Are identical test files a problem for Plex?

General Discussions
1

Hey guys just a short question: Would it be a problem for Plex if I rename the same video test file to different names to “simulate” a movie?

Let’s say I use a short video footage and save it like this:
/Media/Movies/Back to the Future/Back to the Future (1985).mp4

Now I duplicate the file, rename it and store it this way:
/Media/Shows/How I Met Your Mother/Season 01/How I Met Your Mother - S01E01 - Pilot.mp4

then duplicate it again and save it like this:
/Media/Shows/How I Met Your Mother/Season 01/How I Met Your Mother - S01E02 - Purple Giraffe.mp4

and so on…
Would this cause any trouble because the hash of the video content is identical?

2

The server will recognize the file has the same characteristics as another existing file but should still add it (given the other file is still available etc.).
I’ve been playing around a bit with a playground server of mine doing exactly that.

You can make your live even a easier by simply naming an empty text file that way :wink:

3

since those are all mp4s they could have matching embedded metadata and if the agent set to use that local metadata over online then it could make things screwy

I duplicate mkvs all the time to test stuff and have not had an issue with file hash

4

OK. So if Plex add it this means the file has a unique ID or Hash in the database? Because otherwise the server would not know which file it has to play.

The problem is the red error message looks a bit nasty! :x: :wink:

5

The Plex database has records for the individual files and library items – each with their unique identifier. It’ll also store file hashes. While those are considered when you scan your library, they’re no unique identifier for those records.

Not sure what nasty :x: you’re referring here…

6

OK, fair enough. But if you help the Agent and use “Fix match” for this file Plex should have a new unique link between the video file and the library entry?

7

If I understand what you are doing, I’ve had no issue with that new agents. I honestly have not personally used the old ones in a while. but I don’t think it would be an issue.

8

[quote=“tom80H, post:5, topic:709268”]

The Plex database has records for the individual files and library items – each with their unique identifier. It’ll also store file hashes. While those are considered when you scan your library, they’re no unique identifier for those records.[/quote]

If I understand you correctly the Identifiers are unique numbers for all the media entries in the database so Plex knows “ID 1” belongs to “Movie X” and “ID 2” belongs to “Movie Y”. Makes completely sense! :wink:

Speaking of hashes: :wink:
Are the file hashes something like a MD5 or SHA1 of all the bits of the video file? Or are they created with Metadata? (File size, date created, last modified, and so on)
No offense, just curiosity. :slight_smile:

Not sure what nasty :x: you’re referring here…

I was referring to the common error symbol. I’ve once created a empty test file, renamed it to something like “Terminator (1984).mp4” and put it into the folder “Terminator (1984)” and tried to play it. And I’ve been prompted with the error warning that this file can not be played.
I searched and realized that plex showed this error because there was no video or audio track in the container. My bad, but lesson learned. :wink:

9

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