Updated metadata when file is updated

[kricker 6]

Is there a way to trigger the server to update metadata on files when a file is replaced/updated?

For example a video file may get updated from SD to HD or HD to 4k with HDR. Or a music file may get updated with a higher quality version and the tags and embedded cover may be updated.

Currently the only way I see to do it is manually.

[Luke 43549]

HI, you can just run a library scan, or scan on the parent folder.

The server does have the realtime monitor option on libraries to try and spot some of these automatically.

[kricker 6]

Is there a way to trigger that by sending the server a command versus doing it manually? Although I thought doing a library scan doesn't update metadata on files that Emby has already added to the database.

[Suliamu 57]

44 minutes ago, kricker said:

Is there a way to trigger that by sending the server a command versus doing it manually?

Renaming the file works. Emby then correctly identifies the file as changed during the next library scan. 
You could either have your file-attributes (SD, HD, 4K, HDR, embedded languages, BluRay-Edition/Storedate whatever) in the filename or you could use the ID tags in filenames.
 

Quote

• Name (Year) [tmdbid=xxxx]
• Name (Year) [tmdbid-xxxx]
• Name (Year) [tmdb=xxxx]
• Name (Year) [tmdb-xxxx]
• Name (Year) {tmdbid=xxxx}
• Name (Year) {tmdbid-xxxx}
• Name (Year) {tmdb=xxxx}
• Name (Year) {tmdb-xxxx}

When you change between [tmdbid=xxxx] and [tmdbid-xxxx] it also detects the change. This behavior can be used in a script f.e.

[kricker 6]

Renaming is essentially telling Emby that it is a new file. I understand the value of naming files that way for most things. That said, the issue is for a user that may not want all those tags in a filename. I'd love to know how to send the server a command that says, this file changed, rescan the metadata and update the database.

[Luke 43549]

3 hours ago, kricker said:

Although I thought doing a library scan doesn't update metadata on files that Emby has already added to the database.

It will if it determines that the file has changed.