Collections Based on Metadata Matching

[KodiUser1138]

Re-scanning Collections from the XML metadata no longer functions outside of the initial library set-up. It was removed (for some functional? reson) with 9.3 or 4 I believe. I used to use it all the time. Now it's basically broken.

JF will update the XML on it's own when the appropriate function is set to run and it isn't only on start-up. General library clean-up functions can do this I believe. If you have media sources offline and this scan occurs, your collections are hooped. Again becaues JF no longer rescans from the XML files as it used to even having a back-up of XMLs won't fix the issue unless you delete and create an entire new library.

As to the OP main request I have long been hoping Collections would allow far more options for gathering entries based on Library Type/Title (and sort title), Director/Actor names and for sure metadata tags. So many issues resolved when being able to use those functions, as well bring back manual XML edit function, and so much less time wasted.

In Kodi I have a custom section which is essentially the Collections (with far fewer selections) and it runs flawlessly through smart playlists where I can set specific tags of directors, as well as using just the movie or TV show title, not the complete file path. Then if I upgrade the format of one entry I don't have to re-add it to any collection so long as the actual title is still the same. It is so easy! I have an entire section for award winners with 10 different awards with umteen multiple different categories. They all work using tags. Not a change I'd try to set that up manually in JF Collections and then hope some update scan doesn't mess up the XMLs.