Is it possible to store movie extras (BTS, featurettes, etc) in a folder separate from the movies they’re associated with (and not in a sub-directory of said movies)? I’ve decided to start putting some special features on my server well after I’ve already ripped the movies, but I have to put them on a different HDD because the other drives are completely full.
I’ve made sure to name the files properly (Making Alien-featurette.mkv for example), but I still haven’t had any luck getting the files to show up in Plex.
If I have to re-arrange the files then that’s fine, but I’d prefer not to if I can.
That’s what I tried initially. I was hoping it would recognize the same folder structures and put the two together, but that didn’t happen.
I might try setting up a symlink on the movie drive and see if pointing that at the other drive will let Plex recognize the files that way. I’ll update this with the results eventually.
Symlinks work! Seemingly… But I’m still having an issue.
Here’s the setup: F:/Movies/Alien is where I’ve got the movie saved (Alien, naturally); I:/Extras/Alien/Behind The Scenes is where I have the Alien making-of documentary saved. I created a symlink in F:/Movies/Alien to point to the BTS folder on the I: drive, and it points there as expected.
Updating my library in Plex doesn’t find the extra video, but it DOES detect it if I create a symlink in F:/Movies/Prometheus, and it works as I’d hoped… I’ve noticed that Alien doesn’t have any extras at all (either from me or from what Plex pulls), unlike most of my movies.
The only thing I can think of that could be messing this up is that I’ve ripped the theatrical and extended versions of the movie. They stacked as two versions of the movie when I initially added them, and I then split them apart and named them differently. I don’t know if that’s the proper way to add multiple versions of the same movie, but it’s how I’ve always done it. After doing a quick check of the other movies I have multiple versions of, almost none of them seem to have any extras that Plex pulled itself. In a last ditch effort I also refreshed the metadata on the movie and that didn’t seem to help either.
I know not every movie will have extras that Plex will find, but that seems like a weird coincidence to me.
Remove the symlink you made from the extras directory I:/Extras/Alien/Behind The Scenes
Instead make a symlink for one file. Test it. If it works, symlink individual files.
My guess is that Plex doesn’t like your nested directories.
None of this messin’ around with poor file names - if you want this to work you better be using file names that get an instant, natural, first time match.
if you’re using MP4/M4V files you’d better have Local Media Assets at the BOTTOM of all the agents in Movies (at least), 'cause as soon as your embedded title field borks the match, this is over.
The First Version Placed In the Library MUST be the version in the folder with the extras - folder and file with the exact same name
Subsequent Versions are placed in the library AFTER the initial version with the extras - in folders with ‘Similar, but Correct’ file names. <— the important bit is ‘Versions’ are placed AFTER the initial Version with the Extras. <— AFTER all matching, indexing, thumb generating, etc., has completed. (Note: on sluggish systems ‘the next day - after a maintenance cycle’ would probably be best. The idea is the initial bundle with the movie and the extras must be complete before you add anything else)
(Note: highlighted ‘Version with Extras’ was placed first (after a Plex Dance, for ALL Versions so everything gets a fresh start)
I know this works because it’s been working for years until recently when I combined all my libraries into one and broke all of them due to them being added randomly. I Plex Danced all my movies with Versions and Extras in the order described above (well, as I find them) and now they’re all working fine again.
Is it a PITA?
You Betcha.
Is it worth it?
It is if you want Versions with Extras that work.
Thanks for the update @JuiceWSA! I’ll have to try this out later today. I’m guessing I did exactly what you mentioned and added both versions of many of these movies at the same time, not giving Plex enough time to do its thing first.
Boy, here comes another multi-week project to get things sorted out!
Edit: And I’m guessing even if I split my movies apart (extended version split from theatrical for example) your suggestion will still apply?
Your guess is as good as mine, but for the record I didn’t split any of these movies in fear of messin’ up the sequence, but since you asked…:
what happens when you split 'em?
…after a day or so, I mean…
…if Extras still appear after the split, and after a few days (to ensure Plex isn’t still working on something) - then we can assume it’s gonna be alright (maybe).
(Perhaps split one - and check back later to see what happened)
That’s part of the story.
Warner Bros is going to make a movie out of it and you’ll be able to watch it jam-packed with ads right here on Plex. It’s gonna star Nick Nolte as me.
Out of curiosity, does anyone know if Alien has any features that Plex Pass finds? I’ve moved both versions out of my library, did the plex dance, then re-added just one of the versions. I’ve waited over a day and there are still no extras (I haven’t tried adding my local extras yet just in case). I’m currently wondering if it just doesn’t have any extras to be found.
Edit: It’s working! Extras from Plex Pass weren’t showing up after doing the Plex Dance and re-adding the movie to my library, but after creating the symlink again the local extras showed up, and a trailer from Plex Pass also did. That’s a weird order for things to happen, but whatever, it’s working!
