Yes I have the paid version
Here are some screenshots of what I am seeing
<img src="//channels-discourse.s3.amazonaws.com/original/1X/e487de1e656af348c001bc1b27d67b3a09c2d016.png" width="403" height="391">
The issue is that @mavsfan815 is using MCEBuddy to move recordings into a separate Plex library folder. In the DVRâs recording folder, each file is inside the show name folder. But when MCEBuddy copies and transcodes it, it does not put it in the right folder on the other side.
I have emailed the MCEBuddy developers to see if they can help us improve integration.
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Thanks @tmm1! That is the only hiccup for me so far but the DVR is so awesome I am dealing with it! Thanks for being on top of things!
I see the same thing as @mavsfan815. The recorded file is copied over over so MCEBuddy can remove the commercials and convert the file to .mp4. It the saves the file to a separate folder that is scraped by Plex. When MCEBuddy converts the files it saves it with the same file name as that produced by Channels, however, each file ends up in its own folder as the folder is named based on the timstamp. Doing the same thing with the SD DVR files results in a common folder for each TV show as the file name starts with the name of the show. Hope this makes senseâŚ
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Will be looking at stripping the leading date, etc.
If rboy1 at MCEBuddy can help in this endeavor, this would be great. Thanks @tmm1 for contacting them.
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Itâs a bit more involved than just stripping out extraneous infoâŚ
Aman: Are you storing the original broadcast year in metadata?
Edit: For TV ShowsâŚOriginal Broadcast Year in this case is the Year the series started airing not episode broadcast year
I am discussing our options with the MCEBuddy developer.
ok good deal! Thanks!
it would be nice to include (able to customize) the season and episode data in the file name, not every app will detect this convention and may not be willing to alter their detection criteria. iFlicks is another that wonât detect your convention.
Challenges Iâve seen on Plex matchingâ
Being able to strip beginning and traliing date on current file name, in order to set a containing (Showname) folder.
For exact creation of new folders/file and subsequent matching a containing folder needs âShowname + First Broadcast Yearâ in the case of multiple matches of Showname (Bull) (e.g. Bull (2016), or just âShownameâ with single match of Showname (Code Black) (e.g. Code Black). Additionally, it appears that a containing folder of Code Black (2015) (i.e., Showname + First Broadcast Year) is allowable as the containing folder for all seasons/episodes of Code Black for Plex (all folders/files outside of Channels file structure).
If rboy1 is able to pull âShownameâ & âFirst Broadcast Yearâ from Channels file metadata to create the required âShownameâ and âFirst Broadcast Yearâ into a new setup âChannels Unprocessedâ and âChannels H.264â (H.264+AC3), then we could utilize to create new folders/files from MCEBuddy for use with Plex for CommFree and/or transcoded files.
Current problem is creating the correct higher level âShownameâ folder (that is required). In the Bull example, if only âShownameâ (Bull) can be created it is simply a matter of fixing an incorrect match in Plex with search criteria ⌠choosing a match with âBull (2016)â rather than âBullâ. This example is atypical of Showname as most Shownames (no Year required) are unique.
Another easier option (which I havenât tested yet, but will) is to replace original Channels file with a MCEBuddy processed file of H.264/AC3. Hopefully, Channels would treat this as an original file and be able to play on ATV/iOS/Web UI.
Thoughts?
Edits for clarification - 10:48P.M.
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It seems as of now channels DVR has the show name metadata as
Ex: 2017-01-02-1900 The New Celebrity Apprentice 2017-01-02
Seems to me that the best way would be to break that up into separate metadata in channels DVR and still have the file named as is.
Ex:RecordedDateTime SeriesShowname SeriesPremiereDate
This way it would still be in the same format but would be read by mcebuddy correctly.
Just a thought. May not be that simple.
ExactlyâŚwe are investigating the easiest way to extract just the series (show) name from the filename or file metadata, by utilizing only MCEBuddyâŚthereby not requiring other interventions/workarounds to âparseâ the filename to obtain just the required Showname.
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Tested h.264/ac3 replacement of original Channels file. Prelim looks good for playback on Channels and Plex compliance.
Will more fully test tomorrow and attach screenshots for MCEBuddy.
This methodology may not be acceptable long term, but should be at least useable short term, based on user prefs.
Following is a very rough outline for utilizing MCEBuddy (donator version) to obtain a comfree and transcoded (H.264/AC3) to replace original Channels files. I've played back from Channels ATV and Web UI without too many hiccups. Was able to increase streaming resolution to 480p from 240p utilizing a very under powered mid 2010 mac mini. Also, Plex compliant...see note at end.
BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN TESTING (Be sure to have backups). This is an experimental version. You are using at your own risk, as I will not accept responsibility for any loss of data or disruptions to service. The following also assumes familiarity with MCEBuddy.
MONITOR LOCATION
Note: Monitor path: The path to your Channels Recordings. Monitor name is user defineable.
Go to Expert Settings
DUE TO MCEBUDDY TIMING ANOMALIES...ARCHIVING DOESN'T WORK IN THIS PROCEDURE
Note: Archiving original file to a separate user selectable location. This will produce a flat list of all Channels TV files without an enclosing sub folder of Showname. Still trying to resolve extraction of Showname to create enclosing sub folders
If not checked and Archive folder left blank, then no archive copy will be made.
CONVERSION TASK
Note: Destination is blank ... will overwrite original Channels file. This will only monitor the TV folder. I'd suggest making a separate rule set for Movies, for a separation of TV & Movies in the archived files. Also task name is user defined.
Go to Advanced Settings
Note: Additional user defined parameters by preference.
Go to Expert Settings
Note: Using defaults currently...additional usage parameters are possible
Finally: As Channels enclosing sub folder only defines Showname (& doesn't include year of first airings of series, you may find that Plex makes an incorrect match (due to more than one possible choice, e.g. Bull...Plex needs "Bull (2016)" to correctly match). As these non matches are fairly rare, make the match correction within Plex for applicable posters/metadata.
HAVE FUN 
EDIT: Followup 1/13, the archived file is not saving as expected...1/14 CANNOT FIX FOR THIS PROCEDURE.
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Not a Windows user, but Iâm trying to similar out for Mac and Linux systems. Presumably for the file to be recognized the filename extension is different? Have you explored which extensions work? Both mp4 and m4v are common.
This looks great but it still doesnât help me as I am moving files to a different location. I am hoping that @tmm1 & MCEBuddy devs can find a solution for me. Thanks for all your testing @DebbieFL!
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I would like to see this as well. I just signed up for the beta and plan to use Channels DVR with Emby. I havenât tried it yet but it looks like the file names will cause a problem being properly recognized. Emby follows the MediaBrowser naming conventions here:
Does Emby let you add an addition regex to their scanner? I know Kodi used to do that and Plex maybe did too?