[BetterRed]

Adding .LNK files has become a lot easier since version 2.44, just drag 'n drop the .LNK file into the book details panel (right sidebar).

Before 2.44 the only ways to add a .LNK file to a book was either via the command line or via Windows Send To. In the Add Books dialogues Windows jumps in and opens the link target. I assume it still does that - not tried it for a couple of years. It's a Windows behaviour nothing calibre can do about it - and in most contexts that's exactly what you would want Windows to do.

OSX has an equivalent to Shortcuts called Aliases. Not sure if they are a regular files al'la Windows shortcuts that can be DnD'd.

Yes, the problem with putting things in archives is that you lose visibility of the file properties (duration, frame size etc) - it's one of the reasons I gave up on them.

I use the Date column type to store video/audio duration, the format can be used to 'hide' the day. month and year parts - these work for me 'hh mm ss' and 'mm ss'.

BR