Perhaps this is a bug, but this is what I’m experiencing:
I have a Samsung Galaxy A9+ tablet. It does not support 10-bit HEVC (h265). Streamed videos in this format get transcoded and play on the tablet without issue. However, when downloading the video for offline viewing, the original HEVC file is downloaded, which the tablet can’t play. Plex for Android does not support downloading a transcoded version of the file that is compatible with the device.
When downloading videos for offline viewing, please download them in a format and codec compatible with the device.
Check out the client download settings. You should be able to adjust the quality preference. From what I remember , the default setting should be focusing on compatibility but can be changed to original or other quality.
I’ve tried Original, 20 Mbps 1080p, and a 720p setting. In all cases, my 1080p HEVC videos download in HEVC format, even though the tablet doesn’t support it (or that version of it).
Sorry, I missed your reply. I am on beta builds, but no, I have not installed the HEVC/h265 transcoding forum preview you linked.
I just tried this with PMS v1.41.1.9057-af5eaea7a and Android app 10.23.0.1627 (f8f7bc73) and got the same result where the downloaded version won’t play on the tablet. The original video file is 1080p (HEVC Main 10).
I have a similar issue - “An error occurred while attempting to play this video. Please check your connection and try again.” After installing the plex app, downloading the content transcodes the files into compatible format, all of the videos work ok. But after watching any of the videos, future downloads will no longer transcode. I.e. even re-download of the same videos that transcoded correctly initially will not transcode anymore.
A workaround is to clear storage/cache of the plex app (sign-in again). Then downloading the files will transcode correctly. I’m assuming it has something to do with cached codec incorrectly notifying the PMS of client playback capabilities. Let me know if I should provide more detail
I left the download settings to default (original quality).
So you didn’t notice the server transcoding the file? I did on mine. It converted it from mkv (~2GB) to MP4 (7GB).
Rather than clearing cache every few download/viewing, I’ve found a better solution. Setup optimized version, https://support.plex.tv/articles/213095317-creating-optimized-versions/, so that it gets pre-transcoded. I set it to TV optimized and lowered the download settings on the client from original to 1080p 12Mbps.
Now it works fine since the download favors the optimized copy.
There are drawbacks to optimized versions that are roadblocks for me.
I don’t want duplicate versions of my media on my server. It’s wasted space. I’m fine with another copy being created long enough for it to be downloaded to the mobile device, but that should happen on demand when I choose to download media.
I don’t know ahead of time which media I’ll want to download to the mobile device, so I’d need to create optimized versions, wait for that process to complete, and then download the items. Since I’m often downloading right before leaving on a trip, this isn’t feasible. Additionally, I don’t know how many episodes of a show I might get through. If I don’t optimize enough, I won’t be able to watch them. Too many, and that’s more wasted space and more time optimizing.
I don’t want to have to remember to delete optimized versions when they’re no longer needed. I know you can set them to delete when watched, but I download lots of stuff that doesn’t end up getting watched on my trip.
