what is the best file format to use for Plex on a server that is shared by hundreds of people using a range of different devices?

The most compatible format across devices is a mp4 container, H.264 video (30fps or less, high@4.0 or lower, reference frames 5 or less), and AAC 2.0 audio (320kbps or lower). You can also add AC3 5.1 as a secondary, non-default, audio track for devices that support surround sound. Keep the AC3 bi…

I was told MKV and avi are processor heavy so I’m converting everything to mp4

Mkv is just a container as is mp4. Personally I have 80TB of films and shows and not an mp4 amongst them. There are very few clients that cannot direct play an MKV. But whatever works best for you.

[image] PDD17: I was told MKV and avi are processor heavy so I’m converting everything to mp4 Just as a point of interest (OK two points) avi is a VERY old format and should be avoided at all costs and MKV is just a container and what is inside is what matters. It can contain exactly what @Fo…

@PDD17 To add a bit more to everybody’s comments. There are two parts: The container and the contents. Contents are the most important. If the Plex client does not support the contents, the Plex server will transcode them to a supported format. Video transcoding is especially compute intensive …

[image] FordGuy61: there are still some devices that do not support MKV containers. True Apple devices obviously. I can’t speak for most Apple devices, but TVOS simply muxes the container at about 1% CPU usage. Even that will come to an end with the new improved player that Plex have in bet…

All of my videos are in the M4V format. Can you please explain the difference between MP4 and M4V?

[image] ralexlaptop: All of my videos are in the M4V format. Can you please explain the difference between MP4 and M4V? For Plex, none. You can use either extension w/o issue. I have several hundred movies with the .m4v extension and Plex has no problem playing any of them. For iTunes, it …

[image] ralexlaptop: All of my videos are in the M4V format. Can you please explain the difference between MP4 and M4V? As @FordGuy61 said there is functionally no difference between mp4 and m4v in Plex. That is an advantage for me as I use mp4 for regular videos and m4v for audiobooks that h…

Best file format to use for Plex?

General Discussions

HAT_PLEX_GHOST January 9, 2019, 9:13pm 3

i have all my movies in MKV 1080p with no issues…

Topic		Replies	Views
BEST VIDEO and AUDIO Format for Optimal Performance General Discussions server-synology	8	5079	November 4, 2020
AppleTV 4K > Plex converting MP4 into MKV? Plex Players server-synology , apple-tv	6	128	December 24, 2022
Question regarding MP4 container General Discussions	5	107	July 14, 2022
Best container to use? General Discussions	2	71	January 7, 2020
Plex erkennt keinen mp4-Film Deutsch - German	15	3557	March 22, 2019

Best file format to use for Plex?

Related topics