5.1 FLAC plays fine on Roku Express but not Roku Ultra

Plex Players Streaming Devices
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Server Version#: 1.22.0.4163
Player Version#: Both Express and Ultra 6.7.15.6886-07e5ab0d7

I’m having trouble with playing back any and all FLAC 5.1 files on my Roku Ultra. But then on another TV I have a Roku Express that has no problem at all playing back the same content the Ultra struggles with. The playback on my Ultra setup is best described as choppy and slowed (almost like slow motion) and it’s not the entire time either, it comes and goes but it comes and goes very frequently. On my Express setup, the playback is just fine. The server indicates FLAC (5.1) and Direct Play streaming at 17mbps when playing back the same content on both devices. I have tried everything I can think of, but most definitively to me is the fact that I can simply swap the Ultra out for the Express on the same exact system and it plays fine. So to me that means there’s nothing wrong with the Ultra setup’s optical audio cable, tv’s hardware/software, hdmi cable, you name it. The only thing different is the Roku hooked up. To me this is pretty mind-blowing, considering the $80 Ultra is a much more premium product in Roku’s line of streaming devices, yet the $30 Express is winning at playing back 5.1 FLAC through Plex. Both devices have the same exact Plex app version installed. Incidentally, I also tried to playback the same content on my son’s Roku Ultra LT (light version offered exclusively by Walmart I believe, it’s like $20 cheaper than the standard Ultra and only misses a few features that don’t matter) and it wouldn’t playback the 5.1 FLAC either. Same exact symptoms as my Ultra, stuttering, choppy, “slowed”. I’d really hate to ditch the Ultra and just go with an Express on my main setup just because of this as the Ultra is superior in every other way. Anybody have any ideas?

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I think all my 5.1/7.1 FLAC (I have a lot) gets transcoded on all my Roku (both Ultra and sticks). I have it connected to a receiver, so I would rather get the PCM if I could. Maybe because I have the settings at 20mbps so it transcodes the BR rips on the Ultra? Interesting that the Express can play them.

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I suppose it’s possible that the Express is transcoding them, though as I mentioned, when I check the activity on my server while it’s playing back it says “FLAC (5.1)” and beneath says “Direct Play”. When something is being transcoded it always reflects as such in the Activity section on the server. I actually can’t find much in the way of settings at all for music playback, only video playback settings. I don’t even know how to force a transcode if I wanted to in order to see if that would at least fix the problem (even though ruining the native playback quality).

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Ahh you mean audio only. I only have movies with 5.1 or 7.1 FLAC.

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