I have divided my movies into separate genre folders, “Action & Adventure”, “Comedy & Drama” etc. Then inside Plex I have added each genre folder to its own Library. But I have also added all the genre folders into one main Library called “Movies” which houses all my movies.
The problem is when I make a change to “Movies” it doesn’t transfer over to my other libraries like “Action & Adventure.” For example, if I create a collection inside “Movies” that collection will not appear in “Action & Adventure.” The libraries are treated as completely different.
Is there a way to make Plex treat two libraries as the same if they’re both referring to the same folder?
In short no. They are completely different as far as the database is concerned.
When you create a library it is given an ID number. and add something to it that library item is given an database entry ID number. lets say Batman Begins has ID number 123. if you create a new library point at the same folder it creates new DB entries for each item. so Batman Begins in that new library is ID number 456. assigning a collection tag to ID123 does not also add it to ID456.
Out of curiosity because I like to inform our devs/designers the different ways folks want to or try to use Plex, why are you creating a library with everything then separate libraries for genres?
Oh, that’s a shame! Thanks for answering my question though. Would be nice to have a setting to disable the “Collections Preplay” for a library.
I actually have it this way for ease of access and manageability. I was able to consolidate all my movies into 7 genre folders. So if my nephews want to watch a movie they just have to use the sidebar and go to “Family & Animation.” Or they can go to Collections inside “Family & Animation” and quickly find the “Shrek Collection” among other family friendly collections. This benefit applies to all my genre libraries. Also, since I’m separating the genres myself I don’t have to worry about kids’ “Sci-Fi” movies popping up in the “Sci-Fi & Fantasy” library. It’s overall just more versatile.
Then I have all my movies in one library because I may not have a genre in mind; I just want to browse my entire library. I can also create Collections that span over all my genres like a “Christmas Collection.”
