Allow selecting the folder where the optimized media is created
@anti-stress
Submitted by antistress Description
Hi,
Following the XDG Base Directory Specification I think that proxy files are supposed to be stored in $XDG_CACHE_HOME (=the app is able to recreate these datas after they have been deleted, it's no different from auto-generated thumbnails for instance). Currently they are stored in the same directory than assets.
Note that Pitivi already stores thumbs & waves in $XDG_CACHE_HOME (rhythmbox also stores its thumbs there etc.)
This has been discussed on chat:
- aleb answered : "hm, I personally would not like that. Those files can be huge.. not good for my SSD :)"
- thiblahute answered: "Proxies are huge hidding such big files would it hard for users to understand where all the disk space is being used. Also many people including me do not store their media assets in the same place as XDG_CACHE_DIR and I do not have the space there. Usual cached files are small, those are not". On Final cut proxies are hidden, and I have been fighting with it to delete my files (could not find where they were) ... and had to open the software back to do it... which was really annoying!
- anti-stress answered : "On the other hand, if user wants to make a backup of its assets, he will get all those proxies files with them without always being aware of it."
Since each solution has advantages & drawbacks, according to thiblahute, it could make sense to offer a setting to let the user choose the best solution.
For example in Preferences, under the Proxy category:
Location for storing the optimized media: [combo]
With the options:
- same directory as the asset
- standard XDG_CACHE_HOME directory (...actual path...)
- custom directory
Not sure what the best way to allow entering a custom directory would be.