Cannot Direct Play on Google TV

[scholl2512]

Server Version#: 1.32.8.7639
Player Version#: 10.5.0.4996

Hello - You’ll have to go easy on me as I’m still learning my way around a new Plex server. I have a dedicated server on a PC that’s more than powerful enough to handle everything. I’m running all Google TV’s in my house. I’ve put quite a few hours of troubleshooting into this but cannot find a solution.

95% of my library plays just fine, but there are a few random items that started not playing several weeks ago. They seem to have no common denominator (ex: only season 5 of The Office will not play, only the 1st Fast & Furious movie out of 9, etc.). All ripped at different times.
When I try to play any of these nonworking titles on either my server, a web browser or on the Google TV client, it spins for a while and gives me “an error occurred…” message. Same result anywhere.

I tried deleting the codecs folder, deleting these specific items/putting them back, changing settings - nothing seems to work. The only progress I have made is that when I unselect “Direct Play” on a web browser, it will transcode and play on a PC. However, I want to use Direct Play and I don’t see that even being an option on the Google TVs. Any help is much appreciated.

[McWanke]

Hi @scholl2512 ! Quick question - have you checked the formats and encodings on the files that aren’t direct playing to see if they are different than your other files? Occasionally I have seen an encoding that doesn’t play nicely somewhere. If you need help here there is a great free tool called MediaInfo that can be used to display the audio and video codecs used in encoding the file.

You could also try using the Optimize function which will attempt to re-encode whatever isn’t working into a format that will play a bit nicer between your server and client. More info here: https://support.plex.tv/articles/213095317-creating-optimized-versions/

[scholl2512]

Hi @McWanke - thanks for the quick response! So you’re right, the files that will not play are all VC1 files (don’t know how I missed that). The MediaInfo tool was helpful.

Do you have a recommendation on how I could convert VC1 files? Not sure if the Optimize function will do that since there aren’t really any specific options regarding formats.