[BUG] Plex transcoding with subtitles bug on Android TV

Plex Players
1

Testing the latest (and older) server builds (on docker) using Android TV Plex app. The video never starts if burn-in is set to automatic or only for advanced formats. Just shows the orange circle for a very long time.

How to verify and work around the issue:
So, if you have multiple versions of the same media (movie or series). Doesn’t matter what resolution they are. Transcoding will fail and the media never plays if subtitles are enabled. Ensuring there is only 1 version of the media (emptying trash), restarting the app and transcoding with subtitles enabled works.

This is definitely a bug in the Android App as this works just fine ChromeCasting to the same CCWGTV device or using Web Player.

Did this on 5-6 movies that never started when transcoding with subtitles and they all work now.

Server Version#1.40.5.8829:
Player Version#10.19.2.1192 (74c193cc)
Plex Media Server Logs_2024-08-09_17-29-34.zip (14.2 KB)

Ref: Plex transcoding bug on Android & Android TV - Plex Players - Plex Forum

2

Does the media have Dolby Digital Plus (EAC3) audio and is the audio transcoding?

If so, it is a known problem. Workaround is to use Play Version or not select subtitles until after playback starts.

See Multiple Version and Audio Transcode Issue on Android

Problem description: Multiple Version and Audio Transcode Issue on Android - #13 by FordGuy61

Verification that subtitles are involved: Multiple Version and Audio Transcode Issue on Android - #60 by FordGuy61

3

Thank you for providing the links and workaround.

Yes, the audio is EAC3. The workaround works, but is not very intuitive for the rest of the family.

It is also problematic if the user choses to download a subtitle and have Plex use it. Plex gets confused about which version the subtitle belongs to when re-playing the media. Confusing the rest of the family as well.

I’ll chime in on the other topics related to this issue.