FLAC will direct play, but not direct stream

Plex Players Streaming Devices
1

Server Version#: 1.16.6.1592
Player Version#: 7.25.1.14216 (Amazon Fire Stick 4K)

Something kinda odd I’ve noticed. I’ve got more than one show in my library where the video is H.264 and the audio is FLAC. If I can direct play it, the file direct plays (video+audio both direct play), but if the video needs to be transcoded (like because of subtitles), the audio ends up being transcoded too, and I don’t understand why. I have other programs that are AAC (both stereo and 5.1) or AC3 audio, and if the video requires transcoding I still get direct audio playback. It’s only an issue with programs using FLAC for audio codec. It doesn’t have to be multichannel, even stereo FLAC tracks do it.

2

Server Version#: 1.16.6.1592 / 1.18.7.2415
Player Version#: 7.23.0.13018 (Amazon Fire Stick 4K)

Yeah, I had to downgrade the client due to another bug I have.

Still having this issue. Both server versions listed effected.
Can direct play a FLAC audio track on a show only if video is direct playing. If the video needs to be transcoded the audio is too, when it should be direct streaming instead (and it does, with other audio formats like AAC and AC3).

3

When direct streaming, the audio and video use a protocol called HLS. You cannot stream FLAC using HLS, so it has to be transcoded to one that can. This is the expected behavior.

4

Finally! An answer that makes sense!
That solves half of another issue I’m having that I haven’t posted yet.

5

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