# Android TV requests unnecessary transcoding **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussions\ **Created:** [August 1, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408 "2016-08-01T13:23:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jmuffat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jmuffat](https://forums.plex.tv/u/jmuffat)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/1 "2016-08-01T13:23:28Z")
My setup: - _server_: Synology NAS - **DS416** - plex server 0.9.16.3 - _client_: Sony Bravia **43X8305C** - plex client 4.29.1.7 - _media_: **H264** high-profile, **MP4** , 1080p, **AAC**. 5448 Kbps - _network_: gigabit Previously, these files were playing perfectly smoothly. Now, the server tries to transcode, hits 100%CPU use and playback is broken. My most recent change was an reinstalling the PLEX client on the TV, as somehow it had stopped working (would quit during launch, reinstalling fixed that). It is possible that a new version on the server side got installed too, I’m unsure. Transcoding happens, even if I put “_Direct Play_” on Force in the Plex settings on the TV. Not sure what’s going on, this feels like a bug. Any idea ? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![jmuffat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jmuffat](https://forums.plex.tv/u/jmuffat)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/2 "2016-08-01T22:27:29Z")
Two new things I checked: - playing the same video on my iPhone streams from the NAS in “Direct Play” mode - copying the video on a USB key and playing it on the TV works smoothly These two tests show that there is a bug somewhere on the client or the server that leads to transcoding to happen when it isn’t necessary. I have also tried other 1080p streams, some work and some don’t without any clear pattern as of what parameter might cause this. ---
**Author:** ![KarlDag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@KarlDag](https://forums.plex.tv/u/KarlDag)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 12:06pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/3 "2016-08-02T12:06:55Z")
Are you sure you’re not requesting a lower bitrate than your file’s in your client? That would cause transcoding. I’ve been there 😌 ---
**Author:** ![jmuffat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jmuffat](https://forums.plex.tv/u/jmuffat)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/4 "2016-08-25T16:37:20Z")
@KarlDag : I am not sure I understand the question. On the TV, Plex is setup so quality is set to “original” for both local and remote sources, if that’s what you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![rcrocket](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/rcrocket/32/20434_2.png) [@rcrocket](https://forums.plex.tv/u/rcrocket)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/5 "2016-08-25T16:56:19Z")
> @jmuffat said: > @KarlDag : I am not sure I understand the question. > > On the TV, Plex is setup so quality is set to “original” for both local and remote sources, if that’s what you’re talking about. It depends on how you encoded your files, what container their in etc. Here’s a preset of mine I use for both DVD and Blu-ray rips straight out of MakeMKV, it’s a Handbreak preset. This allows for smooth continuous playback while producing good quality files with minimal file sizes. - [filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex](http://www.filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex "filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex") try this if you want and let us know how it works for you. ---
**Author:** ![KarlDag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@KarlDag](https://forums.plex.tv/u/KarlDag)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/6 "2016-08-25T18:13:54Z")
> @jmuffat said: > @KarlDag : I am not sure I understand the question. > > On the TV, Plex is setup so quality is set to “original” for both local and remote sources, if that’s what you’re talking about. Yes, that was it. ---
**Author:** ![MediaHorder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/mediahorder/32/160753_2.png) [@MediaHorder](https://forums.plex.tv/u/MediaHorder)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/7 "2016-08-25T18:25:59Z")
> @prittstick said: > > > @jmuffat said: > > @KarlDag : I am not sure I understand the question. > > > > On the TV, Plex is setup so quality is set to “original” for both local and remote sources, if that’s what you’re talking about. > > It depends on how you encoded your files, what container their in etc. Here’s a preset of mine I use for both DVD and Blu-ray rips straight out of MakeMKV, it’s a Handbreak preset. This allows for smooth continuous playback while producing good quality files with minimal file sizes. - [filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex](http://www.filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex "filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex") try this if you want and let us know how it works for you. The default presets work fine… ---
**Author:** ![rcrocket](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/rcrocket/32/20434_2.png) [@rcrocket](https://forums.plex.tv/u/rcrocket)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/8 "2016-08-27T16:22:28Z")
> @danjames92 said: > > > @prittstick said: > > > > > @jmuffat said: > > > @KarlDag : I am not sure I understand the question. > > > > > > On the TV, Plex is setup so quality is set to “original” for both local and remote sources, if that’s what you’re talking about. > > > > It depends on how you encoded your files, what container their in etc. Here’s a preset of mine I use for both DVD and Blu-ray rips straight out of MakeMKV, it’s a Handbreak preset. This allows for smooth continuous playback while producing good quality files with minimal file sizes. - [filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex](http://www.filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex "filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex") try this if you want and let us know how it works for you. > > The default presets work fine… Yeah 1920x1080 is totally okay for people with limited storage… and many other settings are not fine, and do need changing for some devices no matter what preset you have. So you were saying? ---
**Author:** ![MediaHorder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/mediahorder/32/160753_2.png) [@MediaHorder](https://forums.plex.tv/u/MediaHorder)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/9 "2016-08-27T17:38:45Z")
> @prittstick said: > > > @danjames92 said: > > > > > @prittstick said: > > > > > > > @jmuffat said: > > > > @KarlDag : I am not sure I understand the question. > > > > > > > > On the TV, Plex is setup so quality is set to “original” for both local and remote sources, if that’s what you’re talking about. > > > > > > It depends on how you encoded your files, what container their in etc. Here’s a preset of mine I use for both DVD and Blu-ray rips straight out of MakeMKV, it’s a Handbreak preset. This allows for smooth continuous playback while producing good quality files with minimal file sizes. - [filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex](http://www.filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex "filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex") try this if you want and let us know how it works for you. > > > > The default presets work fine… > > Yeah 1920x1080 is totally okay for people with limited storage… and many other settings are not fine, and do need changing for some devices no matter what preset you have. So you were saying? 1080p is a resolution, not a file size. There are multiple presets available for smaller sizes already in Handbrake… ---
**Author:** ![rcrocket](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/rcrocket/32/20434_2.png) [@rcrocket](https://forums.plex.tv/u/rcrocket)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2016, 4:33am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/10 "2016-08-28T04:33:53Z")
> @danjames92 said: > > > @prittstick said: > > > > > @danjames92 said: > > > > > > > @prittstick said: > > > > > > > > > @jmuffat said: > > > > > @KarlDag : I am not sure I understand the question. > > > > > > > > > > On the TV, Plex is setup so quality is set to “original” for both local and remote sources, if that’s what you’re talking about. > > > > > > > > It depends on how you encoded your files, what container their in etc. Here’s a preset of mine I use for both DVD and Blu-ray rips straight out of MakeMKV, it’s a Handbreak preset. This allows for smooth continuous playback while producing good quality files with minimal file sizes. - [filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex](http://www.filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex "filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex") try this if you want and let us know how it works for you. > > > > > > The default presets work fine… > > > > Yeah 1920x1080 is totally okay for people with limited storage… and many other settings are not fine, and do need changing for some devices no matter what preset you have. So you were saying? > > 1080p is a resolution, not a file size. There are multiple presets available for smaller sizes already in Handbrake… Whatever, man. I prefer to use custom settings, we’re not all the same. ---
**Author:** ![anon18523487](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@anon18523487](https://forums.plex.tv/u/anon18523487)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2016, 6:36am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/11 "2016-08-28T06:36:48Z")
@jmuffat Can you post the XML for a movie that transcodes? ---
**Author:** ![jmuffat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jmuffat](https://forums.plex.tv/u/jmuffat)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/12 "2016-09-16T16:50:55Z")
New experiment : - install plex server on a PC that can transcode fast… - Try same files. - Still fail to play (!) - make handbrake reencode file, works fine. So, I believe the problem is those files, on the TV’s Android client. (iPhone plays the files ok through Plex and TV plays the files ok if on USB key). I have now reverted to using the Synology server, and am going through the extra reencoding step for now. The files are M4V’s bought from iTunes and DRM-stripped with NoteBurner. Here is the XML for one file: ---
**Author:** ![jmuffat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jmuffat](https://forums.plex.tv/u/jmuffat)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/13 "2016-09-16T16:56:08Z")
XML in attached file ---
**Author:** ![MediaHorder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/mediahorder/32/160753_2.png) [@MediaHorder](https://forums.plex.tv/u/MediaHorder)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/14 "2016-09-16T17:07:37Z")
I think the android app is hardcoded to downconvert anything above 640kbps AAC personally (complete guess I might add). I’ve seen files that should direct play get transcoded. ---
**Author:** ![anon18523487](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@anon18523487](https://forums.plex.tv/u/anon18523487)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/15 "2016-09-16T17:12:33Z")
^^ There is an AAC limit, but the file is only 125 Kbps so that’s not the problem. There is nothing in the XML I see that would cause the transcode. You’ll need to provide the PMS log showing the start of the playback attempt. ---
**Author:** ![MediaHorder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/mediahorder/32/160753_2.png) [@MediaHorder](https://forums.plex.tv/u/MediaHorder)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/16 "2016-09-16T17:43:05Z")
> @MovieFan.Plex said: > ^^ There is an AAC limit, but the file is only 125 Kbps so that’s not the problem. There is nothing in the XML I see that would cause the transcode. You’ll need to provide the [PMS log](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250417-plex-media-server-log-files/) showing the start of the playback attempt. Can you confirm what the limits are for the various codecs? Would be useful information to have. It’s confusing because he says 5448kbps in the op. ---
**Author:** ![MediaHorder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/mediahorder/32/160753_2.png) [@MediaHorder](https://forums.plex.tv/u/MediaHorder)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/17 "2016-09-16T17:44:25Z")
> @rcrocket said: > > > @danjames92 said: > > > > > @prittstick said: > > > > > > > @danjames92 said: > > > > > > > > > @prittstick said: > > > > > > > > > > > @jmuffat said: > > > > > > @KarlDag : I am not sure I understand the question. > > > > > > > > > > > > On the TV, Plex is setup so quality is set to “original” for both local and remote sources, if that’s what you’re talking about. > > > > > > > > > > It depends on how you encoded your files, what container their in etc. Here’s a preset of mine I use for both DVD and Blu-ray rips straight out of MakeMKV, it’s a Handbreak preset. This allows for smooth continuous playback while producing good quality files with minimal file sizes. - [filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex](http://www.filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex "filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex") try this if you want and let us know how it works for you. > > > > > > > > The default presets work fine… > > > > > > Yeah 1920x1080 is totally okay for people with limited storage… and many other settings are not fine, and do need changing for some devices no matter what preset you have. So you were saying? > > > > 1080p is a resolution, not a file size. There are multiple presets available for smaller sizes already in Handbrake… > > Whatever, man. I prefer to use custom settings, we’re not all the same. No you are a special snowflake. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![anon18523487](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@anon18523487](https://forums.plex.tv/u/anon18523487)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2016, 8:04pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/18 "2016-09-16T20:04:06Z")
> @danjames92 said: > Can you confirm what the limits are for the various codecs? Would be useful information to have. > I take this back. Plex does not have any limits. There are inherent codec limits and some limits placed when transcoding so you don’t end up violating the codec limits in the destination stream, but under normal circumstances, the bitrate of an audio stream should be valid and should not be triggering a transcode. > It’s confusing because he says 5448kbps in the op. > I believe the 5448 is for the entire file. At least that’s according to the XML provided. ---
**Author:** ![jmuffat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jmuffat](https://forums.plex.tv/u/jmuffat)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2016, 11:17am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/19 "2016-09-17T11:17:16Z")
I’m not sure anymore that it is actually a transcode problem. I thought this because when running PMS on the NAS, I got “server not powerful enough” messages. If it was the case, then running PMS on the PC would have “worked” : transcoding would have happened fast enough. But playback didn’t happen and, watching the PC’s CPU/GPU use, there was nothing special happening there. I reckon the AndroidTV client gets confused (especially because same file plays perfectly from USB). Possibly some quirky data in files produced by NoteBurner ? ---
**Author:** ![rcrocket](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/rcrocket/32/20434_2.png) [@rcrocket](https://forums.plex.tv/u/rcrocket)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2016, 6:01am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408/20 "2016-09-19T06:01:14Z")
> @danjames92 said: > > > @rcrocket said: > > > > > @danjames92 said: > > > > > > > @prittstick said: > > > > > > > > > @danjames92 said: > > > > > > > > > > > @prittstick said: > > > > > > > > > > > > > @jmuffat said: > > > > > > > @KarlDag : I am not sure I understand the question. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On the TV, Plex is setup so quality is set to “original” for both local and remote sources, if that’s what you’re talking about. > > > > > > > > > > > > It depends on how you encoded your files, what container their in etc. Here’s a preset of mine I use for both DVD and Blu-ray rips straight out of MakeMKV, it’s a Handbreak preset. This allows for smooth continuous playback while producing good quality files with minimal file sizes. - [filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex](http://www.filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex "filedropper.com/720pdirectplay-plex") try this if you want and let us know how it works for you. > > > > > > > > > > The default presets work fine… > > > > > > > > Yeah 1920x1080 is totally okay for people with limited storage… and many other settings are not fine, and do need changing for some devices no matter what preset you have. So you were saying? > > > > > > 1080p is a resolution, not a file size. There are multiple presets available for smaller sizes already in Handbrake… > > > > Whatever, man. I prefer to use custom settings, we’re not all the same. > > No you are a special snowflake. 😉 Insults aside. You tried to convince me multiple times that default presets are good enough, and I will agree with you. However… I add filters, custom subtitles, audio tracks etc and tend to crop certain media, in return, becomes a custom preset. Having said that, default presets work for most people, like yourself. 🙂 [Next page](https://forums.plex.tv/t/android-tv-requests-unnecessary-transcoding/153408.md?page=2)