Server Version#: latest beta
I recently installed a 9070 XT and I was getting a decoding error as shown in the picture. So I switched to a 5080 and I’m still getting a decoding error. It’ll encode but not decode the mpeg2 live TV stream from the HD home run Prime. I have logs in the database downloaded if anybody can take a look at it:)
I made sure Windows 11 was up to date, uninstalled and reinstalled NVIDIA drivers, uninstalled Plex and reinstalled it, and still no joy.
Plex Media Server Logs_2025-03-26_07-25-10.zip (5.8 MB)
I’ll have a look at the logs to see if there’s anything interesting in them. In the meantime, do you have these settings enabled in the Plex app on your Roku client?
Allow MPEG2
Experimental 1080p MPEG2
Depending on any bandwidth limitations in-place, this may eliminate the need to transcode.
@pshanew Thank you. I don’t as on some Roku devices it causes buffering or live TV crashes. On most of the Ultras that I have it works fine with that setting applied and doing direct no transcoding.
Gotcha. Looking at the logs I can see where it tests for the ability to transcode to H.264. But there’s no MPEG2 decode test.
Mar 26, 2025 07:05:48.643 [30656] DEBUG - [Req#2f6cae/Transcode] Codecs: testing h264_nvenc (encoder)
Mar 26, 2025 07:05:48.643 [30656] DEBUG - [Req#2f6cae/Transcode] Codecs: hardware transcoding: testing API nvenc for device 'luid:00000000_0001788a' (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080)
Mar 26, 2025 07:05:48.802 [30656] DEBUG - [Req#2f6cae/Transcode] Codecs: testing h264_nvenc (encoder)
Mar 26, 2025 07:05:48.802 [30656] DEBUG - [Req#2f6cae/Transcode] Codecs: hardware transcoding: testing API nvenc for device 'luid:00000000_0001788a' (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080)
Mar 26, 2025 07:05:48.911 [30656] DEBUG - [Req#2f6cae/Transcode] Streaming Resource: Reached Decision id=416339 codes=(General=1001,Direct play not available; Conversion OK. Direct Play=3000,App cannot direct play this item. Direct play is disabled. Transcode=1001,Direct play not available; Conversion OK.) media=(id=616938 part=(id=743654 decision=transcode container=mpegts protocol=hls streams=(Video=(id=2283189 decision=transcode bitrate=2147483647 encoder=h264_nvenc width=1280 height=720) Audio=(id=2283190 decision=copy channels=6 rate=48000))))
Mar 26, 2025 07:05:49.111 [30656] DEBUG - [Req#2f6cda/Transcode/309e72fc-21c5-4cab-bc82-71148d7dd112-1] TPU: hardware transcoding: final decoder: , final encoder: nvenc
I’ve noticed the same on my systems, too. While the hardware supports it, PMS doesn’t try to hardware accelerate the decoding of MPEG2. I’m starting to wonder if PMS just doesn’t even attempt it any longer.
I’ve tested on four different systems: Intel-based Mac, M2 Mac, Intel Jasper Lake Linux, and Intel Atom Linux. All support MPEG2 decoding in hardware, none are actually doing it, at least not for live TV. I do have some 480i MPEG2 recordings which are decoded in hardware.
I sold my rtx 1070 thinking this was the problem a couple months ago. Wonder if they know this is not working? Thank you for testing! Its been perfect for years! Hopefully they fix as I have dual encoders and decoders now on the 5080, 1k later:)
No problem, happy to test. Most of the clients I use direct play MPEG2 (Apple TV, Onn Android box, etc.) so I never really noticed this. I’m not sure how long it has been going on. It’s not huge deal in my case; even that crappy little Atom CPU can easily decode MPEG2 in software.
It is odd to me that it only seems to affect live TV, at least in my case. My recorded MPEG2 content decodes and encodes in hardware. Strange.
I know they’ve been doing a lot of work around the transcoder lately, so maybe this will just get sorted out in the wash.
That’s exactly what I observed as well, it only affects live tv. Back in the day big wheel & david used to be my go-to people. Hopefully they jump in here and usually with a snap of their fingers it’s fixed on the next build haha. I don’t tag anyone they’ll see the post eventually and get it fixed when they have time. Just wish I would have saved some of the older Windows builds. My system for some reason only kept three versions back.
After further research, someone at Plex decided to remove hardware decoding on live TV. I’m not sure why, I’ve had it for 5 years now, and it’s been fine. The only solution is to roll back to 1.41.1.9057 or 1.41. 2.9200. If anybody has this version of Plex server for 64-bit windows, if you don’t mind sharing it, that would be awesome!! My backup folder doesn’t go that far back. 
I checked and unfortunately I don’t have anything that old. The download link(s) may be available here, though:
Man you’re awesome. I appreciate it. It was available on there! Backdating now!
Temporary solution. Hopefully it doesn’t have to become a permanent solution. Hopefully Plex brings back Hardware decoding for live TV. But in the meantime you have to back date to 1.41.1.9057. This is the last version that allows Hardware decoding for live tv.
Decoding is still working perfect with the server rolled back. But now I’m unable to use the Android mobile app, since it updated. The live TV Guide will not load. Have a feeling I have to update to the new server and lose decoding if I want to use my phone.
Bumping. Updating server doesn’t get Android Live TV to work by the way. But bumping the lost of decoding feature that’s been on Plex for years!
1.41.2 is now required to use the new Plex interface. When is it’s going to be addressed?
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