Steps to reproduce:
Initial File Naming and Structuring is best done BEFORE an item is added to a library (See FileBot - in my Signature):
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200220687-Naming-Series-Season-Based-TV-Shows
Once you allow Plex to write a bogus bundle - it’s like pulling teeth to get Plex to write a new bundle - read on.
Example:
A TV Show Library/
…TV Show Name (YEAR)/ <— as it appears at TVDB - with (YEAR): https://www.thetvdb.com/
…Season 01/
…TV Show Name (YEAR) - S01E01 - Episode Name Optional.xxx
…TV Show Name (YEAR) - S01E02.xxx
Above best done during…:
The Plex Dance®:
All Steps. In Order. No Shortcuts.
FileBot (link in my signature) can handle that naming and structuring for you automatically or manually in seconds.
What FileBot can’t do is remove possible embedded metadata in the Title Field of MP4/M4V files. Plex will read this info and prefer it over a perfect file name/structure, but you can combat that situation by moving Local Media Assets to the bottom of every agent list you can find. All tabs in TV Show and Movies here:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200241558-Agents
Just drag LMA to the bottom of the list and drop it. If you do have embedded metadata this will cure the issue, if you don’t it won’t matter. LMA will do what it has to from the bottom. This step is best done during “5” in The Plex Dance®.
@romashkoo said:
Steps to reproduce:
- Download TV show with files that parsed as one episode with 10 media options because of wrong naming (BlahBlahS03.epname without numbers, that’s made matching incorrect)
- Rename all files to make matching correct (S01E01, S01E02 etc)
- Rescan TV show library.
- Try watching any episode from affected season
Result:
Whole season marked as watched. If I try to mark one episode as unwatched - whole season marks as unwatched. Episode progress shared across all season as well.
To be honest with you, I don’t see this as a bug. You must realize Plex isn’t the brains of the server, you are. If the files are not named correctly before you add them to Plex then problems can arise from this.
The problem is - I already RENAMED files correctly and rescanned files. In my opinion the bug is that PLEX preserves pld files signatures or whatever it uses even after files were renamed. So I need to make all this weired moves with removing files from library - rescanning - adding files back - rescanning again. I do not ask plex to name files after me, I already renamed them, I have script for that.
Yea… we know… that’s why The Plex Dance was invented…
PITA? You Betcha!
Another Method? None yet invented.
This should demonstrate in no uncertain terms the importance of naming/structuring correctly BEFORE Plex writes a bogus bundle, 'cause once that happens it’s gonna take a Plex Dance to fix it.
… and let that be a lesson to ya…
Thanks for clear explanation.
I will make it this way. It just ruins some of my automated downloading/scanning methods
Thanks again for your help!
I use automated loading of material into my libraries…
FileBot can be used for automated loading into your libraries…
Many (most?) automated delivery methods will allow you to control how items are named/structured - and where they go once processed - but if not… THEY’RE NOT WORTH HAVING!
