I’ve been using Plex for a while, and I’ve had a few devices PS4, Apple TV, LG TV etc. I have media I know can DIRECT play on these devices since I have tried with DLNA / USB and it works with KODI / Synology Video etc. But PLEX just wants to re-encode them all the time from my NAS (Synology). I’ve just about had enough of the stuttering and glitching. I’ve tried updating to the latest version etc.
I’ve no idea how many customers you are losing because of this, but no doubt there are a few moving back to Kodi because it’s not seen as an issue. Well I can tell you it’s an issue… has been for years. The Server is trying to be to smart for it’s own good…
Can this be totally disabled?
If NOT: Please create Force DIRECT Stream option.
-B
@brendand said:
I have media I know can DIRECT play on these devices since I have tried with DLNA / USB and it works with KODI / Synology Video etc.
When playing video this way, it is often using a custom video player, which may have capabilities not inherit to the system. Plex relies on the device’s built-in capabilities. If Plex is not direct playing the file, then it’s because the device’s native player has told Plex that it can’t. Adding a force direct play feature may not help. If you can provide the XML for a file that will not direct play on a device and what that device is, I can probably explain why it is not direct playable.
Yep, I understand that, but what the Plex client is reporting back is incorrect since I know the media can be played on the device using even the most basic inbuilt LDNA based player etc, like the LG TV. I had considered re-coding all my media, but that seems like a pretty complex and very long winded process, and won’t solve the issue when new media is added. The issue seems to be consistent across PS4 and LG TV as well, when one file does not work, it won’t work on both, and is forced decoded on the server.
But even the DLNA player might be a custom player. By built-in, I mean at the OS level of the device.
