Broken DLNA service since 1.1.4 - when will it be fixed? tons of people have problems.

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
41

Couple things worth mentioning

  1. While media is listed in 1.3.3, associated folder icons are not. The movie frames/etc that are typically seen to the left of the folders of media libraries, were not displayed.

  2. Full logs are attached, but I think there’s an issue with networking component of how DLNA serves media now. For some unknown reason logs complain about not being able to receive data from my router.

Dec 15, 2016 21:06:56.886 [0x7f8b11bff700] DEBUG - Completed: [192.168.1.1:60514] 200 GET /hubs/home/recentlyAdded?type=13 (11 live) TLS GZIP Page 0-16 670ms 1521 bytes (pipelined: 2)


Dec 15, 2016 21:07:16.237 [0x7f8b113fe700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60512 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:07:16.400 [0x7f8b11bff700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60509 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:07:16.413 [0x7f8b113fe700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60511 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:07:16.417 [0x7f8b11bff700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60513 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:07:16.420 [0x7f8b113fe700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60510 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:07:16.887 [0x7f8b11bff700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60514 in time, dropping connection.

==> Plex DLNA Server.log <==
Dec 15, 2016 21:07:26.114 [0x7fa3a53ff700] ERROR - NPT_HttpClient::SendRequest to http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/universal/start?audioBoost=100&directPlay=0&directStream=1&directStreamAudio=1&path=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F568136&session=53b224042c4f422291ac72ed51da3824fb317b71&subtitleSize=100&videoQuality=99&videoResolution=1920x1080&X-Plex-Token=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx failed: -20014
Dec 15, 2016 21:07:26.114 [0x7fa3a53ff700] ERROR - ProcessFileRequest - ProcessObjectRequest returned -20014

HOWEVER, it’s worth noting that when I fall back to 1.1.4, I see similar errors, yet the media plays. Here’s an excerpt from 1.1.4 PMS delivering the same media file via DLNA. I grepped for the router’s IP. It shows the same errors at first, but the media plays fine right afterwards.

Dec 15, 2016 21:14:57.240 [0x7f5cf77fe700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60770 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:14:57.306 [0x7f5cf7fff700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60769 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:14:57.311 [0x7f5cf77fe700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60768 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:14:57.389 [0x7f5cf7fff700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60767 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:14:57.392 [0x7f5cf77fe700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60772 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:14:58.271 [0x7f5cf7fff700] VERBOSE - We didn't receive any data from 192.168.1.1:60771 in time, dropping connection.
Dec 15, 2016 21:14:58.990 [0x7f5cee7ff700] DEBUG - Request: [192.168.1.1:60801 (Subnet)] GET /status/sessions (13 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in Token (ananke)
Dec 15, 2016 21:14:58.992 [0x7f5cf77fe700] DEBUG - Completed: [192.168.1.1:60801] 200 GET /status/sessions (12 live) TLS GZIP 1ms 1907 bytes
Dec 15, 2016 21:15:00.416 [0x7f5cde3fd700] DEBUG - Request: [192.168.1.1:60801 (Subnet)] GET /hubs/home/continueWatching (12 live) TLS Page 0-11 GZIP Signed-in Token (ananke)
Dec 15, 2016 21:15:00.429 [0x7f5ce87fd700] DEBUG - Request: [192.168.1.1:60802 (Subnet)] GET /hubs/home/onDeck (15 live) TLS Page 0-11 GZIP Signed-in Token (ananke)
Dec 15, 2016 21:15:00.438 [0x7f5cf8fff700] DEBUG - Request: [192.168.1.1:60803 (Subnet)] GET /hubs/home/recentlyAdded?type=2 (14 live) TLS Page 0-16 GZIP Signed-in Token (ananke)
Dec 15, 2016 21:15:00.448 [0x7f5ce77fb700] DEBUG - Request: [192.168.1.1:60805 (Subnet)] GET /hubs/home/recentlyAdded?type=8 (13 live) TLS Page 0-16 GZIP Signed-in Token (ananke)
Dec 15, 2016 21:15:00.452 [0x7f5ce6ffa700] DEBUG - Request: [192.168.1.1:60804 (Subnet)] GET /hubs/home/recentlyAdded?type=1 (13 live) TLS Page 0-16 GZIP Signed-in Token (ananke)
Dec 15, 2016 21:15:00.473 [0x7f5cdebfe700] DEBUG - Request: [192.168.1.1:60806 (Subnet)] GET /hubs/home/recentlyAdded?type=1&personal=1 (12 live) TLS Page 0-14 GZIP Signed-in Tok
42

Thanks @ananke

43

@ananke said:
Good news and bad news.

Good news first: media is now showing up as a choice via DLNA. All previously missing media, that I can tell, is now showing up. Yay!

Bad news: vast majority of it is not playing. DLNA client attempts to play, everything looks like it’s going to play, and it eventually times out without showing a single frame.

I’ll collect debug logs from all components, but here’s a sample of non-verbose logs that take place as soon as I attempt to play any of the media in question:

Dec 15, 2016 20:56:06.770 [0x7f6f82bfe700] ERROR - handle_stream_read error 104 Connection reset by peer
Dec 15, 2016 20:56:06.784 [0x7f6f803ff700] ERROR - JobManager: child process killed by signal: 9 (Killed)
^[
==> Plex DLNA Server.log <==
Dec 15, 2016 20:56:36.805 [0x7f8849bfe700] ERROR - NPT_HttpClient::SendRequest to http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/universal/start?audioBoost=100&directPlay=0&directStream=1&directStreamAudio=1&path=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F564052&session=53b224042c4f422291ac72ed51da3824fb317b71&subtitleSize=100&videoQuality=99&videoResolution=1920x1080&X-Plex-Token=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx failed: -20014
Dec 15, 2016 20:56:36.806 [0x7f8849bfe700] ERROR - ProcessFileRequest - ProcessObjectRequest returned -20014

Thank you for your assistance on this matter.

my problem too… :frowning:

44

The new evidence has been referred to the development team

Have you looked into using devices that do have Plex client apps available to use instead of DLNA ? The user experience is much better using an app than the crude DLNA interface ? Using devices such as Roku, Apple TV, etc…

45

@sa2000 said:
The new evidence has been referred to the development team

Have you looked into using devices that do have Plex client apps available to use instead of DLNA ? The user experience is much better using an app than the crude DLNA interface ? Using devices such as Roku, Apple TV, etc…

I appreciate the suggestion; however, DLNA remains the most reliable method for accessing PMS and having quality playback with surround sound. The list of issues could account for its own thread, but here are some of the most common issues:

  • Amazon fire TV stick: choppy playback on previous generation, and months of broken DTS playback (no audio playback whatsoever). Eventually audio got fixed.
  • Amazon fire TV stick, 2nd gen. Video works well, but now DTS audio is broken again. See https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1323706
  • chromecast: only 2.0 audio
  • roku: UI less than stellar. The roku device I have doesn’t do HDMI CEC.
  • apple tv: expensive, not to mention latest generation is the only that has a plex app. It also lacks amazon prime video.

With Plex clients on those platforms, the number of bugs combined with PMS bugs resulted in an experience that was never consistent. I could always count on DLNA, and it always produced great results. Without ability to roll back the clients on those platforms, it’s been a never-ending quest for an inexpensive & reliable platform for Plex+Netflix+Amazon Prime.

I don’t expect DLNA to get better; however, I do count on having a paid product/service to not produce regression bugs that linger for long.

Cheers!

46

and if I may add to the arguments of ananke - in my case I use to old (i.e. >4 years) Sony TVs as clients in the bedrooms.
There is no plex app for them so DLNA is my only choice (unless I want to set up another piece of hardware like a media player which I do not want there).

1 Like
47

@hgewald said:
and if I may add to the arguments of ananke - in my case I use to old (i.e. >4 years) Sony TVs as clients in the bedrooms.
There is no plex app for them so DLNA is my only choice (unless I want to set up another piece of hardware like a media player which I do not want there).

I did not say media players. I mentioned reasonably priced products - such as a roku.

48

Which aren’t available worldwide.

49

thanks robsonsorbal - I live in Germany, no roku here.
And even if - the good thing about DLNA is that you do not need a second pice of hardware for the “old” TVs.
The wife does not like two remote controls…

50

Having the same issue, trying to play a video for my son (education stuffs) and it refuses to work on my playstation 3 (via the dlna server)

51

@remanent said:
Having the same issue, trying to play a video for my son (education stuffs) and it refuses to work on my playstation 3 (via the dlna server)

Any reason for not using the Plex for PlayStation 3 app ?

https://www.plex.tv/apps/tvs-consoles/playstation-3/
http://forums.plex.tv/discussion/139642/plex-for-playstation-3-playstation-4#latest
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/sections/200662443-FAQ-Plex-for-PlayStation

52

@sa2000 , any reason for you not tell us the filename name of the last workings versions, so we can avoid to use the old 1.1.4? Again, we use 1.1.4 just because it’s the only link we have to download.

53

@robsonsobral said:
@sa2000 , any reason for you not tell us the filename name of the last workings versions, so we can avoid to use the old 1.1.4? Again, we use 1.1.4 just because it’s the only link we have to download.

The version released publicly after 1.1.4 was 1.2.5. I believe the issues with the old sony TVs / Blu-Ray was present in the 1.2.5 release.

DLNA is not the recommended way to stream from the Plex Media Server. Plex offers a wide range of apps for devices.

54

DLNA is not the recommended way to stream from the Plex Media Server. Plex offers a wide range of apps for devices.

While Plex has plenty of nice clients, I think that until Plex makes an official move to deprecate DLNA or claim that it’s no longer supported, such statements will only inflame the current mood. I appreciate your assistance in coordinating the bug reports with Plex developers; however, at this point the only productive thing we can do is to focus on getting the issue fixed. With the holidays over, I’m sure all of us are hoping we’ll see some progress on this front.

It’s a regression bug, let’s treat it as such.

Cheers!

55

Same issue here on a Sony Blu-ray player. DLNA is broken on any public Plex release later than 1.1.4. I realize that there are a variety of Plex playing devices available, however, all I have right now is the Sony Blu-ray and Plex’s DLNA is adequate for my needs (and the best DLNA implementation that I have found… until now), and I’m not interested in spending money on a new device to fix what is clearly a regression bug in Plex. I’ll stick with 1.1.4 until this is resolved, I suppose, but let’s please get it some attention.

56

Same issue here. On my LG TV I cannot even see any folders via DLNA. On PlayStation 3 I see folders, but no contents. Also, I cannot make nor PS3 or LG Plex app play anything - they see metadata, but nothing more. I guess their playback capabilities are based on DLNA, right?

57

@copytco said:
Same issue here. On my LG TV I cannot even see any folders via DLNA. On PlayStation 3 I see folders, but no contents. Also, I cannot make nor PS3 or LG Plex app play anything - they see metadata, but nothing more. I guess their playback capabilities are based on DLNA, right?

LG TV is not the same issue. The LG TV uses LG Medialink or Smartshare applications. These are not DLNA and the problem is to do with the added security that came in with version 1.2 of Plex Media Server. The fix for this is to whitelist the IP Address of the LG TV on the Plex Media Server. There are lots of forum posts mentioning this. This is one of them
http://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1270579/#Comment_1270579

If you have any issue with the Plex for PlayStation 3 app, please raise a topic on the forum for that
See http://forums.plex.tv/categories/plex-for-playstation
There should be no reason to use DLNA on the PlayStation as there is a Plex app for both PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4

https://www.plex.tv/apps/tvs-consoles/playstation-3/
http://forums.plex.tv/discussion/139642/plex-for-playstation-3-playstation-4#latest
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/sections/200662443-FAQ-Plex-for-PlayStation

58

@sa2000, indeed putting IP on the list worked. There is another issue - videos are played with a different framerate than on web player or OpenPHT - any way to fix it? I see it, since I have .sub subtitles which are based on frames. My TV is LG 42LA620S.

59

@copytco said:
@sa2000, indeed putting IP on the list worked. There is another issue - videos are played with a different framerate than on web player or OpenPHT - any way to fix it? I see it, since I have .sub subtitles which are based on frames. My TV is LG 42LA620S.

Unrelated and in any case not DLNA

Please raise a topic on the appropriate forum for the client app with media info and Xml and logs and sample files

Can’t easily give you links to support pages as I am on iPhone at the moment / have a look at the support.plex.tv web site

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@sa2000 said:

@copytco said:
@sa2000, indeed putting IP on the list worked. There is another issue - videos are played with a different framerate than on web player or OpenPHT - any way to fix it? I see it, since I have .sub subtitles which are based on frames. My TV is LG 42LA620S.

Unrelated and in any case not DLNA

Why unrelated? DLNA has different framerate and any other app has different (but consistent) framerate.