Disable Transcoding

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
, ,
21

thanks! - grabbed the missing begining lines from MDE hope this is it all

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.347 [0x7fda98e6b700] INFO - [Chromecast] [MDE] Augmented profile: { "directPlay": { "mp4": { "mimeType": "video/mp4; codecs="avc1.42E01E"", "video": { "codecs": { "h264": { "maxLevel": 42 }, "hevc": { "maxBitDepth": 10, "maxFrameRate": 60 }, "vp9": { "maxBitDepth": 10, "maxFrameRate": 60 } }, "maxWidth": 4096, "maxHeight": 2160, "maxBitDepth": 8, "maxFrameRate": 60, "maxBitrate": 2000, "maxVideoResolution": "720" }, "audio": { "codecs": { "aac": { "maxSamplingRate": 48000, "maxChannels": 2 }, "mp3": {}, "ac3": {}, "eac3": {} } } }, "mkv": { "mimeType": "video/webm", "video": { "codecs": { "h264": { "maxLevel": 42 }, "vp8": {}, "hevc": { "maxBitDepth": 10, "maxFrameRate": 60 }, "vp9": { "maxBitDepth": 10, "maxFrameRate": 60 } }, "maxWidth": 4096, "maxHeight": 2160, "maxBitDepth": 8, "maxFrameRate": 60, "maxBitrate": 2000, "maxVideoResolution": "720" }, "audio": { "codecs": { "aac": { "maxSamplingRate": 48000, "maxChannels": 2 }, "mp3": {}, "vorbis": {}, "ac3": {}, "eac3": {} } } } }, "directStream": { "video": { "maxWidth": 4096, "maxHeight": 2160, "maxBitDepth": 8, "maxFrameRate": 60, "codecs": { "h264": { "maxLevel": 42 }, "hevc": { "maxBitDepth": 10, "maxFrameRate": 60 }, "vp9": { "maxBitDepth": 10, "maxFrameRate": 60 } }, "maxBitrate": 2000, "maxVideoResolution": "720" }, "audio": { "codecs": { "aac": { "maxSamplingRate": 48000, "maxChannels": 2 }, "mp3": {}, "opus": {}, "vorbis": {} }, "maxChannels": 6 } } }

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.348 [0x7fdaa5fff700] DEBUG - Completed: [172.20.1.15:35436] 200 POST /log (18 live) TLS GZIP 2ms 268 bytes (pipelined: 4)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.387 [0x7fdaa0efb700] DEBUG - Request: [172.20.1.15:35436 (Allowed Network)] OPTIONS /video/:/transcode/universal/decision?hasMDE=1&path=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F2744&mediaIndex=0&partIndex=0&protocol=http&fastSeek=1&directPlay=1&directStream=1&subtitleSize=100&audioBoost=100&location=lan&maxVideoBitrate=2000&directStreamAudio=1&mediaBufferSize=30720&session=ji9g42aoozotncye5of06cis&offset=0&subtitles=burn&copyts=1 (18 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in Token ()

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.388 [0x7fdaa5fff700] DEBUG - Completed: [172.20.1.15:35436] 200 OPTIONS /video/:/transcode/universal/decision?hasMDE=1&path=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F2744&mediaIndex=0&partIndex=0&protocol=http&fastSeek=1&directPlay=1&directStream=1&subtitleSize=100&audioBoost=100&location=lan&maxVideoBitrate=2000&directStreamAudio=1&mediaBufferSize=30720&session=ji9g42aoozotncye5of06cis&offset=0&subtitles=burn&copyts=1 (18 live) TLS GZIP 1ms 553 bytes (pipelined: 5)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.412 [0x7fdaa5d11700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as MrSW

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.413 [0x7fda9e7ff700] DEBUG - Request: [172.20.1.15:35437 (Allowed Network)] POST /log (18 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in Token (MrSW)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.413 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] copyts: 1

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.413 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] X-Plex-Client-Profile-Extra: add-limitation(scope=videoCodec&scopeName=*&type=upperBound&name=video.bitrate&value=2000&replace=true)+add-limitation(scope=videoCodec&scopeName=h264&type=upperBound&name=video.level&value=42&replace=true)+add-transcode-target-audio-codec(type=videoProfile&context=streaming&protocol=http&audioCodec=ac3)+add-limitation(scope=videoAudioCodec&scopeName=ac3&type=upperBound&name=audio.channel&value=6)+add-transcode-target-audio-codec(type=videoProfile&context=streaming&protocol=http&audioCodec=eac3)+add-limitation(scope=videoAudioCodec&scopeName=eac3&type=upperBound&name=audio.channel&value=6)+add-limitation(scope=videoAudioCodec&scopeName=aac&type=upperBound&name=audio.channel&value=2)+add-limitation(scope=videoTranscodeTarget&scopeName=hevc&scopeType=videoCodec&context=streaming&protocol=http&type=match&name=video.colorTrc&list=bt709|bt470m|bt470bg|smpte170m|smpte240m|bt2020-10|smpte2084&isRequired=false)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.413 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] subtitles: burn

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.413 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] offset: 0

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] session: ji9g42aoozotncye5of06cis

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] X-Plex-Session-Identifier: qh8639piq6p6rea5xtx5xqqk

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] mediaBufferSize: 30720

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] directStreamAudio: 1

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] maxVideoBitrate: 2000

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] location: lan

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] audioBoost: 100

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] subtitleSize: 100

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] directStream: 1

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] directPlay: 1

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] fastSeek: 1

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] protocol: http

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] partIndex: 0

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.414 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] mediaIndex: 0

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] path: /library/metadata/2744

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] hasMDE: 1

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] [Transcoder] Video (decision) options

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] Direct Play: true

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] Protocol: http

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] Player: html

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] [PDE] Player decision

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] videoResolution: 720

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] bitrate: 1833

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] canDirectStreamAudio: true

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] canDirectStreamVideo: true

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] canDirectPlay: true

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] canPlay: true

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] [MDE] Finished analysis of 1080 (mp4, h264, aac, 41, high)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] WARN - [Chromecast] [MDE] Unable to validate videoResolution; re-analyze the media if possible

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.416 [0x7fda9e7ff700] WARN - [Chromecast] [MDE] Unable to validate videoResolution; re-analyze the media if possible

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.416 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] [MDE] Starting analysis of 1080 (mp4, h264, aac, 41, high)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.418 [0x7fdaa5d11700] DEBUG - Completed: [172.20.1.15:35437] 200 POST /log (18 live) TLS GZIP 5ms 268 bytes (pipelined: 4)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.424 [0x7fdaa0631700] DEBUG - Request: [172.20.1.15:35437 (Allowed Network)] OPTIONS /:/timeline?ratingKey=2744&key=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F2744&playbackTime=0&playQueueItemID=357&state=playing&hasMDE=1&time=0&duration=2588000 (18 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.425 [0x7fdaa5d11700] DEBUG - Completed: [172.20.1.15:35437] 200 OPTIONS /:/timeline?ratingKey=2744&key=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F2744&playbackTime=0&playQueueItemID=357&state=playing&hasMDE=1&time=0&duration=2588000 (17 live) TLS GZIP 1ms 598 bytes (pipelined: 5)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.433 [0x7fdaa5d11700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as MrSW

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.434 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - Request: [172.20.1.15:35441 (Allowed Network)] GET /video/:/transcode/universal/decision?hasMDE=1&path=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F2744&mediaIndex=0&partIndex=0&protocol=http&fastSeek=1&directPlay=1&directStream=1&subtitleSize=100&audioBoost=100&location=lan&maxVideoBitrate=2000&directStreamAudio=1&mediaBufferSize=30720&session=ji9g42aoozotncye5of06cis&offset=0&subtitles=burn&copyts=1 (18 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in Token (MrSW)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.434 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - Found session GUID of ji9g42aoozotncye5of06cis in session start.

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.435 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - TranscodeUniversalRequest: using augmented profile Chromecast

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.436 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - Downloading document http://127.0.0.1:32400/library/metadata/2744?includeBandwidths=1&offset=0&X-Plex-Session-Identifier=qh8639piq6p6rea5xtx5xqqk

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.437 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as MrSW

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.446 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - We’re going to try to auto-select an audio stream for account 1.

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.446 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - Selecting best audio stream for part ID 49576 (autoselect: 0 language: en)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.446 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - Audio Stream: 100209, Subtitle Stream: -1

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.448 [0x7fdaa5fff700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as MrSW

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.448 [0x7fda98b7d700] DEBUG - Request: [172.20.1.15:35442 (Allowed Network)] POST /log (20 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in Token (MrSW)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.448 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - Streaming Resource: Added session 0x7fda85ffe360:qh8639piq6p6rea5xtx5xqqk

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.448 [0x7fda93b35700] DEBUG - Streaming Resource: Reached Decision id=2744 codes=(MDE=1000,Direct play OK.) media=(id=3307 part=(id=49576 decision=direct play protocol=http streams=(Video=(id=100208 decision= width=0 height=0) Audio=(id=100209 decision= channels=0 rate=0))))

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.450 [0x7fdaa5fff700] DEBUG - Completed: [172.20.1.15:35442] 200 POST /log (20 live) TLS GZIP 1ms 268 bytes (pipelined: 1)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.451 [0x7fdaa5d11700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as MrSW

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.451 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - Request: [172.20.1.15:35443 (Allowed Network)] GET /:/timeline?ratingKey=2744&key=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F2744&playbackTime=0&playQueueItemID=357&state=playing&hasMDE=1&time=0&duration=2588000 (20 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in Token (MrSW)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.452 [0x7fdaa5fff700] DEBUG - Completed: [172.20.1.15:35441] 200 GET /video/:/transcode/universal/decision?hasMDE=1&path=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F2744&mediaIndex=0&partIndex=0&protocol=http&fastSeek=1&directPlay=1&directStream=1&subtitleSize=100&audioBoost=100&location=lan&maxVideoBitrate=2000&directStreamAudio=1&mediaBufferSize=30720&session=ji9g42aoozotncye5of06cis&offset=0&subtitles=burn&copyts=1 (20 live) TLS GZIP 18ms 1819 bytes (pipelined: 1)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.454 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - Client [qh8639piq6p6rea5xtx5xqqk] reporting timeline state playing, progress of 0/2588000ms for guid=, ratingKey=2744 url=, key=/library/metadata/2744, containerKey=, metadataId=2744, source=

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.466 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - We’re going to try to auto-select an audio stream for account 1.

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.466 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - Selecting best audio stream for part ID 49576 (autoselect: 0 language: en)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.466 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - Audio Stream: 100209, Subtitle Stream: -1

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.467 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - [Now] User is MrSW (ID: 1)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.468 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - [Now] Device is Chromecast (Chromecast).

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.468 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - [Now] Profile is Chromecast

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.468 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - [Now] Updated play state for /library/metadata/2744.

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.469 [0x7fda8ac47700] DEBUG - Statistics: (eqb5z5xidib9vmcd5rz7rdle) Reporting active playback in state 0 of type 4 (scrobble: 0) for account 1

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.473 [0x7fdaa5fff700] DEBUG - Completed: [172.20.1.15:35443] 200 GET /:/timeline?ratingKey=2744&key=%2Flibrary%2Fmetadata%2F2744&playbackTime=0&playQueueItemID=357&state=playing&hasMDE=1&time=0&duration=2588000 (20 live) TLS GZIP 22ms 539 bytes (pipelined: 1)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.500 [0x7fdaa5d11700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as MrSW

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.500 [0x7fdaa4bff700] DEBUG - Request: [172.20.1.15:35442 (Allowed Network)] GET /playQueues/24?repeat=0&own=1&includeChapters=1&includeGeolocation=1 (20 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in Token (MrSW)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.502 [0x7fdaa4bff700] DEBUG - PlayQueue: total generated: 324, before cursor: 100, after cursor: 99

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.503 [0x7fdaa4bff700] DEBUG - PlayQueue: No need to refresh, active window is operational.

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.533 [0x7fdaa5fff700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as MrSW

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.534 [0x7fda99735700] DEBUG - Request: [172.20.1.15:35443 (Allowed Network)] POST /log (20 live) TLS GZIP Signed-in Token (MrSW)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.535 [0x7fdaa5fff700] DEBUG - Completed: [172.20.1.15:35443] 200 POST /log (20 live) TLS GZIP 1ms 268 bytes (pipelined: 2)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.561 [0x7fdaa5d11700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as MrSW

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.562 [0x7fda98e6b700] DEBUG - Request: [172.20.1.15:35440 (Allowed Network)] GET /library/parts/49576/1524536149/file.mp4 (20 live) TLS Signed-in Token (MrSW)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.567 [0x7fda98e6b700] DEBUG - Content-Length of /volume1/TV/TV Shows/Greys Anatomy/Season 08/Greys Anatomy S08E10.mp4 is 646942697.

22

Thank you ! That contains the details.

Notice:

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] videoResolution: 720

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] bitrate: 1833

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] canDirectStreamAudio: true

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] canDirectStreamVideo: true

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] canDirectPlay: true

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] canPlay: true

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] INFO - [Chromecast] [MDE] Finished analysis of 1080 (mp4, h264, aac, 41, high)

Dec 27, 2018 17:48:22.415 [0x7fda9e7ff700] WARN - [Chromecast] [MDE] Unable to validate videoResolution; re-analyze the media if possible

Somehow the ChromeCast thinks it’s seeing 720p. This is what’s forcing the stepdown.
It’s even asking for the media to be reanalyzed because something in the headers doesn’t look right.

23

Media has been handbreaked if that gives you any clues

24

Noticed this bug is also present if you play to a android Tablet, it starts transcoding at 720p then i tap the gear cog, hit it to 1080p and away we go

It would be very helpful if you just put in the option in the plex server configuration page to disable transcoding so you can force everything to direct stream, especially when you only have a low powered NAS.

25

You misunderstand me. The Chromecast thinks it is plugged into a 720p television.
Check the HDMI.

26

ChuckPA

You are completely off track are you even reading what I am saying to you???

  1. My Chromecast knows its in a 4K because it sits at 2160p if it thought it was in a 720p TV it would be currently in 720p

  2. Synology Video Station has no problem at all casting to my chrome cast, it gets the right resolution 100% of the time

  3. If i use a 3rd party DLNA client like bubble UPnP and cast to the chrome cast using the plex DLNA server it works 100% of the time

  4. if i use the plex client to cast to the chromecast it failes at least 50% of the time and starts transcoding

  5. if i use the plex client to play directly to a 1080p android device it fails at least 50% of the time and starts transcoding

  6. in point 4 & 5, i have to hit the gear cog and select “direct play” to get it playing the right way without transcoding. This should not be possible if chrome cast thinkts its in a 720p.

I am starting to get Pi$$ed off now, I’ve been reporting this for better part of a year, there are many other threads of other people reporting the same thing with countless people all saying they have the same issue

How can we get this escalated to a level 3 who is actually going to look at the problem and not keep blaming the chromecast.

it only fails when you use PLEX CLIENT, it doesnt fail with any other client, so how can you possibly blame the chrome cast?

This is not just my issue, everyone i know with plex has the exact same problem with their chrome casts… this is on many make TV’s, Chrome Cast Ultra, and regular Chorme Cast… and on Windows PLEX Server, Synology Plex Server. and their own downloaded media

please how can i get this fixed? this is a great product except for this bug that started early last year

27

I am telling you what is reported. Nothing more.

I will not debate this.

Plex will never allow transcoding to be disabled.

28

ChuckPA

you said “You misunderstand me. The Chromecast thinks it is plugged into a 720p television.
Check the HDMI.”

This sounds to me like your blaming the chrome cast and not going to do anything about this bug?

is this correct? or are you getting this fixed?

29

are you ignoring me now?

30

Wrong thread!

31

not sure how that title is relevent. I’m more interested in getting the bug i reported fixed.

32

Sorry I posted to the wrong thread!

33
  1. I was not ignoring you. I support all the other Plex customers in both Linux and NAS realms
  2. I also have my engineering (NAS packaging and development responsibilities)
  3. I am human and sometimes run out of time in any given day. There is only so much one can accomplish in a 12 hour day.

To hopefully clarify my comment further.

I reported what the ChromeCast is telling the Plex app that it sees itself plugged in to.
I suggest checking the HDMI cable because video resolution negotiation is dependent on the cable. HDMI 1.0 cables are good for 720p. HDMI 1.2 cables are needed for 1080i / 1080p. HDMI 2.0+ are needed fpr 2160p (4K)

34

there is no cable on a chrome cast!!! it plugs directly into your HDMI port!!!

Just to be clear, its NOT just my TV, its all 3 TV’s in my house, and all my friends TV’s, and all my family TV’s, and my friends in other countrys TV’s. this effects EVERYONE

There is no problem with the chrome cast on all these TV’s playing 4K HDR on netflix or other streaming apps.. One of my friends has totally ditched Plex for Synology Video Station because he is sick of this bug as well.

like i said, if i hit the gear cog in Plex, select quality, and select “origional quality” it stops transcoding and starts direct playing. I shouldnt have to do this it should just direct play the first time.

This is why Plex needs to put in a option you can enable on the server to disable transcoding and force direct play only. It is total madnes that Plex will not consider this, there is no sane or rational reason why you would not allow it. This option is even availble on the Synology Video Station equivelent of your program.

I’m guessing you have never used a google chrome cast before or seen one, here is a photo to show you how it works.. see no cable it plugs directly into your TV.. the TV i sent you the logs is a Chromecast Ultra which supports 4K HDR, and was plugged into a 75" 4K HDR TV.. my chrome cast works perfectly with all other apps.. its only PLEX that screws up.

image
image695×719 97.9 KB

And here is a actual photo of the TV i sent you the logs from, I’ve hit the info button to show the current video resolution, as you can see the chromecast has the TV running in 4K 3840x2160

image
image775×645 305 KB

so it is definintely not running in 720p like the logs are showing.

Do you have a lab? just set plex up with a google chrome cast, get some mp4’s that are converted to the same format chrome cast can direct play and stream it.. you should be able to reproduce the error, everyone else i know can.

no offence but if you never used a chrome cast this is probably outside your area, can you put me in direct contact with the programers?

36

I own a chromecast. I have the exact same one you show.
Some chromecasts, due to how ports are laid out on certain TVs, need an HDMI extension cable. Our newer models are fine but the original ChromeCast 1 (2.4 Ghz) are too fat in some cases.

I have a question for you. Why are you using the HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port? The ChromeCast does not have ARC capability. The ARC port is intended for feeding audio back to your AVR which doesn’t apply in this case with the ChromeCast.

Have you tried plugging into HDMI IN #3 (regular HDMI) ?

To further demonstrate I can’t replicate your problem (which I am trying),

image1
image1612×816 115 KB

image2
image2816×612 220 KB

image3
image3816×612 150 KB

Lasty, but by far least, if Transcoding were disabled, this video would NOT play. The audio is incompatible with the ChromeCast. The Transcoder is converting only the audio. The video is being sent AS IS,

image4
image4405×399 177 KB

37

MrSw… let me try and help here.

It sounds like Plex as an organization has decided not to offer an option for disabling HW transcoding. May not be the answer you want to hear, but ChuckPA is just the messenger unfortunately and it sounds like they aren’t likely to change their mind.

So that leaves 2 options.

  1. Use a different product than Plex
  2. Try and figure out why Plex isn’t behaving properly and then determine what & where the solutions need to come from.

So if you would like to choose option #1, then we can likely just end/close this thread.

If you would like to go with option #2, I always like to start with getting some basic information out of the way so everyone (including new people who may be reading this thread) start from same place.

  • Platform & Version of PMS you are running (i.e. Windows 10 x64 & PMS v1.xx.xx.x)
  • Is HW Transcoding enable? If so what CPU/GPU is installed on the device (if not a NAS).
  • TV Brand/Model (Vizio P65-F1… etc)
  • Chromecast Model & Firmware version (if they have such a thing, etc.)

Also as a starting point, let’s try to simplify things and use HDM 3 on the back of your TV for your Chromecast HDMI port. It probably won’t make any difference, but that gets some of the ARC and other CEC related stuff out of the equation (less things it can be).

As for what ChuckPA has mentioned, he is just reporting what Plex is saying the Chromecast device said to it. Now Chromecast may be telling the TV something completely different (i.e. 4k @60).

It is very possible that Plex maybe got the message WRONG from the Chromecast device (could be a bug specific to a Plex version/etc., Chromecast FW) but until we get some basic facts established it will be more difficult/time consuming to hone in on where to look for a solution.

38

My ARC is plugged into my sound bar, not sure why you think I’m trying to do ARC to the chrome cast?

As i keep stating over and over and over and over

  1. This effects everyone, stop blaming my TV and chromecast
  2. All other apps like Synology Video Station, Netflix, DLNA players don’t have this problem and can stream fine to all our chrome casts.

Also the photo you sent is of a standard chromecast, this cant do 4K HDR, only the Chromecast Ultra can, which I have.

39

MwC_Trexx,

Clearly I am going for option 2.

And to be clear, I handbreak all my videos to the correct format supported by CheomcCast so i dont need software or hardware transcoding. All my videos can be direct streamed, this is so i get maximum quality (as transcoding looks really bad on a 75") and also so I dont put load on my plex server.

If you read the thread you would see I have stated a few times these videos do direct stream with Plex, the issue is that a lot of the time Plex chooses to transcode them instead, and i have to tap the gear cog on the plex client, click on quality, and click “direct stream” to stop it.

So clearly my TV + Chromecast works if i can get videos to Direct Stream by manually telling plex to direct stream it.

Also, my chrome cast is not connected to the ARC, my ARC is HDMI2 which is connected to my sound bar. Not sure why you guys think it is?

Again, everythign else works find, netflix, other streaming services, as i said before i can use Bubble UPnP and stream from the plex server fine and plex server says its direct streaming.

The issue is with the Plex Client.

40

MrSW… great option 2 it is.

The picture you posted showing the back of your TV showed the Chromecast connected to HDMI 2, so either you posted an incorrect picture or have changed your cabling since then.

For troubleshooting stuff likely this remotely, we need to start from a static/known starting point and methodically change 1 thing at a time.

Can you please provide the requested data:

  • Plex Server OS (including kernel/patch) and PMS version information
  • Whether HW transcoding is enabled and if so CPU/GPU of the Server
  • TV Model
  • Chromecast model & FW version
  • TV HDMI Port that chrome cast is connected to.

1st Test: - Please move the Chromecast to HDMI 3 on your TV and retest to see if that makes any difference (capturing logs during test).

2nd Test - With the Chromecast still on HDMI3, please download the following file and try streaming with it (Capture logs)
http://jell.yfish.us/media/jellyfish-25-mbps-hd-h264.mkv

41

as stated above I’m currently on Version 1.14.1.5488 but this bug kicked in about 9months ago

I have Hisense, other people have Panasonic, Samsung, it is not vendor specific bug is on all installs from Synology NAS server of plex, to Windows Server of Plex. We all use Chromecast Ultra, and Chromecast Gen 2. Chromecast updates itself automatically in the night when no one is using it, I saw my chrome cast actually update when i had the TV left on a few nights ago so will be at current version

Again this effects all TV brands, All Chrome cast and plex server versions for at least 9 months.

I noticed this as i said because i specifically avoid transcoding by handbreaking all my videos so the streaming devices can play them without transcoding. there for i dont use software or hardware transcoding.

I’ve recently (2 weeks ago) moved from a Windows Server 2016 install with Plex Server to now using a Synology Ds418Play. I dont belive this NAS can do hardware transcoding unless I pay for plex pass (which im avoiding due to this bug for now).

will test the mkv - but not moving HDMI ports as i said this effects everyone