Total Frustration Adding Files!

Plex Media Server Metadata & Adding Files
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Server Version#:1.19.5.3112-b23ab3896
Player Version#:

Really tried my best this last few weeks to get my head around the “plex” world and I am sorry to say that I am unfortunately not impressed. What should be a very straightforward and easy thing seems not only over complicated (hence the actual need for a forum) but is essentially software trying to do too much?

I really want to be won over so I will explain exactly what I want to use plex for and whether or not this is a real possibility?

I have to date a number of HDDs with all sorts of content, DVD VOBs, TV DVR files in the following formats: TS, MP4, TRP & STR

Audio files: M4a, WAV & MP3

I understand that STR (LG) format is a lost cause
I can play all files happily with VLC on PC Windows 7 or 10

I would love to be able to use PC as server for PS4, XBOX and/or various TVs but specifically PS4

I do nor require any metadata just want to see files in server’s directories which works great for other PCs but to use Plex on PS4 or PCs causing me much grief that almost going to give up.

The only files that Plex properly picks up on are my from my quite new recent Hauppage PC Tuner card (in TS Format) that has replaced my trusy (old) IceCrypts (TRP Format) and iPlayer downloads (MP4). Thank God for Hauppage & iPlayer!

However, its a very mixed bag with all the other file formats - EVEN IF I CONVERT TO ANY OTHER FORMATS?!?

I’ve tried all sorts of naming, converting and updating.

Most annoyingly, for example, Plex picks up on just one file in my test folder (of five VOB DVDs) that is strangely in VOB format??? Even more annoying is that it keeps disappearing and then reappearing for a while when I update the library which is solely linked to that particular folder??? I have converted some VOB files in this test folder to both TS and MP4 format using Wondershare Uniconverter to no avail. Even the automatic Hauppage converters to MP4 from TS files don’t work? Like I said before though, all my latest downloads/DVR files work fine although there are some issues with the metadata but I don’t care about all that.

MP3s also seem to be a mixed bag…

It would be absolutely great if it worked as promised but I hate the interface as it takes me far to long to drill down to what I want even if it could play it. Is there a simple file manager interface available?

Hopefully someone can give me some definitive answers. I’ve tried all the naming conventions but frankly, as I have said, I don’t want all the fancy metadata stuff which I presume is necessarily linked to getting the correct metadata?

I look forward to any and all replies and absolutely many thanks in advance!

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Veterans learned long ago - nobody types as fast as FileBot:
https://www.filebot.net/

Plex isn’t VLC.
The ‘Device’ Plex sends streams to must be able to Direct Play the material being sent to it - or a transcode will occur - and you won’t like it if your server machine doesn’t have plenty of horsepower.

Plex has two powerful and free dedicated player apps that will Direct Play most things - located at the Apps/Devices link at page bottom.

The above should let you know if you want to move forward - or go back to VLC and a file manager. Plex isn’t VLC. If you use Plex, you don’t need a file manager. People use Plex because it is NOT VLC and a File Manager. Crazy, yea?

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Thank you for your lightning quick response!

Lots to get through but its muddied my waters now! Not sure which way to go as you haven’t answered directly my questions.

Perhaps if I could ask just one question and get a direct 9working) answer? I note that in order for me to play a file on my PS4 then I have to add the particular file to the directory and then update the library to which the directory is in. Before this I have to make sure that the file is playable which I do on the server within Plex. If it is not playable then I know I have a corrupt file or a format issue but surely if I see the file and can play it in Plex then why does it then disappear from my library and why does Plex only recognise say one out of five files even though they are in exactly the same format and naming convention?

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Plex does not will not support vob files (or iso or video ts folders).

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You have to read and react to the links I provided… all you need to know is there.

“Same Naming Convention” - doesn’t mean “Correct Naming Convention”:

TV Show Library:

image
image823×552 42.5 KB

Movie Library:

image
image824×386 19.7 KB

Note: Correct File Name - Extra Info in [Brackets] will be ignored.

Finding out which files and formats will play on your Devices is another matter.
Plexweb will transcode almost everything.

One of the Player Apps will Direct Play almost everything.
Who knows what will Direct Play on a PS4? I don’t, but you’ll find out pretty quickly when you try it.

If your server machine has the horsepower Plex will happily transcode things that won’t Direct Play. If your server machine is underpowered you will need to provide material that will Direct Play - and there is no way we can cover all that - unless you have 10 years - I don’t.

The first thing to do is to create a TV Show and Movie Library Type:

The next thing to do is name and structure some material correctly to go in them. Some ‘test items’ initially.

Then you try to play them.

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It might not but it definitely plays my TS files no problem!

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thank you for your replies. I will work through it all quite diligently as I really do want to get it sorted!

Last question… is there any particular video format that Plex “likes” more than any other as i don’t mind converting files over in time?

Many thanks

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Plex doesn’t give a chubby rat’s beehind what format you use.
It’s job is to deliver it - transcoded if necessary - to the Device or Client.

If the file can’t be Direct Played on the Device or Client - Plex reacts - perhaps badly - server horsepower will reveal that mystery almost immediately.

You will, eventually, learn what to feed your Devices/Clients.
My Roku Ultra, for instance will Direct Play an MPEG-2 video stream, but it can’t deal with a .ts container. As a result Plex will Direct Play the MPEG-2 stream, but changes the container to ‘something else’ in an easy operation using almost no resources. That is called a Direct Stream. Plex will do whatever it has to do in order to play the file.

You eat an Elephant one bite at a time…
Get a fork.

:wink:

On the bright side - you have the opportunity to do it right the first time.
If you choose that route - your Plex Career will be an enjoyable experience.
If you fight Plex tooth and nail - you’ll lose.

Plex when you fight it:

rtcobb2

Plex when you ‘work with it’:

plexkitty1

Any Questions?

:smiley:

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