Mixed Content Merging TV series

[Skizz 2]

I'm trying to use a mixed content library for my Anime. Sometimes I have different versions of shows (different DVD/Blu Ray Releases, etc) and I want to keep them separate. I can do this with a dedicated TV Show Library since it has the options to check off "Automatically merge series that are spread across multiple folders". Using a dedicated TV show library is not ideal though since I would like to add movies into this library as well. 

Why does Mixed content not have this option? It seems like this type of library would be the one that would need it the most since it relies on optimal folder structure more than the other libraries. If I have them separated, I have them separated for a reason. I don't even understand why merging is even an option. Who has separate folders for tv shows and then wants them merged? If you want them merged, just put them in the same folder. I'm trying to think of a situation where this would be needed, but I'm at a loss.

[Luke 42080]

Hi there, can you please go over a specific example? thanks.

[Skizz 2]

Say I have a mixed content library with the following folder structure

Dragon Ball Collection\
	Dragon Ball\
	Dragon Ball GT\
	Dragon Ball Super\
	Dragon Ball Z (Dragon Box)\
	Dragon Ball Z (Levels Set)\

It will take the two Dragon Ball Z folders and merge them into one entry in emby by combining the video files. If I do this same thing using a TV Show library, there is the option to not merge them into one entry.

[Skizz 2]

Ok, so I have come up with a way to keep emby from combining like series in different folders in a mixed content library. You basically have to trick emby into thinking it is a different series. In order for this to work you need to have .nfo set as metadata saver and reader in your library. When you scan your library, make sure that the .nfo files have been generated in the folder with the series that you do not want to be merged. Once that is done, take that folder and remove it from the library folder. Rescan the library to remove that folder from emby. Once done, go into library settings and turn off all series metadata downloaders. Then go to the folder that you removed from your library and delete tvshow.nfo. Keep all other .nfo files. This will let you keep all existing episode and season metadata, but delete the tvshow metadata. Once tvshow.nfo is deleted, you can then put the folder back into the library folder and rescan. Emby should not download any new metadata since you turned off metadata downloading and it will think it is a new, blank tvshow. Then you can manually edit the metadata for that show and lock it. Once locked, you can turn on metadata downloading again.

 

This is just a work around and I would like to request a feature to add the checkbox "Automatically merge series that are spread across multiple folders" to mixed content. Thanks.

[Luke 42080]

Hi, have you compared your file and folder naming to our tv naming guide?

https://support.emby.media/support/solutions/articles/44001159110-tv-naming

[Skizz 2]

Yes. My folder structure is exactly like your complex folder structure. Library folder > Sub folder > Series > Seasons. The problem is, like I said above, is that there is no "Automatically merge series that are spread across multiple folders" option to uncheck for mixed content libraries. If I convert my library to TV shows, without changing my folder structure at all, it works correctly. 

[Luke 42080]

Ok that's something we can look at adding. Thanks.

[buhochileno 4]

On 3/28/2021 at 8:49 PM, Luke said:

Hi there, can you please go over a specific example? thanks.

For me will be Futurama and The Simpsons, my original media is only in Spanish latinamerica, but later with all the changes with the dubbing stuff and starting to try to get use to the original English audio, so I prefer to have both, for nostalgia with the original audio that I hear, but also the "official" one...

Right now I trying to apply the suggested fix but can't make it work...every time I add the duplicated tv show they get fuse together with the original one...I don't understand why the "merge" option is not available for mixed content, those are tvshows too...and the reason to actually choose mix content is because is not as simple as a single tv show folder...like old Hulk or Six Billion Dollar Man, those have movies, etc, ...so my guess is that the merge option should be more use in these scenarios than with regular shows...

@Happy2Play

Thanks!

 

Mauricio

 

[buhochileno 4]

On 3/29/2021 at 11:14 AM, Skizz said:

Ok, so I have come up with a way to keep emby from combining like series in different folders in a mixed content library. You basically have to trick emby into thinking it is a different series. In order for this to work you need to have .nfo set as metadata saver and reader in your library. When you scan your library, make sure that the .nfo files have been generated in the folder with the series that you do not want to be merged. Once that is done, take that folder and remove it from the library folder. Rescan the library to remove that folder from emby. Once done, go into library settings and turn off all series metadata downloaders. Then go to the folder that you removed from your library and delete tvshow.nfo. Keep all other .nfo files. This will let you keep all existing episode and season metadata, but delete the tvshow metadata. Once tvshow.nfo is deleted, you can then put the folder back into the library folder and rescan. Emby should not download any new metadata since you turned off metadata downloading and it will think it is a new, blank tvshow. Then you can manually edit the metadata for that show and lock it. Once locked, you can turn on metadata downloading again.

 

This is just a work around and I would like to request a feature to add the checkbox "Automatically merge series that are spread across multiple folders" to mixed content. Thanks.

..yep, I can confirm that the trick work...but is a pain in the rear :-S ..I had to move folders in and out of the library to be able to have one with all metadata in spanish and other in english..many times updating things they got merge again and back to square one...but at the end it works..

btw, why the "lock metadata" option is a "lock but if...", there are scenarios where the software just ignore the option and it Do make changes in content where you set the option On...lock should be lock until the user alone disable it (IMHO)... 

[Luke 42080]

Thanks for following up.

[buhochileno 4]

On 8/31/2022 at 4:47 PM, Luke said:

Thanks for following up.

...nop, after a while a scan over the library and the merge start again...come guys, please add this option!!...it is already available for tvshows libraries, afters 10s of hours doing the trick, now I have 100s of Gb that I would need to move out and in again of the media folder  to attempt the trick again..is soo frustrating!!...btw it happen with lock tvshows, so whats the deal with the lock option?, when is lock and what it really means?...

 

arrrggghhh it was all so well organized, metadata with the language of the media, description, etc...now everything is a mix between spanish and english seasons!!!...I starting to look for alternatives this is insufferable..

btw, I still not sure what do I pay on my year premium subscription not a single issue that I have been posted have a solution and it seems those "premium" features are available for free in other media servers,  ..

 

...sorry I furious..

 

 

[Happy2Play 9782]

@buhochileno @Skizz Shutdown Emby and find the options.xml file for that library in Emby programdata /root/default/libraryname and change the <EnableAutomaticSeriesGrouping> from true to false, start Emby and Scan the library.  Then you will have to modify the Serie title to make them distinguishable.

Note since Emby tracks usedata by providerid watching one will watch all.  And Continue Watching will display as many versions as you have and may not be distinguishable to which one you were watching.

But yes this option is not exposed in the UI for Mixed Content. @Luke

Edited September 7, 2022 by Happy2Play

[buhochileno 4]

Just now, buhochileno said:

...nop, after a while a scan over the library and the merge start again...come guys, please add this option!!...it is already available for tvshows libraries, afters 10s of hours doing the trick, now I have 100s of Gb that I would need to move out and in again of the media folder  to attempt the trick again..is soo frustrating!!...btw it happen with lock tvshows, so whats the deal with the lock option?, when is lock and what it really means?...

 

arrrggghhh it was all so well organized, metadata with the language of the media, description, etc...now everything is a mix between spanish and english seasons!!!...I starting to look for alternatives this is insufferable..

btw, I still not sure what do I pay on my year premium subscription not a single issue that I have been posted have a solution and it seems those "premium" features are available for free in other media servers,  ..

 

...sorry I furious..

 

 

...sorry, I should not have write been that mad...I will keep only one version in emby to avoid headaches that's it....

sorry again and keep the good work..

Mauricio

 

[buhochileno 4]

Just now, Happy2Play said:

@buhochileno @Skizz Shutdown Emby and find the options.xml file for that library in Emby programdata /root/default/libraryname and change the <EnableAutomaticSeriesGrouping> from true to false, start Emby and Scan the library.  Then you will have to modify the Serie title to make them distinguishable.

Note since Emby tracks usedata by providerid watching one will watch all.  And Continue Watching will display as many versions as you have and may not be distinguishable to which one you were watching.

But yes this option is not exposed in the UI for Mixed Content. @Luke

I will try your suggestion, thanks..

 

 

[Happy2Play 9782]

Also note from a language metadata standpoint you would need to set language per Show as by default it inherits for library setup or system.  But should not affect already fetched metadata per Show.

Edited September 7, 2022 by Happy2Play

[Skizz 2]

On 9/6/2022 at 9:54 PM, Happy2Play said:

@buhochileno @Skizz Shutdown Emby and find the options.xml file for that library in Emby programdata /root/default/libraryname and change the <EnableAutomaticSeriesGrouping> from true to false, start Emby and Scan the library.  Then you will have to modify the Serie title to make them distinguishable.

Note since Emby tracks usedata by providerid watching one will watch all.  And Continue Watching will display as many versions as you have and may not be distinguishable to which one you were watching.

But yes this option is not exposed in the UI for Mixed Content. @Luke

I tried to change automatic grouping from true to false in the xml file, then rescanning, but it didn't work. I also tried to rescan after removing one of the versions from my library, rescanning, making sure it was removed from emby, then I moved it back into the library and scanned, and it automatically was merged again. 

Edited July 19, 2023 by Skizz

[Skizz 2]

54 minutes ago, Skizz said:

I tried to change automatic grouping from true to false in the xml file, then rescanning, but it didn't work. I also tried to rescan after removing one of the versions from my library, rescanning, making sure it was removed from emby, then I moved it back into the library and scanned, and it automatically was merged again. 

Nevermind that. I'm a dummy. My server is on a synology nas and I edited an old file from a previous version of emby. I edited the correct file and it is now working. Thanks for the help and it would be great if we could have this as an actual option inside of emby for mixed content so that we won't have to edit the xml all the time.