Cannot Direct Play TrueHD audio stream toTizen Plex App

[theherm3s_gmail_com]

Server Version#: 1.20.3.3437 (Raspberry Pi 4)
Player Version#: 5.2.1 (Client Version), 5.5 (Platform Version)
TV: Samsung QE43Q60T
Soundbar: Sony HT-G700

Hello there!

First of all, I’m sorry in advance for this post probably not respecting some standards. I’m trying my best but this is almost my first post asking for help on a forum ever. I’ll try to provide asmuch information as I can on my problem.

I’ve been struggling for almost a week now trying to direct play movie files from PMS (raspberry pi 4) to the client app mon a recently bought Samsung 4K TV running Tizen. The TV is connected to an Atmos-capable soundbar (yeah I know, you can insult me for purchasing this kind of material) via eARC and a high-speed HDMI cable. From what I’ve read, it should be enough “hardware” to passthrough the TrueHD audio. Both the TV and the RPi are wired via ethernet to the router.

Problem:
I cannot seem to be able to direct play any file that containes TrueHD audio stream. Even if Direct play is enabled. I figured it would be a hardware problem, probably from the TV that could not handle any of this lossless TrueHD, but it doesn’t seem so.

After reading the rules of 4k and plex, I have been able to get my hands on a few logs (I work in IT so I’m not a total noob in IT related stuff). Eventhough Direct Play is definitely enabled in the Tizen Plex app both at the app level and at the movie level, I get some:

Request: [192.168.1.37:47043 (Subnet)] GET /video/:/transcode/universal/decision?directPlay=0&directStream=1&directStreamAudio=0&protocol=hls&fastSeek=1&path=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F2204&session=xxx&mediaIndex=0&partIndex=0&mediaBufferSize=50000&hasMDE=1&subtitleSize=125&videoQuality=100&videoResolution=4096x2160&audioBoost=700&location=lan (13 live) GZIP
[Transcode] MDE: Alita: Battle Angel (2019): Direct Play is disabled
[Transcode] MDE: Alita: Battle Angel (2019): media must be transcoded in order to use the hls protocol
[Transcode] MDE: Alita: Battle Angel (2019): no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/hevc
[Transcode] MDE: Alita: Battle Angel (2019): no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/hevc/truehd
[Transcode] MDE: Alita: Battle Angel (2019): no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/hevc/ac3

I’ve obviously read other posts about it, but I know I’ve enabled Direct Play and Direct Stream in the Client, so I don’t understand why it won’t.

I believe it’s a problem with TrueHD, and I’ve tried playing with the VideoProfile on the PMS but it doesn’t seem to change anything. Due to the limited power of the Pi, I’d like to avoid transcoding for obvious reasons, and the same goes for buying an Nvidia Shield Pro which apparently would solve all my problems.

Any ideas?

Many thanks in advance

[FordGuy61]

TV manufacturers do not permit apps to pass high bit rate audio (TrueHD & dts-HD) via HDMI-eARC to external receivers, soundbars, etc. This affects all TVs, not just Samsung.

It is possible for external devices - Blu-ray player, etc - connected to one of the TV HDMI inputs to pass lossless audio via HDMI-eARC.

Movies with TrueHD audio tracks also have a Dolby Digital (AC-3) version of the audio track. If possible, choose the AC-3 audio track, as it will direct play.

If you want to direct play TrueHD audio you will need an Nvidia Shield connected to the TV or to the soundbar. It is the only off the shelf streaming device that will passthrough TrueHD audio.

You can also use Plex for Windows or Plex Media Player on a Windows PC (download). They will passthrough TrueHD audio. However, they do not send HDR video to the TV. They tonemap it and send it as SDR.

[theherm3s_gmail_com]

Thanks for the answer! I was starting to feel like this was the case but it’s good to at last know for sure.

I was asking for TrueHD not because I’m interested particularly in that format but because it is the most usual I’ve come across while looking for Dolby Atmos. I guess I’ll stick to DD+5.1 with Atmos then, since my only available PC is a 5year old gaming laptop and I’m also struggling to get the HDR working.

Thanks again, I appreciate it!