I’m on Plex Lifetime Pass and from what I understand, one of the perks is the ability to have different editions of a movie displayed. Unfortunately, it seems that my Plex server (installed on a Synology, updated to the latest version via manual installation) is treating them as different versions instead. For example, I have three editions of Star Wars (1977), though they are admittedly of different resolutions (the De-Specialized edition is 720p, the Remastered edition is 1080p, and the Special Edition is 4K). I have them all in the same sub-folder (named Star Wars (1977) and the files are named as follows:
Star Wars (1977) {edition-De-Specialized Edition}.mkv
Star Wars (1977) {edition-Specialized Edition}.mkv
Star Wars (1977) {edition-Remastereded Edition}.mkv
However, on my player, both via Chrome and Android TV, I get neither the Edition tag displyed, nor do I get the option to choose what edition to play. What I do get, however, is an option to play a version, which only displays the resolution and the bitrate. I also tried with a movie that has the same resolution, but different editions:
I am Legend (2007) {edition-Theatrical Release}.mkv
I am Legend (2007) {edition-Alternate Ending}.mkv
Both files reside in the same folder, and like before, they’re being treated like different versions instead. I don’t get to see any label of what edition is going to be played, and the Play button doesn’t give me the option to choose which edition to play. When I click on the button, it just plays whatever default edition it is.
I there anything missing that I should have done? Should I place each edition in a separate folder?
Yes.
Give each edition its own top-level folder incl. the edition tag. This will also allow you to provide local assets for each edition (ranging from subtitles to posters).
I use separate folders for the editions I have, and haven’t had one fail yet. Having said that, both the multiple editions article mentioned, as well as the “Naming and Organizing Your Movie Media Files” article both show examples of editions that are not in a sub-folder of their own, indicating we don’t have to do that. It’s somewhat ambiguous!
Thanks for these I tried it with the I Am Legend movies. The lable now appears for each movie. For some reason, I was under the impression that I’ll only see one I Am Legend entry in the library and then it will let me choose which edition to play on the movie’s page. However, it seems that the documentation states otherwise, so I’m fine with it. I seem to be missing this, though:
In addition, if you have multiple editions of the same movie in the library, the details page will have a “Other Editions of [movie]” section, allowing quick access to any of the other editions of that same movie available in the library.
I get the sections such as Albums, Related Movies, and More with [Actor/Actress], but not the Other Editions.
Also, is it possible for different editions to share extras, or do I need to copy the same extras for each of the movies? Would something like this folder/naming structure work:
/Movies
/I Am Legend (2007)
/Behind the Scenes
somefile.mkv
/Shorts
animated-shorts.mkv
/I Am Legend (2007) {edition-Theatrical Release}
I Am Legend (2007) {edition-Theatrical Release}.mkv
/I Am Legend (2007) {edition-Alternate Ending}
I Am Legend (2007) {edition-Alternate Ending}.mkv
Or should it be really be something like this:
/Movies
/I Am Legend (2007)
/I Am Legend (2007) {edition-Theatrical Release}
/Behind the Scenes
somefile.mkv
/Shorts
animated-shorts.mkv
I Am Legend (2007) {edition-Theatrical Release}.mkv
/I Am Legend (2007) {edition-Alternate Ending}
/Behind the Scenes
somefile.mkv
/Shorts
animated-shorts.mkv
I Am Legend (2007) {edition-Alternate Ending}.mkv
I think the idea is different editions make completely different entities inside PMS, and each one is self contained. I’m not aware of any way to share extras across them. One concept you can try would be to decide which edition will be your main one, probably Theatrical.
In this example my Theatrical one is just named Crank (2006)
And inside the main folder I put all my extras that are common to all editions.
When I’m interested in extras, I visit the main film. Right next to the extras are my Editions.
If there are extras unique to an edition, rip those into the edition folder.
I actually didn’t realize that we can make one a “main”. For now, I placed all the extras on the Special Edition for the Star Wars movies. Thanks for the info!
I tried it with the I Am Legend movies. The lable now appears for each movie. For some reason, I was under the impression that I’ll only see one I Am Legend entry in the library and then it will let me choose which edition to play on the movie’s page. However, it seems that the documentation states otherwise, so I’m fine with it. I seem to be missing this, though:
