Problem with One File, Two Episodes - Can Plex Handle This?

[d_mhnallaich]

Server Version#: 1.22.3.4392
Player Version#: 4.56.4

Hi, I see this has been discussed in other threads but they are at leats 1 year old. I was wondering if anything has changed. I am able to name the file such that Plex will display both episidoes but, Plex is unable to cut to the starting point of the second episode when I play the appropriate thumbnail, it always begins at the start of the file.

I read in some places that it may be possible to change this behaviour but, I have been unsuccessful.

Thanks.

[SE56]

This Extract from a support article is the correct was to name a Two eps in one file

https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/

[d_mhnallaich]

Thank you. It seems that there is no way to have Plex auto skip to the appropriate timestamp but, at least I know.

Cheers.

[SE56]

The second episode starts at the beginning of that episode, works for me. But if your talking about Video Preview Thumbnails, I don’t use them. However you can Separate the file using MKVToolNix.

[HowTo]: splitting multi-episode files with MKVtoolnix GUI

The purpose of this HowTo is to split videofiles which contain more than one episode of a tv show into single-episode files. So they show up individually within plex, can be played individually and don’t produce any of the weird things that multi-episode files are plagued with. The tool used is MKVtoolnixGUI it is freely available for all major PC operating systems. Therefore the container format of the output files will be MKV. The input format can be a multitude of containers like AVI, MP4…

[d_mhnallaich]

Hmm if it works for you then it should work for me. I have tried splitting a few episodes and tested them but its a bit clumsy and I would prefer to leave the files, as-is and just have plex start at the beginning of the applicable episode.

When you say you don’t use video thumbnails, is this enabled by default? Is that a potential cause of the file always playing from the beginning?

[SE56]

Not sure about default but I turn it off as it takes a lot Hard drive space. If it has been enabled you can delete them. This can be Library and system sensitive.

[Volts]

@d_mhnallaich

I would prefer to leave the files, as-is and just have plex start at the beginning of the applicable episode.

Plex can’t do that. When a single file contains multiple episodes, Plex doesn’t have any way to know where the second episode starts within the file.

Your choices are -

• Splitting the file into two episodes. Both appear and function correctly in Plex. (S01E12, S01E13)
• Using a filename so both episodes appear in Plex. BUT, when you playback either episode, the entire file will play. (S01E12-E13)
• Using only the first episode as the filename. Manually editing the Title and Description in Plex to include the info from both episodes. (S01E12)

When you say you don’t use video thumbnails, is this enabled by default? Is that a potential cause of the file always playing from the beginning?

VPTs don’t impact Plex’s ability to “seek into” a two-episode file.

(They certainly can be quite large!)

[d_mhnallaich]

Thank you all for the response and excellent information. I think I will split the video files up, as it will really annoy me if each episode is not its own individual thing. I am sure it won’t look as clean but I can probably deal with that better.

Thank you once again!