Chromecast with Google TV official Plex app can't play h265 HEVC 4K content

Plex Players Streaming Devices
1

Server Version#: 1.26.0.5715-8cf78dab3 (Raspberry Pi 400)
Player Version#: Plex for Android (TV) 9.1.0.32210

I recently bought a Chromecast with Google TV with the hope of playing 4K HEVC content without transcode. I have a Raspberry Pi 400 running as a lightweight Plex and DLNA server, which could never in a million years transcode 4K content. When I try to play the content, it tells me the server is not powerful enough, because I have disabled transcoding.

I installed Kodi on the Chromecast and installed the Plex plugin, and it can play absolutely anything I throw at it without transcoding. I’m watching 4K HEVC ±60 000kbps perfectly fine, no stuttering or artifacting.

Why can the actual app not play the content? The device is capable. Is there a setting that I am missing? The official Plex app’s interface is much nicer than switching to Kodi every time I want to watch a 4K movie.

Thanks!

2

What audio are you trying to play?

3

Below is an example movie’s media info:

Container MKV

Codec HEVC
Bitrate 63480 kbps
Language English
Language Tag en
D O V I B L Compat I D 6
D O V I B L Present true
D O V I Level 6
D O V I Present true
D O V I Profile 8
D O V I R P U Present true
D O V I Version 1.0
Bit Depth 10
Chroma Location topleft
Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
Coded Height 2160
Coded Width 3840
Color Primaries bt2020
Color Range tv
Color Space bt2020nc
Color Trc smpte2084
Frame Rate 23.976 fps
Height 2160
Level 5.1
Profile main 10
Ref Frames 1
Width 3840
Display Title 4K DoVi/HDR10 (HEVC Main 10)
Extended Display Title 4K DoVi/HDR10 (HEVC Main 10)

Codec TRUEHD
Channels 8
Bitrate 3243 kbps
Language English
Language Tag en
Audio Channel Layout 7.1
Bit Depth 24
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Title Original
Display Title English (TRUEHD 7.1)
Extended Display Title Original (English TRUEHD 7.1)

Codec AC3
Channels 6
Bitrate 448 kbps
Language English
Language Tag en
Audio Channel Layout 5.1(side)
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Display Title English (AC3 5.1)
Extended Display Title English (AC3 5.1)
4

I assume you are not trying to play the TrueHD track.

5

I’ve used chromecast with google tv to directplay 4k HVEC content. It only works for 8bit content, 10 bit content needs to be transcoded. See plex media support: What media formats are supported? | Plex Support

Your media has 10 bit depth video according to your media info, try using 8 bit 4k hvec. I have this working with no issues.

6

Are you sure that article applies?

It does not apply to the Plex app running on Android TV, Fire TV, Roku TV, or similar.

This can’t be a matter of device capability. I’m able to play 10-bit 4K content from Kodi, so why can the Plex app not support it?

7

I have tried AC3 and TRUEHD. TRUEHD doesn’t work at all. AC3 plays, but it immediately buffers.

8

To be honest, not sure why kodi with plex can play it. I’ve read that part you mentioned to, but from my own experience and trial and error, i’m unable to play 10 bit HVEC w/o transcoding with the native plex on CCwGTV. 8 bits, no problem.

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