Apple TV always tries to direct play

Plex Players Streaming Devices
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Server Version#: 4.108.0
Player Version#: Don’t know where to find this.

I have a lowly little N95 Alder Lake PC running Debian 12 and Plex in a docker container.

On the whole, it works beautifully. I have HW transcoding working, and the CPU barely ripples when doing so.

My issue is that a lot of my film library is x265/MKV which is not supported on my Apple TV. Again, no issue. It transcodes perfectly. However, whenever I press play on an MKV film, it ALWAYS goes to direct play (checked on the web interface) first. I have to force it to convert from the TV interface, and then it works.

I posted this problem over on Reddit, and someone suggested that the older Apple TVs have a built in software decoder for x265 that Plex mistakes as hardware. This means the server assumes the client can direct play?

If this is the case, is there any work around or a fix waiting in the wings?

Thanks.

2

What Apple TV so you have?
My 1st gen 4K direct plays HEVC MKV.
AppleTV settings are:
Allow direct play on
Use old video player off
Use old audio engine off

If you want to force direct stream then change
Allow direct play off

In AppleTV settings at the bottom in ‘About’ is the app version. Mine is 8.22 (6477)

3

Over the weekend, and just by toggling options on and off again, it suddenly started working!

It’s very weird, but I reckon the reason it fixed itself is because I posted on here! :-p

Thank you very much for your reply. If it does started being odd again, I may reach out.

Pete

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