Local movie extras not available if more than one main title is merged

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

(Moving from “Ask a Ninja” to “Mac”, as this is demonstrably a server bug)

I have ripped several DVD & Blu-Ray sets, and take great pains to ensure I capture bonus materials, as well. However, I’ve been debugging issues where these “Extras” aren’t available in Plex, and think I’ve finally determined the cause:

If there is more than one version of the movie available (e.g. an HD + an SD version), any additional local media assets are suppressed.

To clarify: My extras are contained within the appropriate sub-folders, are named correctly, etc. I’ve even forced updates repeatedly, but the issues are consistent.

Any time there is more than one file associated with the main movie title itself, these local Extras are suppressed entirely.

See screenshot hierarchy: If I have 2 media files available (shown as a “merged” entry, with a “2” call-out badge), the local Extras are not shown. If I move one of these 2 main movie media files out of this hierarchy and re-scan, the Extras are made available. However, if I move this additional main media file back into the hierarchy, the Extras are once again suppressed.

Additional example, as well: I have a single media file (SD), and no other local Extras - although, depending on title, several automatic Extras may be available. I add my local Extras into the hierarchy, and they work exactly as needed. But, if I add another main media file to the hierarchy (HD, this time), the Extras are suppressed from Plex.

Removing main media files allows the Extras to be displayed; adding them in, always suppresses these Extras. Repeatable 100%.

Very frustrating to no longer have the ability of including optimized media files, if I want my own Extras to be available, as well. Simple bug, which is easy to fix?

(First examples:)

  1. Two Main versions
  2. Details (one HD, one SD)
  3. Hierarchy
  4. File to be removed
  5. After removal, Extras content is significantly enhanced
  6. Nine additional extras, and now only one main media file
  7. Adding the file back, removes the Extras

(Second examples:)
B1. Single media file (SD), with automatic Extras only

B2. Adding local Extras, and rescanning works to display this additional content

B3. But adding addidtional media file (HD), suppresses local Extras

2

I’m also having this issue while running a Plex server on my Synology. Your explanation is exactly what I’m seeing. I’m disappointed there hasn’t been a resolution to this issue yet. Is there any way to get it elevated?

3

No clue - but agreed that this is a very frustrating situation to be in. This seems it would be very basic functionality, which currently leads to significant usability issues. Having zero responses from the team, after ~3 months, is … confusing.

I’ll send a direct support request referencing this post, and see if the Plex admins/support personnel can reply with at least a bit more information.

4

Did you ever have any luck getting support for this issue? Still happening.

5

Nothing. Extremely frustrating.

Anyone know of a better way to raise the concern with the Plex developers … again?

6

And similar to another question, this one is marked as “Answered” - even though it is still a significant bug, and problematic issue. Anyone know how to address both of these issues?

7

sigh

Still no “real” solution - but it looks like the only workaround is to do The Plex Dance® - and then ensure additional versions of the movie are kept OUTSIDE of the folder containing the one (and only one) movie file and the desired Extras. See: Local Extras not appearing with Multiple Versions of the Movie

Incredibly frustrating that this is still an issue, after so many years. I actually understand the “Plex won’t update its bundles without completely wiping them out and re-creating them” behavior - but this seems only tangentially related to the outright bug that Extras don’t appear if there is more than one version of a title in the same folder. Why???

I still love Plex, but the amount of manual work required to get it to behave the way it’s advertised to behave, is incredibly troubling (seriously: Show me a single Help document which indicates that the ability to define “multiple versions” is mutually exclusive with the ability to structure “extras” for that movie. This certainly doesn’t seem it’s supposed to be the case…)