Trying to designate a Synology NAS shared folder for metadata storage.

[RLanger7228 54]

I am new to Emby, and trying to transition from Synology Video Station.  I want to save Emby metadata in a shared folder on my NAS (DS718+), so I can back it up & restore it more easily as needed.  I created a shared folder "EmbyServer", but I didn't see Emby among the users, so I couldn't give permission when creating it (of note, Plex created a user when it was installed).  When I go to Emby Settings>Library>Advanced settings (1st screenshot), I see an option to enter a path for the metadata.  I tried entering /VOLUME1/EmbyServer, but that didn't work (path not found).  I tried  \\192.168.1.153:8096 (from 2nd screenshot below).  I at least got a spinning circle, but eventually got the error message "Emby Server requires write access to this folder. Please ensure write access and try again".  If I don't see an Emby option among the users, how can I give permission?

The 3rd screenshot displayed the current paths that the metadata, etc is stored under.  I can't seem to find these folders anywhere on my NAS.  I assume they must be somewhere on the NAS itself.  How do I find them?  I was using File Station, search all shared folders & search all homes, with search all subfolders active.

[Carlo 4550]

Hi, 

Create the new folder share in Synology File manager.

Then point the metadata folder settings in Emby to this location.

It's as easy as that.

Carlo

Edited October 6, 2024 by Carlo

[RLanger7228 54]

I wish it were as simple as that.  In the metadata path box, I tried /VOLUME1/EmbyServer,  and  /EmbyServer,   and /EmbyServer/Metadata  (I created the main shared folder EmbyServer in the shared folder part of Control Panel & the metadata sub-folder in File Station).  I got the error:  "The metadata path entered could not be found. Please ensure the path is valid and try again".  I even created a /EmbyServer  folder under VIDEOS using File Station - Videos is already recognized by Emby as one of the Movie folders.  Still the same error with the various permutations.

When I clicked on the magnifying glass, it wouldn't allow me to browse for a path (it just ignored the click), so I can't simply point to it.

When I put in the IP address of the server (Screenshot 2), it at least was thinking for a while, but it came back with another error: Emby Server requires write access to this folder. Please ensure write access and try again

 

Emby won't recognize the folders I type in and won't allow me to browse for one it WILL recognize.  How can I grant Emby write permissions?

[Carlo 4550]

Sorry, forgot a step.  After creating a new folder such as "Metadata" on Volume 1, you would also need to go into Synology permissions and make sure this location is available to the internal emby user.

At that point you should be able to use the folder picker which will show you disk tree based on what it has access to.  You could also hand type the path but using the GUI tool will help you determine if Emby Server has access to this folder or not.

Carlo

[RLanger7228 54]

OK.  By going into File System, Properties for the /EmbyServer folder I created, under the Permissions tab, I was able to find & select Emby as an authorized user, and enable read/write access.  Emby does not appear in the Users List when I go through Shared Folders in Control Panel, which is where I was having difficulty.

 

Once I had enabled permissions for Emby, the magnifying glass icon allowed me to browse:  VOLUME1 --> EmbyServer.  I was able to select this folder, it was accepted & allowed me to save, without any error messages.  I closed Settings, and returned and found that my selection was still there.  It worked!!

 

Thank you for your suggestion.  The "extra step" was my impediment.

[RLanger7228 54]

Of course, nothing is easy.  Now that I reassigned the metadata folder, none of my movies have thumbnail images anymore.  I assume that is because the metadata itself is still in the original folder(s).

Is there a way to move the existing metadata into the new folder I just enabled?

Edited October 6, 2024 by RLanger7228

[RLanger7228 54]

Just as an experiment, I edited the metadata for one movie to select the primary (movie poster) image.  I was able to navigate to a page that gave me quite a few choices (nice feature).  I also added a "custom" genre: Old Movies < 1960.  I looked into my new /EmbyServer/metadata folder & found the information about the move, though organized in a way that was not immediately intuitive.  I did not see any references to images, nor the new genre I just created.

is there a way to bring that data into my new /EmbyServer folder?

Edited October 6, 2024 by RLanger7228

[Luke 39843]

On 10/5/2024 at 9:11 PM, RLanger7228 said:

Of course, nothing is easy.  Now that I reassigned the metadata folder, none of my movies have thumbnail images anymore.  I assume that is because the metadata itself is still in the original folder(s).

Is there a way to move the existing metadata into the new folder I just enabled?

Hi, when you reassigned it, did you make sure to follow the instructions in the help text underneath the option?

[Luke 39843]

@RLanger7228?

[RLanger7228 54]

Sorry.  After a bit of finagling I managed to make things right.  I have the metadata folder & backup folder in a dedicated shared folder on my NAS, so the data is easily accessible.  All my content now has appropriate metadata & images, and they seem to be remaining stable.

Thank you.