Utility to optimize media files for Direct Play in Plex, Emby, Jellyfin.

Licensed under the MIT License

Code and Pipeline is on GitHub.
Binary releases are published on GitHub Releases.
Docker images are published on Docker Hub and GitHub Container Registry.

• Version 3.0 Beta
  • Added support for custom Ffmpeg and HandBrake CLI parameters, supporting e.g. AV1 codec and hardware assisted encoding.
  • See the release notes for details.
• Version 2.10:
  • Added the --reverify option, to allow verification and repair of media that previously failed to verify or failed to repair.
    • When enabled the VerifyFailed and RepairFailed states will be removed before processing starts, allowing media to be re-processed.
    • The alternative was to use --reprocess=2, but that would re-process all media, while this option only re-processes media in a failed state.
    • As with the --reprocess option, this option is useful when the tooling changed, and may now be better equipped to verify or repair broken media.
• See Release History for older Release Notes.

Use the Discussions forum for general questions.
Report bugs in the Issues tracker.

The objective of PlexCleaner is to modify media content such that it will always Direct Play in Plex, Emby, Jellyfin.

Below are examples of issues that can be resolved using the primary process command:

• Container file formats other than MKV are not supported by all platforms, re-multiplex to MKV.
• Licensing for some codecs like MPEG-2 prevents hardware decoding, re-encode to H.264.
• Some video codecs like MPEG-4 or VC-1 cause playback issues, re-encode to H.264.
• Some H.264 video profiles like Constrained Baseline@30 cause playback issues, re-encode to H.264 High@40.
• On some displays interlaced video cause playback issues, deinterlace using HandBrake and the --comb-detect --decomb options.
• Some audio codecs like Vorbis or WMAPro are not supported by the client platform, re-encode to AC3.
• Some subtitle tracks like VOBsub cause hangs when the MuxingMode attribute is not set, re-multiplex to set the correct MuxingMode.
• Automatic audio and subtitle track selection requires the track language to be set, set the language for unknown tracks.
• Duplicate audio or subtitle tracks of the same language cause issues with player track selection, delete duplicate tracks, and keep the best quality audio tracks.
• Corrupt media streams cause playback issues, verify stream integrity, and try to automatically repair by re-encoding.
• Some WiFi or 100Mbps Ethernet connected devices with small read buffers hang when playing high bitrate content, warn when media bitrate exceeds the network bitrate.
• Dolby Vision is only supported on DV capable displays, warn when the HDR profile is Dolby Vision (profile 5) vs. Dolby Vision / SMPTE ST 2086 (profile 7) that supports DV and HDR10 displays.
• EIA-608 Closed Captions embedded in video streams can't be disable or managed from the player, remove embedded closed captions from video streams.

• To improve processing performance of large media collections, the media file attributes and processing state is stored in sidecar files. (filename.mkv -> filename.PlexCleaner)
• Sidecar files allow re-processing of the same files to be very fast as the state will be read from the sidecar vs. re-computed from the media file.
• The sidecar maintains a hash of small parts of the media file (timestamps are unreliable), and the media file will be reprocessed when a change in the media file is detected.
• Re-multiplexing is an IO intensive operation and re-encoding is a CPU intensive operation.
• On systems with high core counts the --parallel option can be used to process files concurrently.
• Parallel processing is useful when a single instance of FFmpeg or Handbrake does not saturate the CPU resources of the system.
• When parallel processing is enabled, the default thread count is half the number of system cores, and can be changed using the --threadcount option.
• The initial process run on a large collection can take a long time to complete.
• Interrupt processing using Ctl-C and resume processing by re-running the same command.

Docker builds are the easiest and most up to date way to run, and can be used on any platform that supports x86-64 images.
Alternatively, install directly on Windows or Linux following the provided instructions.

• Builds are published on Docker Hub and GitHub Container Registry.
• Images are updated weekly with the latest upstream updates.
• The container has all the prerequisite 3rd party tools pre-installed.
• Map your host volumes, and make sure the user has permission to access and modify media files.
• The container is intended to be used in interactive mode, for long running operations run in a screen session.
• See examples below for instructions on getting started.

Example, run in an interactive shell:

# The host "/data/media" directory is mapped to the container "/media" directory
# Replace the volume mappings to suit your needs

# Run the bash shell in an interactive session
docker run \
  -it \
  --rm \
  --pull always \
  --name PlexCleaner \
  --volume /data/media:/media:rw \
  ptr727/plexcleaner \
  /bin/bash

# Create default settings file
# Edit the settings file to suit your needs
/PlexCleaner/PlexCleaner \
  --settingsfile /media/PlexCleaner/PlexCleaner.json \
  defaultsettings

# Process media files
/PlexCleaner/PlexCleaner \
  --settingsfile /media/PlexCleaner/PlexCleaner.json \
  --logfile /media/PlexCleaner/PlexCleaner.log \
  process \
  --mediafiles /media/Movies \
  --mediafiles /media/Series

# Exit the interactive session
exit

Example, run in a screen session:

# Start a new screen session
screen

# Or attach to an existing screen session
screen -r

# Make sure the media file permissions allow writing
sudo chown -R nobody:users /data/media
sudo chmod -R u=rwx,g=rwx+s,o=rx /data/media

# Run the process command in an interactive session
docker run \
  -it \
  --rm \
  --pull always \
  --name PlexCleaner \
  --user nobody:users \
  --env TZ=America/Los_Angeles \
  --volume /data/media:/media:rw \
  ptr727/plexcleaner \
  /PlexCleaner/PlexCleaner \
    --settingsfile /media/PlexCleaner/PlexCleaner.json \
    --logfile /media/PlexCleaner/PlexCleaner.log \
    --parallel \
    process \
    --mediafiles /media/Movies \
    --mediafiles /media/Series

• Install the .NET 6 Runtime.
• Download PlexCleaner and extract the pre-compiled binaries.
• Or compile from code using Visual Studio or VSCode or the .NET 6 SDK.
• Create a default JSON settings file using the defaultsettings command:
  • PlexCleaner --settingsfile PlexCleaner.json defaultsettings
  • Modify the settings to suit your needs.
• Download the required 3rd party tools using the checkfornewtools command:
  • PlexCleaner --settingsfile PlexCleaner.json checkfornewtools
  • The default Tools folder will be created in the same folder as the PlexCleaner binary file.
  • The tool version information will be stored in Tools\Tools.json.
  • Keep the 3rd party tools updated by periodically running the checkfornewtools command, or enabling the ToolsOptions:AutoUpdate setting.

• Automatic downloading of Linux 3rd party tools are not currently supported, consider using the Docker build instead.
• Manually install the 3rd party tools by following steps similar to the Docker file RUN commands. (Note, steps are for Ubuntu, adjust as appropriate for your distribution.)
  • Install prerequisites.
  • Install .NET 6 Runtime.
  • Install MediaInfo.
  • Install MKVToolNix.
  • Install FFmpeg.
  • Install HandBrake.
• Keep the 3rd party tools updated by periodically running sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y.
• Download PlexCleaner and extract the pre-compiled binaries.
• Or compile from code using the .NET 6 SDK.
• Create a default JSON settings file using the defaultsettings command:
  • ./PlexCleaner --settingsfile PlexCleaner.json defaultsettings
  • Modify the settings to suit your needs.

Create a default configuration file by running:
PlexCleaner --settingsfile PlexCleaner.json defaultsettings

{
  // JSON Schema
  "$schema": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ptr727/PlexCleaner/main/PlexCleaner.schema.json",
  // JSON Schema version
  "SchemaVersion": 2,
  // Tools options
  "ToolsOptions": {
    // Use system installed tools
    // Default true on Linux
    "UseSystem": false,
    // Tools folder, ignored when UseSystem is true
    "RootPath": ".\\Tools\\",
    // Tools directory relative to binary location
    "RootRelative": true,
    // Automatically check for new tools
    "AutoUpdate": false
  },
  // Convert options
  "ConvertOptions": {
    // Enable H.265 encoding, else use H.264
    "EnableH265Encoder": true,
    // Video encoding CRF quality, H.264 default is 23, H.265 default is 28
    "VideoEncodeQuality": 20,
    // Audio encoding codec
    "AudioEncodeCodec": "ac3"
  },
  // Process options
  "ProcessOptions": {
    // Delete empty folders
    "DeleteEmptyFolders": true,
    // Delete non-media files
    // Any file that is not in KeepExtensions or in ReMuxExtensions or MKV will be deleted
    "DeleteUnwantedExtensions": true,
    // File extensions to keep but not process, e.g. subtitles, cover art, info, partial, etc.
    "KeepExtensions": [
      ".partial~",
      ".nfo",
      ".jpg",
      ".srt",
      ".smi",
      ".ssa",
      ".ass",
      ".vtt"
    ],
    // Enable re-mux
    "ReMux": true,
    // File extensions to remux to MKV
    "ReMuxExtensions": [
      ".avi",
      ".m2ts",
      ".ts",
      ".vob",
      ".mp4",
      ".m4v",
      ".asf",
      ".wmv",
      ".dv"
    ],
    // Enable deinterlace
    // Note deinterlace detection is not absolute
    "DeInterlace": true,
    // Enable re-encode
    "ReEncode": true,
    // Re-encode the video if the Format, Codec, and Profile values match
    // Empty fields will match with any value
    // Use FfProbe attribute naming, and the `printmediainfo` command to get media info
    "ReEncodeVideo": [
      {
        "Format": "mpeg2video"
      },
      {
        "Format": "mpeg4",
        "Codec": "dx50"
      },
      {
        "Format": "msmpeg4v3",
        "Codec": "div3"
      },
      {
        "Format": "msmpeg4v2",
        "Codec": "mp42"
      },
      {
        "Format": "vc1"
      },
      {
        "Format": "h264",
        "Profile": "Constrained Baseline@30"
      },
      {
        "Format": "wmv3"
      },
      {
        "Format": "msrle"
      },
      {
        "Format": "rawvideo"
      },
      {
        "Format": "indeo5"
      }
    ],
    // Re-encode matching audio codecs
    // If the video format is not H264/5, video will automatically be converted to H264/5 to avoid audio sync issues
    // Use FfProbe attribute naming, and the `printmediainfo` command to get media info
    "ReEncodeAudioFormats": [
      "flac",
      "mp2",
      "vorbis",
      "wmapro",
      "pcm_s16le",
      "opus",
      "wmav2",
      "pcm_u8",
      "adpcm_ms"
    ],
    // Set default language if tracks have an undefined language
    "SetUnknownLanguage": true,
    // Default track language
    "DefaultLanguage": "eng",
    // Enable removing of unwanted language tracks
    "RemoveUnwantedLanguageTracks": true,
    // Track languages to keep
    // Use ISO 639-2 3 letter short form, see https://www.loc.gov/standards/iso639-2/php/code_list.php
    "KeepLanguages": [
      "eng",
      "afr",
      "chi",
      "ind"
    ],
    // Enable removing of duplicate tracks of the same type and language
    // Priority is given to tracks marked as Default
    // Forced subtitle tracks are prioritized
    // Subtitle tracks containing "SDH" in the title are de-prioritized
    // Audio tracks containing "Commentary" in the title are de-prioritized
    "RemoveDuplicateTracks": true,
    // If no Default audio tracks are found, tracks are prioritized by codec type
    // Use MkvMerge attribute naming, and the `printmediainfo` command to get media info
    "PreferredAudioFormats": [
      "truehd atmos",
      "truehd",
      "dts-hd master audio",
      "dts-hd high resolution audio",
      "dts",
      "e-ac-3",
      "ac-3"
    ],
    // Enable removing of all tags from the media file
    // Track title information is not removed
    "RemoveTags": true,
    // Speedup media re-processing by saving media info and processed state in sidecar files
    "UseSidecarFiles": true,
    // Invalidate sidecar files when tool versions change
    "SidecarUpdateOnToolChange": false,
    // Enable verify
    "Verify": true,
    // Restore media file modified timestamp to original pre-processed value
    "RestoreFileTimestamp": false,
    // List of files to skip during processing
    // Files that previously failed verify or repair will automatically be skipped
    // Non-ascii characters must be JSON escaped, e.g. "Fiancé" into "Fianc\u00e9"
    "FileIgnoreList": [
      "\\\\server\\share1\\path1\\file1.mkv",
      "\\\\server\\share2\\path2\\file2.mkv"
    ]
  },
  // Monitor options
  "MonitorOptions": {
    // Time to wait after detecting a file change
    "MonitorWaitTime": 60,
    // Time to wait between file retry operations
    "FileRetryWaitTime": 5,
    // Number of times to retry a file operation
    "FileRetryCount": 2
  },
  // Verify options
  "VerifyOptions": {
    // Attempt to repair media files that fail verification
    "AutoRepair": true,
    // Delete media files that fail repair
    "DeleteInvalidFiles": false,
    // Add media files that fail verify or repair to the FileIgnoreList setting
    // Not required when using sidecar files
    "RegisterInvalidFiles": false,
    // Minimum required playback duration in seconds
    "MinimumDuration": 300,
    // Time in seconds to verify media streams, 0 will verify entire file
    "VerifyDuration": 0,
    // Time in seconds to find interlaced frames, 0 will process entire file
    "IdetDuration": 0,
    // Maximum bitrate in bits per second, 0 will skip computation
    "MaximumBitrate": 100000000,
    // Skip files older than the minimum file age in days, 0 will process all files
    "MinimumFileAge": 0
  }
}

PlexCleaner --help
Description:
  Utility to optimize media files for Direct Play in Plex, Emby, Jellyfin

Usage:
  PlexCleaner [command] [options]

Options:
  --settingsfile <settingsfile> (REQUIRED)  Path to settings file
  --logfile <logfile>                       Path to log file
  --logappend                               Append to the log file vs. default overwrite
  --parallel                                Enable parallel processing
  --threadcount <threadcount>               Number of threads to use for parallel processing
  --debug                                   Wait for debugger to attach
  --version                                 Show version information
  -?, -h, --help                            Show help and usage information

Commands:
  defaultsettings   Write default values to settings file
  checkfornewtools  Check for and download new tools
  process           Process media files
  monitor           Monitor and process media file changes in folders
  remux             Re-Multiplex media files
  reencode          Re-Encode media files
  deinterlace       Deinterlace media files
  createsidecar     Create new sidecar files
  getsidecarinfo    Print sidecar file attribute information
  gettagmap         Print attribute tag-map created from media files
  getmediainfo      Print media file attribute information
  gettoolinfo       Print tool file attribute information
  removesubtitles   Remove all subtitles

One of the commands must be specified, some commands have more options.
To get more help for a specific command run PlexCleaner <command> --help.
The --settingsfile JSON settings file is required. A default settings file can be created using the defaultsettings command.
The --logfile output is optional, the file will be overwritten unless --logappend is set.

PlexCleaner process --help
Description:
  Process media files

Usage:
  PlexCleaner process [options]

Options:
  --mediafiles <mediafiles> (REQUIRED)      Media file or folder to process, repeat for multiples
  --testsnippets                            Create short video clips, useful during testing
  --testnomodify                            Do not make any modifications, useful during testing
  --reprocess <reprocess>                   Re-process level, 0 = none (default), 1 = metadata, 2 = streams
  --reverify                                Re-verify and repair media in VerifyFailed state
  --settingsfile <settingsfile> (REQUIRED)  Path to settings file
  --logfile <logfile>                       Path to log file
  --logappend                               Append to the log file vs. default overwrite
  --parallel                                Enable parallel processing
  --threadcount <threadcount>               Number of threads to use for parallel processing
  --debug                                   Wait for debugger to attach
  -?, -h, --help                            Show help and usage information

The process command will process the media content using options as defined in the settings file:

• Delete files with extensions not in the KeepExtensions list.
• Re-multiplex containers in the ReMuxExtensions list to MKV container format.
• Remove all tags, titles, thumbnails, and attachments from the media file.
• Set the language to DefaultLanguage for any track with an undefined language.
• If multiple audio tracks of the same language but different encoding formats are present, set the default track based on PreferredAudioFormats.
• Remove tracks with languages not in the KeepLanguages list.
• Remove duplicate tracks, where duplicates are tracks of the same type and language.
• Re-multiplex the media file if required.
• Deinterlace the video track if interlaced.
• Remove EIA-608 Closed Captions from video streams.
• Re-encode video to H.264/5 if video format matches ReEncodeVideo.
• Re-encode audio to AudioEncodeCodec if audio matches the ReEncodeAudioFormats list.
• Verify the media container and stream integrity, if corrupt try to automatically repair, else conditionally delete the file.

The --mediafiles option can include multiple files or directories, e.g. --mediafiles path1 --mediafiles "path with space" --mediafiles file1 --mediafiles file2.
Paths with spaces should be double quoted.

The --reprocess [level] option is used to override sidecar and conditional processing optimization logic.
0: Default behavior, do not do any reprocessing.
1: Re-process metadata operations, e.g. tag detection, closed caption detection, etc.
2: Re-process metadata and stream operations, e.g. deinterlace detection, bitrate calculation, stream verification, etc.

The --reverify option is used to re-verify and repair media files that are in the VerifyFailed state, and by default would be skipped due to processing optimization logic.

Add the --parallel option to process multiple files concurrently. When parallel processing is enabled, the default thread count is half the number of cores, override the thread count using the --threadcount option.

Example:
PlexCleaner --parallel --settingsfile PlexCleaner.json --logfile PlexCleaner.log process --mediafiles "C:\Foo With Space\Test.mkv" --mediafiles D:\Media

The remux command will re-multiplex the media files using MkvMerge.

The reencode command will re-encode the media files using FFmpeg to H.264/5 based on EnableH265Encoder at VideoEncodeQuality for video, and AudioEncodeCodec for audio.

The deinterlace command will deinterlace interlaced media files using HandBrake and the --comb-detect --decomb filters.

The monitor command will watch the specified folders for changes, and process the directories with changes.

Note that the FileSystemWatcher is not always reliable on Linux or NAS Samba shares.
Also note that changes made directly to the underlying filesystem will not trigger when watching the SMB shares, e.g. when a Docker container writes to a mapped volume, the SMB view of that volume will not trigger.

The createsidecar command will create or re-create sidecar files.
All existing state attributes will be deleted.

The gettagmap command will calculate and print attribute mappings between between different media information tools.

The getmediainfo command will print media attribute information.

The gettoolinfo command will print tool attribute information.

The getsidecarinfo command will print sidecar attribute information.

The removesubtitles command will remove all subtitle tracks from the media files.
This is useful when the subtitles are forced and offensive or contain advertising.

• 7-Zip
• MediaInfo
• HandBrake
• MKVToolNix
• FFmpeg
• ISO language codes
• Xml2CSharp
• quicktype
• regex101.com
• HtmlAgilityPack
• Newtonsoft.Json
• System.CommandLine
• Serilog
• Nerdbank.GitVersioning
• Docker Login
• Docker Setup Buildx
• Setup .NET Core SDK
• Build and push Docker images
• Rob Savoury PPA

• Kodi
• JellyFish
• DemoWorld
• MPlayer