Server Version#: 4.63.0
Player Version#: 5.26.3 (Samsung TV)
So I have these 2 examples:
1080p h.264, mkv, eac3 5.1 (direct play for video and audio)
4k hevc main 10 hdr, mkv, eac3 5.1 (direct stream for video and transcode for audio to aac)
Now my question is why it transcodes audio if it’s same codec on both files and why is video direct stream and not direct play if both container and video codec are supported by my TV (Samsung q80t); according to the specifications it supports mkv and hevc and hdr. Maybe 10 bit is problem since TV is 8 bit + frc. But still, audio goes through soundbar which supports this codec, while TV does not, so it should direct play audio too, which it does with 1st example.
When I enable srt subtitles included with the movie (2nd example) it buffers until timeout and throws “Playback error”, while 1st example plays without any buffering or problems. Same happens with downloaded srt subtitles.
I also don’t see any trouble with cpu while buffering so what’s happening here? I don’t have problem if it transcodes anything to be able to play it, but why it buffers so long ending with playback error when cpu isn’t even at 30% in that state.
Please verify Plex Media Server version via Settings → Server_Name → General.
4.63 is the version for Plex Web, not the server.
It is direct streaming because the audio is transcoding.
When direct playing, the Plex server sends the stream unaltered from the server to the client.
Because the audio is transcoding, the Plex server has to separate the video and audio tracks, transcode the audio, then recombine them before streaming it to the TV. Plex calls the separation and recombination process direct streaming.
Will need to see log files and Plex XML information for the video. They should tell why the audio is transcoding.
Set the Samsung Plex app to log to server at the debug level.
With no other server activity (streaming, importing, etc), and with subtitles disabled, play the 1080p video for about 30 seconds.
Repeat for the 4K video, also with subtitles disabled.
After stopping playback, wait ~1 minute for the server to settle.
Pull the server log files. Settings → Troubleshooting → Download Logs.
Attach the entire ZIP file to the thread. Drag it into the message window, it will insert at the cursor location. Alternately, use the upload button to upload the file.
Plex XML
Please provide the XML information for the 4K movie.
Save the XML information to a file and attach it to the thread. The forum does not support .xml attachments, so save it as a text file or zip it before attaching.
The movie has 30+ subtitle tracks. Remove the unnecessary subtitles from the movie file. This should allow the audio to direct play.
You can use the multiplexer function in MKVToolNix to remove the tracks.
When Plex direct plays a media file, it sends it unaltered to the client. This means it sends all video, audio, and subtitle tracks, even those not selected for playback.
Samsung has a limit on the total number of tracks in a stream. When that is exceeded, Plex has to direct stream (remux) the file to remove the unnecessary tracks.
Removing the unneeded subtitle tracks should get you below the limit and allow Plex to direct play the file.
There’s an old post with additional details. I’ll see if I can find it.
Edit 1: Here’s the information from Plex Media Server.log:
Nov 10, 2021 19:31:17.633 [2036] INFO - [Plex for Samsung] [xxxxx@gmail.com:ji16vqjt7mrzoaxrox3vdtmn] Cannot direct play with protocol: http, codec: hevc. Reason: Stream count exceeds 30 streams.
While not directly related to the audio transcode, you should also check how you have your libraries organized.
It appears you may be mixing movies and TV shows in the same library, which is not supported by Plex. This can lead to problems with Plex correctly identifying the media, downloading metadata, and displaying information correctly on-screen.
From the XML information: librarySectionTitle="TV Shows"
Midnight Mass is a TV mini-series (TheTVDB). Correct organization is:
/TV Shows <-- TV Show library points here. Exact name unimportant.
.../Midnight Mass (2021) <-- folder for each show
...../Season 01 <-- folder for each season
....../Midnight Mass (2021) - s01e01.mkv
You can also place the file in an “Other Video” library. Plex will not try to match the show with online databases, pull metadata, etc. This can be helpful if you will be watching then deleting the media from your system.
I keep all in same folder and Plex separates them correctly in library to TV shows and Movies after so I don’t have problem with that right now.
I have mkvtoolnix and I used it several times to remove unnecessary tracks, but wasn’t aware about TV limit. So basically if I keep just 1 or 2 subtitles it should play without any playback errors? I will try and reply if everything works.
I also ordered Nvidia Shield Pro to act as my server and client; are there such limits or it should play files like mentioned 4k without any altering?
When, not if, you run into problems you’ll need to separate things.
I’ll get off my soapbox now.
Yes.
It it still transcodes after reducing the number of tracks there may be another problem. However, getting below the limit is the first step.
I’m not aware of any such limits for the Shield. I do not remember any such posts and have not experienced any such problems with my Shield. However, I do not have any media with a large number of subtitle tracks. I almost always remove the audio & subtitle tracks I do not need before loading a file into a library.
I agree with @FordGuy61 that separating the libraries borders on necessary as it can create all kinds of unforeseen nightmares by retaining TV Shows and Movies in the same library. As for limitations on the Shield… If they exist I have never been able to find them. I have a handful of files with a heap of subtitle and audio tracks and have never had an issue with them. The Shield seems to be mostly bulletproof as a client. I’m not so sure as a server as I have never put mine into that role.
I can confirm it direct plays on Samsung TV app when I remove most of the subtitles. I also tried on Shield (arrived today) and it direct plays there without removing any of the subtitles and without any issues.
Welcome to Samsung. They are a garbage company with no respect for their customers. I haven’t bought anything from Samsung in years because they are incapable of operating as a decent company. I’ve had them lie straight to my face about features, shift blame onto me or other companies, and I even had a customer support rep hang up on me one time because he was angry. In one phone call they actually had the gall to ask if my $35K car was a Samsung approved product when my phone stopped connecting to it via Bluetooth. When I asked the rep if the Verizon towers were Samsung approved product (my phone was also having issues connecting to 4G) he got angry and hung up on me because they didn’t want to try to correct the problem.
