Server Version#: 1.31.3.6868
On NetGear ReadyNAS_104 with four 4TB drives. 60% full.
Player Version#: 4.100.1
On a dedicated Lenovo PC running Win 10, Microsoft Edge
I have a sub-folder that shows ten .MKV files on Win10 Explorer
The .MKVs DO PLAY using Windows Explorer default Movie & TV player.I
I log-in to my http://127.0.0.1:32400/ and go to the LIBRARIES
I can drill down to that folder and PLEX says “EMPTY”.
This happens on my browser and from my ROKU the PLEX app.
My ROKU-PLEX will find & play other MKV files.
Transcoder quality = Automatic
Transcoder temporary directory [blank]
Transcoder buffer = 60 [default]
Background Transcoder = Very Fast
[unchecked] Disable Transcoding
Maximum simultaneous video transcode = unlimited [default]
I have spent 2 hours + reading FAQ and searching on PLEX community and on Google.
Thank you for answering.
Yes I saw that one and verified the FileNames are valid.
To make sure I took the first ones and greatly simplified the name [removing the TORRENT name] so it is NAME.S01E01.MKV
Then I went into PLEX and slected Actions: Scan Library Files.
After perhaps 45 seconds [for 532 GB !!] that finished.
I then drilled-down to the folder to get the EMPTY folder message.
I have other .MKV files that play fine.
I can’t figure out the problem.
Do you have any suggestions?
I can give you some screen shots if you like.
Regards, Jim
Plex is not organizing your media by folders.
Usually you’re organizing your server into libraries where each library is assigned to a specific media type (e.g. movies, tv-shows, music) and associated to one or more “library folders” which contain your actual media.
Plex will then catalogue the content/files from that library folder and pick up various metadata for them. Instead of accessing the files through the folder structure, Plex offers you a number of options to access the media based on that metadata (e.g. titles, actors, directors…) – incl. the underlying folders.
Mind sharing the specific naming / organization of those files as well as which exact folder(s) are linked to the library and what type of library we’re talking about? Otherwise this is a rather academic discussion
Hi JaysPlex7 - thanks for joining-in this thread.
I have had PLEX on this four 4TB ReadyNAS drive for about 15 years.
I have many formats on this one MOVIES [\storage M: ]
For example - we’re watching MASH with no trouble?
How can this work and a newly added TV download won’t?
No, there’s no switch or easy fix for what’s happening here.
Trying to dissect why something works and something else doesn’t isn’t really worth spending time speculating over
When you don’t follow the recommended naming and organizing of your files, some things will work and some things won’t.
As you add more and more media named and organized like this you are going to run into more chances to get things mixed up. Shows and movies intermingling and being combined into duplicates.
The 1x08 is not the correct way to organize tv shows. The s01e01 format is what’s expected and the only thing that will work 100% of the time
Maybe try in each season folder…
tvdbid: 70994
pattern: {season}x{episode} - *
Or overall (this can be used for any TV show as long as you follow the same format)…
tvdbid: 70994 (this will need to be adjusted for the relevant show)
pattern: * - Season {season}\{season}x{episode} - *
I’ve done as you recommended and marked this Reply as the SOLUTION.
All is well now - thanks.
One final question: WHY does it matter that PLEX finds the metadata SINCE I am not utilizing the Meta Data functionality. I have 10+ years of being used to the FOLDER method to view Movies. In my old Folder method and naming work-around I easily found what I wanted to play. The grandkids also know to look in _KidMovies and for example the sub-directory Disney. Now I have to look at MOVIES and TV_SHOWS.
I’m not ungrateful - I’m just saying there is a “correct PLEX way” but the klunky way my son set this up 10+ years ago also worked, albeit with some file renaming.
The big learning from you is to RTFM [read the friendly manual].
Thanks again JaysPlex7, tom80H and smann for bearing with my old-fashioned method AND for being so kind and hospitable in your replies.
Jim [age 74] near St. Louis MO.
