What I want to do is block remote users from accessing 4K versions of movies and TV shows. I’ve currently done this by having separate libraries for 4K files and 1080p (or lower) files, and only sharing the 1080p library with remote users.
However, this is a problem when I want to play something locally because both 4K and 1080p versions are displayed of the same media and it’s impossible to know which one I should click on until I do and view the media resolution.
Someone suggested that I create a third library that references the same folders as the 4K and 1080p files, and only pin that for my local account. However, I tried that and it seems like Plex will then process all files multiple times because the same files are now in two libraries.
Is there any other option I can use to achieve this?
I have to ask what it is you think you’re preventing by disallowing access to 2160p versions if there is a 1080p version?
If the player, local or remote, is 1080p or less then the “streaming brain” should automatically pick the 1080p version to play in preference to the 2160p.
Unfortunately that just doesn’t happen in my experience. I have family members who previously tried to stream content remotely and 4K is always a laggy mess. When I just gave them access to 1080p, it was fine.
If there was some kind of setting on either the server or the player where you could set 1080p as the highest quality to stream, then this wouldn’t be an issue. But as far as I know, this option does not exist.
Make two folders on whatever storage volume you are using, title one of them Movies, the other 4K Movies. In Plex make two libraries, one that can see both folders and one that can only see the “Movies” folder. Share the folder that can only see your 1080p content to your friends, and pin only the library of yours that has both types of content. Your home screen should look the way you are describing you want it to look and your friends will only have access to the content you want them to have access to.
