Feature Request: Add ability to convert entire library to one specified file format.

General Discussions
21

@MovieFan.Plex said:
Currently, PMS does not offer these advanced options when creating an optimized version. For that type of control, you are probably better off using another program or a custom script outside of Plex. Another user has created such a script. I haven’t looked at the details as I don’t use it, but it is fairly popular.

https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/131308/cayars-setup-walk-through-and-some-tips-and-tricks/

Thank you. I am aware that tools outside Plex can do this, but I download hundreds of movies and would like it to be built into Plex.

The optimize feature is 90% done. I would like to be able to move the file into a Plex folder, and Plex does its thing. Instead of every time I download a movie I have to go open that other program(which could cost $$$) and wait for it to convert it and then move it into my Plex library, EVERY time.

Maybe advanced optimization could be a Plex Pass feature. I know I would purchase if something like that was offered.

22

@hanoncs said:

@anon18523487 said:
I’m confused. Why can’t you just use the Media Optimizer feature. You specify the output folder, add it to your library. Then you set a job to transcode everything in the library to that folder.

I wanted to mention/request small feature. I tried as you suggested, to use the optimize feature. But the issue is that I have 2.5TB of movies I would like to optimize. I have a server with lots of 3TB discs. I need to Optimize and store the optimized versions on another disc. Currently the optimize feature only offers storing the optimized versions in the current folder, or a “Plex Versions” folder. Can you please at least give us the option to specify where we want to save them?

You can specify the optimized files to be stored on another drive. Just create the folder you want first, then add this blank folder as a source for the library. When specifying an optimize job, you can now specify this new folder as the destination.

23

@MovieFan.Plex said:

@hanoncs said:

@MovieFan.Plex said:
I’m confused. Why can’t you just use the Media Optimizer feature. You specify the output folder, add it to your library. Then you set a job to transcode everything in the library to that folder.

I wanted to mention/request small feature. I tried as you suggested, to use the optimize feature. But the issue is that I have 2.5TB of movies I would like to optimize. I have a server with lots of 3TB discs. I need to Optimize and store the optimized versions on another disc. Currently the optimize feature only offers storing the optimized versions in the current folder, or a “Plex Versions” folder. Can you please at least give us the option to specify where we want to save them?

You can specify the optimized files to be stored on another drive. Just create the folder you want first, then add this blank folder as a source for the library. When specifying an optimize job, you can now specify this new folder as the destination.

Thank you. Will that not give me duplicates in my library? I think it needs to be able to save to an external folder.

24

Putting files optimized for Plex in a folder that isn’t part of the library, doesn’t seem to meet the criteria of your request. If you don’t want two versions, then after all the files have been optimized, remove the original folder location from your library.

25

many many programs do that.
If plex could do it how you wish it would be convenient.

MCE Buddy does what you want .

A bit of mucking around but I have it set up now to remux all MKV to mp4 (several options available) .
I do nothing - i just don’t see mkv anymore.

26

Optimized versions do not show up as duplicates. They are handled internally different than regular files.

27

At the rate plex breaks thing i would NEVER let it touch my libraries to make perminant changes…

That said here is what I do… not right or wrong just one way to skin the cat and I have enough storage to pull it off … all my storage is backed with ZFS and I have at least one full backup of evertthing that is also protected with parity against bitrot

I keep original content… full DVD rips in VideoTS format in a seperate folder and when plex abandoned this format began converting my base images in MKV format and only choosing to archive the main movie with only the audio that I need… i.e. No directors comments etc.

The reason

If I want to automate then process in the future to convert these archive videos to another newer format… loooking at you 265 hevc when that becomes mainstream… I can automate it without having to babysit it selecting the correct versions etc

I will keep the videotc folder off line since the server will never use it buy I always keep the source files

For blu… I started in the mkv container and only kept the original movie… so same as my transaction for DVD sources above

ALL my movies get converted to h265 with handbrake and I currently use the ATV3 preset… its quick, gives a picture up to 1080 (or source) properly cropped for source anaimaphoric … at source framerate with both AAC and AC3 multichannel with the latter as passthough… a VERY good trade off…

AND I alway have the original in MKV format if I want to play a higher bitrate version.

The ATV3 m4v files I don’t have to dick with the broken and slow plex sync either, I can copy them straight to my iPhone or ipad and they will play just fine in the navitve movie app… bypassing all of plex’s security bullshit while on the road

If I want to sync something while on the road… I still can and the m4v format is light weight enough that transcode is lightning fast and in some cases it only changes containers since the content is native for the device but plex sometimes insists on transcoding to save space and further optopmize for the device… which is a waste of time… but so far not giving users the option for force direct sync without transcode… which we have been asking for…

Bottom line… you should, if you can afford the storage to save the original version… and save the original in mkv format that plex can use if you want that level of quality ONLINE.

Have a unified format that you know works pre transcoded so that you can transcode them with handbrake or something else where YOU control the quality… then ther server has less work to do when watching content and you know what you are going to get out…

Now the server only has to worry about clients that are wireless or remote that have bandwidth issues and plex needs to move the stream down in quality to fit the outliers…