Apple TV Video Transcode when Bandwidth Limit & Alternate Version Audio Transcode apply

[speeddemon]

I’ve observed an issue where Apple TV will erroneously force transcoding of video transcode if the following conditions are met:

1. There are multiple versions; i.e. a 2160p HDR and and 1080p SDR version
2. A bandwidth limit is in-place; i.e. 20Mbps, 1080p
3. The non-applicable, higher-resolution version contains an audio format that would theoretically require an audio transcode, i.e. Dolby TrueHD

I think it’s worth mentioning that Plex Direct Plays the same version if it is the only version (instead of being erroneously transcoded).

It is also worth mentioning that Plex Direct Plays the same version if the higher resolution/bitrate version’s audio codec doesn’t require transcode. This makes very little sense given the version that is NOT being selected by the bandwidth profile is affecting the transcode decision. I’m guessing this might be related to the same code that is causing this issue on Android:

Multiple Version and Audio Transcode Issue on Android

I’ve identified a bug with all Android TV clients I have access to (CCwGTV 4K, Fire TV 4K, Sony Google TV, and Android 12 on Pixel 6). The issue presents itself as the file not playing (spinning circle) only when there are two versions of the file and an audio transcode is necessary. The only work around is to MANUALLY select Play Version and manually select the version to Play. @DaveBinM This is the Android Issue I’ve been pinging you about on Discord. Server Version#: 1.31.0.6654 Player Ve…

…I’d also guess that the code related to this bug might also be what’s causing this issue on the Web Client:

Plex Web not Direct Streaming w/ Multiple Versions

If I have a single 2Mbps MKV with the following specs (see below), then Plex will Direct Stream the Audio/Video and Convert from MKV to MP4 with the default 2Mbps Quality Profile (See Image01 below). If I have the same 2Mbps MKV and an additional version (typically higher quality), then Plex will select the same 2Mbps MKV (because of the same 2Mbps Quality Profile) but Transcode the Audio/Video instead of Direct Stream (See Image02 below). It will do this any time there is a version that excee…

The expected behavior would be that the lower resolution/bitrate version that is auto selected by the bandwidth limit would Direct Play if it were capable regardless of the specs/compatibility of alternate/non-applicable versions.

Server Version#: 1.32.4.7195
Player Version#: 8.22

[speeddemon]

Have any Plex Employees been able to investigate this yet? Thanks!

[Xhaka]

Sorry to say it’s extremely unlikely that any have even read your post since the redundancies.

[speeddemon]

@Xhaka

redundancies

Redundancies? Could you clarify? Thanks

[Xhaka]

Sure. Plex made 20-25% of their staff redundant.

If you have ever noticed DaveBinnM who was one of the more active (and helpful) Plex employees on Apple devices he is now no longer a Plex Employee.
One of the Apple TV devs (CHfredrickson) was also made redundant and was one of the few who could actually compile sensible/meaningful release notes.
So if you thought response on Apple devices was bad before then god help us now.

Plex lays off more than 20 percent of its staff

[speeddemon]

This sounds like the opposite of redundant.

[Xhaka]

Perhaps a geographical difference.
In the UK ring layed off and being made redundant is more or less the same thing.

I don’t really see how they are opposites.

Either way. They are no longer Plex employees.

[speeddemon]

@Xhaka

layed off

Don’t you mean being “laid off”? j/k

[Xhaka]

lol.
Call it what you want, spell it how you want.
The state of Plex on Apple devices took a serious downturn… before it was shambolic (verging on non existent).
I have no idea what to call it now.

[SE56]

So sad… I would call it.

[speeddemon]

The Android version getting an excellent update recently that fixed some critical bugs gives me hope though that they also can do this for the Apple TV version.