Buffering and stuttering on all devices

[smjanows]

Server Version#: 1.15.1.710
Player Version#: Various

I am running Plex server on a QNAP TS-451+ (QTS 4.3.6.0875). Since the last two Plex releases I have been having issues playing back 1080p/4K MKVs created with Handbrake on all my devices but my PC with Plex client 2.29. I get buffering / stuttering issues on my Samsung 4K TV, Vizio 4K TV, 4k FireTV, and Xbox One X. The NAS is on a gigabit network and playback is DirectPlay - no transcoding. I’ve tried both 4K and 1080p files, all with the same problem. My movies are unwatchable.

I wasn’t sure where to post this since it affects multiple devices, and I don’t know if it’s a server or client issue.

[MwC_Trexx]

You could start by posting Server Debug Logs.

Troubles? Read here to learn how to provide great logs.

[smjanows]

I have noticed that there is something strange going on with the bandwidth being used during the stuttering, so I dug a bit further.

The bandwidth is somewhat high, until it drops to 0, and the movie stops playing. Then I manually fast forward, it sends audio via Direct Stream, and then starts transcoding DTS-HD MA 7.1 to AAC and the bandwidth drops significantly. The above is on a Samsung TV.

The same problem exists on the XBox One X. It appears to be the DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio stream being transcoded to AAC. When I select an AC3 5.1 stream it Direct Plays without transcoding, and there are no issues.

I tried another 4K movie, this time with DTS TRUEHD 7.1 and when I fast forward, it then buffers forever also. Then if I manually bump it forward, it plays again. The audio is also getting transcoded to AAC. This buffering / stuttering did not happen when I watched it a few months ago. So something changed in how the server or client is handling the audio stream as of a few versions ago. The NAS CPU is not being fully utilized (The Plex process maxes near 50% for a few seconds then drops to 2%), so it’s not a lack of power on server end.

Below is when it’s stuck buffering.

Whether I select to use hardware transcoding or not on the server makes no difference.

Watching the same 4K videos on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S8), I have no buffering issues, even though the audio stream is being transcoded from TRUEHD or DTD-HD MA. The difference is that the output is AC3 rather than AAC when the source is TRUEHD. My TV can play an AC3 stream, so why doesn’t it the audio get transcoded to AC3 instead of AAC? The DTS-HD MA 7.1 does not need to be transcoded on the GS8, so again no issues.

Using the Plex Media Player on a PC with an nVidia GTX970 GPU, no issues with anything. Everything is Direct Play. The version from the Windows 10 store is still a steaming pile and will not play 4K without transcoding - not utilizing the GPU, so it basically doesn’t play, or will select a 1080p version by default if one exists.

I’ve also recently had the same buffering / stuttering issues on the 2nd gen 4K FireTV as well as a 4K Vizio TV. The problem is with the audio transcoding.

[MwC_Trexx]

I would say provide the debug server and client logs from your 4k Fire TV. See the link I provided earlier in the thread so we can see what is going on.

[Brettarvo]

I have been having Issues with stuttering and buffering issues as well.

I had no issues up until about 2 updates ago now it stutters quite a bit and is becoming unwatchable. the files i’m playing are standard def (480P).

[swanlee]

This is the exact same issues I have with Plex and my Xbox One X, TrueHD will transcode to AAC and I get audio dropouts and buffering and no bandwidth is being used when it’s buffering.

What changed was Xbox pushed out an OS update for the Xbox that they say fixed the 4k streaming issues but I think all they did was just force TrueHD to transcode to AAC which is causing more problems

[Hizeh]

Have you any resolution to the buffering/stuttering issue? I’m also have this issue with Direct Play to a Vizio P75 TV (using the built-in Plex app).

[smjanows]

Yes, kindo of,

First I downgraded to Plex Server 1.14.x (the latest before 1.15.x). Second, I went into my Plex player app settings and made sure to change everything to Original Quality. For whatever reason things playing over my LAN even were being treated as remote. That solved the issue on most of my devices, except the Vizio. I use my FireTV instead of the Vizio built in app.