This article covers how the 3Play Media account system determines and prevents duplicate files from being processed. 

The 3Play Media system has some mechanisms that prevent users from getting billed twice for accidental duplicate uploads. If 3Play Media detects a duplicate upload in an project, the user will be notified by email and the duplicate will be automatically rejected. It is important to note that not all duplicates are detected automatically, so to fully avoid duplicate charges, you should adjust your workflow to ensure duplicate orders are not placed.

Which Files Will Be Considered Duplicates?

Whenever a file is uploaded, our system checks for matches that already exist in the same 3Play Media project. Our system checks each file differently depending on whether there is a Video_ID or not. 

If the file has a Video_ID

Reject files with same Video_ID: If the file has a Video_ID (it was uploaded via an integration, such as YouTube, Vimeo, etc.), our system checks all other files in the same project for the same Video_ID. If our system finds any matching Video_IDs, the file is flagged as a duplicate and rejected.

Pass files with new Video_ID: If the file has a Video_ID that does not match any other Video_IDs in the same 3Play project, the file will continue processing and will not be considered a duplicate. 

If the file does not have a Video_ID

If the file does not have a Video_ID, it will automatically be rejected only if the file name, file duration, and turnaround time are exactly the same as an existing file that is still in your project.

This article explains how you can check if one of your files has a Video_ID.

Exception: FTP uploads

Duplicate files uploaded using the FTP method will not be rejected and the duplicate will be processed with _1  added to the file name. For example, a file uploaded twice using the FTP upload method called myvideo.mov will become myvideo_1.mov.

Exception: Turnaround Time

If the selected turnaround time on the new order is not the same as the turnaround time on the original order, the new order will not be rejected.

Archived Files

Archived files within your project will still be searched by our system when it looks for Video_IDs, names, and duration of existing files. If you wish to upload a file that is currently archived, we recommend changing the name of the archived file and/or removing the Video_ID so it no longer matches the new version you wish to upload. 

If you realize you made this mistake, you can cancel the job before the file state moves from Pending to In Progress.

See more information about canceling a file.