How to prevent Emby from deleting local artwork when editing images?

[jkasanic 12]

Somehwere along the way, Emby started deleting local image files off my server when I use the edit images function within metadata manager or from within each individual title.  In the past, even if I deleted/removed/replaced a local image from a website like themoviedb or fanart, my local image remained intact.  is there a setting somewhere I've missed?  All of my "downloaded" artwork is being stored in the metadata folder where I have Emby installed and I don't have write permission to delete media files from my server so I'm not sure how the images are being deleted?

 

Setup:  Using the Emby Docker for UnRaid 6.3.5.  Currently running Emby Server 3.2.26.0.

 

EDIT:  I should note that this behavior seems to happen when only one image type is possible. For example, you can only have one primary image so if you add a primary image then it deletes the previous image from disk.  I don't mind this behavior when the image is in the metadata folder but I don't like it when the image is in my local folder.  If I'm using local artwork to populate the database then is there a way to force Emby to make a copy of it in the metadata folder rather than linking to the local folder?

Edited August 2, 2017 by jkasanic

[Luke 42085]

There is currently no way and it's always been this way.  Reason being, your local images in the media folder always get highest priority.

 

So here's what would happen if we didn't delete the image. You'd manually download a new image into the server's metadata folder, and then everything would appear to be as you want, until the next library scan. During the next library scan, the server would re-discover the original image inside the media folder and it would go back to using that one.

 

In other words, we don't have a flag in our database that says, prefer a specific image over the normal priority, so that is why the image needs to be deleted if you want the image editor function to work.

[jkasanic 12]

There is currently no way and it's always been this way.  Reason being, your local images in the media folder always get highest priority.

 

So here's what would happen if we didn't delete the image. You'd manually download a new image into the server's metadata folder, and then everything would appear to be as you want, until the next library scan. During the next library scan, the server would re-discover the original image inside the media folder and it would go back to using that one.

 

In other words, we don't have a flag in our database that says, prefer a specific image over the normal priority, so that is why the image needs to be deleted if you want the image editor function to work.

Ok, understood.  I guess I just never noticed the behavior before.  Is there a "simple" way to copy the downloaded images from the metadata folder to the local folders or is that something you have to setup initially?

[Luke 42085]

We don't have a function to automate this, but if you enable saving to local media folders, then all new images going forward will be saved locally.

[One2Go 120]

@@jkasanic I also run Unraid 6 but with Emby 3.2.24.0 and experienced deletion of images in my folders on the Unraid server when using the meta data manager. Complained about it in a few different threads since this renders for me the meta data manager useless. However as pointed out by Luke this is what was decided on how to handle library scans when local images are present and when others expect images from Internet meta data sources to be present. You need to find your own way of editing and managing your meta data.

 

For me to be absolutely sure that I don't get screwed, I first collect my meta data in a backup media content folder then I copy it into my Unraid folders and if the library scan does not display what I want to be displayed, then I use the meta data manager to import the images from the backup media content folder and lock the changes for that particular media content in the meta data manager and hope it does not get changed. If it does then I always still have my backup media content folder with the images and try again.

 

It is a PITA but it beats recreating photo shopped images that took hours to create to my liking. It is also for this reason I dread every server update and have my fingers crossed, because I dread that with new scans I find changes in my displayed meta data that I did not ask for nor expected. For me it its the biggest gripe with Emby because I use Emby most likely different then most users. All my media always has the meta data in it's folders the way I want it and I want nothing to change it, just display what its in the folders and don't mess with it.

[Luke 42085]

All my media always has the meta data in it's folders the way I want it and I want nothing to change it, just display what its in the folders and don't mess with it.

 

Then everything you just said is not entirely relevant to this thread. You have everything in your media folders and you just want it displayed as is. He created this topic because he has images in his media folders, but he wanted us to ignore it and use an image stored elsewhere instead.

[jkasanic 12]

Perhaps a relatively easy workaround would be to move the image to a different location rather than just deleting it without warning.  I want to emphasize that my issue is more related to the deleting of a local image without warning rather than how Emby deals with which image it's supposed to display.  If an image type only allows one pic then it's automatically overwritten without any dialog confirmation.  Since the default image type is "primary" and that type only allows one image then it's relatively easy to accidentally delete an image (local or otherwise).

 

A nice enhancement would be the ability to store multiple images and select which one you want displayed by category.

[jkasanic 12]

It is a PITA but it beats recreating photo shopped images that took hours to create to my liking. It is also for this reason I dread every server update and have my fingers crossed, because I dread that with new scans I find changes in my displayed meta data that I did not ask for nor expected. For me it its the biggest gripe with Emby because I use Emby most likely different then most users. All my media always has the meta data in it's folders the way I want it and I want nothing to change it, just display what its in the folders and don't mess with it.

 

I can relate to the custom PS images.  I had to recreate several because I was unaware of what was happening to my local artwork when I'd bring in a new image as type primary accidentally.  I still use a Popcorn Hour for critical viewing in my theater so I have artwork for the primary and backdrop stored locally for movies and also banners for TV so it displays in NMJ.  Probably could convert to Emby there as well too but I don't necessarily want logos and thumbs in my local artwork unless I've vetted them first which is why I was wondering if there was a way to automate the transfer of images from the metadata folder to my local folders.  It's not exactly easy to find the images in the metadata folder "as-is".

Edited August 3, 2017 by jkasanic

[One2Go 120]

All my images are in the media folder and I lock in meta data manager that particular media (movie or TV show). I run WMC on a NUC with the excellent Throgsoft themes which I switched to from my previous primary playback solution a video wall using Zappiti for the Dune players.

 

For logo artwork I use fanart.tv since the logo artwork replaces a generic font for the naming. You can have several backdrops but for primary image it is almost always poster configuration and it is this one that I first decide on and stick in the local folder. Emby will find it during the scan. I also elected to only do manual scans which gives you better control over when Emby will refresh any images to be displayed.

 

Finally remember that the way most people watch content these days is no longer in a home theater environment but rather want automated Internet meta data for mobile devices not selected eye candy for large HT screens and the Emby devs have to adapt to this.

Edited August 3, 2017 by One2Go