2025.30 still transcodes everything on AppleTV (other apps direct play)

Plex Players Plex Experience Preview
1

Hi,

For the entire time I have been testing it, the New Experience app has transcoded everything where the ‘old/current’ app has “direct played”.

I have also tested other apps (to prove out my AppleTV as the issue) which all also direct play (obvs I’m using the same video each time - they are .mp4).
App Direct Play
Plex :white_check_mark:
Plex N.E. :cross_mark:
Genus :white_check_mark:
VidHub :white_check_mark:

New Experience:

IMG_0643.PNG
IMG_0643.PNG2360×1640 179 KB

Old/current Plex app:

IMG_0649.PNG
IMG_0649.PNG1640×2360 223 KB

I can see that the new App is using a higher bandwidth, but the video is exactly the same for both.

I realise that not everyone has this issue, but it is 100% for me.

Is it still the goal for the new Plex Experience to direct play everything the current app can direct play before release?

[edit: corrected the 2nd screenshot]

2

I think you may have posted the same screenshot twice :slight_smile: .

3

Thanks for that! …corrected.

4

@Atomatth Can you confirm this issue and that you guys intend to resolve it before ‘launch’? …I totally understand no timelines etc but this has been there since day 1 for me.

Thanks!

Edit: This problem still exists on 2026.2.0

5

Would you mind sharing the file with me?

6

no problem …but it’s every single .mp4 in my entire library…

edit: how can I send one to you (and thanks for replying)?

7

https://support.plex.tv/articles/201035968-generating-sample-files-from-media/ – I’ve used these instructions to generate a short test file in the past. Might work here.

If it’s too big to attach I’ve used dropbox or iCloud or other file hosting sharing links (then kill the link once they have it - it’s minimal risk as it’s just a video file).

8

Thanks, I’ll do this tomorrow.

9

Out of curiosity, do you see the same behavior if you disable subtitles?

10

I’ll check and get back to you…

edit: it transcodes with or without subtitles.

11

Hi @morganj will you please allow me to message you so I can send a link to the file. I have been unable to create a sample (I’m on MacOS but the Plex instructions using dd results in an unplayable file) so the link will be to the whole episode.

Thanks!

12

Hi, I can not reproduce your issue. Which model ATV, if I remember correctly it’s an older model.

cheers

13

Hi @SE56 - hope all’s well with you and thanks for replying.

It’s a 2018 AppleTV HD.

Maybe the new app simply isn’t fully compatible with the HD??

14

It seems in your case, an issue. Enjoy Lincoln Lawyer, Micky will be ok…:smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

15

hahaha - I’ve finished season 4 now!

16

Nail hit on the head here. Currently direct play is not supported on the HD due to performance issues we ran into. There are plans to take another look but no ETA at the moment unfortunately.

17

Just curious - is that because New Experience is using a different player?

18

Thanks for the feedback, @morganj

19

Yes it is, there was a custom build in Test Flight a while back that used this player in the current app but it was only a trial build.