Add support for EDL files

Feature Suggestions
1

It would be great if I could skip parts of a Movie / TV series using an Edit Decision List.

The intent is not to skip intros or commercials. I want to cut out adult content without having to re-encode with FFmpeg, since that messes up subtitle timing..

EDL refrance on mplayerhq wiki.

2

the way I read this, assuming what you mean by adult content… are you saying you want to eliminate the segs parts of tv shows that have too much nooditity?

3

Exactly

4

The Pitch

I am requesting that Plex clients natively support local, user-provided EDL (Edit Decision List) files using the widely adopted MPlayer/Kodi standard format. This would allow users to implement seamless, non-destructive content filtering (auto-skipping or muting specific scenes) based on local text files stored in their media folders.

By utilizing local files, Plex bears zero responsibility or liability for the curation of cuts. The community can independently create, share, and manage these text-based files on external platforms (like GitHub or dedicated forums), and power users can drop them into their folders to tailor their viewing experience exactly how they see fit.

How It Works (The Standard)

The player looks for a .edl text file named exactly like the video file in the same directory (e.g., Movie (2026).mkv and Movie (2026).edl).

Each line of the text file follows a simple, universal format:
[Start Time in Seconds] [End Time in Seconds] [Action Code]

  • Action Code 0 (Cut/Skip): The Plex player seamlessly jumps forward from the start time to the end time without user prompt.
  • Action Code 1 (Mute): The Plex player mutes the audio track during the specified timestamps.

Example .edl contents:

text

120.5 145.0 0   # Instantly skips a traumatic or overly violent scene
340.0 355.2 1   # Mutes a string of severe profanity

Use code with caution.

Why Plex Should Implement This

  1. Zero Liability for Plex: Since Plex is not hosting a centralized curation database or creating the filters, you are legally insulated from studio backlash regarding content modification. Plex is simply the engine executing a local user directive, much like subtitle files.
  2. Seamless Client Execution: Plex already handles internal database-driven timestamp offsets for features like “Skip Intro” and “Skip Credits.” The underlying logic to handle timeline jumps and audio muting on the client-side player already exists in the ecosystem.
  3. Empowers Family/Sensitivity Filtering: Many users love the Plex ecosystem but need a way to filter out specific intense violence, explicit scenes, or language so their families can enjoy media together. This gives them that power without destructively re-encoding or ruining their original high-quality video files.

This is a low-overhead, high-utility feature that honors the open-source spirit of local media management while giving the community the ultimate freedom to play their videos how they see fit.

6

Yes! This would be a great feature to add to plex!