Server Version#: Version 1.27.1.1571-2fface66
Player Version#:
I have a Mac Mini running a Plex Server. All was good until I upgraded TV and amp. I now have 4k TV and a 4k AMP supporting Dolby Atmos. I downloaded a few Atmos demos and when played from Plex player on the Apple TV, they are downsampled to 7.1 TrueHD (no ATMOS). Is this a limitation of the server (MacMini) or the player (Apple TV)?
I was recommended to use the Nvidia Shield Pro as a server, replacing the Mini (all data stored on a NAS). If I do this is there a way to transfer the server to the Shield? Or is there a way to add the Mini in as extra horsepower?
There is no need to move your Plex server to another platform. The issue is with the client, not the server.
The AppleTV does not support TrueHD + Atmos passthrough due to restrictions put in place by Apple. The restrictions apply to all apps, not just Plex.
The Nvidia Shield is the only Plex client that supports TrueHD + Atmos passthrough and 4K HDR video. If you purchase a Shield, get the Pro model. The non-Pro, “tube,” model has issues with high bit rate media such as 4K HDR video with TrueHD + Atmos audio. Search the forum with “Shield tube” or similar terms to see the reports.
If possible, connect the Shield to the amp, not the TV. HDMI-ARC cannot pass TrueHD audio due to bandwidth restrictions. HDMI-eARC can pass TrueHD audio, but may be blocked by some TV manufacturers (ex: LG blocks dts-HD passthrough).
Lots of info. So in this case, leave the MacMini running the server as is and use the Shield as the streaming device. When setting up Plex on the shield, I would uncheck the server option. Basically, I am using the Shield instead of the Apple TV.
Shield–>OnkyoTX-787–>Sony XBR900H.
This solution seems like the better solution than to moving the server. I have ordered the shield pro and will update this post once installed. Thank you!
FordGuy61, thanks so much for your assistance. Nvidia Shield is setup (as a player, not as a server) and decoding the videos properly. Final question, some of the Atmos demos I have downloaded are 4k. These videos buffer when playing, like you are hitting the pause/play button. Switch/router/cables are all gigabit 1000mbs. Server is the i7/16gb/SSD Mac Mini sourcing the videos from a MyCloud NAS. Would that be the bottleneck? I have a Thunderbolt HD that I could move the videos to and re-source them…or attach a drive to the shield? Pufferfish stumbles. as do some of the other 4k’s
Check the Plex Dashboard during playback, make sure the videos are direct playing.
Is there anything common to the troublesome files? Are they all MKV or m2ts? Are they above a certain bitrate (see Investigate Media Information), etc?
Reading from the NAS should not be a problem, but it wouldn’t hurt to try moving one of the troublesome files to a local drive.
You can also test with the Jellyfish bitrate test files. See how they playback compared to the demo files.
Unfortunately, I cannot download the Demolandia files to test on my system due to Internet issues (using my phone as a hotspot right now). I’ll download & test when service is restored.
Thanks. I have attached 3 screenshots from a few of the files. I will copy them to a HD and try direct playing too with my laptop beside me and dashboard open.
Thanks for the info, truly appreciate the guidance and insight
OK, did some testing. All files play without hiccup from a USB 3 drive with an SSD from the shield using VLC player…ATMOS and all.
Playing it through Plex is a different story. Those same files still stutter. The dashboard, at its peak, showed 124mps, but playing some of the Dolby files (Leviathan) they showed much less but still stuttered (buffered). I have attached some pics. I’m hoping you may be able to shed some light on where the issue may be.
Or would it be prudent to attach a drive directly to the Shield and use it as the server??
The 100 and 140mps versions of the Jellyfish video had a buffering issues too.
Pufferfish from Demolandia buffered every 5 seconds when I played it on my Shield. Pufferfish from The Digital Theater played w/o issue.
The Digital Theater also has several 1080p H.264 demos with TrueHD + Atmos audio.
Regarding the JellyFish files, choose bitrates that are a bit more realistic. I’ve some 4K HDR movies that definitely burst above 100 Mbps, but they average 40 - 80 Mbps.
I think I may have found the culprit. The CAT6 cable that was connected to the Mac mini was only showing 100Mbs. I changed that cable and the network immediately changed to 1Ggbs, see images attached. I tried playing all the demo files and all played without stutter The 140mps Jellyfish also completed with only a short stutter at the beginning. One of the ATMOS demos was playing at 159mbs as shown through the PLEX console and it was fine. Pufferfish played without a burp.
I truly appreciate all the time and effort you have put forth to assist me with this dilemma. I will pay more attention to my cabling purchases moving forward.
Will update you on the outcome. 
The 140mps Jellyfish also completed with only a short stutter at the beginning. One of the ATMOS demos was playing at 159mbs as shown through the PLEX console and it was fine. Pufferfish played without a burp.
