AAC unknown

Plex Media Server Metadata & Adding Files
1

Server Version#:
Player Version#:

Hi

I have just had Plex scan in a load of video files. They are all .mp4 files

All the files work if I open them in Windows by browsing to them and clicking on them. I get sound and vision

I can also get sound and vision if I open them in other media players (E.g VLC)

When watching in plex some of the videos have no sound.

Plex reports the Audi track as aac unknown

Is there a way to have the Audio actually play in Plex without having to convert them all ( I wouldn’t know what to convert the files to)

Is there a plug in or something that plex can use to play the audio ?

Why is plex “fussy” about the audio codec seeing as other players just play them?

Any advice gratefully received

Thanks

2

You mean like this?

Screenshot (788)
Screenshot (788)281×292 38 KB

Are there multiple audio languages in these files you’re having trouble with?

Go to settings –> account
And look here

Screenshot (794)
Screenshot (794)756×661 77.4 KB

Also under settings → Languages

Screenshot (795)
Screenshot (795)592×410 49.8 KB

Also tell me under
3 dots next to the library → Manage Library → Edit → Advanced

What do you have selected here?

Screenshot (674)
Screenshot (674)705×522 34.7 KB

3

Hi Jay

Yes, that

Unknown (AAC Stereo)

is exactly what I see for audio

I have changed all the settings to force “English” even though I am pretty sure none of my files are multiple audio tracks.

Restarted the server just in case it needed it

Still have the same problem sadly. Some files just don’t have sound if played within plex for windows.

I should say they DO have sound if I watch the movie on an apple iPhone (I guess coz aac is an apple codec) but of course it’s a bit difficult to watch everything on a little screen

Anything else I can try? Thanks

4

I don’t think this has anything to do with the automatic track selection.

Which Plex client type is used?
Is it by chance Plex for Windows or Plex HTPC? And if so, has HDMI audio passthrough been enabled?

5

Hi

I think I may have found the answer

I dont know about the HDMI passthrough setting, sorry

But…

I am the only user of my database

I have seen that when I am logged into Plex in admin console mode, some videos play with sound and some dont

If I log into plex via the windows plex player app those videos that dont play with sound in console mode now have sound.

Would this be the reason?

Is it something to do maybe with transcoding which maybe different in console mode as opposed to app player mode?

Id prefer to only use console mode to be honest.

Thanks for the help thus far

6

I am not sure what you mean with “console mode”.

7

Sorry. Logged into Plex Server directly on the server as admin where you can change all the setting, configure, add libraries and so on

Regards

8

If I understand correctly, that means the Plex Web app.
Does the issue also occur with this version: https://app.plex.tv ?

9

Hi

I guess I am not using the correct terminology with what apps I am using. Sorry about that.

I shall try to clarify.

** Method 1, On my windows laptop**

By “logging onto the server in admin/console mode” I mean using a web browser to go to the Plex IP server address and logging into it where I have available all the configuration, setting, library setups, scan libraries to add new media etc etc available to me.

I type in http://192.168.1.26:32400/web/index.html#! and can manage, control and watch things from there (but some videos have no audio that plays through plex, but the actual file itself does have audio if I play it in VLC)

Is this the "Plex Web App?

It is when logged on like this trying to watch media often has no audio

Windows laptop Method 2

Also on my windows laptop I think I do have the plex.tv app. (if that is what https://app.plex.tv/desktop/ is).

When I log on this way all media plays with audio, even those media that didnt play audio when accessing the library by the method above but I notice it also has configuration settings, library scanning and other administrative functions as well that I didnt know where there

Method 3, iPhone

On my iphone I have the IOS app and media plays with audio

Should I not be using method 1?

Hope that makes things clearer

10

This is the local web app.

This is the hosted web app.

But still essentially the same app type as above. It just might be a few versions newer than the local web app.

You can, in general use it. But as mentioned above, the local web app is the least capable option. Not only is it several release cycles behind, but it also runs in a web browser (which is not the most capable media platform). It is also loaded over an unencrypted connection, which will make it impossible to use some types of casting or to use online media sources like Tidal or the free TV channels and on-demand streams from plex.tv.

A far better solution on a Windows computer is to download and install a dedicated Plex player. There is “Plex for Windows” (which looks just like the web app, but runs independently of a web browser), and there is “Plex HTPC” which provides an interface more akin to the Plex clients for Smart TVs and Android TV.
Download below.

11

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