Hi, I am looking at upgrading my current media pc. All components are over 7 years old so I need to start over from scratch and I need to verify a couple of questions I have before I select my components for the new media pc.
In regards to 4k transcoding, I would like to put 4k movies onto my hard drive to watch through plex. I have a Samsung Q7 4k tv with the plex app on it. Would plex still need to transcode the 4k movie from the media pc to the tv? (For example I have a 4k movie on my hard drive that the file is mkv, format HEVC, 50.0 Mb/s bit rate, 23fps, 10bit rate and has truehd audio). If it would need to transcode that kind of file, is there a different file type that plex would not need to transcode? Or am i getting it all wrong and plex will not need to transcode 4k if it is playing on a 4k tv?
I do have other devices in the house that are not 4k, it is possible to restrict 4k files on the plex media server so that they can only be played on certain devices?
Currently, my media pc connects to my tv via my network, even though I have a
Sorry I did not notice that the post was not finished.
Currently, my media pc connects to my tv via my network, even though my media pc is connected via a hdmi as well. Is there anyway to instead of going through my network to play on the TV, that the tv plays a movie through the plex app on the tv through the hdmi cable? Or for the plex app to connect to a plex media server, it has to go through a network?
That at least would need to be transcoded I assume (you don’t describe your audio equipment).
You cannot restrict access to 4k material, people often make a separate library for 4k material and restrict access to that library eg for users they share with.
Regarding your connection, you could run Plex Media Player on the pc and view it via HDMI. If this is better or worse than the Samsung app I cannot say.
Ok thank you @Coxeroni. Is transcoding audio cpu heavy? My audio system is a Samsung HW-N550 Soundbar (https://www.samsung.com/au/audio-video/hw-n550/). What I am really stuck on is what cpu I should get. I read that for 4k hdr you need a cpu that has a pass mark over 17000. But my budget is tight. Is it correct that plex would not need to transcode a file if the destination player (eg. tv) can play that file type? If so, is there anywhere I could find a list of compatible file types for a samsung q7 tv with plex app please?
Audio transcoding is not that heavy on the cpu but can induce other issues eg when subtitles are also used. I would advise on buying a recent Intel i5 CPU and getting a Plex pass. That way you can hardware transcode if you need it. That 17000 pass mark is for software transcode.
I cannot guarantee you any direct play capability, since this depends on several factors and I don’t know the Samsung client.
Ok thanks. One thing Im not sure about, is a gpu necessary for a media pc if the cpu can do trascoding if needed? I understand what you are getting about don’t transcode if you don’t have to. But Im just trying to make my new system ready. Cheers thank you
no a gpu is not needed.
if you look at the link in the faq that goes to the plex cpu recommendations, you can use that to calculate what your cpu can be expected to handle.
Ok cool. So i get this right, what you article is saying that you wrote, that if the file type, along with audio is compatible with the player that plex is streaming to, then plex wont need to transcode anything? A powerful cpu is needed only if transcoding is needed?
