I am trying to figure out how to stream 4K, HDR from my PC to my TV using for months now and it is driving me a bit insane. Unfortunately, I always get the “server connection not fast enough” error when trying to stream 4K movies. However, 1080p works perfect but 4K doesn’t as the first few seconds are displayed but the screen goes black afterward or lags so much that it’s not doable to watch a movie.
Setup
Windows 10 Pro x64 / Intel i7-7800x CPU / 32 GB RAM / Plex Version 1.15.4.993
Sony KD-55XE9005 with the Plex app / also test with Nvidia Shield
PC, Sony TV, and Nvidia Shield are connected to the Netgear R7800 on 1Gbps ports
Cat7 cables (10.000 Mbps)
Video Details
Lenght: 00:55 minutes
Data Rate: 18904 kbps
Total bitrate 25850 kbps
Audio Bitrate 4656 kbps
File type MKV
Size 9.74 GB
Is there anyone who can explain to me how I can stream 4K smoothly on my TV using Plex so I can finally chill on the couch? Many thanks in advance for any help!
Please supply Plex XML for the video. FYI, rename file to .txt or zip it to attach. Forum s/w won’t let you attach .xml files.
Is the video transcoding?
What does Plex Web’s status dashboard show during playback?
In the Plex app on the Shield, set Display Information = On. During playback, pull up on-screen controls (tap bottom of ring on remote, pause video, etc). What is shown in upper left corner of screen for both video & audio? If transcoding, what reason is displayed?
First of all, thank you for your response as it is very helpful knowing what you’ve explained!
It looks like the video is transcoding and I found out why using “Display information”. The notification displays: TrueHD is not supported on this device.
Note: I might sound like a huge noob right now, but I also own the HT-ST5000 which should be able to produce Dolby Atmos / TrueHD sound.
you’re awesome! When I changed the audio from TrueHD to AC3 direct play became available and the video played smoothly. Hopefully I can ask one more question. As I also own a Sony HT-ST5000 soundbar which should be able to play TrueHD / Dolby Atmos 7.1 but if the TV doesn’t has that capability than I probably won’t be able to do this as the soundbar doesn’t allow app installs. Is this statement correct? Again, I really appreciate your help FordGuy!
You should connect the Shield to one of the HDMI IN ports on the soundbar. This is the only way to get support for dts-HD/dts:X/TrueHD/TrueHD + Atmos audio.
HDMI-ARC does not have enough bandwidth to support lossless audio codecs (other than PCM 2.0).
Therefore, if the Shield is connected to the TV, such audio cannot pass through the TV to the soundbar. This forces PMS to transcode the audio to a supported format.
The sames holds true for using the Plex app on the TV. Lossless audio will be transcoded due to HDMI-ARC limitations.
All of this also has implications when enabling subtitles.
The Shield can direct play video with SRT/VOBSUB/PGS subtitles. However, if the audio is transcoding AND subtitles are enabled, then the video will also transcode. This is so Plex can keep the audio + video + subtitles in sync with each other (it has something to due with the underlying transport protocol).
I’m having the same problem with my Nvidia shieldafter updating the new firmware on my Nas my WD my cloud pr4100 hundred to the new one that Plex just put out Nvidia shield when I click play a movie some movies just go black and just sit there and have to exit out and it worked before the update and now also the collections aren’t showing correctly either only two movies out of the collection when there’s way more movies that are supposed to be in there and they work before the update put all my other devices it shows up fine makes no sense only on the shield that is not showing or playing correctly all the movie still playing all my other devices correctly
If you have Netflix / Amazon / Apple / etc streaming video, you can probably get their 4K + Atmos streams using their TV apps.
Streaming Atmos, informally referred to as “Lossy Atmos,” uses Dolby Digital Plus + Atmos, not TrueHD + Atmos, and can pass over HDMI-ARC.
Netflix on the Shield supports 4K, but not HDR or Atmos.
Amazon on the Shield supports 4K HDR & Atmos, but not Dolby Vision (The Shield does not support Dolby Vision).
I’ve an LG B7 OLED. I use the LG apps for Netflix & Amazon streaming video, as they provide the best available audio & video for those services. I use my Shield for Plex so I can play movies with TrueHD & other lossless audio codecs.
My setup:
Shield <-hdmi-> Denon 4300H <-hdmi-> LG B7 OLED
I wasn’t aware that eARC had such a limitation. I will connect the devices as you suggested. Shield → HT-ST5000 → TV to resolve the issue and allow TrueHD to pass through.
Again, I am really grateful that you took the time to help me out because I had this issue for such a long time that I almost want to give up on 4K using Plex
I would recommend trying the steps FordGuy explained to me, as the issue you describe sounds similar to what I experienced. Plex is probably trans coding and you can check if there are any issues when enabling “Display Information” and check if there are any missing codecs or reasons why plex is trans coding the video.
Both TV & soundbar would need to support eARC. A very quick Google search did not find any info that indicates your TV supports eARC (you’ll also need an HDMI 2.1 cable from TV to soundbar. Ref: Tom’s Guide).
If it does, then in theory the Plex app on the Sony could send lossless audio to the soundbar, as could the Shield when connected to the TV.
I’m being very vague because I haven’t seen anyone mention this actually working (and I’ve no eARC capable gear).
Would be very cool if it works.
Anyway, Shield → Soundbar → TV will get you the TrueHD audio. Report back if it doesn’t work.
You haven’t provided any details as to your issue. Provide more details and we can see what is going on. Note that if you are trying to play 4K content and transcode is needed, your PR4100 may not be able to handle it, it’s just not powerful enough.
My issue is it simple after that new firmware update everything else plays fine except the shield and the shield only shows collections and two movies in them no matter how many movies are supposed to be in the collection it only shows 2 and some of them don’t play fix it now it’s easy and simple whatever you did in the last update reverse it or fix it so it works better
Also it doesn’t matter if it’s 4K or not because every other device my house plays it fine it’s just the shield only The shield my phone plays it fine my smart TV plays it fine my computer plays it fine it’s the out-of-date app on the shield and needs to be updated
I also i can play the same movie at my friend’s house on his smart TV no problems and it’s streaming from my Nas but when I’m at home on the same freaking Network the Nvidia shield can’t play it but every other device on my network can it’s just the shield what are you getting. as soon as I try and play it on my shield The shield doesn’t play it at all and it used to play that video what more do you need
