Hi Everyone,
Recently i started creating a 4K library, however as someone tries to watch something, it will automatically try to transcode the video if they are unable to watch it at 4K, is there a way to force direct play rather than transcode from server side.
The short answer is no. There is no “Direct Play or don’t play” feature in PMS. For Plex Web, you can individually toggle Direct Play and Direct Stream capability, but you cannot toggle transcoding (Settings -> Web -> Debug, must first Show Advanced settings).
Are you watching 4K material on a non-4K client?
Pretty sure this will always transcode. Don’t see a way around it unless the client can make the resolution adjustment instead of PMS (I do not know of any clients that perform such transformation).
The approach most are taking is to keep 4K material in a separate library (ex. “Movies - 4K”) and simply not playing 4K material on non-4K clients. For remote users, don’t share the 4K libraries unless you both have the necessary amount of bandwidth and they have 4K capable clients.
Are you watching 4K material on a 4K client and it is transcoding?
If so, then you need to find the reason for the transcode. Can you provide more information?
Hey there FordGuy, you pretty much answered most of my questions. I basically did what others have as well. Moved all 4K material to a folder that i only allow access to for those that i know can watch 4K direct stream. Issue i found in the past is that if someone messes up and tries to stream it throws my PC into go crazy with resource usage mode.
The one thing i did discover is sadly if a 4K tries to transcode 7.1 to 5.1 or anything else that also causes major issues, and that can;t be helped often times. I found if the movie has a 7.1 and a 5.1 option dropping down to 5.1 helps, but 7.1 to anything causes headaches.
I am currently getting a 1050TI hoping it will help some. No need to send you the stuff your requested to be honest, don’t think there is a fix or a way around it at this time, well perhaps the graphics card will help, otherwise i’d need a quaddro p2000 or a coffeelake processor.
