Plex App Version: Latest stable (Shield TV 2019 Pro v8.2.1)
Plex Server Version: Latest stable (Windows 10 20H2)
I’ve never been able to direct play full 4k resolution videos in the native Plex app on my shield. I can play them fine in Kodi, but in Plex they transcode saying the resolution isn’t supported on my device. These files direct play on my Android phone as well.
It would to know the specs of the video and your TV. The shield can play just about anything you can throw at it so I suspect it is a limitation of the TV. Assuming it is a local TV on your network. Remote is a different story.
I have a Sony X950G that can handle up to 4096x2160p video signals according to it’s specs. I’ve attached an example video’s info:
have you read the whole thread @ Plex, 4k, transcoding, and you ?
if not, I would recommend you do that, and come back with any questions, but all should be answered in the thread.
I checked the mde messages in the server log and it has “media must be transcoded in order to use the hls protocol”. The player reason says the resolution isn’t supported. The server logs say that it tries to remux into an mkv, but that fails as well.
I know this was an issue on the AppleTV 4k where Plex wasn’t recognizing the device support of the full 4k resolution.
hmm, you might want to review these threads to see if there are any common issues/solutions.
I didn’t see anything, but my Sony TV Plex app also can direct play these videos fine so I doubt it’s the issue.
All the log transcode messages I’m seeing indicate the shield can’t playback this type of video at full 4k resolution, which I believe is incorrect.
This definitely appears to be an issue with Plex not recognizing that the Shield can handle 4096x2160p, since h264 videos at that resolution are also transcoding.
I tested on both a Shield tube and Pro and with a 4k and 1080p TV. The only videos that wouldn’t direct play were the full 4k videos.
Just because the shield can handle it does not mean that your TV can. The shield will report back to the plex server what the TV supports. You need to check your specs to see what format are supported. For example It may be that the TV wants h265 for 4K and your sending it at h264.
Like I said earlier, the TV is not the issue. The TVs Plex app (Sony Bravia AndroidTV) directly plays these videos.
I honestly was hoping someone else could test this with their shield before I start uploading logs.
This is still an issue. The transcoding reason is that the Shield Pro doesn’t support a resolution width over 3840p, which is incorrect. It supports up to 4096p.
Are you sure it does?
Perhaps related … Plex previously had a hardcoded limit of 3840 for the ATV and iOS apps, but they lifted that.
I thought the issue was that that artificial limit was still being applied to the shield tv. I figured since Kodi can play it on the shield, it was supported.
My Sony Bravia is at 3840x2160p but direct plays my 4096x2160p videos. I’ve seen nothing online saying it isn’t supported on the shield.
I really don’t know. I’m just looking at specs online. 
But I’m suspicious because Nvidia is explicit about “4K Ultra HD” (which means 3840) and “3840 x 2160p”.
In comparison, Sony specifically mentions support for “4096 x 2160p” HDMI input.
Oh - can you choose any 4096 output resolutions in the Shield, when connected to the Sony?
Edit: This post implies that output support for 4096 exists in the hardware. Several are listed in Display[0] configurations.
I just enabled them in developer options, and changed to one of them, but it seems there is indeed an artificial restriction on Plex as I get the same transcode reason.
It might be worthwhile to create a post over in the Feature Suggestions subforum.
Thanks, I just did
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