Yes quite right. I’m keen to hear back from robclarke41 about specifics - bitrate and HDR, model of Xbox, etc
So I was finally able to test this July update on my XBOX ONE X with 4K HDR content. It does have some changes on certain titles. Previously I cannot get the 4K HDR Tomb Raider to play without transcoding for even 1 second but now I can sometimes direct stream it for over 5 mins. It eventually still drops back to transcoding but at a much more random time.
On the other hand, titles like 4K HDR Gladiator still behaves exactly the same. It can direct stream the video normally for 30 seconds than start transcoding.
All in all, the bug is still there with no real improvement at all. At least on my machine.
This issue has been going on for months now and the forum has several threads about it, Plex Devs should put up a ticky thread on this issue and update it at least weekly on the progress that is being done to correct the problem
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This is still a problem for me. Xbox One X. Bought for to sole reason of 4k HDR streaming for PLEX. It sometimes workes for a few minutes to just instantly buffering. I guess a shield is in my future.
Plex is running on a QNAP TVSEC1080 with a wired 1GB network. Xbox is wired. Cache drives etc… I don’t know what else to do to prevent the buffer problem.
Currently, there are only two things that can be done to prevent the buffer problem.
- Ensure the file is direct play only.
- Force a video transcode down to h264 by disabling direct stream support in the app options
Another here to say I bought an Xbox One X for the primary reason of playing my PLEX library in 4K HDR and am quite frustrated by this issue. I’ve enabled/disabled every option available to me in the XB1X PLEX app with no luck. Same issue occurs on most of my HEVC 4K HDR content. ~10 seconds of beautiful smooth playback, a buffering prompt, then backs out to grey for a minute or two. Sometimes it comes back, but then I lose HDR and it buffers every 5 to 10 seconds. Seems like direct play is disabled on that file until I back out and play again from the dashboard. Any acknowledgement from PLEX would go a long way.
Moussa has directly acknowledge that they are working on a fix with Microsoft. What you are seeing is actually the manifestation of two separate issues.
The first issue is the file tries to direct play and select a compatible audio track that isn’t the first audio track. This causes issue with the media player and the media player starts throwing error codes. The app detects that there is a problem and falls back to the safety mode. This is where you hit the second problem which is the infinite buffer loop. Because the server sees that the app can play HEVC it direct streams the HEVC instead of transcoding it to 1080p h264. This is where the 2nd issue is currently being investigated by Moussa with Microsoft.
The easiest way to workaround both issues is to remux the file and put an (e)AC3 or AAC track as the first audio track. This will allow the file to direct play which completely bypasses both issues. The only other problem is if you are using subtitles. You need to ensure that the option is set to Automatic or Image subtitles only and that you are using SRT’s. Other subtitle formats will typically cause the video transcode (But this also bypasses the buffering issue but results in a 1080P video with no HDR)
Why can’t Moussa communicate here on the issue? It would save a lot of frustration to have a sticky thread where the DEVS update it once or twice a week with progress notes on the problem.
Moussa has already stated that he is working with Microsoft to fix the issue, but there hasn’t been anything new he can release information about. Until Microsoft releases a fix he can’t say anything about what they are doing, when they plan to do it, or when they will release it. That type of information would need to come from Microsoft and isn’t something that typically can be released by a 3rd party before they do.
I did add the issue specifically to the known issues with the workarounds to currently get around the problem. Beyond that there isn’t any other information I can add.
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Hi there. Sorry about the situation, I know it’s a pain point for many of you. I have communicated in the forums many times that we’re working on the issue, but I know that information doesn’t always surface. @jmckee has kindly updated the known issues thread to let people we’re aware of the issue and are working on it.
Unfortunately regular updates aren’t very feasible. All I can tell you is ourselves and Microsoft are totally aware of the issue, and we’re in regular communication with them trying to find a solution. We have made progress with some platform bugs that affected some users, but we’re aware that many others are still having issues with 4K HEVC content. We’re working on it.
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Thanks for the info, hope it gets resolved soon, when it worked 4k HDR streaming was pretty awesome on the Xbox One X
Thank you for the update,
Fingers crossed resolved soon, xbox one s to me is the perfect streaming device, 
*100% an Xbox issue tho, test 4 movies on Xbox that had anytime 1-10minutes in will hit a buffer and transcode to 1080p, the same movies, on the same internet using the same cable I removed from Xbox to LG smart Tv, PERFECT, picked up HDR, played direct Play and no lag/buffering through the movie.
Seeing this in action means my files / speed / PMS are perfectly fine it’s just the Xbox app.
Fingers crossed resolved soon
Not sure if the workaround really works. or maybe it partially works. I usually run my video files through MKVToolNix and I remove everything but the video and audio track. I then convert the audio to ac3 640k and when I try to play the video it will play for the most part. So my video only has a video track which is h265 4k and a audio track which is ac3 640k. However, on some higher bitrate files (like 25mbit and higher) the video will play but if you stop and resume the video for later, it will just show buffering forever.
I have a Xbox One S and experiencing non stop buffering… I’m assuming the same issue is on the One S, correct?
Yes, the only version it does not affect is the Xbox One as that device cannot direct stream HEVC.
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So Dev @Moussa
We are all aware you are working with microsoft to get this issue resolved, You got any sort of time line.
We talking Days / Weeks / Months?
Such a shame to have this issue with 4k, when the hardware itself is pretty much the best 4k Media Player out.
More then happy to try any beta’s out if you need testers,
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Come on man. You’ve been around long enough to know that there will be no timeline…
@br3nn88 I don’t have a timeline I’m afraid. The ball is currently in Microsoft’s court so any estimate I give would be nothing more than a guess. I’m hoping for an update from them soon.
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Yea, I was hoping it was more your end 
… Cheeky plex update push out.
But COME ON microsoft, …
I have a lot of UHD i need to watch
Any new update on this issue? Been wanting to watch ready player one 4K forever.
-update-
Just going to use my Win10 media server for now and “cast to device”. At least that works perfectly.
