Scanning with NFO metadata file present in media folder

Plex Media Server Metadata & Adding Files
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1

Server Version#: 1.30.1.6562
Player Version#: Not Applicable

I have noticed that when an NFO (XML formatted) metadata file is present within the a media item’s folder, then Plex scanning appears to behave differently, with the two behaviors described here:

  • If the NFO contains the correct IMDB ID, then Plex will match the media successfully.
  • If the NFO contains the incorrect IMDB ID, then Plex will not match the media successfully, and will leave it unmatched upon competed scan.

The library is configured to use the Plex Movie Scanner and Agent.

Is Plex intentionally using the NFO file, or is this an unintended anomaly? Has Plex published any KB articles that expand on this topic?

2

Plex reads the IMDB ID from the NFO file. It does not read anything else.

I’m not aware of any documentation. I’ve noticed it in other threads in the forum.

3

This may be true if you use an ID that is not linked to anything, but if you use an ID for a different movie, Plex will match to that, regardless of your naming convention for both folder and file. So basically, an NFO files with a proper IMDB ID will always override anything else.

5

Thanks for the deeper insight. I started to notice when IMDB had the same piece of media under two different ID’s, one ID listed as an episode of a series (tt13167288), and the other ID as a movie (tt19120100). When it didn’t match I started to dig… Anyway thanks!

6

Very cool, that’s convenient

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