4k hevc media that was direct playing is now automatically transcoding to 1080p after update

Plex Players Streaming Devices
1

Server Version#: 1.18.6.2368
Player Version#: 7.28.0.15501

I own a Fire TV Cube. Direct play of 4k hevc media is being forced to transcode because it says hevc is not supported. I just watched a 4k movie last night. It direct played with no issues. Update to the app happened today and now it automatically starts transcoding to 1080p. Pretty damn irritating considering half my library is in 4k.

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2

same here.

3

same here!
it worked on my FTV 4K last week no problem
the new update of Plex breaks 4K directplay on my OLED
Please fix this asap.

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If you can provide the logs right after playback starts from the app on your fire TV we we can see why it asked the server to transcode. https://support.plex.tv/articles/201573117-android-android-tv-fire-tv-logs/

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it asked to transcode because the update is busted. it also turns h264 maximum level to 1.0 and complains that you don’t have a game controller. all of this is because of this busted update.

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6

OK can you please when playing something go to the playback info and see what it says for Transcode reason. I’m guessing it says it exceeds allowed bandwidth, even though you actually have home and remote streaming on maximum.

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IMG_0316
IMG_0316908Ă—551 127 KB

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Oh you are also on a Cube? or some other model? sorry missed that part in original post

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I am having the same issue. All 4K HEVC media causing trans-coding. I rolled back the media server software thinking thats where the issue is without any luck. Now that i read this thread i know its not on the server side.

I have no issues streaming 4K through plex app on shield or android tv, only on Amazon 4k fire stick.

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Server Version#: 1.18.6.2368
Player Version#: 7.28.0.15501

11

yup, same device i’m using, same issue

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In the interim I was able to delete the current version of Plex and side load the last version found in the announcements/Android thread. It works perfectly. So it is without a doubt the update that caused this and again I’m betting, per release notes, it has to do with the Live TV 4k transcoding. It is causing all 4k to transcode. Just a guess but that’s the only item listed that has to do with 4k and transcoding. I’ll try to get a log up later. Still pretty damn frustrating I had to jump through hoops to be able to watch my media.

1 Like
13

Having exact the same issues.
Yesterday my 4k HDR10 movie played fine, today the same movie is forced to H264 transcode.
Also having the stupid “No controller connected” error.
Please revert the changes and slow down the update cycle, because the app gets unstable on FireTv more and more.

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14

Can you post link where to download APK or what the last version number was?

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Log file attached.

plex debug.txt (506.7 KB)

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Anyone who wants to roll back to previous version by sideloading this it the link to use https://downloads.plex.tv/Kepler/kepler-armv7a-amazon-stdExo-7.27.1.15203-5c57babb.apk?_ga=2.89431323.1476426152.1581985233-711012544.1570989630

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Hi,I am using a 4K Fire TV stick connected to LG Oled,Having exactly the same problem from last night found a temporary method to play the 4K HDR videos. just manually select the video quality to 1080p and again select the " Play the Original Quality" option ,It will automatically Play the videos on original quality.

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Having the same issue with the latest app update on the 4k Firestick. No matter what settings I try 4k HEVC is being transcoded down to 1080p. It could Direct Play fine in previous versions

1 Like
20

Same issue, I’m using 4K Fire Sticks. I hope a fix is implemented shortly.