Emby erroneously linking series from different libraries

[daveoxford 1]

I have various series with two different language versions in two different libraries. 

Emby is linking them together in such a way that the record of which episodes have been viewed and percentage of current episode viewed are replicated across both versions, and both show up in "Continue Watching" on the home page.  They have different item IDs in the URL for the main series page (but share IMDB, TheMovieDB and TheTVDB IDs - these seem to be the only things they have in common). Automatic Grouping is off for all libraries (which is working as they are held as different series.)

I have had this set-up for years with no problems, so am assuming it must be something introduced on a recent update. 

Server 4.9.1.80 on QNAP, but reporting here as it is a general issue.

[GrimReaper 4739]

Items are tracked by ProviderIds and as far as Emby is concerned, those are same items, hence you're seeing duplication in CW row and viewing progress. 

AFAIR @rbjtechwrote a script several years ago to make use of strm files in such scenario (multi-language libraries), gimme a minute to look for it. 

Edit: Here:

I honestly don't know whether it still works or is it maintained, maybe some fellow user with more recent experience might chime in. 

Edit2: You can also simply remove/blank out External IDs from one set of items and they'll be "unlinked". 

 

Edited November 5, 2025 by GrimReaper
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[daveoxford 1]

To clarify  - the two items refer to different files in different folders.

They are different items in different libraries; they have different item IDs and different metadata. The only thing they have in common in the IDs for TheTVDB etc. 

This has worked for years, and the only (new) problem now is the record of episodes viewed. 

Edited November 5, 2025 by daveoxford

[GrimReaper 4739]

3 minutes ago, daveoxford said:

Edit to clarify  - the two items refer to different files in different folders.

Their location/library doesn't matter, as long as they share same ProviderIds. Hence:

17 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

You can also simply remove/blank out External IDs from one set of items and they'll be "unlinked". 

Btw: What you're doing is (nor it ever was) officially supported; as with any such loophole, it can be plugged at any point, any server update might make it not feasible any more. 

Edited November 5, 2025 by GrimReaper
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[rbjtech 5284]

Is it possible this has defaulted to something other than 'None' in a new Beta version ?

Edited November 5, 2025 by rbjtech

[Luke 42077]

34 minutes ago, daveoxford said:

I have various series with two different language versions in two different libraries. 

Emby is linking them together in such a way that the record of which episodes have been viewed and percentage of current episode viewed are replicated across both versions, and both show up in "Continue Watching" on the home page.  They have different item IDs in the URL for the main series page (but share IMDB, TheMovieDB and TheTVDB IDs - these seem to be the only things they have in common). Automatic Grouping is off for all libraries (which is working as they are held as different series.)

I have had this set-up for years with no problems, so am assuming it must be something introduced on a recent update. 

Server 4.9.1.80 on QNAP, but reporting here as it is a general issue.

HI there, can you please provide a specific example?

How to Report a Problem

Thanks !

 

[Neminem 1518]

That's only for movies right?

And not TV shows ?

I would think its something like this setting.

But Devs need logs to see what's up.

[daveoxford 1]

Specific Example


In folder Crime & Thriller, I have:
     The Light in the Hall/Series 01/The Light in the Hall S01E01.mp4, The Light in the Hall S01E02.mp4 etc.

Library Crime & Thriller consists of just the folder Crime & Thriller. In this library, the series is titled "The Light in the Hall (English)". The item ID is 992164.

In folder Foreign - Crime & Thriller, I have:
     /Y Golau/Series 01/Y Golau S01E01.mkv, Y Golau S01E02.mkv etc.

Library Foreign - Crime & Thriller consists of just the folder Foreign - Crime & Thriller. In this library, the series is titled "The Light in the Hall (Welsh)". The item ID is 1028816.

They have different metadata and are different items. The "progress" is being updated on both. Both libraries have Automatic Grouping off.

Is this enough detail?

 

[Happy2Play 9780]

Nothing has changed here as Userdata tracks providerids for all watched statuses.  No matter their location they contain the same providerids so you will see as many copies as you have across your entire media collection.  Just because language is different Providerids are the same.

[rbjtech 5284]

Are you managing the users access to different libraries ?  ie Your wish is Welsh users can only see items in the Welsh library ?

If yes, then check permissions to see if they now also have access to the English versions as well - thus you now seeing this issue ?

[daveoxford 1]

UPDATE:

I have removed the Provider IDs from both series, and it is now working correctly! It still seems very strange that it would link separate items by Provider IDs for the purposes of recording progress. Deleting the IDs is fine as a workaround, but it means that when I add a new season, I will have to re-identify the series to get the metadata, then manually delete the provider IDs again.

Thank you, everybody, for your help and suggestions. :-)

Edited November 5, 2025 by daveoxford

[Happy2Play 9780]

1 minute ago, daveoxford said:

UPDATE:

I have removed the Provider IDs from both series, and it is now working correctly! It still seems very strange that it would link separate items by Provider IDs for the purposes of recording progress. Deleting the IDs is fine as a workaround, but it means that when I add a new season, I will have to re-identify the series to get the metadata, then manually delete the provider IDs again.

But now watch statuses could be lost easily pre no providerid as Emby can dump itemids to easily

[rbjtech 5284]

5 minutes ago, daveoxford said:

UPDATE:

I have removed the Provider IDs from both series, and it is now working correctly! It still seems very strange that it would link separate items by Provider IDs for the purposes of recording progress. Deleting the IDs is fine as a workaround, but it means that when I add a new season, I will have to re-identify the series to get the metadata, then manually delete the provider IDs again.

You only need to do it for any duplicates.   Also remember to lock that metadata, or they will be put back on a library scan ...

A better alternative may be to set permissions for users (per library, or sub-library folder) OR simply add a language 'Tag' and restrict what's available to view that way.

Edited November 5, 2025 by rbjtech

[daveoxford 1]

Thanks for the  tip about locking metadata! I would have realised eventually, of course. but only afterwards...