Key concepts

Library and physical folder#

A library is a logical collection with a stable identity, label, media type and access rules. It can connect several physical folders. Changing its display label does not rename your source folders. Adding paths under the same normalized label joins the existing library after review; different labels stay separate.

Metadata and artwork#

Metadata is information such as title, year, synopsis and provider identifiers. Artwork is the associated poster, backdrop or album cover. Online providers are optional; local scanning still indexes files. Lumio keeps its edits in its database rather than writing NFO files into your media folders.

Direct Play, remux and transcode#

Direct Play sends a compatible original stream. Remux/direct streaming changes packaging when possible. Transcoding converts media to a compatible format, consumes server resources and may use a temporary folder. The actual method appears in player diagnostics; a selected preference does not prove hardware acceleration was used.

Queue, playlist and smart shuffle#

A queue is the current temporary playback order. A playlist is a saved collection of items. Direct-song smart shuffle generates a continuing selection when there is no explicit queue or playlist; it does not silently replace an explicit queue. See music and queue management.

Progress and completion#

Music resume positions are private to each account. Continue listening contains positive saved positions below 90%. At 90% or more, the track is removed from that row; a later deliberate partial replay can become resumable again. Starting a track alone is not a durable completion.

Video progress follows the bundled engine's play-state behavior. Do not assume the music-specific 90% row rule changes the server's video settings.