Folder and file naming convention for TV shows

[bsacco]

Server Version#:latest
Player Version#:latest

Does anyone have a Folder naming and file naming guide link? I’m a newbie and want my TV shows to display correctly. Thx - bob

[JuiceWSA]

Naming and Organizing Your TV Show Files | Plex Support

[bsacco]

Thx, but how do i turn off PLEX from synching with my TV shows while I go back to my HDD on the server and re-name the files and folders?

[JuiceWSA]

Well, typically you move the show out of the library, work on it, then put it back - kinda in the middle of The Plex Dance:

The Plex Dance ™

The purpose of this is to remove all cached metadata and xml data for an item that Plex usually keeps. This helps when you want to “start from scratch” for particular item move all files for the media item out of the directory your Library is looking at, so Plex will not “see” it anymore scan the library library (to detect changes) empty trash clean bundles (in menu next to server name, when accessed under ‘More’) double check naming schema and move files back scan the library Support articl…

But… you can reserve The Dance for shows that misbehave after you rename them and ‘Refresh Metadata’.

Before you start this - do this:

Video File Naming

With LMA in priority, Embedded Titles within MP4/M4V files are preferred - even over a perfect file name. Local Media Assets should - AT ALL TIMES - remain enabled (unless specifically instructed to turn it off). Local Media Assets should be ‘Demoted’, to the bottom of the stack of active agents under ALL tabs in Shows and Movies, but should NOT be disabled. Local Media Assets is needed for many things - it doesn’t need to be given Tip-Top-Priority (as Plex has so hatefully placed it as it’s …

That will prevent Plex from giving priority to embedded Title Fields (the bogus Titles that make your life miserable), preferring them over a perfect file name and structure - if you have any of those.

In the ideal situation - you want to start with good file names and structures.
When you have to fix them in mid-flight - there’s always that question: is my bundle good?

I answer that question with a Plex Dance - it’s a bundle Do-Over.

[bsacco]

Sorry, I’m a newbie and many of the terms you are using are foreign to me. Here’s the bottom line. I edited the file and folder names already when they were inside the HDD that was pointed at PLEX.

So, the horse is out of the barn. Am I screwed? Or can I move the files and folders out of the directory pointed at PLEX and somehow flush the PLEX cache?

[JuiceWSA]

You’ll be fine.

Move LMA as described under ALL tabs in Shows and Movies.

Rename and Restructure your files according to the packaged directions.
Refresh Metadata at the show level Not the episode or season level.

If nothing good happens - Plex Dance the Show - All steps as they’re described, in the order given - or it simply won’t work.

[bsacco]

Move LMA as described under ALL tabs in Shows and Movies.

LMA = my TV shows, right?

Where is “under ALL tabs in Shows and Movies?” Can you give specific instructions where to find it?

Where do i find the Refresh Metadata?
What is “Plex Dance the Show?”

[JuiceWSA]

Read the links - explained in painful, horrifying details:

Video File Naming

With LMA in priority, Embedded Titles within MP4/M4V files are preferred - even over a perfect file name. Local Media Assets should - AT ALL TIMES - remain enabled (unless specifically instructed to turn it off). Local Media Assets should be ‘Demoted’, to the bottom of the stack of active agents under ALL tabs in Shows and Movies, but should NOT be disabled. Local Media Assets is needed for many things - it doesn’t need to be given Tip-Top-Priority (as Plex has so hatefully placed it as it’s …

Server/Settings/Agents

Shows: TVDB/TMDB - move LMA to the bottom of the list of active agents
Movies: Plex Movie/TMDB - move LMA to the bottom of the list of active agents

If you want that ‘good feeling’:

Create a new TV Show Library Folder - and a New TV Show Library.
Move Shows OUT of the existing TV Show Library
Scan Library
Empty Trash
Clean Bundles

Fix Show names and structures

Put show in new TV Show Library.

Rinse/Lather/Repeat

Eventually your old tv show library will disappear - when there’s nothing more in it - then you can delete that old Library. Your new TV Show Library will have all good stuff in it - with nice clean bundles.

The new stuff will be good out of the gate.
No worries.

[bsacco]

JuiceWSA,
I’m not seeing ALL TABS in my plex client. Please advise.

[JuiceWSA]

Plex Movie
The Movie Database

Under Shows:
TVDB
The Movie Database

Ya gotta read the instructions, look at the pictures, aim your mouse and click.

[bsacco]

Juice, no matter where I click in my PLex client I can’t find the screenshot you are showing. I’m on a WIN 10 desktop using a chrome browser.

[JuiceWSA]

Click the ‘Tools’ - upper right.
down the side bar find Agents

Look familiar?

[bsacco]

this is what I see

[JuiceWSA]

That’s not Plexweb.

http://127.0.0.1:32400/web/index.html#
That is.

Right click the Plex Icon in the system tray and ‘Open Plex’
That’s Plexweb too.

[bsacco]

No such thing…

[bsacco]

Same difference…Still can’t find it. Are you an authorized support person for Plex?

[JuiceWSA]

Left Click the Tools.

[bsacco]

I am left clicking on the tool icon and it does nothing.

[JuiceWSA]

Well - I don’t know of any other way to get to the settings.

And there’s not much sense in continuing if you can’t get to the settings.

I will now stand down.
I don’t know how to fix that.

@bsacco

Are you an authorized support person for Plex?

I am a user, just like you, but the difference is when I click the tools I go to Settings.

This is your image and it shows you in the settings:

To the left is a side bar and if you scroll down, you’ll find Agents.