Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

different Plex question

B

bergmef

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 20, 2005
803
93
North East, MD, USA
I'm new to Plex and have a question about storing media files. I have a bunch of movies and series in iTunes. Can I:
1. Just point Plex to the appropriate folder and see all my series or movies?
2. should I creat a new library? Any benefit in doing so (kinda hate to move 5T of data)
3. Still access the iTunes library so I can replace older apple TV's slower.

I guess what I want to do is have iTunes keep everything organized (I add shows every day) but have Plex know the new stuff is there and be able to show it.

Is this possible? Is this stupid? I love to hear all input from current Plex users.

Thanks,
Frank
 
Yes, you can include iTunes content into the Plex Library

You need to enable the option to Share iTunes Library XML file in iTunes preferences (Advanced Tab)

Screen Shot 2017-02-07 at 13.11.37.png


This will create an XML file called iTunes Music Library.xml in the iTunes folder

Then, in Plex, enable the iTunes channel and point it to the iTunes Music Library.xml file

Screen Shot 2017-02-07 at 13.14.02.png


You need to click Show Advanced to see the box where you can type the Library XML path in (presumably it otherwise uses the default location)

Once that's done, restart Plex Server and it should show your iTunes media and update whenever iTunes is updated

Be aware, though, that it won't let you view media that contains DRM through Plex
 
  • Like
Reactions: Weaselboy
I've never done it personally (I don't use iTunes to manage my media at all), but I assume it will show it the same as any other Plex content. Not sure what benefit you get over just pointing it to the folders
 
I guess the reason at the beginning would be the older apple TV's still needing home sharing. the way iflicks dumps straight to iTunes is pretty easy with iTunes creating the seasons etc.
 
I use this 2-for-1 method and it works well. Since I had been using iTunes as my central repository before moving over to Plex, I decided to just keep doing so.

As I put new media into my iTunes library, using iVI which is like iFlicks, the file gets named to iTunes standards and loaded into the appropriate media folder. I then have Plex pointing to those same media folders, and it picks up any new additions automatically.

I did not do any of the XML setup as Phil A. described.
 
how long does it usually take for plex to read a library? I started at 8pm on a 2014 mini (2.6GHz) and at 5am it's still doing tv shows. Since I had everything tagged using iVI and iflick, I thought it would use that. Does plex go out and get all the artwork and stuff all over again?
 
Given your library size, it's possible. In it's default settings Plex Media Server does go out and gets all the metadata and artwork again after it has analyzed each file. In addition, certain options like generating preview thumbnails, if enabled can further increase processing time when adding media. I'd let it run to see how it does. You can click on the status icon (top right in the web view) to check on the progress.
 
Thanks, I'll give it a shot when I get home. I do have a stupid question now. Is there a search button in these forums anymore? I can't find it. I'd love to search on everything about Plex but don't see a way. I miss the old search button in the upper right corner from years ago.
 
I just pointed to the iTunes 'tvshows' folder and the iTunes 'movies' folder. I guess I'll find out later today how it did and if I have to do it again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back