Buffering when playing 4K on the LAN network on PS4 Pro

General Discussions
1

So all servers and players are up to date. I run the server on my HTPC connected via LAN and router to a PS4 Pro. Plex app installed on the PS4. Everything plays fine except for large 4K files.

They play fine on the TV connected directly to the HTPC. But if I try and play them with the PS4 they stutter. I hoped upgrading to a PS4 Pro would help, but no. I have the video settings in the Plex app all set to Original quality.

I have tried to follow the instructions to see if my CPU can handle the transcode, but I have been unable to find the information.

PC is running Windows 10, Intel i5 4690 @3.5ghz, 8Gb of Ram.Plex Media Server Logs_2019-04-04_15-36-34.zip (5.3 MB)

I have included the log.

Any help with this gratefully received.

2

TL:DR
Need a client device that does 4K decoding locally like your HTPC to take the load off your server which is too underpowered to keep up.

3

Well thanks for the reply but it makes no sense to me at all, way over my head. If you put that into plain speak for a non techie person that would be great.

So are you saying a need better hardware in my HTPC?

Anyway, the link is proving helpful, thanks

Also, I mentioned transcoding but can I just play it direct ?

4

For 4K you need newer hardware, if you want to fix your HTPC then you need a cpu with a passmark of at least 12000, preferably higher just for one stream or better a modern supported GPU that has the necessary Decoder/Encoder.

5

you might to check @ Plex for PlayStation 4 v2 beta

if the first post is still accurate, then there is currently no HDR support, this means the server will transcode the 4k, and if your server is not powerful enough, you will get buffering.

for full 4k the simplist solution is an nvidia shield + atmos receiver.

6

I don’t use a PS4 for playback myself but one of my library users does. While the PS4 Pro Plex client is capable of playing back 4k content it has two shortcomings:

  • it can’t display HDR content, so you’ll get washed-out colours (as most 4k content is also HDR). The server, however, isn’t doing any transcoding at this point I believe
  • it can direct stream, but not direct play. This means that while no transcoding is going on, PMS has to demux the source files and remux them into a stream that’s compatible with the PS4. This is far less resource intensive than a full transcode but still requires significant CPU power and throughput

I wouldn’t recommend a PS4 (Pro or otherwise) for watching 4k content at present. Get a n Nvidia Shield or a TV with a decent client (I can highly recommend LG sets).

1 Like
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Thanks chaps, thats all really helpful. Im outputting to a projector vi a decent new Atmos amp, no TV.

I now understand whats going on, cheers for the not too techie description. I’ll stick with the PS4 pro for the time being, I’m not too worried about watching 4k anyway, the 1080p stuff looks incredible. Then when the time comes a nice new shiny fast HTPC or a Shield.

The PS4 Pro allows you to play files from an attached HDD, is this also not going to be possible in full HDR 4k?

8

I’ve no idea, that would depend entirely on the software you’re using for playback.

9

Built in Plex app?

10

Pretty sure the PS4 Plex client doesn’t support playback from local storage.

11

Ah ok, will need to be the built in player…which atm will only play 4k in mp4… but hopefully an new update will come soon…

12

hah, with sony I would not count on it, they like to take away features, not add them.

13

yeah, your probably right…settings for 4k Netflix atm

14

Lately Samsung is joining in on the 3 years and dropping support.

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