[BUG] Pixel 9 download transcode everything even when download set to orignal

Plex Players Mobile Devices
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Server Version#: 1.41.6.9685
Player Version#:2025.15.0
<If providing server logs please do NOT turn on verbose logging, only debug logging should be enabled>

As stated in the title, on my pixel 9, everything i try to download is transcoding before download. Every codec possible h264, h265… My pixel 9 have support for all these codec so it shouldn’t transcode before downloading.

Pixel 9 May security update. latest app version.

2 Likes
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If you are trying to download “seasons” rather than “episodes”, this post might help confirm a specific bug that has been reported by @BigWheel (thanks). Hope it gets fixed at some point.

Else, I’m sorry not sure how to help.

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No the season download transcode bug is only happening on my iOS device. Here on my pixel 9 all download tries to transcode before downloading it..

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That isn’t great at all.

The only thing I can think to check, are you local or remote? If remote Plex will transcode downloads if they are over any wan quality limits set on the server. Why this is the case I have no idea.

Enabling debug logs and reviewing for the reason Plex is kicking off the transcode could be a great next step.

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I’ll try the debug reviewing later (have to go to work). But Wan or Lan is the same on my Pixel 9 transcoding every download… Just tried now

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Ok found the error, everytime i try to download on my pixel 9 it says on the debug :

  • Audio direct streaming is disabled, so video’s audio stream will be transcoded.

then says :

  • Cannot direct stream audio stream due to profile or setting limitation.

My settings are correct, i’ve checked and everything that “allow direct stream” and download quality to “original”. I’ve tried to uninstall and reinstall the app ..

So i think plex dev have to add pixel 9 profile to not transcode into their profile.. (the audio codec is EAC3 which is supported by the pixel 9 natively)

BTW if i play the file without downloading it, it direct play on my pixel without issue..

1 Like
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v2025.21.0 seems to work kind of? Pixel 9 Pro, Android 16.

Most files download without transcoding.

However, EAC3 JOC and TrueHD (Atmos) files transcode before downloading. The logs state no direct play video profile exists for mkv/hevc/eac3 or mkv/hevc/truehd

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still an issue, even if i upgraded to pixel 10 pro .. EAC3 TRUEHD and some format transcode before downloading.. do you have a workaround ? my old xiaomi tablet doesn’t have this bug !