I am not sure whether this is a problem specific to PlexConnect or the Apple TV 3 in general.
I am converting all my movies and TV shows with the same Handbrake settings based on its Apple TV 2 profile, so there are no differences in the media files I am playing through PlexConnect. The PMS is version 0.9.9.0 on Ubuntu Server 12.04 and there is an Ethernet connection between the Apple TV and the server. I am using the digital audio output on the Apple TV rather than patching it through my tv set. So much for my setup.
The problem is that when I play certain TV show episodes, the audio lags noticeably behind the video. For other episodes and movies, it works just fine. Has anyone encountered this problem - meaning, is it common or do I have to look for the error in my setup somewhere? I have tried different variations of Direct Play, transcoding and subtitle rendering by iOS and the media server, but all of them have the same problem. The episodes and movies showing that problem work just fine when I watch them through Plex on my iPad or Plex Home Theater on my Mac.
Thank you in advance, I appreciate any ideas you might have!
It is very likely specific to your setup (PlexConnect uses the inbuilt ios media player), although if you are using a receiver you sometimes have to adjust the audio delay on it.
Do you get the same issue when using other Plex clients eg desktop/ios/android?
It is more likely that it is due to the conversion that you have been doing on your files.
Is you PMS powerful enough to remux/transcode, if so dont bother converting them.
If you have to convert them:
Using handbrake you are losing quality and it takes a long time. Try using iFlicks (v1 is apparently cheaper and more reliable than v2 at the moment from what i have heard - v2 is pretty new) or subler to remux the files to an ATV compatible format.
iFlicks will also do them i batches and metadata tag the file - it takes about 4-5 mins a movie.
Using handbrake you are losing quality and it takes a long time. Try using iFlicks (v1 is apparently cheaper and more reliable than v2 at the moment from what i have heard - v2 is pretty new) or subler to remux the files to an ATV compatible format.
iFlicks will also do them i batches and metadata tag the file - it takes about 4-5 mins a movie.
I used HB and everything plays just fine on my ATV 2 & 3. You’ve played the files on other devices, and they’re fine? So, look at what’s different here - PlexConnect and the ATV. I know this is the PlexConnect forum, but the first thing to do is take Plex out of the equation. Since you’re using iTunes-compatible files, load them into iTunes and play them on the ATV using Home Sharing. If that works, it’s a Plex issue. If it doesn’t, it’s something between the ATV and your receiver.
thank you very much for your answers and ideas. I found out where the problem lies now - it's neither PlexConnect or the way I encode them (I know the Handbrake solution takes very long, but I've been doing it like that for quite a while now and I'm very happy with the Handbrake encoding preset I came up with over the years). The files have always played fine via Plex on my iPad and on my MacBook via Plex Home Theater. The problem is obviously that the digital audio output of the Apple TV creates a (variable) delay when you play the files. As soon as I used the speakers built into my TV set (i.e., the audio through the HDMI connection) the lag disappeared. Not the best solution since my surround speaker system is unused, but it's a lot better than having a lag in the TV shows and movies...
So, problem solved, I suppose - it's neither PlexConnect's nor Plex' fault, but something might be off with the Apple TV or my speaker system.
Is the video output set on auto (not sure if forcing eg 60hz will solve it but worth trying). Have you tried passing the sound from your TV to you setup?
Just curious, If you run the hdmi to the tv from the aTV then use your tv’s optical output (if it has one) to your av receiver does it produce the same audio lag issue?
That was my next step, yes - I passed the HDMI audio through the optical output of my TV to my speakers and it did not produce any lag. So it really seems to be an issue with the Apple TV itself.
That was my next step, yes - I passed the HDMI audio through the optical output of my TV to my speakers and it did not produce any lag. So it really seems to be an issue with the Apple TV itself.
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