What’s the story on 4k direct play? I see that officially, we can direct play 4k, 30fps, 8 bit color. Any plans to broaden this scope for direct play? Most of my 4k video is 24fps 10bit. I’m luck my TV has a direct network play function so I can watch because plex can’t direct play it and transcoding 4k>1080p is a) ugly ad b) crushes my server.
If the TV can DirectPlay it, you’re fine. If transcoding of 4K UHD (10 bit) HEVC to anything, you need a KabyLake or higher processor to deal with it. KabyLake is the first GPU capable of HW decode of 10 bit.
It’s not working. I have an LG 4k set and I can play 4k via it’s smart share software, but plex tries to transcode and my 4th gen i5 can’t handle it.
The following information will be needed.
- XML of the file being played
- Exact model information of the television
- PMS logs (Settings - Server- Help - Download Logs) … the ZIP file it presents you
To obtain the best information:
- Start playback
- Wait for the playback to start on the TV
- Stop playback
- Collect the PMS logs
- Attach the XML and the PMS logs in your next post
@ChuckPA said:
If the TV can DirectPlay it, you’re fine. If transcoding of 4K UHD (10 bit) HEVC to anything, you need a KabyLake or higher processor to deal with it. KabyLake is the first GPU capable of HW decode of 10 bit.
How about AMD Ryzen? It’s a fair bit cheaper than Intel… would it work?
Ryzen does not have Intel Quick Sync Video (QSV).
@syadnom It is because the LG PLEX app transcodes… download yourself XPLAY and watch the magic happen… It will direct play EVERYTHING because your LG can handle all of the codecs. I watch 4K HDR all the time (yes it will even direct play HDR)
@michaelmulvaney said:
@ChuckPA said:
If the TV can DirectPlay it, you’re fine. If transcoding of 4K UHD (10 bit) HEVC to anything, you need a KabyLake or higher processor to deal with it. KabyLake is the first GPU capable of HW decode of 10 bit.How about AMD Ryzen? It’s a fair bit cheaper than Intel… would it work?
@michaelmulvaney said:
@ChuckPA said:
If the TV can DirectPlay it, you’re fine. If transcoding of 4K UHD (10 bit) HEVC to anything, you need a KabyLake or higher processor to deal with it. KabyLake is the first GPU capable of HW decode of 10 bit.How about AMD Ryzen? It’s a fair bit cheaper than Intel… would it work?
Yes, it can software transcode if it’s powerful enough.
@ChuckPA said:
Ryzen does not have Intel Quick Sync Video (QSV).
Doesn’t matter if it’s powerful enough.
True, I’ll give you that. I haven’t tried a Ryzen yet. Is it that much stronger than a i7-6700 @ 3.4?
Ill try Xplay.
From my experience, ryzen isn’t better than intel for video encoding (with handbrake)
HandBrake isn’t a completely fair metric. Handbrake completely decomposes each field/frame and then encodes. It does considerably more work than the transcoder unless set for “Make my CPU hurt”
AMD used to be known for integer math and clean Intel’s clock. I do not know if this is true of the Ryzen machines but hope it still is. Video processing is largely integer math and AMD, if indeed still faster with integers, should be faster
True, I’ll give you that. I haven’t tried a Ryzen yet. Is it that much stronger than a i7-6700 @ 3.4?
Depends on which model… but if you choose the 8 core - 16 thread ones, my guess would be yes.
In light of ThreadRipper, I’m curious what Intel is going to release with their new i9 family. It is GREAT to have AMD back in the game
I’m pretty sure I remember reading that Threadripper can’t use %100 CPU with a single transcode/encode, one has to use multiple instances. Has something to do w/ the way it’s made or some such.
just fyi
@shpankey said:
I’m pretty sure I remember reading that Threadripper can’t use %100 CPU with a single transcode/encode, one has to use multiple instances. Has something to do w/ the way it’s made or some such.just fyi
Might depend on the file itself. VC1 can only use 1 core ATM, but HEVC and h264 can use more, as far as I know. Not sure if there’s a max.
Xplay is a massive improvement. I can play all my hvec 4k content through it. A+++
As for ryzen, my 1600x barely does better in handbrake (note above about it being a bad comparison taken) than my i5-3750 . I do see an improvement in plex transcoding specifically because of core count, but it seems to each about the same cpu% per transcode, but that’s just looking at task manager. The x1600 cannot transcode 4k reliably foe me.
Just thought i’d jump onto this thread. I just purchased a LG OLED55 which can play 4K.
I’ve had the same issues streaming using the LG Plex app, but XPLAY works fine. So clearly it’s an issue with the Plex App end, not hardware etc on the server or TV itself.
I want to continue to play everything through the normal Plex app, and have even considered purchasing a Nvidia Shield connected to my TV, but…my TV SHOULD and DOES play 4K content in MKV format via XPLAY. So whats the word Plex folks? Is it happening? Or not even on the list at the moment.
Cheers
I’ve read that on Threadripper that you have to have multiple instances of encode/decode to reach %100 cpu
shpankey, not sure that applies here. more than plex ‘wants’ to get in the way instead of direct streaming. xplay will let us play certain 4k content because LG’s tv can handle the codec, but plex wants to transcode it. My main plex rig has an i5-2400 which cannot transcode 4k, I have an 1600x but that also cannot but that’s not the point, I don’t want to transcode 4k, I want to direct play it.
I’ve chatted with the App team leader. He’s looking into this now. A similar issue popped up for the Tivo (also the web app) which he’s fixing,
