Conversion failed playback error when subtitles are over (usually at the end)

Plex Players Smart TVs
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22

Thanks @markus101. and also thanks for the clarification.

If I understand it right, the error is in the transcoder and exists, because some SmartTV clients ask for this kind of subtitle transcoding. This is happening on Samsungs, LGs, etc… It’s NOT a CLIENT bug, but the combination of the client asking the transcoder to render and serve the subtitles, and the transcoder having this bug. So we need to wait until the Server Team fixes it.

@markus101
Since you’re already there, please if possible, tell the server team, if they can fix, or open a ticket on some quality-of-life bugs related to subs, as reported on other threads by other users.

  1. seeking with this combination may break the subtitles rendering (no subtitles), or you need to wait several seconds or minutes until subtitles get rendered again.

  2. sometimes .ass subtitles are rendered badly when position or overlays (one dark subtitle, with a light subtitle on top) are used. This might be related to the subtitle screen size vs video screen size, or the position is not computed right in the case of positioning, and only rendered the dark subtitle in the case of overlays. I could dig deeper if a ticket is open, and provide example files to replicate the problem.

Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

1 Like
23

It doesn’t make sense. i watch the entire episode with the subtitle in direct play and at almost the end of the video, the server try to make transcode? i noticed that this is happening with me if i use SRT embedded subtitles. if i use external SRT subtitles it doesn’t happen.

24

ATTENTION:

The latest version v1.32.5.7318 just forced full transcode (burned subtitles) on ass subtitles :confused:
(automatic subs options, or no subtitles on never subs options)
Also, it exhibits the same previous issues with .SRT subtitles. Basically, they forced full transcoding with burned subs or no subtitles on .ass, and it still hangs on .srt embedded subtitles near the end.

!This is NOT a good call. Instead of fixing the issue with the transcoder serving subtitles, team just disabled client rendering and force the server to transcode the video with burned .ass., what’s next forced .srt to be burned also?

I want our direct play, back. Full transcoding causes buffering on all my 4K content.

~~@markus101 ~~

Please advise if this is still an open ticket. And we’re seeing an intermediate solution.

Disabling a feature is not fixing it, and more, if it’s half-assed.

I didn’t test myself but @Probadroid reported last good one was:

PMServer-1.32.1.6954-56a60573f-x86_64, advise Server Team, to compare the changes against the next version, and fix according.

EDIT NOTES:

Jellyfin seems to attack the problem differently. It seems (not probed yet) they demux the subtitles, before playing, and provide it to the client externally. While this cost an initial play time delay, it works.

Since Plex is doing a lot of additional work when a file is added, like searching for credits, intros, information, etc. It should be no-brainer to demux the subtitles at that time, and put them in the database, for further use.

EDIT IMPORTANT:
Plex Client fault, after restarting PLEX in the LG, TV. subtitles start working without full transcoding and burning, sorry to be a drama bitchy queen…

Anyway, Problem persists, both on .ASS o .SRT subtitles in latest version.

2 Likes
25

Unfortunately Plex subtitles handling is still pretty bad somehow. I’ve been using Infuse as a player lately, it plays everything I throw at it.

26

i tested the lates version ( PMS 1.32.5.7328) with embedded SRT subtitle and the problem did not manifested. can someone else confirm?

27

I just did a test and the problem is still present

28

Same problem for me with some MKVs with SRTs on a Samsung TV.

I’ve downgrade to v.1.32.1.6954 and alll its OK

1 Like
29

Hi. someone know how to downgrade PMS on a Synology nas?
I am currently in 1.32.5.7328 and i would like to test the downgrade to 1.32.1.6954.
Thanks

30

Synology does not permit direct downgrades.

Uninstall the current version, then install the desired version.

If on DSM 7, after the “are you sure” window, you’ll see a window with three options. Choose the “keep” (first) option.

1 Like
31

Thank you very much !
I think that the keep option is for keeping All plex data? And do you know if we can find archives to get old PMS versions ?

32

Yes.

Synology Model (incl +, play, etc)?
DSM 6 or 7?

Plex does not publish old versions of PMS.

There is a repository on GitHub. It is user maintained, but all the download links are from plex.tv.

If you don’t know the architecture (ARM, Intel, etc.) look at the file name for the version you are currently running. That will point you in the right direction. If you pick the wrong one nothing bad will happen. Synology will just refuse to install it.

3 Likes
33

My synology is Ds218play. So i think it is an ARM file that is required for the spk. But i don’t know if it is hf or neon Build.
But in the site there is no 1.32.1.6954.

34

ARMv8. The filename will have aarch64. Ex: PlexMediaServer-1.32.5.7328-2632c9d3a-aarch64_DSM7.spk.

Looks like the most recent DSM 7 version is 1.32.0.6918. You could always try it, since it predates the version with the problem.

2 Likes
35

I’m seeing the same error on my LGC1, thought it was errors transcoding AC3 audio but seeing this I’m sure it’s a subtitle problem. Watched 2 films last night and they both crashed at the end after the final subtitle played. Hopefully this gets patched soon.

36

I’ve reverted back to 1.32.0.6973 and it seems to be ok… Hope the fix comes out soon! :slight_smile:

2 Likes
37

Exactly the same issue as those above and i can now relax after finding this thread and pulling my hair out all last night thinking it was my recent HTPC upgrade causing the issues!

Client : Windows 1.32.5.7328
Media : MKV with 5.1 EAC3 audio, .srt subtitles
TV’s : LGCS, LGC1, LGC2

Thanks to users above, i downgraded to 1.32.0.6918 and problem disappears.

This might also be related to the credits and intro checks, i’m not getting any problems with movies, just series, maybe because i have credit checks disabled for the movies library. I need to do more tests.

1 Like
38

It would be great if Plex crew updates this thread and provide some insight into when this can get fixed. Instead of people providing various advices on how to downgrade their Plex servers :wink: @markus101, any news on this topic? Thanks.

4 Likes
39

Any update (ETA) on a fix? Thanks!

2 Likes
40

It worked for me too. I hope a fix will come soon. Thank to All for the informations !

41

If someone is interested by the spk for 1.32.1.6854 here is a link:
https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.32.1.6954-56a60573f/synology-dsm7/PlexMediaServer-1.32.1.6954-56a60573f-aarch64_DSM7.spk