Already taken note, because it’s been making me crazy. The IP’s assigned with DCHP for both were identical – 172.16.1.65. Now, I don’t know if the same IP was assigned each time I did the test, cause I did do it a few times and didn’t bother checking each time… I think that makes sense, since I’ve configured the router to assign DHCP beginning with 65, below that I assign static IP’s.
I think the only other thing connected constantly to the wi-fi in my house is my phone. Have no idea what IP it’s using.
But it’s safe to say all IP are in the 172.16.1.x range?
Have you also set the local network in Plex to 172.16.1.0/24?
Do you have " Treat WAN IP As LAN Bandwidth" checked?
Again a long shot but just want to make sure this isn’t the reason you see a difference in direct play vs streaming.
And I can play media files just fine (without the annoying dropouts) by connecting to network shares over the LAN with either type of connection using the default player in Android.
Just for fun, I enabled the DLNA option on the server. I haven’t had it enabled for years, because I didn’t need to use it.
The VLC media player was the only app I could find that was “free” or with a “limited trial” that was compatible with Android TV. Yes, I know VLC plays virtually anything, but it is connecting to the the server in this case. Everything I tried direct played and without the video or audio glitches like I mentioned previously.
That’s an ugly work-around to get Plex to work with my Android TV. It was mostly a test to make sure in my mind that there was nothing wrong with the configuration of my server that was restricting access to the Android box. I don’t pretend to understand how DLNA is implemented and how that differs from the “normal” connection with a plex app. Perhaps the fact that I can play media flawlessly using DLNA is because it’s a different method.
Anyways, just thought I’d add that piece of info here.
After I enabled the DLNA option on the server, as mentioned in the previous post, I have found that all videos are direct played using the Plex app on the Android TV even when the quality settings for remote are at “720p/4Mbps.” In the half hour that I tried, there were none of the video glitches or disconnects that occurred previously.
Does that open the possibility it is a server problem rather than a problem with the Android TV app? Does enabling DLNA change the way that devices, more specifically the apps, connect to the server over the local network?
Ha! That was my next test, which is a mixed bag of weirdness. Just getting ready to add it here when you replied.
Turned off DLNA, and everything was still direct playing on the device I tested with. Perfect, but strange, huh? So, i tested on the other Android TV device (same make and model), same video and I got direct stream. Moved back to the first device and it still direct played. Now what?
Then I remembered that when I started the first test device, I had to switch users to my account. My grand-kids had been using it previously with their account. It’s a managed account in the “Home” and has access to the same libraries, but doesn’t clutter my “On Deck” with Teen Titan Go
Anyway, switching to their account, and switching back to mine made Direct play work. So why that would have an effect is beyond me. Maybe the fact I have to enter the pin? Or some other form of authentication that happens when you switch users?
I guess my next step is to switch to their account and see what kind of stream I get. No pin required for theirs.And then repeat again with mine. A project for later, because I have other missions today, and if I get playing with this problem I’ll become obsessed and annoyed.
Oh yeah, and toggle on and off the “Automatic Login” for the app, and see if that makes a difference…
