Media Server Integration Overview
November 22, 2025 · View on GitHub
Youtarr supports integration with multiple media servers, providing rich metadata and organized content for your YouTube video collection.
Supported Media Servers
| Media Server | Integration Type | Metadata Support | Library Refresh | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plex | Full Integration | Embedded MP4 + NFO | Automatic | Setup Guide |
| Kodi | NFO + Artwork | NFO Files | Manual/Scheduled | Setup Guide |
| Jellyfin | NFO + Artwork | NFO Files | Manual/Real-time | Setup Guide |
| Emby | NFO + Artwork | NFO Files + Embedded | Manual/Real-time | Setup Guide |
Quick Comparison
Feature Support
| Feature | Plex | Kodi | Jellyfin | Emby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Library Refresh via Youtarr | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| NFO Metadata | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Embedded MP4 Metadata | ✅ | Partial | ✅ | ✅ |
| Channel Posters | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Metadata Generated by Youtarr
All media servers receive:
- Video Files: MP4 with embedded metadata
- Thumbnails: Video preview images
- NFO Files: XML metadata for each video if enabled in Configuration -> Kodi, Emby and Jellyfin compatibility
- Poster Images: Channel artwork (poster.jpg) if enabled in Configuration -> Kodi, Emby and Jellyfin compatibility
Multi-Library Organization
Youtarr supports organizing content into separate libraries using subfolders:
See YOUTARR_DOWNLOADS_FOLDER_STRUCTURE.md for subfolder structure details.
Benefits of Multiple Libraries
- Access Control: Different permissions per library
- Organization: Easier content discovery
- Customization: Library-specific settings
- Performance: Faster targeted scanning
Setup Process
- Configure channel subfolders in Youtarr (channel settings)
- Create separate media server libraries pointing to each subfolder
- Configure library-specific settings
Configuration in Youtarr
Essential Settings
Navigate to Configuration → Media Server Compatibility:
Although these are not used by Plex, it is recommended to leave these enabled since it provides the best compatibility for all media servers
Disable if you are using Plex-only and want less "clutter" of files
| Setting | Default | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Generate video .nfo files | Enabled | Creates metadata for Kodi/Jellyfin/Emby |
| Copy channel poster.jpg files | Enabled | Adds channel artwork to folders |
Platform-Specific Settings
Plex
- Plex API Key: Required for automatic library refresh
- Library ID: Select your YouTube library
- Server Details: IP address and port
Other Servers
- No specific configuration needed
- Metadata files created automatically
- Point media server to Youtarr download directory
File Structure
See Youtarr Downloads Folder Structure
Metadata Contents
NFO Files Include:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
<title> | Title with channel prefix |
<plot> | Full description of video from YouTube |
<premiered> | Original upload/release date |
<studio> | Channel name |
<credits> | Channel name |
<genre> | YouTube categories |
<tag> | YouTube tags |
<runtime> | Video duration in minutes |
<durationinseconds> | Video duration in seconds |
<uniqueid> | YouTube ID with type="youtube" |
<youtubeid> | YouTube ID |
Embedded MP4 Metadata:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
title | Title with channel prefix |
artist | Channel name |
studio | Channel name |
album | Channel name (for collection grouping) |
keyword | YouTube tags |
description | Full description of video from YouTube |
genre | YouTube Categories |
comment | Link to video on YouTube |
Content Create Date | Original upload/release date |
Quick Start Guides
For New Users
-
Choose Your Media Server:
-
Enable Metadata Generation in Youtarr Configuration
-
Add Channels and let Youtarr download with metadata
-
Configure Media Server following the specific guide
For Existing Users
If you already have downloaded videos:
- Enable metadata generation in Configuration
- New downloads will include metadata
- Existing videos won't be retroactively updated
- Consider deleting and re-downloading if metadata is important
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
| Problem | Solution | Affects |
|---|---|---|
| Metadata not showing | Enable "Local Media Assets" or NFO reader | All |
| Posters missing | Check poster.jpg exists, verify permissions | All |
| Library not updating | Check API key (Plex) or trigger manual scan | Plex |
| Special characters broken | Ensure UTF-8 encoding, update media server | All |
| Duplicate entries | Check for overlapping library paths | All |
Getting Help
- Check the specific media server guide
- Review Troubleshooting Guide
- Check media server logs
- Verify file permissions
Best Practices
General Recommendations
- Plan Your Structure: Decide on organization before adding many channels
- Test First: Start with one channel to verify setup
- Enable Metadata Early: Configure before downloading
- Use Subfolders: Organize content from the start
- Regular Maintenance: Periodically clean and optimize libraries