BUG - Selecting audio track forces subtitles to be played

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

Server Version#: Version 1.14.1.5488

Manually selecting an audio track in the Android TV app, Plex Web, Roku and possibly others automatically enables subtitles.

I encode most of my video files as an MP4 with a stereo AAC track as the first audio track, and a surround AC3 track as the second track. Language tags for both tracks are properly embedded in the file. I also include an external srt file for subtitles.

To replicate this malfunction, you need a video file with two audio tracks and an external srt subtitle file. Before the video plays, manually select an audio track. It can even be the default track already selected. The pre-play screen will now show that the Audio selection has changed to the selected audio track, but annoyingly, the subtitle track has also been enabled.

I’ve re-produced the error dozens of times, so it’s not likely a one time glitch, or user error.

I’ve attached the XML for the same file before and after the audio selection was made. An excerpt from the first XML file, before an audio track selection was made

Stream id="2800269" streamType="2" selected="1" default="1" codec="aac" language="English"
Stream id="2800270" streamType="2" default="1" codec="ac3" language="English"
Stream id="2800271" streamType="3" codec="srt" language="English"

I believe that shows that the stereo AAC track is selected as the audio, and subtitles are not enabled.

This is the XML excerpt after the audio selection was made:

Stream id="2800269" streamType="2" default="1" codec="aac" index="1" language="English"
Stream id="2800270" streamType="2" selected="1" default="1" codec="ac3" language="English"
Stream id="2800271" streamType="3" selected="1" codec="srt" language="English"

Which shows that the selected audio track is now the AC3 audio track, but also indicates that the subtitle track is now enabled.

The video will now apply those settings to all apps, and play the surround audio and display the subtitles. You can, of course, disable the subtitles, by disabling them again in the settings.

I apologize if this has been reported previously - I couldn’t find a result in a search regarding this bug.

Server logs also attached.
XML_Files.zip (3.3 KB)
Plex Media Server Logs_2019-01-15_08-46-58.zip (4.5 MB)

Note: this also affects MKV files that have an embedded srt file within the mkv itself.

2

I’ll also add here, that when you use the Roku app or the PMP app, which seem to automatically select the surround audio track so that you do not need to select it manually, the subtitle is not played. Both of those apps will of course play the subtitle if you have changed the audio selection in another app, because it is now applied by the server, and not an auto-selection.

3

This is kinda intended.
If you change the audio language, the subtitle selection will get reassessed in accordance to the automatic track selection settings in your account.

What are your settings in here: https://app.plex.tv/desktop#!/settings/account (Audio & Subtitle Settings) ?

4

Actually, that was one of the first things I checked when I first noticed the bug a couple of weeks ago.

They are set to
Language: System default
Track Selection: English Audio, English subtitles shown with foreign audio
Searches: Prefer hearing impaired subtitles.

Which I believe is correct.

I’ve never actually used the search thing, because I try to include a subtitles myself, maybe that setting has something to do with it?

In any event, the audio track languages are properly tagged, so subtitles shouldn’t be enabled with the settings I have. All I am doing is switching from an English stereo track to an English surround track. That surely can’t be intended to automatically select the subtitle track, can it?

5

Agreed. This looks like a bug.

Is this restricted to a certain Plex client type or does it happen on several types?

6

I guess I’m saying, I’m not changing the language, just the format (from stereo to surround) And as I mentioned, I don’t even have to change it to the surround track, just manually “re-select” the default stereo track in English, and the subtitles will become enabled.

7

On every app I have - Roku, Android TV, PMP, and Plex Web. Didn’t try the android mobile app, but expecting similar results. :grin:

8

And it only happens with external subtitles, not with embedded ones?

9

No, same thing happens with subtitles embedded in an MKV., without the external srt file

10

I see the same thing.

See attached six second video for a demonstration. I change audio from default dts-HD MA 7.1 to dts 5.1 and Plex automatically enables PGS subtitles. I’m using Plex Media Player on Windows 10. Pardon the video quality. Pointed mobile phone camera at computer monitor to capture the video.

Not shown on video:

If I turn off subtitles then Plex remembers that decision. It does not re-enable subtitles if I keep switching between the two audio tracks.

Remembering choice seems persistent across Plex clients. Once I turn off subtitles, I can choose the second audio track in another client and subtitles will not be automatically enabled.

Demo video (6 sec, 12MB, no audio mp4 from mobile phone)
Peppermint Auto Sub Selection.zip (12.3 MB)

Plex XML
Peppermint.zip (3.9 KB)

MediaInfo
Peppermint.txt (6.3 KB)

11

I’m sorta surprised that no one has noticed this before. It must be a server bug, and this version has been around for almost a month. Maybe previous versions have the same glitch as well

But, I probably wouldn’t have noticed either, if it wasn’t for the Roku update. That was the device I have always used for the last 3 or 4 years. It automatically picks the best audio track for the equipment it’s connected to, so I never actually had to make an audio selection. The “downgrade” to an Android TV device forces me to actually choose an audio track, but has an interface that I prefer. It’s a “lose-lose” situation for me :smile:

12

I noticed it a little over a year ago when I purchased a LG tv.

I never opened a thread because I rarely if ever use the Plex app on the TV. The awkward user interface combined with the hardware limitations make it a no-go for me.

I didn’t know the Roku would auto pick the best audio. It would be great if there was a way to bring that to Android TV clients (my primarily Plex client is a Shield TV).

13

You could vote here, but it’s not very popular. I guess people just prefer manually selecting an audio track.

Another posting, but not a “feature request”

And at least 2 or three others on the forums. The best part about the “auto-selection” that Roku or PMP does, is that you never touch the audio track selection. So, as you move from device to device, it just plays the right track. The big problem, as far as I’m concerned, happens once you select a track. Plex remembers that forever, and applies it to all devices. So you end up with no audio or transcoded audio.

Off topic, but a pet peave of mine.

14

Bumping cause it’s super annoying.

Selecting a surround track instead of the default stereo track should not automatically enable subtitles. Both tracks are properly tagged in my preferred language, my language preferences are set to only show with foreign audio. I can’t even switch to a commentary track if I wanted – I get the full subtitles for the video automatically applied.

The bug affects every device I own, so it must be a server bug.

How 'bout we spend a day fixing this so I don’t cuss at you guys every time I want to watch a movie in surround sound without the extra step of disabling subtitles?

15

Hey @leelynds

Check out the update for PMS.
I wonder if this will help your issue here…

16

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