Overview
Module: Sonarr & Radarr
Activity type: Lesson (Orient → Recall → Learn → Explain → Reflect)
Learning objective: Explain the difference between absolute, season-based, aired, DVD, and metadata-provider episode orderings.
Bloom level: Understand / Apply
Last reviewed: 2025-02-14
Learning objective
Explain the difference between absolute, season-based, aired, DVD, and metadata-provider episode orderings.
Why this matters
Teach administrators how to reconcile anime absolute numbering with season-based metadata, name multi-episode files predictably, and stage changes without exposing the production media library to destructive bulk renames.
Learn
Complete the module reading first:
Feynman teach-back: required
prompt
Explain the workflow to a friend who thinks absolute episode 027 can always be converted by dividing by a season length.
model_explanation
Absolute 027 is only a label in one ordering system. Seasons may have different lengths, and specials or provider decisions can shift later numbers. I first choose the metadata provider and its order, then look up absolute 027 in a mapping table. If that table says it is season 2 episode 3, I can name it S02E03. If one file contains two adjacent mapped episodes, I can use a supported range such as S02E03-E04. The name helps the server associate records with the file, but it does not split the video or guarantee separate resume positions.
self_check
Can the learner explain why arithmetic conversion is unsafe?
Can the learner distinguish an episode identity from a filename format?
Can the learner explain why one file may create multiple metadata records but still have one playback timeline?
Can the learner state why specials require explicit mapping?
Answers save in this browser (localStorage). Completing all five fields is part of the mastery unlock.
Reflection
- What did I learn?
- What did I struggle with?
- How does this connect to earlier classes?