Sorry if this is the wrong thread, but I can’t locate information on why my Plex server shows cast for only some movies but not others. No rhyme or reason as far as I can tell. For example, it shows case for many MCU (I have them all), but not for some, even if more recent (shows for some Avengers but not others, not for either Guardians, Thor, Iron Man, Dr. Strange). Does not show for 3 Days to Kill or 3:10 to Yuma or 12 Monkeys, but does for older 12 Angry Men. Yes for 12 Strong, no for 12 Years a Slave. You get my examples.
I have tried refreshing individual movie metadata. I just tried refreshing all metadata. Under Settings/Agents and Movies I have it set for Plex Movie (Legacy) and selected IMDB for Cast Source (tried also the other option The Movie Database).
I would be nice to have all cast data for all movies. Ideas? Thanks.
Sounds like you’re still stuck with a legacy agent?!
Are those movies actually matched or is this all embedded metadata from with those files (but e.g. lacking the cast/crew details)?
Thanks for the response. I’ve been using Plex for years but not sure I’m up on all the terms. I tried to “optimize” but that did not help. I’m not sure what you mean by stuck with a “legacy agent.” As mentioned, I selected IMDB for Cast, but not sure that is what you are talking about. As to your second question, the movies are matched automatically by Plex–as far as I know. I did not do anything special. Just ripped them from the DVD I purchased and added them to Plex. Thanks for further help. I would really like to get Cast data for ALL my movies, not just a random subset.
Or is it possible that many movies you just can’t get Cast data? Or should you be able to for all movies on Plex?
The Optimize action will create an optimized version of your movie which usually means it’ll create a lower-quality or more compatible copy of the video. This will change nothing about your metadata.
In Plex, libraries are assigned an agent that specifies where/how Plex looks up the metadata for your media. The current / up-to-date agent is Plex Movie – Plex have not yet dropped the old ones (legacy agents) like Plex Movie (legacy) or The Movie Database. IIRC, those old ones used to have a dedicated option from where to pull cast information.
The new agent is mostly handling this on its own.
As you’re using one of those old ones, I suppose it could happen that Plex cannot derive certain details… though I haven’t seen many issues about that yet.
Plex should be able to collect cast information for (almost) all movies.
If you feel unsure, check out The Movie Database to see if it’s got that information.
Thanks for your continued response. I don’t mean to use an older agent for Cast or other metadata, but I don’t know how to change things. If there is a more updated agent or way to obtain metadata, can you please direct me to that source?
Do I understand that to be controlled within Settings/Agents/Movies? It gives me three options there: Personal Media/Plex Movie (Legacy)/The Movie Database. Under each of those it has options (like under Plex Movie (Legacy) it has Plex Movie (Legacy) which you can customize to select IMDB or The Movie Database for Cast, Local Media Assets (Movies), Fanart.tv, etc.). The only place I can see to change a Cast option is under Plex Movie (Legacy), and choose between IMDB and The Movie Database.
If you’re using a current server release and with libraries that are still using a legacy agent, there should be a warning/notification in the Activities popup. IIRC those libraries should have an option to upgrade the library matching in that library’s context menu.
You should be able to achieve the same by manually switching the agent for this library and refresh the library’s metadata:
Open ⋮ > Manage Library > Edit...
Switch to the Advanced tab
Set Agent to Plex Movie and apply the change
Click ⋮ > Manage Library > Refresh All Metadata and wait for Plex to complete the job
Once the library is updated, you will find the library-specific agent configuration the library’s advanced tab too (⋮ > Manage Library > Edit... → Advanced)
Thanks. I have not been to that location before, but when I checked it was already set to Plex Movie (not Plex Movie (Legacy)) (and if it matters, Scanner was also set to Plex Movie). I refreshed all metadata, but still same problem with missing Cast for many movies. What am I missing?
Also, what is the difference between this setting in Library Advanced and the Agents where under movies it shows Plex Movie (Legacy)? It seems like they are in conflict, and which one controls?
Do your files have embedded metadata (e.g. an empty cast field)?
This could explain why Plex isn’t loading those from the online sources – given those movies definitely have cast records linked to them.
Not so much a conflict.
The old agents used to be configured centrally per server Settings > [Server Name] > Agents).
The new agents are configured per library ⋮ > Manage Library > Edit... → Advanced
