Yes there is a way (sort of) to prevent auto-update. Simply copy any file called ".nomedia" into any directory/folder you don't want updated. This will prevent update of all files and folders in, or beneath the directory containing the .nomedia file.
One way to create an empty (ie zero size) .nomedia file is to launch Windows Notepad then save it as .nomedia which Notepad will save as .nomedia.txt You can easily rename this in Windows Explorer as .nomedia (without the .txt suffix)
.nomedia is a special Android filename
I normally put a .nomedia file in the DVDFab directory of every drive connected to the DMS. This will prevent auto-update of everything in, or below that directory.
When you want to update the DMS library, simply delete the .nomedia file then either reboot the DMS (to do an auto-update), or my preference is to trigger a manual update from your TV by going into Movies or TV Shows (it doesn't matter which) from the DMS home screen. Scroll down until you find a folder icon with a cog in it called "Manage Library". Click on that then select "Update Library".
When the update is complete, simply copy the .nomedia file back into the DVDFab directory (or whatever folder you are protecting) before you shutdown the DMS. You can have as many of these .nomedia files in any folder you want - and it will always prevent update to every file and folder below it. That way you can protect certain branches you don't need to update. It's also useful when you have media that can't be correctly found by the DMS. For example, I have many TV programmes each in their own folder. Once I know the DMS can't identify the correct TV show or movie, I put a .nomedia file in that directory. This avoids DMS mismatches, or having hundreds of 'not found' programmes or movies in your DMS "Videos" category. These unidentified files can still be run as required from the DMS "Videos" section from the DMS homescreen.
I find it handy to save a backup copy of the .nomedia file in an otherwise empty sub-directory (eg below DVDFab) which I choose to also call .nomedia - just to make it easy to find, but to my knowledge there is no significance to the name of this directory. This is handy to copy back into the DVDFab directory when you want it protected again.
For example:
DVDFab\.nomedia\.nomedia (a backup of the .nomedia file in a folder I also call .nomedia - just to make it easy to find)
DVDFab\.nomedia (the .nomedia file prevents auto-update to all files and folders underneath DVDFab - or whatever folder branch you want to protect
This way, I avoid ALL auto-updates and will only trigger manual updates when I know the DMS has correctly identified all USB drives. This avoids all the pain of having rubbish auto-added to your library database when a USB drive is mis-identified.
Another tip is to create a file or folder in the DVDFab directory with the same name as each of your USB drives (eg "usbA2" or "usbB1") just to make it quick and easy to check if each USB drive has been correctly identified after booting the DMS. With all your media protected from auto-update with .nomedia files, you can shut down the DMS, wait a minute, then reboot and re-check if all drives are correctly identified. Once they are, you know your library will work correctly and if you choose, you can trigger a manual update (after deleting the required .nomedia file(s), safe in the knowledge your disks are correctly identified.
I hope this helps.
