It would be great to have an option similar to “Scan Library Files” that will detect and manage optimized versions, bringing them into the database and the Optimized Versions menu. Perhaps even allow “Scan Library Files” to accomplish this!
Some Context behind the idea…
In my case, The media Library is on NAS, and Plex on a low-power server (25W). Works great for my needs as long as no transcoding is necessary. This means keeping optimized versions for my 1080P TVs (original), Android Phone, and iPad. Rather than waiting approximately forever for the Plex server to transcode the library, I would like to allow my desktop to transcode the library on the NAS once, and then allow the Plex server to manage it going forward.
I don’t understand. You don’t need files to be listed as “optimized versions” for them to work. You can still have different versions of the file created by other programs.
Correct, I can drop in ‘Optimized’ versions, however the management features will not be present on the media server. Same would be true if I migrated to another server in the future, presumably without exporting the database.
The low-power server will handle optimizations going forward as new content is added.
The Suggestion is a way to bring the optimized versions into the management/menu of the server even though they were created by a separate instance of Plex.
I get that, but why do you need it to show as an optimized version. There’s nothing special about optimized versions except it will get erased if you erase the original. You can drop in that version and PMS will show it as a version, and you can still play it.
