Are you a Plex user looking to streamline your TV series experience? If you've ever found episodes split into multiple segments or arranged incorrectly, you may want to leverage the "Alternate Order" from TheTVDB. This feature can help you combine segments into a single episode for a more coherent viewing experience. In this article, we'll guide you through how to configure Plex to utilize TVDB's "Alternate Order" for TV series.
Understanding the Issue
Plex is a versatile media server that organizes and streams your personal collection of movies and TV shows. However, sometimes episodes are not displayed in a way that matches how they are intended to be viewed. Often, this occurs when a show has short segments that are technically classified as separate episodes in the database. This can lead to confusion and a disjointed viewing experience.
Original Code Scenario
The original code you might have used to set up your Plex library could look something like this:
{
"name": "My TV Series",
"type": "show",
"episodes": [
{
"season": 1,
"episode": 1,
"title": "Episode Title Part 1"
},
{
"season": 1,
"episode": 2,
"title": "Episode Title Part 2"
}
]
}
In the example above, the episodes are treated as separate entries, which may not align with how they were aired.
Configuring Plex to Use TVDB's Alternate Order
To make Plex recognize the "Alternate Order," follow these steps:
-
Set Up TVDB API: First, ensure you have a TVDB account. Head over to TheTVDB and create an account if you don't have one. Once signed in, navigate to your account settings and retrieve your API key.
-
Access Plex Settings: Open your Plex Media Server and navigate to
Settings. -
Set Metadata Agents: In the server settings, find the library section where your TV series are located. Under "Agents," enable the TVDB agent.
-
Modify Episode Titles: In your file structure, rename your media files according to the episode titles as they are listed under the "Alternate Order" on TheTVDB. For example, if "Episode Title Part 1" and "Episode Title Part 2" need to be combined, use a naming convention like
S01E01 - Complete Episode Title. -
Scan Your Library: Once you've made these changes, go back to your Plex Media Server and perform a library scan. This should refresh the metadata and fetch the updated episode order from TheTVDB.
Analyzing the Benefits
Using the "Alternate Order" feature from TheTVDB can greatly enhance your viewing experience. It not only provides a seamless transition between episodes but also maintains the narrative flow intended by the creators.
Example of Improved Viewing Experience
Consider a show like Avatar: The Last Airbender, which has episodes that are often split into two parts. When you enable the "Alternate Order," viewers can enjoy the storyline in its entirety without interruptions, making the series feel more cohesive.
Conclusion
Configuring Plex to use TVDB's "Alternate Order" can greatly improve your experience when watching segmented TV series. By combining episodes into a single entry, you eliminate confusion and enhance your viewing pleasure. Following the steps provided ensures that you are getting the most out of your Plex Media Server.
Additional Resources
By utilizing this guide, you should now be well-equipped to optimize your Plex settings for TV series, creating a streamlined and enjoyable media experience. If you have any additional questions or tips, feel free to share them in the comments!
