I had similar issues playing a video that had EAC3 (DD+) audio. Changing the Surround mode settings of the Chromecast using the Google Home app from Automatic to something else appears to help a bit, but may also lead to audio transcoding.
1 Like
identical problem here
plex version: 1.21.1.3876
server: windows 10 20H2
since update 1.20 recurring error on ultra normal chromecast readings 5 āādifferent chromecast no trace of log which seems to explain the crash.
the crash interval seems to be regulated around every 40 minutes surprising that still no correction is offered by plex after more than 4 months usually the dev teams are much more responsive.
If that can help I manage to restart the reading by pressing the advance 30 seconds before it works normally after.
if i do the -10 seconds arrow it works for 10 seconds then loading pending.
I have the impression that the problem is related to the temporary transcoding file.
I continue to get this error, but it doesnāt happen all the time still. But now, if it does start, itāll frequently dump out or freeze at about seven minutes in, requiring me to reconnect and restart. I have the most current version of the Android app and PMS on my TerraMaster NAS. This problem is only getting worse. What do I need to look for and where to try and help here?
Okā¦ so Iāve been running in to the same h4 problem on 2 chromecasts V3. Wouldnāt play a single movie regardless of video or audio format. Running Plex server on Xpenology. I normally update the PMS using the manual install option in DSM. I uninstalled the program and reinstalled it using Package Center. This fixed the problem for me.
I also had this problem. Chromecast Ultra. I had to switch away from the TrueHD audio stream to have a successful playback. I donāt know why it wouldnāt automatically transcode.
1 Like
I have this problem also. My only workaround is to use Plex to manage media / record TV and stream to Chromecast via VLC. Plex people unresponsive. I wonāt be renewing my pass if this isnt fixed.
Problem is still ongoing, both are updated and it shows the show on the chromecast screen but on my phone it keeps going from 0:00:00 to 0:00:01 and back again, its like it is struggling to even load the first second. I have tried skipping forward on my phone first then casting like some people have suggesterd and it doesnt work for me - Please help Plex!
I found that TrueHD was most problematic too. For those streams I usually use emby. But pressing the X in the app and then play again usually fixes the issue for all the normal mkv files.
Iāve got several generation 2 Chromecast connected through Ethernet adapters. Work perfect with emby. I use hardware transcode but it doesnāt improve if only use software transcoding.
Finally, Iāll point out that this always occurred on first play. Chaining automatically through several videos is ok. Also stopping to play different files is usually ok. But so for over 5 minutes and the problem is back.
I updated the server to v1.22.1.4200 on Windows (64bit) and Chromecast has been working just fine. I have not seen the problem for several days now.
Still doesnāt work for me, thought after the last comment about the update that would make a difference but it doesnāt for me 
I am using wireless for both chrome casts and my Plex server is through a power line adapter just in case there is any similarity to other users
Ah, the problem came back. So v1.22.1.4200 didnāt solve it.
Cancel and then play is the only workaround.
Iām getting this issue 2.
Casting from iOS to CCU, GB connection to a remote server.
In the Plex app it jumps between 0&1 seconds, it will eventually play but itās buffers every couple of seconds. Looking at server graph Iām not maxing put my connection from the server or within the home network, it is the most annoying thing in the world.
Kodi always works like a charm though, it reads and plays all the media from my remote server as if I was playing a BR in my home. Plex Devs PLEASE WITH W CHERRY ON TOP, CAN YOU ADDRESS THIS INSTEAD OF ADDING MORE FEATURES THAT NO ONE USES
1 Like
Please Plex! Sort this annoying issue out!!
Literally couldnāt watch any movies last night because of this issue.
All my movies are between 20-60Gb if thatās of any difference. TV shows always work okay though
Do you know what Iām going to go against the grain and say this is a Chromecast issue. Literally cannot cast a single thing to CCU and when I do, CPU is spiked >90%.
Play on iPhone 12Pro, transcoding <20% CPU load and works perfectly. Slowly phasing google home products out of our house, Chromecast is next!
Can you try an apples-to-apples test, like using Emby to play the exact same media to the exact same chromecast?
This is what I did, and it told me personally that there is more to this.
i made this for to prevent hevc from transcoding on chromecast but also so that ac3 would work instead not playing any audio at all.
regardless i put this in to replace the provided Chromecast.xml profile in 2018 or before (i just see i put it on github on 2018 so Iām going with that as a rough timeline).
i canāt guarantee it will solve all your problems obviously but i think its worth a shot.
Wonder woman 1984,
Plex to Chromecast true audio 7.1 fails 100% will not play no matter how many attempts. Using hardware transcoding. I tried with software encoding and got the same result.
Appears in dashboard as direct play then fails but this is not a clear indication as it does this regardless of success or failure. E.g, When Plex was forced to use a 5.1 audio track then it worked first time. But immediately indicated direct play for 3 decides before indicating transcoding video 12mbs and audio (to ac3).
Emby worked first-time. Transcoded using hardware at 10mbs and true audio 7.1 was down mixed. Perhaps to 5.1 ac3?
Conclusion, Plex is broken for true audio 7.1 with a Chromecast. General Chromecast handling is very poor.
mine transcodes the true audio 7.1 to aac (5.1) but it works.
Sadly, that did not do the trick for me.
Is there any way to write a Chromecast.xml that just says, āWhatever it is, just shove it down the pipe and let the Chromecast deal with it?ā
