These work arounds are ok for those that have the time but not great for Mom and Pop and those that feel why they should work around something the developer can easily fix. I rather not use the feature for now. Would like to see something like EMBY does a simple check mark by those folders that you want to be able to delete from in the Web interface.
The folders are already listed on the Web interface.
We’re working on server side settings for this.
Understand the devs are working on settings for this, but just wanted to point something out.
I finally tested this today (all my Imports are read-only mounts) by deleting (within Channels) a test movie I imported, then emptying the trash.
Every 5 minutes when the import scanner runs I get a log entry that it's deleting the file.
Since it's on a read-only mount, the delete fails (not mentioned in the log).
2021/03/07 16:53:31.789857 [DVR] Deleting /volume1/arkives/testMovies/Test Movie no match (2019)/Test Movie no match (2019) -h264.mp4
2021/03/07 16:58:32.132941 [DVR] Deleting /volume1/arkives/testMovies/Test Movie no match (2019)/Test Movie no match (2019) -h264.mp4
2021/03/07 17:03:32.474680 [DVR] Deleting /volume1/arkives/testMovies/Test Movie no match (2019)/Test Movie no match (2019) -h264.mp4
2021/03/07 17:08:32.832389 [DVR] Deleting /volume1/arkives/testMovies/Test Movie no match (2019)/Test Movie no match (2019) -h264.mp4
2021/03/07 17:13:33.172128 [DVR] Deleting /volume1/arkives/testMovies/Test Movie no match (2019)/Test Movie no match (2019) -h264.mp4
2021/03/07 17:18:33.521259 [DVR] Deleting /volume1/arkives/testMovies/Test Movie no match (2019)/Test Movie no match (2019) -h264.mp4
2021/03/07 17:23:33.876706 [DVR] Deleting /volume1/arkives/testMovies/Test Movie no match (2019)/Test Movie no match (2019) -h264.mp4
The only way I can figure to keep the log from filling up is to move the imported file out of the import directory or rename it.
In the latest client betas, you can now set Allow Delete to Just DVR Recordings.
In the latest server prerelease, you can now force all your clients to have specific settings. See Beta - Server Side Client Settings
Good to see this moving forward.
That will appease many by not allowing clients to delete Imports.
What I'm waiting for is the setting that brings back the old behavior.
Don't allow deletion of Imports (period) from clients or the admin UI or some future feature...
Treat my Imports like they're DVD's or Blu-Ray's (read-only). I can mount or unmount the Import directories, but not delete the files within from Channels.
I understand others want to use Channels to manage and delete their Imports, so a simple checkbox option would appease all.
Until then I'll just keep my read-only mounts and continue testing Imports.
Isn’t this exactly that?
@chDVRuser I had to read that a few times to understand exactly what you're saying. The new settings feature allows you to prevent Channels clients from deleting imported content. But are you also suggesting that the setting (which is found in the Admin screen) should prevent deleting imported content from the Admin screen?
What's the point of an Admin screen if it is locked down? 
Yes
Choices are good and this one seems so simple to implement.
This is a perfect solution I also uses plex but plex live tv sucks and craps out so much that I have started to use channels and setting only allowing deletion of recorded shows is perfect.