I have Plex Server configured for multiple Movie libraries so I can watch different versions depending on which TV I am using, e.g. “Movies” and “Movies (4K)”.
If I start watching a movie from the Movies 4K library and then go backj to the Home screen, the “Continue Watching” screen annoyingly shows both the 4K and the 1080p version of same movie, rather than just the 4K version which I was watching.
Is it supposed to do this?
Is there a configuration setting to stop it doing this?
I’m running Plex Server version 3.9.1
I would like to +1 this. I have 3 different versions on Iron Man sitting in my “Continue Watching.” I would really like it if it would only show the one I was watching. it’s 3 different Libraries and 2 of them are sharing 1 video file. For example I have a 4k version in my 4k Library, then I have a 1080p version in my Movies and Kids Vidz Libraries.
Unfortunately, that’s how it works. I combat that bug by putting all my versions in the same library and Merge them, then select the version at playback. That won’t work for everyone.
What might be a better option is that when you click on play (if there are multiple versions) it then it simply asks you “What version?”, e.g. 4K or 1080p. Rather than having to remember to go through sub menu’s to select the version you want.
This would be so simple and easy and would help immensely when starting to watch a movie on TV (in 4K UHD HDR) and then going to bed and continuing to watch it in 1080p on an iPad.
I’m guessing here, but it sounds like you have a 4K library, and a 1080p library. That is why you see two of the same item on the home screen… Plex understands they are the same movie even though they are in different libraries, and marks both with the same watched/progress status. However, it also knows they are in different libraries, and that’s why you see two posters, one for each version.
From the home screen, it’s almost impossible to know which version is which because they will likely have the same poster and information. Here’s some suggestions …
Option 1:
Edit one of the libraries, and in the advanced options, disable “Include in Dashboard” (the 4K library in this example) The home screen will now only show the poster for the 1080p version, and selecting from the home screen will always play the 1080p version. If you want the 4K version to play, you will have to navigate to the 4k library specifically. From there, you can select the movie from “Continue Watching” and it will always play the 4K version from the position marked in the watched status.
Option 2:
Change the poster and background art for one of the versions. The home screen should show different posters now, and as long as you can remember what version has what artwork, you can select the correct version.
Option 3:
Place both versions in the same library as @JuiceWSA suggested. Some apps (the Roku for sure) automatically selects the best version to play. This is what I do, and so far it has worked almost perfectly.
Option 4:
If you want separate watched status for each version, you need to use a different agent for one of the libraries. Edit one of the libraries, and in the advanced options, choose a different agent. The default agent in my case is “Plex Movie.” Select another agent (the Movie Database) Now Plex will consider all new additions to that library as a completely different movie with it’s own watched/progress status, even though they may have the same poster, information, etc. as the version in the other library. You will have to manually rematch any movies you currently have to the new agent though. Once a movie has been matched with a particular agent, Plex remembers that and holds onto that info, until you either delete it or force a rematch.
Finally, I don’t think this is a bug, it actually works the way I want it to. The correct version is automatically selected and sent to the client if it’s the same movie, and if I want one version to be identified as a Director’s Cut, for example, I use a different agent to match it.
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@leelynds ? Can you ‘Merge’ two (or more) Movies across libraries?
@JuiceWSA said:
Can you ‘Merge’ two (or more) Movies across libraries?
I’ve never tried, but I don’t think so. I do have different libraries pointed to the same folder, and the watched status for those files is the same for both libraries. That is, if I watch half a movie in one library, the progress.watched status changes in the other to exactly the same. Don’t know how it works, but I imagine it’s something to do with the persistent bundles and agents used to match. I like it that way, but I can see why it might aggravate others.
I also use symlinks to add a pseudo-copy into another library occasionally. I followed the guide here:
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16226/complete-guide-to-symbolic-links-symlinks-on-windows-or-linux/
and since I’m mostly a Windows guy these days, I use the “Link Shell Extension” referenced on that page so I don’t have to go into a command prompt.
I use the “hard-link” option. I’ve never tried that method across different drives, or on a network drive, because I was really unclear of what was actually going to happen, or if it would work. You can experiment if you want, and let me know of any pitfalls to be aware of. 
Well for me I have a movies library for me and one for my son. Iron Man in 1080p is in both our libraries (Same File). In his room he can only see his library so he doesn’t get into movies he shouldn’t. Then I have my 4k folder. I guess the best option for me is change the library agent on 4k just because i only have about 12 4k movies as of right now. Not including the 20 I have on Bluray.
I just wish Plex was smart enough to condense all of them into 1 continue watching (Instead of 3) and then when you hit resume it would ask you which version you would like to continue watching.
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I also have noticed this issue. I keep them in different directories because for my remote users I don’t want them attempting to stream 4k HDR content. It’s much easier to just have one local folder for my own viewing than explaining to each person how to check for “versions” of their movie.
Sorry to zombify this thread, but I’m having the same issue. I had 2 libraries; one for friends to prevent streaming 4K content and one for my home network. I started seeing dupes in the Continue Watching section. I used to just hit “mark watched” then “mark unwatched” and it would fix it, but then another title would pop up duped. Now it’s pretty much all the time any time I stop watching a movie without completing it.
I deleted the “Sharing” library thinking that was what was causing the duplication, but it’s still there… and it comes and goes erratically. I have now setup only 1 library (no duplicate files either, I hid the 4K stuff) for me and my friends, but I’m still getting duplicates in the Continue Watching section. It’s frustrating as can be. This is definitely a bug that needs squashing.
Well, first reported last year (in this thread, but reported years before already), and apart from the deafening symphony of crickets - not much has happened, or is likely to happen.
The known ‘Work-Arounds’ are listed above.
That’s about all the hapless Plex User has to work with and if that doesn’t do it for ya, you’re SOL.
Unfortunately.
Plex mishandles Stacked Movies or TV Shows - always has and I expect always will. The most recent ‘twist’ in the never-ending quest for User Dissatisfaction, is the New and Improved way Plex deals with ‘duplicate’ movies (Versions). Plex used to automatically ‘Merge’ two version in the same Library - helping the mishandling in Continue Watching (but not curing it, of course), but now the kind folks at Plex HQ have decided to change that behavior - No Merging, each Version is treated as if it was a brand new item… probably works better for somebody at Plex HQ so that decision was arbitrarily made for you at the development level.
Go Figure.
Yeah, this is another annoying Plex bug.
I also keep my 4K separate from 1080p to avoid streaming it to friends. Naturally, the 1080p version is what plays by default on my 4K TV when I click “Continue Watching”. Useless.
