Can all movies in a single folder be safely subdivided into subfolders

[RLanger7228 73]

Due to "certain issues" I have encountered, it seems prudent to restructure my movie folder into separate sub-folders for each movie.  Currently, I have over 2000 movies files in a single folder all mixed together.  After looking at the Emby Naming documentation, I would like to setup a file structure like:

\all movies\

    \A\

          \a movie title (year) [tmdbid-#]\

                  a movie title (year) [tmdbid-#].MP4

                  \Behind the scenes\

                               Making of a movie title (year) [tmdbid-#].MP4

                   \Extras\

etc.

MY QUESTION IS:  Can I simply use File Station to create the folder structure and move the movie files into their appropriate folders without losing the massive amount of custom metadata edits I have made, or will moving the files into the new sub-folders cause Emby to re-identify them because the file path will have changed and be different from that existing in the Emby database?  Would having final the subfolder name identical to the existing filename "protect" the existing metadata edits?

ANOTHER QUESTION IS: How can I change file names to include the year & tmdbid without losing the current custom edited metadata?  Simply renaming them with FileStation would change the file path & Emby would think they are a new file & re-identify them, no?

YET ANOTHER QUESTION: I have over 50 movies with associated "making of..." videos.  The Emby Naming documentation shows they can be in a "behind the scenes sub-folder for each movie.  If I institute my intended folder structure, how will those Making of.. videos show up?

[Luke 42078]

Quote

MY QUESTION IS:  Can I simply use File Station to create the folder structure and move the movie files into their appropriate folders without losing the massive amount of custom metadata edits I have made, or will moving the files into the new sub-folders cause Emby to re-identify them because the file path will have changed and be different from that existing in the Emby database?  Would having final the subfolder name identical to the existing filename "protect" the existing metadata edits?

Hi, do you have nfo files containing your custom edits? If so, then make sure those get renamed as well and that should minimize any losses of custom data.

[Luke 42078]

Quote

ANOTHER QUESTION IS: How can I change file names to include the year & tmdbid without losing the current custom edited metadata?  Simply renaming them with FileStation would change the file path & Emby would think they are a new file & re-identify them, no?

Yes. Nfo files are the best way.

[Luke 42078]

Quote

YET ANOTHER QUESTION: I have over 50 movies with associated "making of..." videos.  The Emby Naming documentation shows they can be in a "behind the scenes sub-folder for each movie.  If I institute my intended folder structure, how will those Making of.. videos show up?

In the Extras section on the movie detail screen.

[RLanger7228 73]

9 hours ago, Luke said:

Hi, do you have nfo files containing your custom edits? If so, then make sure those get renamed as well and that should minimize any losses of custom data.

I don't believe that I have any separate NFO files.  I just edited the "native" Emby Metadata files & changed/added images.  I wanted to be certain that changing the folder structure/file path externally (with File Station) would not change the "Identity" of the file within Emby, and the Emby Metadata/images would remain intact if the file path changes.  I would not be changing the file names at this stage.

I will experiment with a couple of movies at first to see what happens before I take on a wholesale change, which would be a massive undertaking with over 2000 movies at present.  I will start with the ones that have a Making of... video associated with them to see if I like how they are presented.  I currently have a separate, "custom" TV show with all these Making of... videos collected together.  Having them in the same folder with the Movie/Show itself would seem an improvement.

Another related question: I realized movies are also assigned to Playlists & Collections by file names/file paths.  I have spent hundreds of hours sorting my collection into Playlists & Collections over time.  I would not want to risk losing all that work.  Will those change (disappear) if the sub-folder structure is changed externally via File Station?  If so, is there a way to add sub-folders within Emby so the changes are tracked & the Emby references are appropriately adjusted?  If not, can I submit that as a feature request?

9 hours ago, Luke said:

Yes. Nfo files are the best way.

I have no experience with NFO files.  I did a quick Google search & found that they are text files with information, often associated with "pirated" media files (ouch).  The AI summary said that not all media managers support them.  Since you seem to be recommending them, I assume that Emby does.  It also said they are created by specific software:  Do you have any recommendations about which one to download.  I am leery of download sites, as many are sketchy & can introduce viruses or trojan horses.

As I add new content, I have been editing the Emby metadata & images, then adding to Playlists/Collections.  This accomplishes much of what I am intending to do.  Do NFO files add anything significant to this process?  I mostly create new content by converting used DVDs to MP4 files, so I would have to create & edit the NFO files myself.  Would there be an advantage to the extra effort?  Also, how are NFO files used by Emby?  Do they assist with initial identification?  Is the data "imported" into the Emby Metadata file?

Renaming existing files may not be necessary.  It seems a better strategy to just insure that new additions follow the naming conventions, so they will be properly Identified when adding.  I have already Identified & edited the metadata/images of the content I have now.  There seems no value to changing existing file names when I risk losing edited data.

10 hours ago, Luke said:

In the Extras section on the movie detail screen.

Thank you.  I will experiment with a few at first to see If I like the presentation.

[Neminem 1518]

I use Radarr for movies to organize my movies.

If you dont setup download clients or site indexers, its a great movie management program.

And can be used without copyright infringements

It can index and rename your movies and folders so they align with Emby.

And Sonarr for my TV shows.

[Neminem 1518]

@RLanger7228If you decide to go down this rapid hole, read this

TRaSH Guides

[yocker 1248]

1 hour ago, Neminem said:

I use Radarr for movies to organize my movies.

If you dont setup download clients or site indexers, its a great movie management program.

And can be used without copyright infringements

It can index and rename your movies and folders so they align with Emby.

And Sonarr for my TV shows.

Can only agree!

Fileflows/Unmanic/Tadarr for re-encoding/transcoding movies to ensure compatibility for your library.
Bazarr to find and sync subtitles so they are perfect.

Takes a day or seven to set up juuuust right but it's well worth it.

[Neminem 1518]

8 minutes ago, yocker said:

Can only agree!

Fileflows/Unmanic/Tadarr for re-encoding/transcoding movies to ensure compatibility for your library.
Bazarr to find and sync subtitles so they are perfect.

Takes a day or seven to set up juuuust right but it's well worth it.

To add to that check this out, if and when you setup Bazarr  lingarr-translate/lingarr: Lingarr is an application that supports both local and SaaS translation services to translate subtitle files into a user-specified target language. With automated translation options, Lingarr simplifies the subtitle translation process.

For your subs if you have English subs, but need Spanish subs.

Like I said it's a rabbit hole  

[yocker 1248]

9 hours ago, Neminem said:

To add to that check this out, if and when you setup Bazarr  lingarr-translate/lingarr: Lingarr is an application that supports both local and SaaS translation services to translate subtitle files into a user-specified target language. With automated translation options, Lingarr simplifies the subtitle translation process.

For your subs if you have English subs, but need Spanish subs.

Like I said it's a rabbit hole  

I have some swear words that i would like to trow your way!
I just thought i had set everything up perfectly and now you show me this, it never ends!!

[Neminem 1518]

As I said, It's a rabbit hole