I’m not sure why this is, however I’ve noticed it on the PS3 and PS4.
My PS3 is wireless and my PS4 is wired. For some reason, I get buffering issues on both systems. Logs don’t show anything unusual, and the files are mp4’s.
My Chromecast, Macbook and Android phone can play them all fine wirelessly, but the Playstations seem to be having a few issues.
I know it’s new, so there will be a few bugs to iron out, but was just wondering if anyone else was experiencing this.
My PS4 is about 5 meters from my router and I was having buffering issues even though signal strength was obviously excellent. I changed to a wired setup and it seemed to eliminate the problem. I know what you mean though, my PS3 is upstairs on WiFi and even though an internet connection test shows I can pull down my maximum 50mb/s, buffering takes ages within the Plex app yet videos start almost instantly when played via the DLNA server. Perhaps the Playstation apps loads more of the content than other clients before starting playback?
I have both an Xbox One and PS4, both are wired in to my router, on higher bitrate films I get buffering on my PS4 that I don’t receive on my Xbox One.
Remote playback on the ps4 really is horrific, trying to play a 10Mbps file back from my remote server, buffering every second, really horrid, plays back completely fine on the Xbox One, although the xbox one has an issue with dimming but that is a different issue entirely.
Both my PS3 and PS4 are wired. I’m getting terrible buffering on a 3gb 1080p film. Buffers every 10 secs or so.
I have noticed buffering as well, have not tried on my PS3 yet, but my PS4 is getting some insane buffering, even on lower quality, or older video which is lower bitrate. I've also noticed, while watching simultaneously that the server seems to handle all transcoding for the PS4. Didn't see any options for direct play in there. Not that this is an issue, Server is running on a pretty robust machine. However the PS4 has monster hardware itself, don't see why the server needs to handle all the transcoding here.
Just to bump this: I'm also seeing buffering on my PS4 - but it seems to ONLY be older, smaller files that do this.
To test this I just played a 1080p x264 MKV that played flawlessly - started quickly and no buffering. Next I played an old 420p XviD MP4 and it's buffering every five seconds.
This seems to be related to transcoding on the older file and perhaps codec licensing on the PS4? Even so, with a wired connection (like I have) this shouldn't be happening. It's definitely nothing to do with the connection, since 8Mbps is working fine on newer files while older files that shouldn't require more than 1Mbps are stuttering.
This must be a bug that will hopefully be ironed-out soon. Until then converting the older files seems to be the only option.
Forgive my English,
can not be?
because the plex client for ps3 has the maximum output 720P andthe server has to transcode a 1080p / 480p 720P
so the buffering
Forgive my English,can not be?because the plex client for ps3 has the maximum output 720P andthe server has to transcode a 1080p / 480p a 720Pso the buffering
I have the same problem, but the buffering starts after 50 min. everything is CAT 6 on an 24 GB Switch..
I tried everything but the can't fix it.
I had terrible buffering on the PS4 with plex until i turned off the 'deep color' settings in the PS4 preferences.
It's important to understand that Plex app does not control the playback system.
The best we can do is test it out with as many media types as possible and work with Sony to fix issues. There are about as many different combinations of audio/video settings as there are Plex users.
That stated, I hear you all having trouble. Let's break down buffering problems:
- Network speed
- Network latency
- Buffer size on device
- Selected playback quality
- Transcode speed on server
Network speed is rarely the issue for home networks. Same with network latency. Although on remotely hosted networks we've seen issues getting the bits to the PSX fast enough. This segues into the next bit.
Buffer size on the device and selected playback quality go hand and hand. If you're playing back a 15Mbps file each second of that file takes up more space than a second at a lower quality. Considering that buffer space is a finite number of megabytes (instead of a number of seconds) then you can start to see why it would fill up quickly. The PSX playback system wasn't designed to play direct BD rips or high high bitrate content.
A server which cannot transcode >= realtime will also induce the buffering. You can try reducing quality to reduce time spend transcoding.
So what about the buffering showing up on old low bitrate content? That's a good question. My running assumption is that's a bug in the playback system. I need actionable feedback to recreate the issue and work with Sony to fix.
So what to do?
- Give us actionable feedback. Emotional and/or vague feedback isn't actionable.
- Does the buffering happen only on certain videos?
- Does the buffering happen at a ~consistent position in videos?
- Was the audio stream DTS, AAC, other?
- What codec was the video stream? H264, XViD, other?
- Which playback quality was selected?
- What is the average bitrate of the video? Get this from the Media Information in the Media Manager app.
- Is your server on a NAS or a PC?
Thanks!
Plex on my PS4 is also suffering from constant buffering, I've tried many different videos and the bufferings appears sporadically and not in consistent positions. I've tried the same videos on both my iphone and my ipad which were connected to the same wifi network as my ps4 and had no issues whatsoever so it leads me to believe the issue isn't my server but my ps4 player. Both the PS4 App and the Browser give me issues with the buffering. I don't claim to be an expert on these settings but if someone can assist me or if someone needs more information I will try to get the answers for them.
Plex on my PS4 is also suffering from constant buffering, I've tried many different videos and the bufferings appears sporadically and not in consistent positions. I've tried the same videos on both my iphone and my ipad which were connected to the same wifi network as my ps4 and had no issues whatsoever so it leads me to believe the issue isn't my server but my ps4 player. Both the PS4 App and the Browser give me issues with the buffering. I don't claim to be an expert on these settings but if someone can assist me or if someone needs more information I will try to get the answers for them.
thats wierd my ps4 has never bufferd even when i had it at a friends and watched a movie thru plex streaming it from my pc at home 4mbit upload and the ps4 was on wifi. Maybe its a issue with the pc your using and files not being supported on the ps4 and needing to be transcoded where maybe the iphone/pad have native support.
Should I try converting the files on my PC before streaming? Any suggestions?
So what about the buffering showing up on old low bitrate content? That's a good question. My running assumption is that's a bug in the playback system. I need actionable feedback to recreate the issue and work with Sony to fix.
So what to do?
- Give us actionable feedback. Emotional and/or vague feedback isn't actionable.
- Does the buffering happen only on certain videos? Happens on all my 1080p MKV rips, and some of my 1080p MP4 rips
- Does the buffering happen at a ~consistent position in videos? When it happens, it buffers every 3-4 seconds without fail.
- Was the audio stream DTS, AAC, other? DTS seems to be the default on the ones I've checked that produced the buffering issue. However there is a smattering of AAC in those that buffer
- What codec was the video stream? H264, XViD, other? They are all H264 (including some X264)
- Which playback quality was selected? I think I have it set quite high (12 mbps, but I started out at the default of 2, and still buffered). Also, I have the transcoding option set to "Make my CPU hurt"
- What is the average bitrate of the video? Get this from the Media Information in the Media Manager app. I've seen from 1984kbps up to 15mbps
- Is your server on a NAS or a PC? Its on a PC. It's an older PC, with an AMD Athalon 64 processor (decently old) and a ton of RAM. The CPU has performed admirably prior to the PS4 being introduced, and has been able to transcode to my tablets and other boxes across the house since I implemented it a year ago
Thanks!
Alrighty, here's my answers to your questions about specifics, added to the questions above in red
For background, I got my PS4 at Xmas time, with my Plex setup being in place for about a year prior. Works fine on every device but the PS4.
I've tried changing the settings on both the PS4 itself, inside the PS4 Plex app and on the server, but nothing will stop the buffering issue.
I seem to be experiencing it while playing back the larger files in my collection, namely my BR rips (around 16GB in size). But I'm also getting it on some of my 1080p rips that are only ~1.5GB each as well (rips built to be smaller and slightly worse quality for kids, as they aren't sticklers for supreme quality)
I've seen some references across multiple boards from people saying that its due to the incompatibilities of 1080p, MKV and DTS audio streams.
But again, modifying options to mitigate these factors doesn't make a difference, especially when some of those buffering are MP4 themselves.
Anyone able to offer any help?
Hi Nagarth, thanks for taking the time to compose a meaningful response.
So, the quality at 12Mbps could be an issue. The Mbps we show in the Media Manager is the average Mbps. A file with an average 12Mbps can absolutely peak much higher. When that happens I'm sure the PS3/4 will grimace as it's memory for buffering isn't allocated with high quality in mind.
The stuttering on the lowly ~1.5GB 1080p is odd. Those can't be much higher than 4-8Mbps, yah? If you have time I'd really appreciate some insight into these files specifically. See: https://forums.plex.tv/topic/142670-buffering-got-you-down-read-here/
Hi Nagarth, thanks for taking the time to compose a meaningful response.
So, the quality at 12Mbps could be an issue. The Mbps we show in the Media Manager is the average Mbps. A file with an average 12Mbps can absolutely peak much higher. When that happens I'm sure the PS3/4 will grimace as it's memory for buffering isn't allocated with high quality in mind.
The stuttering on the lowly ~1.5GB 1080p is odd. Those can't be much higher than 4-8Mbps, yah? If you have time I'd really appreciate some insight into these files specifically. See: https://forums.plex.tv/topic/142670-buffering-got-you-down-read-here/
With the 12mbps being too high, do you recommend reducing the quality on the PS4 app, and do so in increments until it works?
And I will take a look at the link, compile some answers tonight or tomorrow, and post it up.
It is definitely weird that smaller files are exhibiting it as well :s
Hi!
I use a Synology RS812+ NAS for PLEX Server and i got the same ISSUE.
It happens on 1080p .mkv files with >5GB filesize Dolby 5.1 or DTS sound.
smaller files or stereo work fine.
I get Bufferring every 2 seconds for about 2 seconde. If i pause the movie its runs longer without buffering.
I also recognice a really high CPU usage from PLEX Server if i use the PLEX APP on PS4.
Unlike other Players on my Laptop or Smartphone. Same files work fine there without high CPU usage on the Server.
My PS4 is Wired 1GBit and the Plex Server is local.
Hi!
I use a Synology RS812+ NAS for PLEX Server and i got the same ISSUE.
It happens on 1080p .mkv files with >5GB filesize Dolby 5.1 or DTS sound.
smaller files or stereo work fine.
I get Bufferring every 2 seconds for about 2 seconde. If i pause the movie its runs longer without buffering.
I also recognice a really high CPU usage from PLEX Server if i use the PLEX APP on PS4.
Unlike other Players on my Laptop or Smartphone. Same files work fine there without high CPU usage on the Server.
My PS4 is Wired 1GBit and the Plex Server is local.
Mkv need to be trancoded so speed of computer or if you just use a nas could be the issue i have a dedicated i7 for plex and never have any buffering even on big blurays.
Mkv need to be trancoded so speed of computer or if you just use a nas could be the issue i have a dedicated i7 for plex and never have any buffering even on big blurays.
Yes, this is definitly the issue!
Is the PS4 not strong enough to transcode it by itself?
Its local .... why there is any need for transcoding?
I bough PLEX only for Watching movies on PS4, but if its not working i will cancel my PLEX Pass.
And why this is working on other devices, like Laptop (PLEX WEB) or Smartphone (PLEX for Android)
The movies also wont play in the PS4 Webbrowser. (it only gernerates a high CPU load on my NAS too)
Hope there can be a solution found ... a PS4 APP that can play the movies direct/local, without need for transcoding from the Server (like dlna).
