Any Thoughts? Can No Longer Stream Any Video Media, Only Music

From Plex Media Server.log:

Mar 22, 2024 12:00:58.047 [140263854893880] DEBUG - [Req#6c794/Transcode] Streaming Resource: Calculated bandwidth of 8810kbps exceeds bandwidth limit. Changing decision parameters provided by client to fit bandwidth limit of 720kbps
...
Mar 22, 2024 12:00:58.057 [140263854893880] DEBUG - [Req#6c794/Transcode] Streaming Resource: Reached Decision id=12259 codes=(General=2000,Neither direct play nor conversion is available. Direct Play=3001,Not enough bandwidth for direct play of this item. Required bandwidth is 8810kbps and only 720kbps is available. Transcode=4002,Not enough CPU for conversion of this item.)

Plex Media Server needed to transcode The Animal Kingdom to get under a bandwidth limit. You’ve video transcoding disabled, so playback failed.

Uncheck Disable Video Stream Transcoding. Your system has a Celeron N5105 CPU and you’ve a Plex Pass. Plex can take advantage of the Intel UHD Graphics and use hardware accelerated transcoding when necessary.

In Settings → Transcoder:

  • Transcoder Quality = Automatic
  • Enable HDR tone mapping = checked
  • Disable video stream transcoding = NOT CHECKED
  • Use hardware acceleration when available = checked
  • Use hardware-accelerated video encoding = checked
  • Hardware Transcoding Device = Intel UHD Graphics (not Auto)

Also, when streaming remotely, the iPhone is connecting via Plex Relay, not via Remote Access. This limits the connection to 2 Mbps (which is why Plex must transcode the video).

If you previously had remote access working, review the configuration and make sure it is still working correctly.

If you’ve not configured remote access, do so if possible. Remote streaming will use more bandwidth and have a higher picture quality.

QUESTION: Are you using a VPN on the QNAP?

The public IP address of the NAS captured in the log files changed several times, which can happen when connecting/disconnecting a VPN. Plex and VPNs do not always play nice together. If using a VPN, it will require additional configuration for Plex Remote Access to work correctly (split tunneling or port fowarding).

Remote Access

Troubleshooting Remote Access

The Basics of Remote Access Troubleshooting