I have read the FAQ and readme first and many posts but not sure still.
My Plex server is a windows PC that is failing. (Overheating and random shutdowns. I’ll tear it down and rehab it later.) So, I have a TS-453Bmini coming this week. It will be used as a Plex server only. Given the issues with my existing server, I want to copy the media files over to the Qnap right away and would like to use the file directory naming scheme I have used with Windows (just for familiarity and loading new files). Nothing fancy, just a root directory called Plex with subdirectories of Movies, Sean Movies, TV, Home and Music. No interest in using the Qnap multimedia functions.
Can I do this migration of the media files before I install Plex? I figured I’d get my media files moved over before the PC craps out and I have to pull the drives to copy things over and then let Plex do it’s thing and rebuild whatever it needed to with such a fresh install. But I didn’t want to assume this is a good approach without asking. It’s going to take some time to do the transfer, so felt data was job one, so to speak.
If I missed a FAQ, I apologize, but I didn’t see this discussed.
sounds like a reasonable plan.
when setting up your NAS you’ll usually get a set of default folders for multimedia (e.g. music, videos, photos). you won’t be required to use them… however before creating a main folder named plex, check out if Plex will need such a root folder for its own stuff – if I remember correctly Plex created a hidden plex top-level folder for its database etc. on my old Synology.
##If you want to keep Plex running on the Windows machine for now…
When the data is migrated you can map the NAS drives to your Windows machine and add the existing libraries. This should result in your existing media showing up as duplicates (blue boxes showing a “2” in the top-left corner of your posters)
Once you’re there you an delete the old folders from the library.
This is actually the regular migration approach described in Plex’ support articles.
When moving your data like this, it’ll give you also a good opportunity to review your file/folder structures. That’ll make it easier when you start setting up your new server (either on the QNAP or a different machine) and helps avoiding the need to manually fix the matching of your content.
Thanks and I’ll rework my top level directory name in accordance just in case. (My prime user is my disabled adult son who can’t handle a physical DVD without damaging it, so I have years and years of various media (VHS to Bluray) ripped to files that he can watch on his Roku TV set or tablet.) So big time downtime is an issue for me because of him. Thanks again.
