Server Version#: 1.25.7.5604-980a13e02
Player Version#: 8.30.2.31202 (c9b75f7a)
I have a plex client in a Sony Bravia XR-77A80J Google TV. It sends the audio via hdmi (aearc)to a Marantz-SR5015 system
When I play a video with True-HD audio the server will always transcode it to EAC51. No matter the TV supports the audio format or even if I enable audio passthrough via hdmi in the plex client settings. The trueHD audio will always be transcoded. Other audio formats do not get transcoded.
It also happens that changing the audio track to-from TrueHD makes plex client to restart.
Even if the TV wouldn’t support TRUEHD audio, enabling passthrough should disable transcoding, right? It doesn’t.
By chance do you have enhanced mode for the earc port on the TV and the Receiver enabled? On the sony tv its buried in the settings but you can turn on enhanced mode for each individual port. On the marantz its pretty easy to find under inputs.
only certain ports on my sony allow for enhanced mode but i am not sure that even changes anything for audio (the earc port would be one of them). Also, if the TV itself is the plex client then enhanced mode wouldn’t change anything since the stream isn’t coming in through hdmi. If you are using a chromecast for google TV then that may be effected by enhanced mode.
Assuming your TV is the Plex client as you state, in the plex client settings does it show what audio formats are supported. This can be set manually or auto. If auto it is determining what is available. If TrueHD is listed as supported. Have you checked to make sure the plex client has full bandwidth available for streaming. You can determine what is causing the transcoding when looking at the playback info in the settings while trying to watch the content that is transcoding.
No TV supports passthrough of TrueHD audio from a TV based app. This is a TV manufacturer restriction.
Therefore, Plex has to transcode the audio to a supported format such as EAC3.
If you want 4K HDR video and TrueHD audio, including TrueHD + Atmos, you will need to acquire a Nvidia Shield Pro or Xbox One, preferably connected to the Marantz receiver.
The only two Plex streaming devices that support 4K HDR video and TrueHD/Atmos passthrough are the Shield and the Xbox.
Plex for Windows and Plex HTPC also support TrueHD passthrough. I’m unsure if they output HDR video. There have been several updates since I last tested that capability (early versions tonemapped HDR to SDR).
The reason for connecting the device directly to the receiver instead of the TV is to avoid any TV based complications. Some TVs block passthrough of some audio formats for HDMI connected devices. For example, current LG TVs blocks passthrough of dts audio.
That written, the review at rtings.com says the Sony A80J supports TrueHD/dts audio passthrough for attached devices. So, you may be able to connect a Shield/Xbox/HTPC to the TV if desired.
