I just want to post an update on a post I made in the Plex HTPC main feedback thread.
There I mentioned that av1 is not supported or better not whitelisted even if using a different mpv-1.dll with av1 support. The error message also showed no sign of mpv getting the file, playback was aborted before the file could reach the mpv engine. It was suggested trying hwdec=all but this did not help either.
This also applies to PRORES. (also supported with the mpv lib and easily playable on PC hardware)
INFO [MDE] Application decision, directPlay: false, directStreamVideo: false, directStreamAudio: true
INFO Cannot direct play with protocol: http, codec: prores. Not found in profile.
INFO Cannot direct stream with protocol: http, codec: prores. Not found in profile.
Maybe Plex could take a look at it again and whitelist some more codecs?
Or is it possible to edit the profile and whitelist them myself?
EDIT: Plex for Desktop is able to play any codec, also av1, with changed mpv lib. So it is definitely a plex video profile issue and not an mpv one.
EDIT2: Also present with Player Version 1.18
EDIT3: Starting with Version 1.30.1 AV1 playback is now working, with the shipped and/or a changed mpv build.
Would it be possible to apply the same codec profile used for Plex Desktop on Plex HTPC too? Plex for Desktop (with changed mpv lib) just play any file/codec I could throw at it. I mean they share the same playback engine, so why lock Plex HTPC down?
There are a lot other nice codecs out there, and I do think Netflix uses AV1, but I’m sure this is a chore to implement rather than just a button to click to indicate allow. Furthermore, some devices, such as televisions, do not support all codecs, necessitating plex’s transcoding to allow it to be played on the device. I’m confident that future versions will allow for more codecs.
Thanks for having had a look at it!
That’s unfortunate and using the same profile used by Plex for Desktop is also not (easily) possible? I mean everything is working there with a changed lib.
For other platforms like android or apple, this is true as you also described, but we are talking about the PC version here. And that one is customizable (change mpv.dll with a different one that offers more decoding capabilities) and currently, it’s only not working due to a profile “codec whitelisting for direct play” problem, that has nothing to do with the pc hardware underneath. (no transcoding of av1 wanted here - just a simple “allow” - if the codec is not found by the mpv layer just fail - if it finds it just play the file)
EDIT: The thread’s title is somewhat misleading in this regard - I changed it.
And that one is customizable (change mpv.dll with a different one that offers more decoding capabilities) and currently, it’s only not working due to a profile “codec whitelisting for direct play” problem, that has nothing to do with the pc hardware underneath. (no transcoding of av1 wanted here - just a simple “allow” - if the codec is not found by the mpv layer just fail - if it finds it just play the file)