How do I get plex to prefer external srt, rather than mkv embedded pgs?

General Discussions
1

I have some MKV’s that have embedded pgs subtitles and foreign parts only flagged to forced.

I have added filename.en.forced.srt subtitles to the directory. Plex sees them. Sees them in the dropdown listing as external forced srt. But does not default to them. :frowning:

I’d rather not alter the mkv itself, removing pgs force flag, so that I can maintain original md5 hash… but is that my only way?

2

Here is some reading.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/204985278-account-audio-subtitle-language-settings/

Also, here…
https://support.plex.tv/articles/200471133-adding-local-subtitles-to-your-media/
One important thing to remember is if LMA is on top of the agent list then it poses a world of problems if your files(M4V/MP4) have embedded garbage in them.

@OttoKerner suggests that external subtitles are preferred.

3

@NewPlaza said:
Here is some reading.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/204985278-account-audio-subtitle-language-settings/

Also, here…
https://support.plex.tv/articles/200471133-adding-local-subtitles-to-your-media/
One important thing to remember is if LMA is on top of the agent list then it poses a world of problems if your files(M4V/MP4) have embedded garbage in them.

@OttoKerner suggests that external subtitles are preferred.
https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1619844/#Comment_1619844

You say that LMA at top position… world ofmproblems

But your urls say:
Ensure Local Media Assets is checked
Ensure Local Media Assets is topmost in the list

Im confused.

4

Could pose problems if you do not correctly fix/change embedded metadata from MP4/M4V files.

5

Plex isn’t going to read metadata in an MKV file anyway - only works for MP4/M4V and unless you want to fiddle with EVERY SINGLE MP4/M4V you EVER add… it’s best to put LMA at the bottom, name and structure according to the packaged instructions and let Plex index the file using the standard/stock databases (TMDB/TVDB).

https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/media-preparation/
paying particular, detailed attention to TV Show naming and structuring:
https://support.plex.tv/articles/200220687-naming-series-season-based-tv-shows/
('cause if you don’t - it probably won’t work)

If @OttoKerner says Plex will use an external srt file first, by default, I have to believe that’s what’s going to happen.

MKVToolNix is a great thing for fiddling with embedded streams (like sub tracks) in MKV files - giving them their proper flags and such:

https://mkvtoolnix.download/downloads.html
I probably use it every day in some capacity…