Anything special to do to replace a video file with new one

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

Server Version#:1.35.1
Player Version#:web player
I have some old video files in my media that are low bitrate … i wish to replace and want to know if there is anything that needs to be done other than overwrite the file.

2

Don’t simply overwrite the file with one with the exact same name. Plex has scanned & analyzed the old version and stored the information in its database. If I remember correctly, overwriting may cause problems with Plex keeping incorrect file information (size, bitrate, etc) for the new file.

Also, instead of deleting the old version first, give the new file a slightly different name and place it in the folder with the existing file. This keeps viewing history, it won’t show up as a new movie/show, etc.

Ex:

/Movies
.../Movie (year)
....../Movie (year).ext  <-- old version (ext = mp4/mkv/etc)
....../Movie (year) [1080p].ext <-- new version
  1. Add the new version to the folder.
  2. Scan the library to pick up the changes (Plex may auto-scan).
  3. Let Plex process the new version. It will appear as a duplicate of the old version.
  4. Delete the old version.
  5. Scan the library to pick up the changes (Plex may auto-scan).
  6. The duplicate listing should disappear, with only the new version listed.

Repeat for other movies.
When finished adding movies, empty trash and clean bundles.

1 Like
3

You should just have to put the new file in the same folder and be good. Keep the naming system the same. I would do a scan library before deleting or moving the old file. There is a support article on it but I don’t have a bookmark for it yet to give it to you.

5

Thanks for the note … i will give it a try

6

Thank you very much for that … i will follow the instructions

8

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