# Bad performance transcoding when playing on samsung TV **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Players\ **Tags:** server-linux, plex-web, smart-tv, samsung-tizen\ **Created:** [August 2, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257 "2023-08-02T18:01:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/1 "2023-08-02T18:01:20Z")
Server Version#: 1.32.5.7349 (on CentOS stream 8) Server Hardware#: intel NUC i5 with vaapi working PlexPass# yes, with hardware transcode enabled. Player Version#: 5.65.2 (on tizen 5.5) Player Version# 4.112.0 (plex web) Problem: Some videos need to be transcoded (specially when image subtitles are selected) and no matter what resolution I set the video, it stops and buffer for 5-10seconds and then resume playing for 30secons and stops again and start buffering again. (imposible to watch a movie this way) At first I just thought the server doesn’t have enoght capacity to encode the videos, so I let it go. But yesterday I was making some test and monitoring the server with htop and nvtop, iotop, iftop (to check cpu, gpu, hard disk and network load to find out where is the bottleneck) I picked up a movie to do the test, a 4k hdr10 , AAC 5.1 audio. and srt subtitle it worked flawesly with direct play on several samsung tvs (pre tizen, tizen 5.5 and newer). but when I choose transcode to 10mbps 1080p the problem of buffering strikes again. I made the exactly same test on my web player (from the [app.plex.tv](http://app.plex.tv) website), on the same local network, same movie, same srt subtitle, same settings (even encoding to 30mbps 4k) and it worked perfectly on each test. So, what the monitoring showed?. When using the web player, very low to non CPU usage, same IOPS, same network, and GPU usage 80-100% when using the player on the TV, the GPU only uses 15-25% of its capacity, and all the CPUs at full. Lucky shot, I disabled the subtitles on the TV player, and it worked just like the web player (perfectly) So I find out the problem. the transcoder are not using hardware when the TV player has subtitles selected (I tried with srt, pgs and ass). But!, there is always a but, as you already guessed by reading this poorly redacted thread, I need subtitles because I don’t speak english and I like the movies with it’s original audio. So finally… my question is, why can’t use hardware trancode when subtitles are selected? and why it works if the subtitle are .srt on the web player but not on the TV player? thank you very much! ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/2 "2023-08-02T18:25:48Z")
Plex is burning the subtitles into the video stream. The video is transcoded using the GPU, but the CPU must be used to add the subtitles into the video stream… The CPU is not powerful enough to perform the task in real time, which is why the video buffers. Plex Web is very limited. It supports SRT, but not other formats. You should use Plex Desktop instead, as it will direct play almost all video/audio/subtitle formats ([documentation](https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/player-apps-platforms/windows-mac-desktop/), [download](https://www.plex.tv/media-server-downloads/#plex-app)). The Plex Smart TV apps (Samsung, LG, etc) are limited by the TV’s capabilities. If the audio and video are direct playing, you should be able to enable PGS or SRT subtitles without needing to transcode (not sure about SSA/ASS). If you are transcoding for any reason, such as an unsupported audio format or to fit under a bandwidth limit, then expect that the subtitle burning may be required. If you cannot avoid subtitle burning on the Samsung, then consider using a different Plex client, such as an Android TV device (Nvidia Shield Pro, Amazon FireStick 4K, etc). Plex Android TV clients direct play PGS & SRT subtitles even if the video or audio is transcoding. ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 6:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/3 "2023-08-02T18:44:35Z")
Wow that was fast answer and very clear. there is a way to use GPU to add the subtitles? thank you FordGuy. ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/4 "2023-08-02T18:58:19Z")
> [@yakko](#): > > there is a way to use GPU to add the subtitles? Unfortunately not. That would be very, very nice. I’ve an LG TV, which has limitations similar to the Samsung. I got tired of fighting with it and purchased a Shield Pro a few years ago. The Shield direct plays everything I throw at it. ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/5 "2023-08-02T19:13:59Z")
I choosed samsung because the plex app works pretty well (I use to have an old LG tv and plex was useless), also I use plex in many places, I have 2 plex servers, but at least 5 TVs, so, getting an android tv device for each one is not very practical. I guess I have to find a mini pc powerful enough to reinstall my plex server. ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/6 "2023-08-02T19:35:53Z")
@yakko This would work for you. You might want to change the SSD before installing Linux but an i7-8xxx is a good CPU. > **[Intel NUC7i7DNH i7-8650U mini PC w/ 32GB RAM, 500gb SSD, Windows 11 Pro | eBay](https://www.ebay.com/itm/166260184359?hash=item26b5e11527:g:hFwAAOSwPW5kyoUe)** > > Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Intel NUC7i7DNH i7-8650U mini PC w/ 32GB RAM, 500gb SSD, Windows 11 Pro at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/7 "2023-08-02T20:05:58Z")
almost twice as mine in the cpu passmark (3950 vs 6295), but far from the recommended by plex - **4K HDR** (50Mbps, 10-bit HEVC) file: **17000 PassMark** score (being transcoded _to_ 10Mbps 1080p) I was looking for a capable mini pc, but I didn’t find any with the recommended performance by plex. maybe I’ll buy that one you recommend and give it a shot. thank you again! ---- edited ---- ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/8 "2023-08-02T21:08:37Z")
> [@yakko](#): > > **4K HDR** (50Mbps, 10-bit HEVC) file: **17000 PassMark** score (being transcoded _to_ 10Mbps 1080p) I am the one who calculated those numbers. 1. 17.000 passmarks is for HEVC HDR in **Software** 2. The i7-8xxx series can push about 750 Mbps (input) for HW transcoding. 3. When dealing with Subtitle burning and audio conversion, yes you do want CPU passmarks. 4. The i7-7700 (a plain KabyLake) can deliver 600 Mbps HW transcode and 3 simultaneous sub-title burning w/ audio conversion. BE CAREFUL of raw passmark numbers. [https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-1340P&id=5237](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-1340P&id=5237) 1. 21138 passmarks is nice – HOWEVER 2. It has 12 cores 3. Speed per core (which is what you need when burning subtitles) 21138 / 12 = 1761 Passmarks. NOT GOOD Now compare with an older i7-7700 [https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-7700+%40+3.60GHz&id=2905](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-7700+%40+3.60GHz&id=2905) - 8657 Passmarks / 4 cores = 2164 Passmarks per core . Works far better. As prime comparison. I have a “honking” Xeon E5-2690 v4 [https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+E5-2690+v4+%40+2.60GHz](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+E5-2690+v4+%40+2.60GHz) 19905 Passmarks / 14 cores = 1421 Passmarks per core This thing is so slow per-core that I **cannot burn subtitles** in real time on 4K media. Idea is \> 2500 passmarks per core w/ HW transcoding. ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 9:23pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/9 "2023-08-02T21:23:03Z")
wow! the level of this forum is off the charts! guys you are the best! I’ll edit my last post to avoid missleading someone who’s looking for capable hardware. ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 2:51am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/10 "2023-09-07T02:51:31Z")
update: I bought the exact same nuc of that link. I’m testing it now and it has the exact same performance issue ☹ with the same instalation (I just migrate the hard drive) and I’m testing the same movie, same tv, same configs. I’m very disappointed. also I bought an android tv device, it’s wonderful! (I can´t believe it costs just 30usd and performs like that!) ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 3:07am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/11 "2023-09-07T03:07:54Z")
> [@yakko](#): > > I bought the exact same nuc of that link. > > I’m testing it now and it has the exact same performance issue ☹ with the same instalation (I just migrate the hard drive) and I’m testing the same movie, same tv, same configs. Logs ? I want to see what is happening because I know it will do the job. 1. Confirm [DEBUG logging](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201643703-reporting-issues-with-plex-media-server/#toc-1) is enabled. SAVE if you make changes 2. Start the playback 3. Let it play for 30 seconds 4. Stop Playback 5. Download the logs ZIP file 6. Attach the ZIP I have this: ```auto root@BabyNUC:~# uname -a Linux BabyNUC 6.1.49-Unraid #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Wed Aug 30 09:42:35 PDT 2023 x86_64 Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-7100U CPU @ 2.40GHz GenuineIntel GNU/Linux root@BabyNUC:~# cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep 'model name' | uniq model name : Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-7100U CPU @ 2.40GHz root@BabyNUC:~# ``` and this: ```auto [chuck@lizum plex.2001]$ cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep 'model name' | uniq model name : Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8809G CPU @ 3.10GHz [chuck@lizum plex.2002]$ ``` and don’t have issues. **IT IS POSSIBLE** you’re experiencing the known regression in PMS with the subtitle fix. If that’s the case, I will give you a version to use. ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 3:51am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/12 "2023-09-07T03:51:06Z")
[Plex Media Server Logs\_2023-09-07\_00-49-18.zip](https://forums.plex.tv/uploads/short-url/1SiCYFdvca9oiwfufPfl0qBX9B0.zip) (574.5 KB) there! I always have my plexmediaserver updated to the last version. (I have versionitis!) ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 4:09am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/13 "2023-09-07T04:09:53Z")
I can see where: 1. Subtitles are in the file 2. It’s going to burn the subtitles (‘not using zero-copy because burning’) 3. HW transcoding is enabled ‘vaapi’ 4. Tonemapping is enabled. ‘mobius’ ```auto Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.899 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode] Starting a transcode session w1a7o9krucgocurc6yob3mla at offset -1.0 (state=3) Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.899 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode] TPU: hardware transcoding: using hardware decode accelerator vaapi Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.899 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode] TPU: hardware transcoding: zero-copy support present Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.899 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode] TPU: hardware transcoding: not using zero-copy because subtitle burning is required Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.899 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode] [Universal] Using local file path instead of URL: /storage/Movies/Ghost.in.the.Shell.2017.4K.HDR.2160p.BDRip Ita Eng x265-NAHOM/Ghost.in.the.Shell.2017.4K.HDR.2160p.BDRip Ita Eng x265-NAHOM.mkv Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.899 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode] Codecs: hardware transcoding: testing API vaapi for device '/dev/dri/renderD128' (UHD Graphics 620) Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.900 [140010733607736] INFO - [Req#4ee1/Transcode] Preparing driver imd for GPU UHD Graphics 620 Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.900 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode/DriverDL/imd] Skipping download; already exists Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.900 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode] TPU: hardware transcoding: final decoder: vaapi, final encoder: vaapi Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.900 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode/JobRunner] Job running: FFMPEG_EXTERNAL_LIBS='/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application\ Support/Plex\ Media\ Server/Codecs/8217c1c-4578-linux-x86_64/' LIBVA_DRIVERS_PATH="/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Cache/va-dri-linux-x86_64" X_PLEX_TOKEN=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder" -codec:0 hevc -hwaccel:0 vaapi -hwaccel_fallback_threshold:0 10 -hwaccel_device:0 vaapi -analyzeduration 20000000 -probesize 20000000 -i "/storage/Movies/Ghost.in.the.Shell.2017.4K.HDR.2160p.BDRip Ita Eng x265-NAHOM/Ghost.in.the.Shell.2017.4K.HDR.2160p.BDRip Ita Eng x265-NAHOM.mkv" -filter_complex "[0:4]scale=3840:2160[0];[0:0][0]overlay[1];[1]scale=w=1920:h=1080:force_divisible_by=4[2];[2]format=p010,tonemap=mobius[3];[3]format=pix_fmts=nv12[4];[4]hwupload[5]" -map "[5]" -codec:0 h264_vaapi -b:0 6754k -maxrate:0 9006k -bufsize:0 18012k -r:0 23.975999999999999 -force_key_frames:0 "expr:gte(t,n_forced*1)" -map 0:8 -metadata:s:1 language=eng -codec:1 copy -copypriorss:1 0 -f dash -seg_duration 1 -dash_segment_type mp4 -init_seg_name 'init-stream$RepresentationID$.m4s' -media_seg_name 'chunk-stream$RepresentationID$-$Number%05d$.m4s' -window_size 5 -delete_removed false -skip_to_segment 1 -time_delta 0.0625 -manifest_name "http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/w1a7o9krucgocurc6yob3mla/b55c9bfa-3949-4eaa-879c-7284f3b1a3e2/manifest?X-Plex-Http-Pipeline=infinite" -avoid_negative_ts disabled -map_metadata -1 -map_chapters -1 dash -start_at_zero -copyts -vsync cfr -init_hw_device vaapi=vaapi:/dev/dri/renderD128 -filter_hw_device vaapi -y -nostats -loglevel quiet -loglevel_plex error -progressurl http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/w1a7o9krucgocurc6yob3mla/b55c9bfa-3949-4eaa-879c-7284f3b1a3e2/progress Sep 07, 2023 00:48:30.900 [140010733607736] DEBUG - [Req#4ee1/Transcode/Jo ``` Is the TV connected by ethernet or WiFi ? (Ethernet is only 100 Mbps. Wifi is usually gigabit) If you wish, try this. > **[plexmediaserver\_1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27\_amd64.deb](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1heNazDM6VX1k0S7HvVkPcjWL0FG66Hi6/view?usp=sharing)** > > Google Drive file. ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 12:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/14 "2023-09-07T12:56:08Z")
1. if the subtitle is in .srt file the behavior is the same. 2. if I disable the subtitle it works flawesly 3. yep, enabled and working 4. also true, and working my tv is connected to a wifi 5ghz with good signal strength speedtest shows 400mbps (to wan) and my PMS is local. I’ll be happy to test anything you send me, but I use CentOS, not debian based. thank you! is this one? [https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27/redhat/plexmediaserver-1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27.x86\_64.rpm](https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27/redhat/plexmediaserver-1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27.x86_64.rpm) ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/15 "2023-09-12T18:04:04Z")
I tried several releases but the behavior is the same. ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 8:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/16 "2023-09-12T20:28:19Z")
> [@yakko](#): > > [https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27/redhat/plexmediaserver-1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27.x86\_64.rpm](https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27/redhat/plexmediaserver-1.31.3.6868-28fc46b27.x86_64.rpm) 1.31.3.6868 is the best one to use. An i7-8xxx is more than enough CPU for this. What else do you have running on the box – or otherwise limiting the CPU from burning ? Is this in a VM ? SRT subtitles are sent as a parallel stream (whether embedded or not). Is the player set to “Always burn”? It should be set to automatic. Even a Samsung can play SRT ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 9:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/17 "2023-09-12T21:12:01Z")
nothing else run on this nuc the sub burning is always set in “auto” ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 2:59am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/18 "2023-09-13T02:59:09Z")
Can you get me a big enough sample of your file to test with ? I am asking because I have an i7-8809G (same GPU as you, plus. an AMD RADEON) ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/19 "2023-09-13T14:31:14Z")
10 minute cut made with: ```auto ffmpeg -ss 00:02:00 -i Ghost.in.the.Shell.2017.4K.HDR.2160p.BDRip\ Ita\ Eng\ x265-NAHOM.mkv -c:a copy -c:v copy -t 00:10:00 out.mkv ``` [https://vizcachas.orangebox.cl/out.mkv](https://vizcachas.orangebox.cl/out.mkv) ---
**Author:** ![yakko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/49beb7/32.png) [@yakko](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yakko)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 5:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257/20 "2023-10-04T17:51:12Z")
there is a way to deactivate the sub burning without deactivating all types of reencode? thanks! [Next page](https://forums.plex.tv/t/bad-performance-transcoding-when-playing-on-samsung-tv/849257.md?page=2)