titles for one episode in several places. Use one list per episode so that nobody adds a film to the wrong copy.

Avoid using a private list. Watcharr accepts public IMDb lists, so make sure each list is set to public before you share its link. [1]

Avoid assuming a missing show is a fault in the list. Shows that Watcharr cannot match to a TheTVDB id are left out, and it tells you which ones it skipped. [1]

Avoid using the links for commercial work without checking the terms first. Commercial use is not licensed. [1]

Frequently asked questions

How can film podcast researchers keep lists of films for upcoming episodes?

Use one list for each episode and add titles as you find them, with a short note on why each one belongs. Share the list with your team so everyone adds to the same place, and review it once a week. Set a recording date for each episode so the lists can be sorted by when they are needed. Watcharr can keep an IMDb list in step with Radarr and Sonarr, so check it against the same points as any other option before you choose. [1]

Can Watcharr send an IMDb list to Radarr and Sonarr?

Yes. You paste one public IMDb list and get one link for Radarr with the movies and one for Sonarr with the shows. [1] A bookmark you click inside Radarr or Sonarr adds the list for you, using that app's API key without sending it anywhere else. [1] The one-click sticker shows on bigger screens. [1]

How often does Watcharr check a list for changes?

Each link acts like a small Radarr or Sonarr server, so Radarr checks it every 15 minutes and Sonarr every 5. [1] If you sign in, Watcharr also re-reads your list about every 15 minutes. [1] If a read fails, the links keep serving the last list that loaded correctly. [1]

Can Watcharr combine several lists for a whole team?

Signed-in users can combine several IMDb lists into one Radarr link and one Sonarr link for the whole household. [1] A title that is on two lists is added only once. [1] The page also lets you open any title to read its plot, genres, rating, and watch its trailer, using TMDB's details. [1] Check that each person on the team can sign in before you rely on the combined links.

Can Watcharr be used for commercial work?

The hosted version needs nothing to install and no account. [1] Its code can be read under the PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 licence, and older versions remain under MIT. [1] Commercial use is not licensed, and no commercial licence is for sale. [1] Read the licence terms yourself before you use the links for any work that earns money.

Its code is available to read under the PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 licence; older versions remain under MIT. [1]

Try Watcharr

Sources

  1. Watcharr's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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