Question about file naming, metadata and artwork

[ecrispy 38]

I have my media spread across many disks and am going to build a server soon.

Before that I want to make sure all my media is correctly named, organized, with artwork + nfo files ready in advance, as I'm worried some of the services like tvdb etc might go down or content may not be found. This is one of the features I really like about Emby - it uses standard Kodi compatible nfo and doesnt rely only on a database like Plex that stores metadata separately.

I see 2 ways of doing this -

1. run Emby on a temporary pc, add each disk, let it download artwork, create nfo, and then remove that library+disk

2. use some other tools to download artowork+nfo, since its all a standard format

With #1 the limitation is that the other tools seem to download a lot more artwork/images than Emby and offer more control, such as placing them in a extrafanart/extrathumbs folder, renaming the movies etc. They can also download trailers. It should also be a bit faster as no interal DB for emby needs to be updated and no other tasks need to run. Thus #2 seems preferable. I'd ideally also like to do this from cmdline if possible as it'd be faster.

So I have a few questions :-

1. What media managers have people used? 
2. I've noticed there are different styles of nfo files. e.g. some have a <ratings> section, some just have a single entry etc. Does it matter?
3. What are best practices for naming? I've read the wiki etc as I've been using Emby/Kodi etc for a long time. I've always used a simple naming convention - 

media\movies\A Movie (2010)
          A Movie (2010).mkv
          A Movie (2010).nfo
          fanart.jpg
          poster.jpg
      \movies\LOTR (2001)
          LOTR (2001).mkv
          LOTR (2001).nfo
          fanart.jpg
          poster.jpg
      \tv\Show (2005)
          tvshow.nfo
          Season 1\
          	Show - 1x01.mkv

However i see there are many other ways - e.g. adding the imdb/tmdb code in the movie filename (this would ensure there are no mismatches when looking up later), resolution, codec etc, and naming the artwork with the movie name etc.

What are best practices and pros/cons for this?

Edited March 27, 2021 by ecrispy

[Guest]

I go for embedding data into my files. Each program will change how they get data, and where.. also how it is displayed.. I say let them change the apps and my files will have what they are supposed too. I keep my archive repository clean. Files are maintained to the standard in which they can be, making the data present for processing. I have my info on or offline. Extended data such specific on artist/model/actor - bio/history/images are not present in those files nor are backdrops, logos, art, or themes. Every program is different ( and server ) and they will change over time but the data the files hold will not. Databases online will also. Presentation is different.

Specific for Emby though.

I have both audio and video media for entertainment, BUT there are ways to also embed data into your images and personal videos as well. One problem which may occur with embedding IMDb, and tmdb is that there are differences between files types ( MKV and MP4 ). MKV will hold an IMDb number and MP4 will only allow for a catalog ID, so I see how putting it into the filename would be a good idea.. ( If they make it through the next two decades, it will still be useful )

I use some tools for maintaining my files.

Spoiler

 

• TagScanner - Audiophile software. More info at the site. Cover images are embedded as well as all metadata. ALL programs use this data. Will export XML. File and folder creation from tags or custom info.. tons of features.
• MetaX - For Video files. More at the site. ( Full version is $9.95 right now ) Movie Poster or Cover can be embedded, as well as other tags. Some filetypes do not support all tags as they are created differently. Most of todays file containers and formats do however.  Will write .NFO and WDTV .XML several other forms of data. Lots of great features including file renaming.
• Advanced Renamer - I used this for several elements of renaming video files and folders to include resolutions.. has several advanced features. FileBot is a paid alternative. I also used CFi Shell Toys made by Cool Focus, really old abandoned program which gives access to batch renaming from your context menu..
• A web browser - to gather information for those files you can't find in a database... sometimes extended searches have to be done. Edge has a 'Web Capture' feature, I also use FastStone Capture.. Gives some tools that really cool for basics.. even creating png logos... ( Forgot to mention Wikipedia as well )
• AVS Video Converter by AVS4YOU - Used to convert video types and switch from DVD to file format. Simple to use.  This is an extra 'THING' if needed.
• EZ CD Audio Converter - There are also more advance versions but this does ALL of what I need.. 
• Subtitle and Video Renamer - Used to match my subtitles flenames to the video filenames ( After changing some video names, some other tasks which involved merging my MPC-HC directory of Subtitles into my Video libraries.. Used a batch script to create folders, merged them then added .english to the end of the SRT, SMI, ASS.. etc.. Helped clean up the directory and after OpenSubtitles changed their site, MPC-HC does not work any longer using them and I made a manual switch to Subscene; downloading and maintaining them by hand.

 

 

I prefer the idea of embedding because your file system is cleaner, sometimes smaller and the data is done ONE TIME. ( Subjective if you do it correctly with all considerations for continuity throughout your archive/library ) It is also compatible. NFO or XML files will be specific and read by a handful of programs but the majority of this data can be stored within the files... On initial scan most of this data should be present in Emby. Changes or updates to that metadata sometimes are harder to apply after the fact that other metadata is obtained and written to the database, other images are relied upon, and cached..

The majority of my files can be pulled out of my library or I can uninstall Emby, for example, and when I drop them back in ( even if I don't have internet ) The covers and metadata are all there, pulling it right out of the files ( as will any other program/app out there ). It works if I drop a file into my phone or tablet. ( which I don't have anymore  ) For me its a must because of what it allows.. Emby gets only extended descriptions and images for Artist/Actors, or Bands, Artist, and Groups... It downloads the extended artwork and images. Very few files that I must make stuff for that do not have the information online or artwork that can be used.

I personally don't worry about the rest. But for what you want..

Emby downloading the extra images to the media folders is probably a good idea, but you will still need a backup of People... and all of their related images... especially the backdrops used on artist and music... These will be blank if you import a library offline. The People Backup Plugin in Emby will allow you to backup and restore the metadata and images into Emby and update the database. All of your people and artist need to have as many of their images and information as possible however or there may still be blanks.

Integration into Emby's database and file/folder structure being the main key element.. Some files are recognized within the folder structure but something like People Backup is necessary for those images and info.. and if you rely on the data it is getting online You are also looking at a backup of the configuration and database. These items would be solely for Emby.

I usually just let the programs ( whichever one it may be) take care of that end, they all do something different when it comes to this.

As far as file filenaming and folder structure... It looks to be fine, you can or extend what you have going for folders, so good plan... Very similar...

MINE: I keep one resolution...transcoding should do the rest, is my thing I put it there so I know if I need to update or want to, isn't necessary

Spoiler

 

• \\Movies\MovieName(Native Language) Year Resolution\MovieName(Native Language) Year Resolution.mkv

                                                                                                          MovieName(Native Language) Year Resolution.srt  <- Other files/folder may follow.

 

• \\TV\ShowName\Season 01 - Name of Season\ShowName S01E01 - Name of Episode.mkv

                 \TV Movie\Season 01\TV Movie S01E01 - Episode Name <- This varies and in/out for which library and hoe they identify online.

 

• \\Music\#Artist/#Record Label/#Series/#RadioStation/#Podcast\Release Year - Album\Artist - Title.flac

                       \$Movie\Release Year - Album\Disc and Number <- if needed\Artist - Title.flac

                       \@VA - Compiler\Release Year - Album\Disc and Number\Artist - Title.flac  <- Compilations - Various Artist is not used.

                       \Artist\Release Year - Album (Release Type)\Artist - Title.flac

 

            

Filename including the TT or IMDb, tmdb number.. will work unless the service changes or goes away... I have no extra files within my structure as mentioned. Everything is embedded. I have Box Sets (Music) which have main art, then art per disc/release.. They contain a main folder folder.jpg of the main. I do have some issues with Artist and Album artist and I am looking to my final setup ( perfect as possible ), with my custom data... To be able to backup my people and go from there.

I think you have the right idea about images for backdrops etc.. being saved into folders... keeps the query down.. and the database work.. You may have to keep Emby from going online after that though, in your settings.

 

 

Edited March 28, 2021 by Guest