# Duplicate files

**URL:** https://forums.plex.tv/t/duplicate-files/655744
**Category:** Live TV & DVR
**Tags:** livetv-dvr
**Created:** [November 21, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/duplicate-files/655744 "2020-11-21T03:15:42Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![ikesterhaney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/50afbb/32.png) [@ikesterhaney](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ikesterhaney)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/duplicate-files/655744/1 "2020-11-21T03:15:42Z")

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Server Version#:1.21.0.3616  
Player Version#:  
Tuner Make/Model: HDHomeRun4  
Guide/Lineup name:  
Using XMLTV?:  
Channel number/Name:

I’m seeing many duplicated recordings some with same date and time with (copy 1) (copy 2) or more for some dvr recordings. Any idea what causes this? I’d like to record all shows and all types (new and repeat) but I certainly don’t want multiple copies of the same episode.

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### Author: ![WCTschumy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@WCTschumy](https://forums.plex.tv/u/WCTschumy)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2020, 6:57am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/duplicate-files/655744/2 "2020-11-21T06:57:33Z")

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Unfortunately, that’s the current design. You can limit it by restricting time and channel - otherwise you get multiple copies of a given news show (for example ). Good luck!

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### Author: ![ikesterhaney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/50afbb/32.png) [@ikesterhaney](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ikesterhaney)
#### Post date: [December 1, 2020, 4:00am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/duplicate-files/655744/3 "2020-12-01T04:00:04Z")

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This seems dumb by design. There ought to be an option to record new and missing episodes.  
It is one thing to overwrite an existing file, but another to keep adding copies adding copy# each time.  
Literally every single file name is the same, but some have up to 20+ copies.  
The wasted space is insane.Not only that, it only gets 1 entry in the library with an indication of 26 copies thus far.

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### Author: ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2021, 4:00am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/duplicate-files/655744/4 "2021-03-01T04:00:07Z")

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