Help Configure the auto media scanning to ignore certain folders or certain files(ex *.3gp))

[terminator1618]

Hi. I use a call recorder software to make recording of certain calls and it stores them as *.3gp files in its own separate folder. I also have huge collection of songs(mostly mp3s and some videos) which i maintain in a separate folder. I only use the internal memory of my S2 as i find that quite sufficient.
The automatic media scanning that takes place scans all the memory for media files and includes all the audio files in the preinstalled music player. This causes a problem as all the songs and the audio recordings appear in the music players library. So whenever i play music with the shuffle activated, sometimes the recordings start playing
I was wondering if there was a way to configure the media scanning to (say),
1. exclude a certain folder from the scan, or
2. scan ONLY a certain folder for media, or
3. exclude certain file extensions, or
I was hoping someone wud help me out with this problem.

 

[Slug]

I was wondering if there was a way to configure the media scanning to (say),
1. exclude a certain folder from the scan

Create an empty text file named ".nomedia" (the leading period is crucial) and copy it to each folder you wish to exclude.

 

[ironass]

+1 for slug's suggestion.

Alternatively you could download, free from the Market, OI File Manager and after setting "Exclude from media scan" in its settings, navigate to the folders that you wish to hide and choose "Exclude from media scan" in its Menu options. It then creates the file that slug mentions.

 

[terminator1618]

Thanks guys, it worked perfectly. I guess that solves my problem entirely.

 

[cyberpine]

Create an empty text file named ".nomedia" (the leading period is crucial) and copy it to each folder you wish to exclude.

This is not working on my Samsung Galaxy 2 for mp4 files produced by my phones recorder. I tried adding the .nomedia file. Also tried renaming the folder and files with a dot prefix. Rebooted and they still show up on Samsungs and Google music players.

 

[PeterMcC]

This is not working on my Samsung Galaxy 2 for mp4 files produced by my phones recorder. I tried adding the .nomedia file. Also tried renaming the folder and files with a dot prefix. Rebooted and they still show up on Samsungs and Google music players.

Not working for me either. I think it used to work but now the .nomedia file seems to have no effect even after a reboot.

 

[treii28]

Create an empty text file named ".nomedia" (the leading period is crucial) and copy it to each folder you wish to exclude.

I have a problem that is not solvable by this solution, and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. For some reason the media scanner is looking under BOTH the /mnt/media_rw AND under /storage to find media files. As a result, any songs I put on my sdcard end up showing up twice in the media list. e.g. as /media_rw/extSdCard/Music/my_song.mp3 and as /storage/extSdCard/Music/my_song.mp3

Obviously I can't just drop a .nomedia in one location as both are pointing to the same location and dropping it in one will cause it to be ignored in both. Now my phone is rooted and I tried dropping a .nomedia file outside of the extSdCard directory in one of the folders and that does work but only lasts until the phone is rebooted at which point the .nomedia file disappears.