I am new to plex as of 12/2/2019 and I like it overall but I can’t stand the audio being transcoded to PCM for all Movies and recorded tv shows. My system is capable to play all digital audio and I will not rest until I can solve this problem or seek another solution to Plex. Unfortunately the advanced configuration help is no help at all since I opened the plexmediaplayer.conf file and none of the settings are available for edit. The settings menu within the Media Player are also of no use because none of the advanced settings are available. I am not ready to mess around in the registry unless I can get . I am upset that I can’t contact a Plex support staff and I am getting written support that is not true or applicable. I hope someone in theForum can help me getting to the advanced audio settings. Thank you.
What device are you watching your content.
The setting you mention are available on the pass through device. Example most TV’s
We need to know what device you are using for playback.
The device you are watching Plex from makes a huge difference in whether those codecs (TrueHD, DTS-HD-MA) can be played back directly.
Unless you are talking about playing back Atmos/DTS:X, PCM will get you the exact same audio quality, the primary difference being that Plex is decoding the audio server-side instead of the receiver decoding it (Spoiler, it all turns to PCM in the end).
But if you are talking Atmos/DTS:X, then you will need to play back on a device that supports those codecs natively (Plex Media Player on PC, or an Nvidia Shield) because I do not believe it is (currently) possible to convert Atmos/DTS:X to PCM.
This Audioholics article does a good job of explaining the differences between the three codecs.
I am using a home build media center pc that I previously used with Windows Media Center. The pc is connected to my Pioneer receiver by optical digital connection and has been working for years without trouble. I would like to use the advanced options in Plex to either use the passthrough or at least set my speakers to 5.1. The sound is just terrible when I record a high definition tv show with dolby digital. It only plays over the 2 main speakers without using the center channel or rear channels. Hope this helps. Thank you
Which app are you using, the new Plex app or Plex Media Player?
I use the newest Plex Media Player for Window 10 64 bit. I became a plex user only a few days ago.
ok, so if you put that in TV Mode and then go to the settings, you should be able to access some audio settings there.
Does that help?
What version of Plex Media Player do you have installed?
Just want to make sure you have Plex Media Player (v2.46) and not Plex for Windows (v1.41.940) because PMP is only accessible through the forms now.
I believe you, but also operate on a strict “trust but verify” train of thought when it comes to troubleshooting 
As what @blim5001 stated, if you have PMP, you will need to put it into TV Mode (button at the top right) in order to see more of the audio settings. PMP is capable of direct playing those audio codecs as long as your machine supports them. I would also try an HDMI connection to your receiver if possible. I think optical should be fine for 5.1, but if you have the ability to test with other connections it could help.
I have Plex for windows 1.4.1.940. I didn’t even know that there was another player. Should I get that one?
I can’t believe it. You guys fixed it. I don’t even know how to use the forum correctly, but I downloaded the Plex Media Player that you recommended, too Blim’s advice changing it to TV Mode and low and behold I was able to do what I wanted to do and it works perfectly. Thank you both for your help. Happy Holidays
You fixed my problem. Thank you very much. Happy Holidays
Glad to help! 
Yeah, they tried to discontinue Plex Media Player in favor of the new player (which is why you can only download PMP from the forums now.) For the exact issue you are having I think it was a bad move. Until the new Mac/Windows players have the same playback capabilities as PMP, I will continue to recommend PMP.
That’s not entirely accurate. Plex made the assumption that the HTPC (Plex Media Player) environment could be adequately replaced with OTT streaming boxes (e.g. Nvidia Shield, Apple TV, etc) and that casual desktop users of Plex Media Player (such as myself) would find the new desktop apps sufficient (mostly true for me).
They were, in a word, wrong about the first 
True. I was speaking from the perspective of the old desktop application (PMP) was being replaced by the new Plex for Mac/Windows application. You are correct that was not the motive behind shuttering PMP.
I’m just glad we could keep a foot in the door for PMP to solve @lglein_verizon_net’s issue. I have high hopes for the future of Plex’s custom player (a modified version of MPV I believe), so that OTT devices can be a more viable option for users with dedicated theater setups.
Thanks again. It’s amazing that the Plex team was not aware that the help section would cause such a problem for a newcomer. I was close to asking for my money back. Right now I still have a problem which represents a minor inconvenience and I am not asking for any help, but it would be nice if the player also contained the tv guide. To record a program I have to switch back to the other player that I downloaded originally,or use my cellphone to pick what I want to record and then go back to the Plex Media Player that you so nicely provided for me and which is also easier to navigate with my old Windows Media Center remote. I hope the people that work on the Plex system are aware of this and work on a cleaner, more professional solution. I am still shocked by the incredible help I got and I am happy that I choose plex over other Media player options. Happy Holidays. Lou
This is the closest you’ll get currently in PMP:
The yellow button is for putting it into the recording schedule.
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