Feature Request: Add Option to Exclude Files by Filename Pattern (e.g., Dot Files like ._*)

[YuiAkari 0]

When running Emby Server on macOS with media stored on an exFAT external drive, macOS Finder generates hidden dot files (e.g., ._* files) to store metadata. Unfortunately, Emby Server scans and processes these files as if they were media files, resulting in a cluttered library with unplayable or inaccessible entries. This significantly impacts the user experience, especially for users managing large media libraries on macOS.

Currently, Emby supports excluding entire folders via .ignore files, but there is no built-in mechanism to exclude specific files based on filename patterns (e.g., ._*). This limitation forces users to either manually clean up these files, use scripts to periodically delete them, or switch to a macOS-native filesystem like APFS (which may not be viable for cross-platform compatibility).

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Emby Server on macOS.
2. Configure a media library pointing to an exFAT-formatted external drive containing video files.
3. Allow macOS Finder to access the drive (e.g., browse the folder), which generates ._* files for each media file.
4. Trigger a library scan in Emby Server.
5. Observe that the library includes entries for ._* files, which are unplayable and clutter the interface.

Expected Behavior

Emby Server should provide an option to exclude files based on filename patterns (e.g., ._*) during library scans, preventing these macOS-generated dot files from being processed as media files.

Actual Behavior

Emby Server scans and includes ._* files in the library, treating them as media files, which results in unplayable entries and a degraded user experience.

Proposed Solution

Add a feature to the Emby Server settings allowing users to specify filename patterns to exclude from library scans. For example:

A text field or list in the Library settings where users can input patterns like .*, *.thm, or .DS_Store.
Alternatively, a default exclusion list for common macOS-generated files (e.g., .*, .DS_Store) that users can toggle on/off.
This would align Emby with the flexibility of other media servers like Plex, which reportedly offer similar exclusion capabilities, and would greatly improve compatibility with macOS environments.

[Luke 42077]

Re: https://github.com/MediaBrowser/Emby/issues/3898

[YuiAkari 0]

thx for your reply. But the issue still persists. My version is 4.8.11.0 on an Apple Silicon chip, and the operating system version is 15.3.2 (24D81).

I have now created a test movie folder with the following structure:
 

$ tree -a
.
├── ._behind the scenes
├── ._test.mov
├── backdrops
│   ├── ._theme_video.mov
│   └── theme_video.mov
├── behind the scenes
│   ├── ._Pic1.mp4
│   └── Pic1.mp4
├── extrafanart
│   ├── ._Pic1.jpg
│   └── Pic1.jpg
├── test.mov
└── trailers
    ├── ._trailer.mov
    └── trailer.mov

Back in Emby Server, as shown in the image below, in the "behind the scenes" section, the ._ files are incorrectly recognized. Similarly, in the "extrafanart" section, these files are also visible. Additionally, during trailer playback, the incorrect ._ files are played, resulting in playback failure, requiring a manual switch to the correct trailer video.
 

[Luke 42077]

Hi, this will be resolved in the upcoming 4.9 server release. Thanks.