How to identify files That did not have a metadata match?

[l2oBiN]

Is there a way to quickly identify all files within say a movie database that are missing metadata, ie did not have a match?

I notice that several files in a large database sometimes do not match the metadata with automatic scans but do match match when manually prompted using refresh metadata. It would be good to have a filet that shows all files with unmatched metadata…?

[OttoKerner]

There is a “unmatched” filter.

WebTools is another way.

Here are further tips: How to find the discrepancy between number of files on disk and the number of movies in the Plex movie library

[l2oBiN]

Hi Otto,

Thank you. I also thought the unmatched filer should pull these out but in fact it does not. I have had files that did not have metadata (still showing as file with screenshot) but are not pulled out by the filter. Manually, I can see the files within the library and once I select a refresh of metadata the metadata gets corrected try assigned.

What does this filter pick ups?

[OttoKerner]

The more common issue with tv shows is a mismatch. The “unmatched” filter cannot help there, because technically, the files are matched (albeit to the wrong show).
You fix 97% of these issues with correct naming and und subsequent “dancing”:

1. Look up your show on TheTVDB
2. Take the title as it is used on TheTVDB.
   If there is something in parentheses, take that too.
   If the title contains invalid characters (depends on your file system), like § : % *, simply leave them out.
3. Check the naming and the folder structure of your show.
   Name the top folder of the show exactly after the title on TheTVDB.
   No abbreviations. No additional subfolders. No aliases.
4. Name the episode files according to the above linked naming guide.
   Use the same title as for the top folder. Show's Title (year) - s01e01 - additional info.ext (’- additional info’ can be left out)
5. After you corrected the naming and folder structure, perform the Plex Dance with all files for this show.

The remaining issues are either

• unmatched shows: these you match manually, using the tv show ID number from TheTVDB
• mismatched shows which where added to a different show. You recognize these by the small “number” overlay on the episode thumbnail pictures. Use ‘Split’, followed by ‘Fix Match’ (only at the topmost ‘show’ level – not at the ‘episode’ or ‘season’ level)

[OttoKerner]

@AgentX

as for the -'s i can’t see adding them.

Sorry, what do you mean?

@AgentX

“No additional subfolders. No aliases.” So no separating seasons by folder.

Sorry?

[OttoKerner]

@AgentX

i don’t use any -'s.

Oh, you mean dashes. Start using them.

@AgentX

as for you one post it basically reads as putting all episodes in one folder instead of separating them in to folders

No, you got that wrong.
These are the rules, and they require the use of subfolders and dashes: https://support.plex.tv/articles/200220687-naming-series-season-based-tv-shows/

[l2oBiN]

@AgentX

I use Filebot (https://www.filebot.net/ ) setup with correct naming convention with a lookup against TVDB. This ensures the same naming is recognised with the agent scrape against the renamed files. You can set it up as per Ottos exact naming convention.

@OttoKerner

Getting back to the question. How can I identify files that have the correct naming but for some reason did not have the metadata pulled using automatic agen scrape. These typically show just a screenshot from the file. They also do pull-up the metadata when individually prompted for a metadata refresh which eliminates the file name mismatch being the cause. (I think it’s possibly a time-out type issue when mass scanning).

(On a related question, is an individual file metadata refresh action possible from the shield plex player itself?)

[tom80H]

@l2oBiN

On a related question, is an individual file metadata refresh action possible from the shield plex player itself?

Not from the player but through Plex Web

[l2oBiN]

@AgentX

Validate your entire structure with filebot. That way you are sure you have the right file names. If you setup the naming convention as per plex/ottos format you will ensure you have the right file name. Whether or not something is required within the name more becomes a pain if you have to manually rename all your files. With filebot this is virtually effortless.

[tom80H]

@AgentX

It’s funny that the dashes would be required since I’ve never had this issue before

There’s a saying in the forum for those who decide that deviating from the naming schema “has never been a problem”:

It might work for you… until it doesn’t.

[tom80H]

@AgentX

I for the third time now have followed EVERYTHING stated above

I’m sad to say you have not.

Naming should be:

TV Series  <- the folder linked to your Library
   Motherland Fort Salem (2020)
      Season 01
         Motherland Fort Salem (2020) - s01e01 - Say The Words.mkv
         ...

Plex cannot deal with a folder named Motherland Fort Salem Season 1!

Edit:

@AgentX

I think we are going to have to take the post I created and the post to me and create a new thread

Please don’t… let’s keep things together in one place instead of spreading it out. That’ll just creating more confusion.

[SE56]

In recent time I have found that the Filter Critic Rating that produces a IMDb Icon & rating under the Movie Titles, when icon is absent indicates a mismatch or a file is in the incorrect Library. Example: TV Movies / Video. The Numerical part has no bearing but this has been my go to fix for mismatched Titles, or at least a good guide.
The job then is to decipher what metadata is incorrect, Naming, file structure, incorrect Match, date, Rating etc.
Sometimes Fixes are as simple as a refresh, release date.

[JuiceWSA]

There you go - fix that, then Plex Dance again…
Note: the show name at TVDB does NOT contain a (YEAR) field.
Do NOT inject a (YEAR) field where it isn’t needed - unless you like to ‘Fix Match’.

Filebot goes to TVDB and gets the name they use - it named my files perfectly and when I added 4 of these awful show’s episodes they were instantly matched, Naturally.

https://www.filebot.net/

Getting a natural match doesn’t make this turd any better.
At least I’ll have minimal manual labor into it when I delete it in a few days…lol

[JuiceWSA]

@AgentX

As for the year being there or not it has never made a difference before.

Before isn’t Now:

Match Failures

Server Version#: The Latest - otherwise take a hike. Player Version#: The Latest - tell us if we ask. If providing server logs TURN OFF VERBOSE - TURN ON DEBUG - and wait until asked. No Snippets. Period. TV Shows AND Movies - Pile 'em on. Here’s the first one - This is a False Alarm: https://forums.plex.tv/t/fix-match-using-tmdb-or-imdb-id-number/540072/12?u=juicewsa A proper file name - worked as expected: A Movie Library\ Monty Python's Flying Circus - Terry Gilliam's Personal Best (20…

Remember that big mushroom cloud when TVDB/Plex had to change horses in mid-stream with a brand new API for TVDB’s brand new, super-deelux Trans-Warp-Drive Borg Cube?

Yea, that one…

Things change - change with them.

FileBot

[JuiceWSA]

A’ight - this isn’t crap:

In ‘Match Failures’ and speaking with ‘inner-circle’ canines… we discovered the matching engine is a learning machine.

Keep Fixing Match.
It’s learning.

[JuiceWSA]

That’s still working and as far as I can tell they haven’t changed anything recently - only added some artwork:

https://thetvdb.com/series/dracula-2020

I still have a lot of shows tagged with an unnecessary (YEAR) field - I’ll get to 'em - eventually.

BTW:
Are all your files MKVs?

[SE56]

For sense and purpose, believe what you like. There have been Moderators and very experienced forum members offering there advice, if not taken your issue will not be resolved. It’s that simple.
Metadata that does not following Naming conventions will in the future result in unmatched Titles randomly in your Libraries. As you have clearly demonstrated.

[JuiceWSA]

@AgentX

Most of then are MKV’s.

Just in case - and so you’ll not have to worry about MP4/M4V files - do this (if you haven’t already):

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 …

[JuiceWSA]

@AgentX

Tried to reorder those both in Movies and TV Series and they go right back to “Local Media Assets” being on top.

That’s not just an inconvenience - that’s serious - and I have no idea how to fix it.
We’re gonna need elevated support 'cause this is no longer just one of those things when you don’t name your files properly - this is a breakdown of something important.

Details:

What OS?
Where’s your server machine?
What kind of storage?

I’ll call the general ambulance service - maybe the bleeding can be stopped before you exsanguinate… @anon18523487 @BigWheel

We’ll take it from there… @OttoKerner <—I see Otto is about - I’ll call him as well. Otto’s been there, done that. No matter what it is.

I do know if you move LMA to the extreme bottom of the stack - it will move itself to the bottom of the ‘Active Agents’, but going back to the top is right out.

[JuiceWSA]

If the problem is serious enough to not allow you to move LMA - it’s serious enough that you need to be concerned about it.

It indicates a serious malfunction.