Recommended Software

Useful software for backing up Physical Media

Filebot

Software: Filebot
Why\Problem Solved: Filebot helps automate renaming and moving your processed medial files into their permanent storage location. It uses tmdb to help identify and rename files so they are accurately identified by plex etc. 
Cost: $6.00 Annual or $48 Lifetime Link: https://www.filebot.net/
Tips:
  • If Filebot doesn't quickly identify your file try renaming it to remove the extra characters etc that Makemkv can sometimes add.

  • It can be helpful to know the year the movie was released and include (year) in the file name when a match is being difficult.

  • You can customize the file presets to include additional info such as Editions etc. In the example below I include my M: drive so in addition to renaming it's moving the final file to it's permanent location as part of the action.

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Handbrake

Software: Handbrake
Why\Problem Solved: Reduce the file size of your physical media backups at the cost of some quality. 
Cost: Free Open Source Link:  https://handbrake.fr/
Tips:
  • Compressing your media files is always a give and take between managing file size and quality. Take some time to experiment with the settings and profiles to get the best fit for your needs. There are some great tutorials on youtube etc that cover solid starting points.
  • Even minor tweaks and file size reductions can add up to big disk space savings across a large library of files.

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My Current Presets: (You can import these)

4k UHD Bluray

1080p Standard Bluray

Kometa

Software: Kometa
Why\Problem Solved: Kometa lets you customize your plex library and build collections create cool overlays etc. I primarily use it to create collections within plex based on IMDB lists etc as well as create resolution and feature overlays for HDR etc. Kometa runs seperate from your Plex server and processes your library. I run mine instance as a docker container and have a script that simply starts it automatically when I want to update it. 
Cost: Free Opensource Link: https://kometa.wiki/en/latest/
Tips:
  • Kometa isn't as simple to use as plex but it's worth putting the time in. The website has plenty of configuration examples and documentation to help you get started.
  • Here are my config files for reference. You will need to customize to match your plex address , apikeys etc. MyCollections.yml config.yml MyOverlays.yml

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Makemkv

Software: Makemkv
Why\Problem Solved: Making an exact copy of physical DVD, Blurays or 4k Blurays (UHD)
Cost: Free For Beta \ $60 Lifetime Link: https://www.makemkv.com/buy/
Tips\Screenshot:

 

  • Makemkv has been in a state of perpetual beta that requires you to download a fresh copy on a set schedule If you want to support the software and eliminate the expiring beta copies you can purchase it.

  • Makemkv does support backing up 4k Bluray dics but does require specific drives and firmware combinations. Specific info, how to guides etc can be found in the Makemkv forum here.

  • Makemkv relies on a database of key files in order to backup 4k UHD discs. If you are processing a brand new title I have found it helpful to manually download a new database of available keys manually. (Makemkv normally does this in the background automatically.

    The following simple powershell script forces a manual download \ update. ) This solves most of my issues with new titles.

    $sourceUrl = "http://fvonline-db.bplaced.net/fv_download.php?lang=eng"
# Edit destination path to make the location of your MakeMKV Install
$destinationPath = "C:\Users\username\.MakeMKV\keydb_eng.zip"

# Download the file and overwrite if it already exists
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $sourceUrl -OutFile $destinationPath -UseBasicParsing

 

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Plex Media Server

Software: Software Name
Why\Problem Solved: Plex allows you to organize and stream you backed up physical media files. Plex Media Server runs locally on your own hardware and support Windows & Linux. (I host on Linux) Plex has apps for IOS, Android and most smart tvs and media players (Apple TV, Roku).
Cost: Free\$6.99mo\$249.99 Lifetime Link: Plex Media Server
Plex Pass
Tips:
  • I've been using Plex before the price increase and change to require plex pass for sharing outside your home. If I was starting now I would take a good long look at Jellyfin first as that is opensource and free.
  • Plex can handle photos and music as well as your movies.

     

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Subtitle Edit

Software: Subtitle Edit
Why\Problem Solved: Subtitles can be a tricky component of backing up your movies to get correct. Even if you aren't interested in having subtitles available for every movie, you will often run into cases were foreign languages use default subtitle tracks to translate onscreen. This is pretty common in Scifi movies as well such as Star Wars or Star Trek to use subtitle tracks for alien languages. If you don't process them correctly they won't be there when you go to watch your digital backups. 
Cost: Open Source\Free Link: https://www.nikse.dk/subtitleedit
Tips\Screenshot:
  • Be patient when opening your MKV file, sometimes it can take a minute before it fully loads.

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Tautulli

Software: Software Name
Why\Problem Solved: Tautilli is a companion for plex that gives you better dashboards and monitoring on what's going on with your plex server.
Cost: Free Open Source Link: https://tautulli.com/
Tips:
  • Easy to setup. Can be installed on your plex server or as a Docker container etc.
  • Gives better views and monitoring than Plex Dashboard

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