Change path for favourites

[warrencalvert 16]

Hi

I'm planning to move Emby Server (on Windows) to a new Windows machine.  The basic migration seems straightforward but on the new Emby Server, the library paths will be different.

I saw some articles on this saying there's no document method of updating this but it might be possible to edit the  database with a DB editor.  What's the latest advice on doing this?

I have a bigger concern though that I have lots of favourites (particularly for a video library of home videos).  I dont want to lose these favourites, what can I do to make sure the favourites are migrated across and are updated to the new library path?

Thanks

[ebr 16184]

56 minutes ago, warrencalvert said:

What's the latest advice on doing this?

Hi.  My advice would always be not to try this.

First, I would make sure that you have the option to save metadata and images with your media enabled and, if you haven't had that turned on all along then do a full refresh to be sure and create these files.

Then take a backup with the backup plugin, install the new machine and set it up, run the restore and let the library scan finish.

Your watched states and favorites should be preserved and any metadata customizations should be as well.

In this process, I would also highly recommend some sort of drive pooling software so that you can create a generic location for your media that can remain the same no matter where your server is.  It will also allow you to easily expand your storage without having to change any configuration.

[warrencalvert 16]

Thanks for the advice.  I dont see an option to save metadata with media, please confirm where this option is.  The documentation does mention setting 'Save metadata as NFO' but this setting isnt in the Library settings (even with advanced enabled).  There is an option 'save metadata as hidden files' though - is this the one you mean?

I am looking at StableBit which seems to be one of the most popular drive pooling software.  If I didnt have this, though, would all the favourites migrate across if metadata is written to the media?  Is the 'favourite' designation stored in the metadata?  Or would the favourites be lost if the folder path changes?

Thanks,

Edited January 26, 2025 by warrencalvert

[ebr 16184]

4 hours ago, warrencalvert said:

Is the 'favourite' designation stored in the metadata?

No it is in the database so it would come with your restore of the backup I suggested.

4 hours ago, warrencalvert said:

I dont see an option to save metadata with media, please confirm where this option is.

 

And, if you have selected any specific images:

[Happy2Play 9780]

5 hours ago, warrencalvert said:

The documentation does mention setting 'Save metadata as NFO' but this setting isnt in the Library settings (even with advanced enabled)

What do you see? 

What is the content type of the library? 

Did you uninstall the nfo metadata plugin?

 

On 1/25/2025 at 6:13 AM, warrencalvert said:

I have a bigger concern though that I have lots of favourites (particularly for a video library of home videos).  I dont want to lose these favourites, what can I do to make sure the favourites are migrated across and are updated to the new library path?

@Lukeor @ebrmay have to comment further as this will be lost as the new path will clear them from the db and readd them as new items (they have no providerids) so I really have no idea beside manually editing the database to maintain this info if possible.

[warrencalvert 16]

I've found the NFO plugin and installed it, restarted Emby server and enabled the 'NFO' option in Metadata Savers.  Even after running a Library Scan and Metadata Refresh, there are still no NFO files showing.

The library type is 'home video and photos'

I dont have any issues with recreating the libraries if needed, its losing the favourites that I'm concerned about.  I dont really know where the 'favourite' data is stored or what needs to be done so that all the favourites are retained after moving Emby and libraries to a new Windows machine.

[Happy2Play 9780]

18 minutes ago, warrencalvert said:

Even after running a Library Scan and Metadata Refresh, there are still no NFO files showing.

Will probably need to see the server log going over a specific example.

As nfo files are/should be made for videos files.

14 minutes ago, warrencalvert said:

I dont have any issues with recreating the libraries if needed, its losing the favourites that I'm concerned about.  I dont really know where the 'favourite' data is stored or what needs to be done so that all the favourites are retained after moving Emby and libraries to a new Windows machine.

Ideally if you can keep the same library path then you will not have any issues.  As Home Videos do not have provider data so when the path changes it gets purged from the db, since that happens there is no way to maintain watched/favorite data as the itemid changes.

Need to wait on the devs for further comment as I can only see manual database edits for this.

[ebr 16184]

48 minutes ago, warrencalvert said:

The library type is 'home video and photos'

Hi.  Sorry, I missed this in your original post.

I don't believe there will be a way for you to preserve favorite or other user data (like watched state) as the way we identify them is by their full path since they don't have any global IDs.

Unless you completely replicate the full path (something that a drive pool solution could help you with - in the future) this data will be lost.

[warrencalvert 16]

OK, thanks for the update.  I suspected that would be the case so thanks for confirming.

I'll reassign the favourites after the migration and look at drive pooling to avoid this issue for subsequent  upgrades

Thanks.