An issue I raised years back (many versions ago) that is as true today as it was then… being precluded from using a first-rate movie database like IMDB. (Is there any other that qualifies?)
Apparently, NOT Plex Movie, NOR The Movie Database - case in point (ANOTHER occurrence of a movie that “can’t be found” i.e. matched), The Grey Fox (1982), released 1983 (both used for search)
Yea, this has happened before and it is STILL happening.
Only one of two resolves that I can (immediately) think of:
Either the movie databases that we are FORCED to use HAVE TO BE UP TO DATE, or we need to be allowed access to database(s) that ARE UP TO DATE AND CONTAIN THE (missing) CONTENT.
The Grey Fox appears big as life on IMDB. Seems they RARELY miss (and for that matter, they allow user accounts if any movie needs to be entered or updated and for reviewing purposes).
So how about it Plex and Plex community?
This issue didn’t seem to get much fanfare last time, BUT I’m certainly having an issue when I can’t obtain media content (metadata) for movies or TV programs.
It’s bad enough that I have to manually download my own movie posters because the selection is so ‘sucky’. I’m not about to start building my own movie info from scratch - just try doing that for the cast!
Speaking of downloading movie posters - I saw where someone raised issue with all of the “garbage” that accumulates from old posters, mis-matches, etc.
They simply asked, “What does it take to get rid of it / clean it up?”
Something that can become a real issue with system maintenance / storage over a period of time…
The response that they got - we are both still waiting for an answer.
Any files added due to mismatches will be removed when you run a Clean Bundles operation (this also will run if you have the scheduled job enabled, which is on by default).
The new movie agent no longer downloads posters or artwork until it’s selected, we do not however remove ones that have been previously used and no longer selected but that is going to be something that gets addressed in a future update.
The Grey Fox matched immediately for me using the new movie agent and PMS 1.20.1.3252.
/Movies/The Grey Fox (1982)/The Grey Fox (1982).mkv
If the file is a MP4/M4V, check the setting for Local Media Assets, LMA, in Server Settings -> Agents -> Movies. Make sure LMA is at the bottom of the list of enabled agents. LMA tells Plex to read embedded metadata in the MP4/M4V file. Bad metadata can throw off Plex’s ability to correctly match movies & shows.
How do you have the movie named/structured? Extra information in the file name can disrupt Plex’s ability to correctly match media. If you want to have extra information, enclose it in square brackets, Movie (year) [extra info].ext.
Lastly, consider running Plex Media Server 1.20.1+ to take advantage of the new agent. It runs much faster than the agent in pre-1.20.1 releases. Additionally, you can add the IMDB or TMDB movie id to the file name to aid in matching. See Naming & Organizing your Movie Files for details.
Am looking forward to the update - the collection of “garbage” is astounding; mis-matches are actually very limited as opposed to ‘unused’ graphics. When you’ve got a dozen graphics for one movie and only one is used, the overhead is phenomenal and NO, those aren’t removed.
I would suggest “replacement” for selections instead of “additions”.
As far as the particular item, The Grey Fox" not being matched, that is precisely what was returned by BOTH Plex Movie and The Movie Database, “No match”. But since you were able to readily match, I did some further investigating. I already parallel significant items with Emby which immediately lets me know if it is a program or systemic issue. Emby had no problem with that movie, so any issue had to relate to Plex and as I’ve further determined it is related to this particular installation of PMS (and this specific item itself).
As I have multiple servers (this one being the most current, and no I am not running 1.20+ as indicated by the first line of my post), I moved the movie to the “old” server (you don’t want to even know what version that one is running) and it matched immediately.
So, I have to attribute the dysfunction to what occurred on this server yesterday which is a whole 'nother issue; PLEX FAILURE to Connect / Stay connected to the Server WHERE IT RESIDES (probably too much reading, so the short version as it applies here is…)
The glitch which occurred that precipitated Plex thrashing its installation (due to the mis-connection) happened when working with THIS movie - relatively easy to determine the source of a problem once it is solved. Thank-you for the input - your being able to match prompted me to look further. Matching was accomplished on this server based on the info passed from the old server (“new” system is setup to work as a “master” catalog, passing info through a SMB share).
However, this does not address the issue of being ‘confined’ to the Plex and Movie databases; the basis of the post (without the specific example).
I think that FordGuy has done that with what he presents on the “additional info” that can be included with the “new agent”. The ability to use the unique identifier provided by IMDB (as available in the URL of their movie look-ups) may be of help.
Guess I need the “new agent” to see if I can resolve the 1/2 dozen or so movies that have never been matched.
Now, if I can just find the mis-matched movie or two among the THOUSANDS…
(Usually show-up in recently added, or in the case of Emby, posters in the movie folder that don’t match the movie - nope not there either; can you say f’ed again?)
Thanks for the input guys; I think this one got resolved.
(Wonder if we’re ever going to see a direct IMDB look-up or maybe it’s actually being done with the “new agent” on the “back-end”.)
