Subdirectories Within Libraries - Why, problems, and what happens?

[ImaginaryTango 2]

I've seen a few threads on people using subdirectories within libraries. I have my main files on a RAID and use symlinks so I can organize those same files in the way a program wants them. (For example, right now I'm testing Plex and Emby, but I also created my own collections using just symlinks for file players like VLC.) The threads I've seen tend to answer a specific question about subdirectories, but I'm trying to understand the overall situation for what Emby does with them.

I like to categorize my shows and movies into broad categories, like Comedy, Drama, SF&F (Science Fiction and Fantasy), Animated, and so on. In some, I have subcategories, like in SF&F, I have Star Trek, Stargate, and Whoniverse. So Murdoch Mysteries might be in /Library/Video/TVShows/Drama/MurdochMysteries, and Torchwood is in /Library/Video/TVShows/SF&F/Whoniverse/Torchwood. (Actually, usually I have the year added to a series directory, since some software needs that.) At least that's how my actual files are organized. Some software gets confused by subdirectories, some uses them to make collections, and some software goes in them but ignores them when creating its own organizational setup for TV shows.

What about Emby? Apparently it can handle subdirectories in a library, but does that do anything for Emby's organizational setup? Can Emby descend into subdirectories? Does it use them in creating its own organization? Or does it go into them but just ignore them?

[ebr 16187]

Hi.  We can read the files in the subdirectories as long as you follow our naming conventions but, by default, we like to use metadata for organization because it is much more flexible than a fixed one-dimensional file structure.  However, each library should have a "Folders" view that would allow you to see your directory structure.

[ImaginaryTango 2]

3 hours ago, ebr said:

Hi.  We can read the files in the subdirectories as long as you follow our naming conventions but, by default, we like to use metadata for organization because it is much more flexible than a fixed one-dimensional file structure.  However, each library should have a "Folders" view that would allow you to see your directory structure.

Thank you!

I've considered using Collections as a solution, but I have different libraries. I'm still learning how Emby works, so I'm hoping I can find a way to make collections that are isolated to one library. I'm still learning what can be done. (Also looking at setting up users, since there are basically 3 different "user groups" in this house, me when I'm alone, my wife and I, sometimes with friends, and the guest bedroom, so I'm thinking creating user accounts and logging each device into the appropriate account will also help.)

[Luke 42083]

Hi, let us know how this goes. Thanks.

[Luke 42083]

@ImaginaryTango?

[ImaginaryTango 2]

I haven't had time to even try this yet - got overwhelmed with stuff for work.